85 Amendments of Jean Marie BEAUPUY
Amendment 38 #
2008/2334(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Calls on the Commission to monitor the effects of the changes in the implementation of the Structural Funds, and to take its observations into account in the mid-term review of the Community strategic guidelines on cohesionevaluate in 2010 the effectiveness of the reforms undertaken under the above-mentioned procedures.
Amendment 10 #
2008/2249(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas subcontracting may also be carried out by pure manpower firms that sometimes operate as so-called letterbox companies, which highlights the nature of the construction industry as a sector of rapidly changing, often fixed term employment relationships where the position of workers is often precarious,
Amendment 17 #
2008/2249(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas employment relations in the construction sector have been redefined and, at the same time, have reduced the direct social responsibility of the 'principal contractor', as labour has been externalised by the use of subcontractors and employment agencies, making the supply of cheap, often unskilled labour an integral part of lower level subcontractingthe externalisation of activities or labour by the use of subcontractors and employment agencies is reducing the direct social responsibility of undertakings when it is used extensively,
Amendment 19 #
2008/2249(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
J. whereas thesome sectors, in particular construction sector, hasve been especially vulnerable to abuses in itstheir often complicated subcontracting chains,
Amendment 35 #
2008/2249(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Takes note of the Commission's proposal for a Directive providing for sanctions against employers of illegally staying third-country nationals, in which the Commission introduces into Community legislation the idea of joint and several liability into Community legislationof the principal vis-à- vis its direct subcontractor if it has failed to carry out certain checks;
Amendment 42 #
2008/2249(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Welcom Notes the fact that eight Member States (Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain) have responded toendeavoured to resolve the problems connected with the duties of subcontractors as employers by establishing national liability schemes; encourages other Member States to consider similar schemes applicable to the principal or even the client;
Amendment 48 #
2008/2249(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Reiterates its message by callingCalls on the Commission to establish a clear-cut Community legal instrument introducing at European level joint and several liability at European levelof the client vis-à-vis the principal contractor or of any contractor vis-à-vis its direct subcontractor if it has failed to carry out certain checks, while respecting the different legal systems in place in the Member States and the principles of subsidiarity of subsidiarity and proportionality;
Amendment 65 #
2008/2249(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Stresses that more effective measures can be taken to counter the potential negative social consequences of subcontracting can be tackled byby improving enhanced social dialogue between employers’ organisations and trade unions, also with the participation of socially active NGOs and civil society organisations;
Amendment 22 #
2008/2242(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Amendment 2 #
2008/2237(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the fact that the Commission has set in place a comprehensive political framework for SMEs and with it has given a clear signal for the key role of the SMEs in economic growth, employment, social cohesion and innovation in Europe; stresses that currently most jobs being created in Europe are in SMEs and that the majority of the new jobs being created are in craft industries and small businesses;
Amendment 9 #
2008/2237(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Sees a need for further development of the Small Business Act in the area of labour law, especiallythrough active policies in respect of the job market, modernising social protection systems to make work pay and investment in lifelong learning, in view of the concept of flexicurity principle, which enables SMEs in particular to respond more quickly to changes in the market and therefore to guarantee a higher level of employment and the competitiveness of the company, as well as international competitiveness, while taking into account the necessary social protection; in this connection refers to its resolution of 29 November 2007 on flexicurity; stresses that one of the main pillars of flexicurity is a simple and, predictable and sufficiently supple labour law, which is of crucial importance to craft industries and SMEs in particular, because these businesses often cannot afford to have a legal departmentrequire greater internal and external flexibility owing to their low staffing levels and often cannot afford to have a legal department or a human resources management department; points out that 91.5% of European companies employ fewer than 10 people (source: Eurostat, 2003);
Amendment 12 #
2008/2237(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Stresses, to that effect, the need to ensure that the diversity of SMEs is taken into account in the responses adopted, including as regards single-person limited liability businesses and/or individual undertakings which, owing to their statute, face specific problems in terms of development and in the field of social and fiscal matters and access to financing;
Amendment 14 #
2008/2237(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Considers it necessary to introduce measures to combat undeclared work, which is unarguably a source of unfair competition for highly labour-intensive SMEs;
Amendment 17 #
2008/2237(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Is concerned about the continuing lack of qualified workforce, a situation which will worsen further in the future; points out that SMEs are in competition with larger businesses for qualified workers and that they should be supported particularly with targeted staff development and trainingwith training, and particularly vocational training, and in the acquisition, development and transmission of their staff’s skills; welcomes in this connection the measures the Commission has takenannounced in the Small Business Act for cross-border experience exchanges for young business people, journeymen and apprentices (Erasmus) and requests that these be implemented rapidly in order finally to eliminate the obstacles to their mobility;
Amendment 18 #
2008/2237(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Calls on the European and national public authorities to provide strong support for craft industries and SMEs as regards the functioning of the job markets and to apply the principles of flexicurity, with a view to ensuring, inter alia, a degree of security to the heads, as well as the employees, of small enterprises, by: – devising institutional financial solutions for SMEs at a supra-enterprise level in order to help them commit more actively to continuous and lifelong training, – ensuring the availability on the market of tailor-made training that matches the specific requirements of SMEs at affordable prices, – supporting SMEs with flanking measures, such as advisory services in the field of internal flexibility (concerning, for example, new models for the organisation of working time) or ones helping SMEs offer better conditions for the reconciliation of family and working life;
Amendment 23 #
2008/2237(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Points out that the problems in the business transfer process and the impact of an ageing population place almost 2.8 million jobs at risk every year; therefore requests the Member States swiftly to implement suitable policies and mechanisms, in particular by introducing diagnostic, information, advisory and support tools for the heads of enterprises concerned by business transfers;
Amendment 2 #
2008/2224(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1a (new)
Paragraph 1a (new)
1a. Stresses that commitment on the part of local and regional elected representatives is essential for reconciling the irreconcilable, and that information provision and training therefore needs to be developed; welcomes in this regard the creation of an Erasmus programme for local and regional elected representatives;
Amendment 23 #
2008/2224(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Points out that the European Parliament intergroups are playing their full part as a citizens’ intermediary, an instrument which genuinely links the political sphere and civil society;
Amendment 30 #
2008/2217(INI)
Draft report
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Calls for a modal shift to sustainable, environmentally friendly modes of transport at local and European level, a concept which must be taken into account when drawing up sustainable urban mobility plans;
Amendment 36 #
2008/2217(INI)
Draft report
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Advocates cooperation between, and the operational integration of, organising authorities in European cities of over 250 000 inhabitants, based on,authorities responsible for the organisation of public transport, traffic and parking in European cities of over 250 000 inhabitants, in comparable areas, based on movements of population and goods and in line with, local circumstances;
Amendment 38 #
2008/2217(INI)
Draft report
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Urges organising authorities to set themselves proactive, coherent targets for greenhouse gas emission reductions by means of mobility policies set out in the travel plans (see Article 7) and to derive from these targets specific performance obligations for public or private transport service operators;
Amendment 1 #
2008/2183(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 9 a (new)
Citation 9 a (new)
- having regard to the European Parliament's resolution of 21 October 2008 on governance and partnership at national and regional levels and a basis for projects in the sphere of regional policy (2008/2064(INI))
Amendment 41 #
2008/2174(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
Amendment 59 #
2008/2174(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes the analysis contained in the Green Paper which defines three key concepts that should be central to the development of territorial cohesion: concentration, connection and cooperation; considers that these concepts can provide the solution to some basic obstacles that hinder the harmonious development of the Union, like the negative effects associated with the concentration of economic activity, the inequalities in terms of access to markets and services that result from distance and/or concentration, and the divisions that are imposed by boundaries between Member States but also regions;
Amendment 66 #
2008/2174(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Agrees with the approach of not including any references to possible budgetary and financial implications of territorial cohesion in the Green Paper and the public debate; considers that such an analysis would be premature until the concept itself is clearly defined and understood by all stakeholders; suggrequests that these considerations should be made in the framework of the next financial perspectives;
Amendment 76 #
2008/2174(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Endorses the position of the Green Paper that territorial cohesion is about ensuring the harmonious development of places with different characteristics and specificities, whose assets should be exploited to the full and about making sure that their citizens are able to make the most of inherent features of different territories; places emphasis on the fact that territorial cohesion is a horizontal concept that underpins the development of the Union as a whole by turning diversity into an asset of all its regions; strongly believes that territorial cohesion should prevent the prospect of an asymmetric Union;
Amendment 82 #
2008/2174(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Believes that territorial cohesion is a distinct concept that should provide tangible added value to economic and social cohesion; stresses that the three component parts of cohesion (economic, social and territorial) should be complementary and mutually reinforcing, albeit maintaining their own separate mission in a single integrated concept; considers, therefore, that there shouldmust be no hierarchy between these objectives;
Amendment 84 #
2008/2174(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Recalls that, on the ground, the concept of territorial cohesion frequently comes up against divisions between public authorities at national, regional and local levels and that these geographical and administrative boundaries do not necessarily correspond to the appropriate area of intervention; calls on the Commission and the Member States to take citizens' needs as their starting point, taking account of the relevant basic territorial units when addressing issues of fundamental importance to their daily lives such as population and labour catchment areas;
Amendment 90 #
2008/2174(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Emphasizses that one of the main objectives of territorial cohesion is to ensure that progress and growth generated in one specific territory should provide benefits for the whole region and across the EU territory; considers, in this respect, that excellence centres and clusters of research and innovation are vital to economic successt vital to strengthen research and all forms of innovation for economic development, scientific discoveryresearch, technological innovation and jobs and that more interacand non- technological innovation and jobs; emphasises that centres of excellence, clusters and all measures taken by public authorities and business organisations and knowledge transfer should be stimulated between those centres and their surrounding regionsimed at developing innovation, including innovation by and in small and micro enterprises, should be encouraged; calls for the strengthening of interaction and knowledge transfer between those centres, universities, business organisations and individual businesses, including the smallest;
Amendment 94 #
2008/2174(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Emphasises the single market's vital contribution to economic, social and territorial cohesion; stresses the importance of public services in relation to sustainable economic and social development as well as the need for socially and regionally equitable access to services of general interest; takes the view that in light of the subsidiarity principle and of EU competition law, responsibility for defining, organising, financing and monitoring services of general interest should rest with the national, regional and local authorities; considers howeveremphasises, in this respect, that a guarantee of "equitable access" does not simply involve geographical distance but that availability and accessibility are of crucial importance; takes the view that a reflection on the fair access for citizens to services should be included in the debate on the territorial cohesion;
Amendment 98 #
2008/2174(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Emphasises the vital importance of small, medium-sized and micro enterprises for competitiveness and job creation in the regions, where they play an essential role in maintaining cohesion and economic and social stability; considers it essential that the objective of future development policies of the regions should be to increase the competitiveness of all businesses, including those operating on local markets and in traditional sectors, not just the most successful or fast-growing companies; urges the Commission to ensure that organisations representing the various types of SMEs participate directly in the definition and implementation of territorial policies and calls on the Member States and the regions to do the same at their level;
Amendment 100 #
2008/2174(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)
Paragraph 15 b (new)
15b. Recalls, in this respect, that the conclusions of the Competitiveness Council of 1 December 2008 call on the Member States and the Commission to "ensure the efficient implementation of the Small Business Act for Europe at all relevant levels";
Amendment 114 #
2008/2174(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Recalls the specific nature of urban areas and that the combination of a high urban concentration of population and activity creates negative factors for cities, such as congestion, pollution, social exclusion and pockets of poverty, which affect the quality of life of their citizens.
Amendment 155 #
2008/2174(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Stresses the need to elaborate, in the context of territorial cohesion, additional qualitative indicators with the purpose of better designing and implementing the corresponding policies on the ground, taking into account the different territorial specificities; recalls, in this respect, that a quantitative database at NUTS III level or at a lower level would make it possible to target needs more effectively and develop potential at both subregional and neighbourhood level in order to take into account intra-urban disparities; underlines, however, that the GDP remains the only eligibility criterion for receiving financial assistance from the Structural Funds;
Amendment 162 #
2008/2174(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Believes that in order to better coordinate the territorial impact of sectoral Community policies, there needs to be a better understanding and measurement of those impacts; urges, therefore, the Commission to proceed with a territorial impact assessment of those policies; expects that the Commission will also present concrete ways of creating synergies between these territorial and sectoral policies; emphasises that European policies, and more particularly cohesion policy, have transformed governance from an often centralised system characterised by compartmentalisation (both geographical and sectoral) into an increasingly integrated, multi-level system; recalls, in this respect, that Community initiatives, such as URBAN I and II in urban areas and LEADER in rural areas, have shown the effectiveness of their methodology, which is based, for example, on a multi-sectoral, territorial and bottom-up integrated approach.
Amendment 163 #
2008/2174(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Calls on all European stakeholders, public authorities, states and citizens to establish a formal system of territorial governance which goes beyond the traditional administrative and legal frameworks, and aims: – to combine the forces of the various stakeholders involved in responding to a single need of its citizens/users, in an area corresponding to this need, and – to act coherently and effectively, i.e. by using recognised methods, such as project management, and by using the various existing legal frameworks for cooperation;
Amendment 166 #
2008/2174(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 b (new)
Paragraph 24 b (new)
24b. Reiterates its request to the Commission that it carry out a specific analysis of the impact and effectiveness of the Structural Funds and European policies aimed at SMEs in the regions, as well as of the administrative and financial difficulties encountered by such SMEs;
Amendment 172 #
2008/2174(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. In the light of the results of the analysis of the operational programmes cofinanced by the European Regional Development Fund for the period 2007- 2013, calls on the Commission, the Member States and the authorities managing the Structural Funds to improve good urban governance, particularly through the use of technical assistance to promote sustainable urban development or the delegation of action to local urban authorities;
Amendment 182 #
2008/2174(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27a. Reiterates its call on the Member States to schedule specific Council sessions involving the ministers responsible for cohesion policy;
Amendment 187 #
2008/2174(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Considers that taking an integrated approach will have a greater chance of success if the regional and local authorities, as well as stakeholders, including the economic and social partners, who can provide an overall view and understanding of the needs and specificities of a given territory, are involved from the beginning in the designing and implementation of the development strategies of each territory; calls on the Commission and the Member States to promote, in the regions, the establishment and operation of committees and working parties consisting of representatives of public authorities and the stakeholders involved in order to define the forms of future cooperation and to agree on future development strategies for the territories concerned;
Amendment 193 #
2008/2174(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Recognises that territorial cohesion introduces some new ideas on how to improve the governance of cohesion policy; agrees with the view that different territorial scales are needed for different problems and that therefore the establishment of real partnerships between all the parties involved in regional and local development, at differentEU, national, regional and local levels, is a precondition in the process of designing territorial cohesion and calls on the Commission and Member States to make all efforts to develop such a multi-level territorial governance; considers that territorial cohesion should be about identifying the appropriate territorial level for addressing each policy or measure;
Amendment 17 #
2008/2130(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas EU spatial development faces the challenges of economic restructuring, high unemployment, non-accessible and congested public transport, limited useable territory exacerbated by urban sprawl, a declining and ageing population, rising migration, social exclusion, high and rising crime rates, "ghettoisation" of certain city districts, dilapidated housing, the worsening of the quality of life in deprived areas, insufficiency of parks and recreation areas, environmental pollution, water and waste management control and the need for secure energy,
Amendment 21 #
2008/2130(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J a (new)
Recital J a (new)
Ja. whereas SMEs, and in particular small and micro enterprises and craftworkers and traders, are vital to maintaining activity in urban centres and maintaining a balance, particularly a social balance in city districts, and whereas urban policies on transport regulation, business activity, real property regulation and increasing cost of housing, or on the other hand a lack of balanced policy-making, have often led to the disappearance of economic activities and personal service occupations becoming increasingly rare,
Amendment 25 #
2008/2130(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
Amendment 30 #
2008/2130(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Expresses the view that it would be inappropriate to adopt a common definition of "urban areas" as this would not adequately take account of the variety of situations in Member States and regions and hence takes the view that any obligatory definition and designation of urban areas should be left to Member States in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity based on European common indicators;
Amendment 49 #
2008/2130(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Believes that only if sufficient resources are available for sustainable urban development will it be efficient to draw up integrated urban development plans and consequently recommends that available resources be concentrated on specific actions; proposes a minimum level of structural fund expenditure amounting to EUR 1.000 per inhabitant of the urban area per programming period;
Amendment 53 #
2008/2130(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Identifies an urgent need for a transformation of capacity for vertical and horizontal urban governance and draws to the attention of the Member States the pressing need to adopt an integrated approach in implementing urban development policy, (which deals with questions fundamentally linked to the daily life of citizens, such as transport services, public services, quality of life, employment and local economic activities, security, etc.) by involving in this effort national governments together with regional and local authorities and all other relevant public and private stakeholders, on the basis of the partnership principle;
Amendment 63 #
2008/2130(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Notes the urban development potential of the private sector and believes that the use of Public Private Partnerships should be systematically envisaged and encouraged for the establishment of innovative financing schemes and projects; it being understood that observance of the principles of subsidiarity and local autonomy requires that strategic decisions, involving practical considerations (choice of service provision methods, drawing up specifications, maintaining a certain degree of control, etc.), as to which assignments shall be entrusted to competent private bodies shall be made by the public authorities;
Amendment 29 #
2008/2100(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I a (new)
Recital I a (new)
I a. whereas SMEs, especially microbusinesses and craft undertakings, have a key role to play in preserving social and economic activity in the countryside and ensuring its stability,
Amendment 41 #
2008/2100(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Takes the view that the criteria traditionally used to distinguish rural areas from urban areas (lower population density, different employment structure, lower level of income and worse access to public goods and services) fail to provide a complete picture of the situation; considers, therefore, that from the point of view of territorial cohesion, per-capita income, not lower population density, should be the decisive characteristi may be employed as the decisive characteristic but must not be applied in isolation, and should therefore be combined with population density, the share of agriculture in economic activity, accessibility of public services, etc;
Amendment 59 #
2008/2100(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a new)
Paragraph 4 a new)
4a. Calls on the Commission, the Member States and the regional authorities to ensure the direct participation of the organisations representing SMEs, microbusinesses and craft enterprises, in order to identify those priorities with a view to responding in the best way possible to those enterprises' needs and expectations;
Amendment 111 #
2008/2100(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Once again draws the attention of the Council, the Commission, the Member States and the local authorities to the enormous challenge posed by the predicted disappearance of several millions of rural small businesses, which will have a major impact on employment and, therefore, on stability in the countryside; calls for all necessary measures to be taken at all levels, in close cooperation with the economic and social partners;
Amendment 120 #
2008/2100(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Calls on the Council to convene a joint meeting of agriculture and regional development ministersthe ministers concerned (in particular those responsible for agriculture and regional development. regional planning, and the economy and fnance) to discuss the best means of coordinating cohesion policy and rural development measures;
Amendment 122 #
2008/2100(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13 a. Calls on the Commission to introduce or strengthen genuine governance or partnership arrangements at all levels, with the direct involvement of all players, including SMEs and microbusinesses, as well as the economic and social partners, with a view to defining the priorities for action best adapted to rural areas' development needs;
Amendment 1 #
2008/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 2a (new)
Citation 2a (new)
- having regard to Article 11 (entitled 'Partnership') of Council Regulation (EC) No 1083/2006 of 11 July 2006 laying down general provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund and the Cohesion Fund1 1 OJ L 210, 31.07.2006, p. 25.
Amendment 8 #
2008/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital Aa (new)
Recital Aa (new)
Aa. whereas attention should be drawn to the definition of 'partnership' as contained in General Regulation No 1083/2006 on the Structural Funds, pursuant to which each Member State shall organise a partnership with authorities and bodies such as: (a) the competent regional, local, urban and other public authorities; (b) the economic and social partners; (c) any other appropriate body representing civil society, environmental partners, non-governmental organisations and bodies responsible for promoting equality between men and women;
Amendment 65 #
2008/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Calls on the European Commission to draw up a guide containing a clear definition and assessment criteria designed to facilitate the implementation of effective partnerships, in keeping with the institutional framework specific to each Member State;
Amendment 83 #
2008/2064(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Draws attention to the requirement to hold public consultationsconsult the general public and organisations representing civil society on the issue of programming and notes that the efforts to involve the public in the preparations for the operational programmes for the period 2007-2013 were not entirely successful; calls on the Commission, therefore, to identify good practices with a view to improving public involvement ahead of the next programming period;
Amendment 1 #
2008/2061(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 9 a (new)
Citation 9 a (new)
- having regard to the URBACT Programme, carried out as part of URBAN, which is facilitating and developing good practices and exchanges of experience involving more than 200 European Union cities,
Amendment 2 #
2008/2061(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 9 b (new)
Citation 9 b (new)
- having regard to its resolution of 21 October 2008 on governance and partnership at national and regional levels and a basis for projects in the sphere of regional policy (2008/2064(INI)),
Amendment 26 #
2008/2061(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Amendment 78 #
2008/2061(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 – indents 4 a and 4 b (new)
Paragraph 12 – indents 4 a and 4 b (new)
- integration of neighbourhoods in crisis - taking account of the living environment: the urban, suburban and nearby rural environment;
Amendment 99 #
2008/2061(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Recommends that the Commission set up within the current administrative framework a specific office in the Directorate-General for Regional Policy to organise, in cooperation with the network of the regions, the evaluation, collection and exchange of best practices and to act as a permanent contact point for both the supply and the demand side, with the aim of establishing a long-term, continuous, reliable and successful exchange of best practices in the field of cohesion policy; calls on the Commission to disseminate this good-practices culture to all its departments;
Amendment 101 #
2008/2061(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Points out that, while the European Union provides funding and good practices, it is for national, regional and local office holders to capitalise on them; welcomes in this connection the establishment of an Erasmus programme for local and regional elected representatives.
Amendment 3 #
2008/2055(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Considers that, for many years, EU regional policy has demonstrated to the European public its unique European added-value by effectively promoting economic and social cohesion across the EU, whilst at the same time contributing to the achievement of the objectives of the Lisbon Strategy for growth and jobs and the Gothenburg objectives for sustainable development; opposes, therefore, any attempt to re- nationalise this Community policy; reiterates its long-standing position that cohesion policy should relate to the whole of the territory of the EU and that the larger part of the financial resources available should be concentrated on the needs of less-developed regions;
Amendment 5 #
2008/2055(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Considers that cohesion policy still needs to be reinforced and that greater emphasis should be placed on the value added it creates; calls, therefore, for sufficient financial resources to be allocated to cohesion policy at Community level;
Amendment 19 #
2008/2055(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses the need, while taking action against fraud and irregularity, to simplify the procedures for the implementation of Structural Funds, especially the management and control systems; notes that the complexity of the system is to a certain extent responsible for the poor absorption by the Member States of the available resources; urgwelcomes the Commission to p's rescent without further delayproposals for an early review of Union cohesion policy, to include concrete proposals for simplifying relevant procedures which should be implemented immediately;
Amendment 37 #
2008/2055(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. .Recalls that, during the negotiations for the Regulations on Structural Funds 2007- 2013, Parliament put forward in the context of an informal trilogue, a proposal for the reallocation of unspent resources that are lost because of the N+2 / N+3 rule to the Community cohesion budget (Heading 1b) and to other operational programmes with a better record of absorption and for the creation of a Community quality and performance reserve, which would be a mechanism for rewarding progress; greatly regrets that thisese proposals wasere not considered at the time by the Council; calls on the Commission, in its forthcoming mid-term review, to respond to Parliament’s proposal and to make specific proposals for the reallocation of these resources.
Amendment 12 #
2008/2041(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Firmly believes that, while the quality of transport infrastructures and services is a crucial element in the attractiveness and competitiveness of urban centres, the effectiveness of transport investment depends on it being linked to a balanced development strategy for individual urban centres; considers it therefore essential for urban planning schemes at conurbation level to take account of the current and future impacts of urban transport;
Amendment 17 #
2008/2041(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on the Commission, Member States and regional and local authorities to adopt an integrated approach to investment planning for urban areas concerning urban transport; considers that due account should be taken of other factors than the need for mobility, such as social integration, noise and air pollution, competitiveness, the environment etc.;
Amendment 18 #
2008/2041(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Calls on the Commission to facilitate the development of an integrated approach by carrying out studies on the benefits of such an approach and highlighting the costs of a non-integrated approach; further calls on the Commission to provide a guide for those working at grass-roots level to advise them on the practicalities of an integrated approach, e.g. by means of a check-list;
Amendment 19 #
2008/2041(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Calls on the Commission to review Union legislation and guidelines which directly or indirectly influence the way in which balanced urban development is pursued, with a view to offering regions and cities a common frame of reference to make it easier for them to make choices as regards the planning and implementation of development strategy; calls on the Commission to draw up a comprehensive guide setting out in a systematic manner all the funds available for urban transport (FPRD, regional funds, Life+, Marco Polo ) and the opportunities offered by the EIB, along the lines of the guide recently published by DG Regional Policy on cities;
Amendment 20 #
2008/2041(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Recalls that the Commission should encourage local stakeholders to set up public-private partnerships;
Amendment 3 #
2008/2034(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 26 a (new)
Citation 26 a (new)
- having regard to its declaration of 22 April 2008 on ending street homelessness, 1 Texts adopted, P6_TA(2008)0163.
Amendment 5 #
2008/2026(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Calls on the Commission to implement a pilot project to set up an Erasmus programme for local elected representatives to contribute to exchanges of good practice in the area of governance and thereby set in motion a process of continuous learning aimed at all the individuals involved, in particular regional and local elected representatives; recommends, in this connection, that regional and urban policies be brought under an integrated development strategy, which is contingent on improved governance;
Amendment 9 #
2008/2010(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
Recital H a (new)
Ha. whereas the image of ORs, often seen as regions subsidised by Community or regional funds, without consideration for the positive impact of such funding, is hardly offset by the genuine added value they contribute to the EU in environmental, cultural and geostrategic terms, which is not immediately visible,
Amendment 24 #
2008/2010(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Considers that Community actions should be a catalyst for a spirit of enterprise that will, on the basis of public/private partnerships, transform the ORs into centres of excellence, driven by sectors which fully exploit their advantages and know-how, such as waste management, renewable energies, student mobility, climate research or crisis management;
Amendment 33 #
2007/2191(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital K
Recital K
K. whereas most of the least favoured micro-regional territories are facing complex multi-dimensional problems related to their peripheral location, lack of infrastructure, socio- economic under- development, de- industrialisation processes, low levels of education and training, lack of administrative capacity, generationalhigh levels of unemployment, deteriorating housing and living conditions, low access to services of general interest and concentration of segregated minorities and vulnerable groups,
Amendment 49 #
2007/2191(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Emphasises in this connection that horizontal actions are not sufficient to overcome the problems of territorialterritorial problems of exclusion and recommends therefore that the Member States apply a holistic territorial development strategy, putting the cross-sector integrated approach into practice and focusing on the potential of these territories while also taking into consideration their geographical handicaps;
Amendment 66 #
2007/2191(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to allocate resources between developed cities and excludecities and rural territories in a balanced way, which is also proportional to their respective challenges, and to establish tailor-made long-term programmes for specific vulnerable groups with the participation of local authorities, relevant social and economic partners and representatives of the target groups in the decision-making process and implementation in order to best address their needs and bring genuine solutions to overcome exclusion and the intergenerational unemploymenttransmission of poverty;
Amendment 68 #
2007/2191(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Urges the Commission and the Member States to make greater use of the synergies and complementarities of the various financial instruments available, such as the European Regional Development Fund, the Cohesion Fund, the European Social Fund, the European Integration Fund, the programme of Community action on public health and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, in order to increase their added value;
Amendment 93 #
2007/2191(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Underlines the need to address the demographic trends of further urban concentration and rural exodus and their territorial impact; calls therefore on the Member States to draw up strategies to revitalise depopulated areas by fostering real development opportunities, maintaining services of general interest, offering jobs and training, improving housing and living conditions, enhancing local administrative capacity and increasing the attractiveness of those areas to investors; considers that, at the same time, towns need support for their efforts to remedy urban difficulties;
Amendment 23 #
2004/0209(COD)
Recital 6 a (new)
(6a) The likelihood of sickness in companies that require staff to work on Sundays is greater than in companies that do not require staff to work on Sundays. The health of workers depends, among other factors, on their opportunities to reconcile work and family life, to establish and maintain social ties and to pursue their spiritual needs. Sunday, as the traditional weekly rest day, contributes to these objectives more than any other day of the week.
Amendment 43 #
2004/0209(COD)
Article 1 – point 2
Directive 2003/88/EC
Article 2b – subparagraphs 2 and 3
Article 2b – subparagraphs 2 and 3
The Member States shall ensure, without prejudice to Directive 2002/14/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2002 establishing a general framework for informing and consulting employees in the European Community and in consultation with the social partners, that: - employers inform workers in due time of any substantialwell in advance of any changes in the pattern or organisation of their working time. Taking into account workers' needs for flexibility in their working hours and patterns, the Member States shall, in accordance with national practices, also encourage employers to examine requests for changes to such working hours and patterns, subject to business needs, and to both employers' and workers' needs for flexibilitf working time, and - workers have the right to request changes to their hours and patterns of work and employers have the obligation to consider such requests fairly, having regard to the needs for flexibility of both employers and employees. An employer may refuse such a request only if the organisational disadvantages for the employer are disproportionate to the benefit to the worker. - the minimum rest period referred to in Article 5(1) of Directive 2003/88/EC shall, in principle, include Sunday.
Amendment 47 #
2004/0209(COD)
Article 1 – point 2 a (new)
Directive 2003/88/EC
Article 5 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 2 a (new)
(2a) In Article 5, paragraph 2a shall be added: "The minimum rest period referred to in the first paragraph shall in principle include Sunday."