The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is changing the way it buys the provision of welfare to work services. The first step of this process is to establish a Framework of providers that will be the key vehicle for sourcing all DWP employment related support services. The Framework will be in place for up to 4 years and the invitation to tender was recently issued to those organisations who expressed an interest to join. The Framework is divided into "lot" areas and it is anticipated that between 3 and 8 providers will be allocated to each lot. More information can be found at:

> Department for Work and Pensions

It is anticipated that the Framework will be in place by the end of November 2010. Framework providers will then be invited to tender for the Work Programme and, in due course, other employment programmes, including those funded by investment from ESF Convergence. In order to link other delivery organisations with potential Framework providers a web-based portal has been developed:

> Framework Forum

The Skills Funding Agency (SFA) has launched two pre-qualification questionnaires – one for the provision of Not in Education Employment or Training (NEET) services in England and another for Community Grants. Any provider who is interested in tendering to deliver these programmes should register with the SFA’s e-tendering portal and respond to the relevant PQQ.

> SFA e-tendering portal

Ambitious expansion plans for a Cornwall-based company, Calidus Engineering, specialising in technology for the oil and gas and geothermal industries are to be supported by almost half a million pounds worth of ERDF Convergence investment.

> Click here for more details

Four new high quality factory units supporting up to 70 jobs are to be built in Redruth following the approval of ERDF Convergence investment .

> Click here for more details

For the latest update on Convergence in light of the Coalition Government’s budgetary priorities and changing mechanisms and structures, see:

> Convergence Update

“What is happening with ERDF Convergence? 2010 is proving to be a pivotal year for the Programme: decisions made over the next few months will affect future investment policy and management arrangements.

“Programme partners have made significant investment decisions in the past two and a half years – including Wave Hub, major research and teaching facilities within the Combined Universities in Cornwall (CUC), business-related investment at Newquay Airport and an increasing number of direct investments in the creation of high-value jobs in companies through gap funding or Grant for Business Investment. The Convergence website carries details of all these investments.

“The mid-Programme review is to be discussed at the Programme Monitoring Committee. It will make recommendations about the strategy of the Programme, about the targets, about its environmental ambitions and about its impact on business. At the same meeting reviews of Business Support, Strategic Investment Frameworks and Innovation activities will all be considered. Overarching all this is the question of match funding and the PMC will be meeting just after the Government’s Spending Review announcements, so that the effect of these on the Programme can be properly considered.

"We now all know that the Government has decided that the South West RDA will be abolished by April 2012, with ERDF functions likely to be transferred to the Communities and Local Government department. Progress in the development of a Local Enterprise Partnership for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly is widely reported elsewhere, including its potential role in Convergence. Regardless of future changes, the Convergence Team within the RDA, headed by Gareth Grimshaw, remains focused on one main task: successful delivery of the Programme for partners.”

Three charities that provide practical and emotional support to farmers, farm workers and their families during times of crisis are extending their work thanks to the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE). The ARC-Addington Fund, the Farm Crisis Network and the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution have been given a £510,000 grant for their work. They can now recruit more staff and volunteers, develop new services and provide care for elderly and disabled farmers and farm workers.

> Click here for more details

Upland farmers and land managers on Bodmin Moor are being invited to book onto a one-to-one farm visit to equip them with the knowledge and confidence to enter into an Uplands Entry Level Stewardship (Uplands ELS) agreement. The voluntary scheme encourages hill farmers to deliver simple land management to benefit the farm environment. The free advice visit is an opportunity to hear more about the options available.

> Click here for more details

More information about RDPE projects and contact details can be found on the Convergence website.

Newlyn Harbour Commissioners decided not to take up the offer of European Fisheries Fund money to build a new fish market at Newlyn. The money remains available for port development in Cornwall including any revised plans for Newlyn.

The next panel will sit on 6 October 2010 and will consider 17 applications, four of which are Convergence. The next deadline for panel applications is 5 January 2011.

For contact details and information about the fisheries programme, visit the Convergence website.