Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the ‘Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EC) No 1080/2006 on the European Regional Development Fund as regards the eligibility of housing interventions in favour of marginalised communities’

COM(2009) 382 — 2009/0105 (COD)

(2010/C 128/16)

Rapporteur-general: Mr GRASSO

On 11 September 2009, the Council decided to consult the European Economic and Social Committee, under Article 262 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the

Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EC) No 1080/2006 on the European Regional Development Fund as regards the eligibility of housing interventions in favour of marginalised communities

COM(2009) 382 – 2009/0105 (COD).

On 29 September 2009 the Committee Bureau instructed the Section for Economic and Monetary Union and Economic and Social Cohesion to prepare the Committee's work on the subject.

Given the urgent nature of the work, the European Economic and Social Committee appointed Mr Grasso as rapporteur-general at its 457th plenary session, held on 4 and 5 November 2009 (meeting of 5 November 2009), and adopted the following opinion by 70 votes to 2 with 1 abstention.

1.   Conclusions

1.1.   The EESC notes the Commission's proposal to amend Article 7(2) of the ERDF Regulation (1) because practical experience has shown that the conditions of eligibility it contains do not fully fit needs on the ground.

1.2.   The EESC approves the proposal.

2.   Reasons and recommendations

2.1.   The EESC hopes that the provisions in this proposal will apply to all marginalised communities, not only to the community specifically mentioned in its recitals. As a matter of principle, these provisions should also apply in all EU Member States.

2.2.   The EESC believes it would be worthwhile to extend the provisions of this proposal, which should apply both to the replacement of existing dwellings with new buildings and to the renovation of existing dwellings, securing energy savings and ensuring sustainability in the process.

2.3.   The EESC welcomes the simplifications, but would in general caution against making too many changes to the legislation over a single programming period, as this could lead to greater administrative uncertainty for the parties involved when the rules change during this period.

(1)  Regulation (EC) No 1080/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 July 2006, as amended by Regulation (EC) No 397/2009, OJ L 210, 31.7.2006, p. 1.