"It is crucial we increase the quality of EU legislation and cut red tape. As local and regional authorities, we are here to help." Cllr. Kay Twitchen OBE (UK/ECR) told the European Commission's President, Jose Manual Barroso, during the Committee of the Region's plenary session last week. Speaking on behalf of the ECR Group, Cllr. Twitchen welcomed the Commission's focus on delivery in for 2014. She strongly welcomed the Regulatory Fitness and Performance Programme (REFIT) and noted that the local and regional authority's involvement would be key for its success.

Cllr. Twitchen (Chairman of Essex Council in the UK) argued that the EU needs to show the electorate that it can play a part in solving the problems they face by ensuring the institutions work efficiently and reduce burdens "increasing the efficiency of our institutions, notably by reducing administrative burdens, is crucial for a well-functioning EU."

Cllr. Twitchen also spoke about the importance of economic stability. She argued that "in order to achieve the Europe 2020 goals we must focus on competitiveness, it must become our key criterion. We must ensure the effective use of the structural funds and emphasise the importance of public-private partnership."