The Bureau of the European Conservatives and Reformists Group (ECR Group) in the Committee of the Regions of the European Union, held a seminar in London on 4 November 2014. In light of the approaching new CoR mandate, the seminar looked at the new 2014-2019 EU legislative period and addressed how local and regional authorities can help deliver better EU laws. 

Among the participants were Geoffrey-Clifton Brown MP, Vice-President of the Alliance of European Conservatives and Reformists and Chairman of the Conservative Party's International Office, Cllr Roger Evans, Chairman of the London Assembly and Pawel Swidlicki from Open Europe.

 The points raised on what would need to be prioritised for the new legislative period, included the need to increase the EUs competitiveness through cutting red tape, completing the single market and decentralising powers. The need to move away from a "one size fits all" approach in the EU and the need to have a more flexible approach that would enable local solutions to be found to local problems was underlined. The seminar discussion also touched on the need to curb corruption and the misuse of EU funds as well as the need to address transportation challenges and the EUs immigration challenge.

 Better EU governance and the CoRs role in delivering this was a key theme in the seminar. 

"Local authorities have a key role to play in the EU decision-making process. We provide consultation to the legislating bodies and act as the guardians of the principle of subsidiarity. Subsidiarity is the principle that ensures decisions are taken at the appropriate level of governance. It is the tool to ensure that Brussels steps in only when necessary," stated Cllr Gordon Keymer CBE, (ECR Group President/Leader of Tandridge District Council).

 Following the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon, the Committee of the Regions was given the specialised task of monitoring compliance with the principle of Subsidiarity. The Committee of the Regions has the power to take action against an infringement of subsidiarity through the Court of the Justice of the EU. The Court of Justice of the European Union has jurisdiction in actions on grounds of infringement of the principle of subsidiarity by a legislative act.