2011/12/EU: Commission Decision of 12 January 2011 amending Decision 2007/134/EC establishing the European Research Council

13.1.2011 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 9/5
COMMISSION DECISION
of 12 January 2011
amending Decision 2007/134/EC establishing the European Research Council
(2011/12/EU)
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION
,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to Decision No 1982/2006/EC of the European Parliament and the Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) (1) and in particular Articles 2 and 3 thereof,
Having regard to Council Decision 2006/972/EC of 19 December 2006 concerning the Specific Programme: ‘Ideas’ implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) (2) and in particular Article 4(2) and (3) thereof,
Whereas:
(1) The European Research Council (ERC) was established by Commission Decision 2007/134/EC (3).
(2) According to the Specific Programme ‘Ideas’, an independent review was carried out of the ERC’s structures and mechanisms, against the criteria of scientific excellence, autonomy, efficiency and transparency and with the full involvement of the Scientific Council. The Review Panel suggested a number of adjustments in order to ensure a more effective European Research Council and a coherent presentation of the ERC’s activities to stakeholders.
(3) On the basis of the review and the ambition to make the ERC fully sustainable, the Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament: ‘The European Research Council — meeting the challenge of world class excellence’ (4), sets out the aims for the second phase of the ERC’s development. It includes a number of specific actions to improve the ERC’s operations to ensure the effective and efficient implementation of the ‘Ideas’ Specific Programme.
(4) In accordance with that Communication, it is necessary to ensure a single clear and transparent vision and seamless liaison between the ERC’s strategy and operational implementation, reflecting the activities of both the European Research Council Executive Agency (ERCEA), established by Commission Decision 2008/37/EC (5) and the Scientific Council, and to develop and implement a coherent and integrated communication strategy.
(5) In order to recognise the personal commitment of the members of the Scientific Council, and especially the Chairperson and Vice-Chairpersons, it is appropriate to introduce an honorarium for their attendance at the Scientific Council plenary meetings. The honorarium should reflect their responsibilities and be benchmarked against similar provisions in similar entities and Member States. It is also appropriate to provide for the financing of a standing Identification Committee for the identification of future Scientific Council members.
(6) It is necessary to continue the arrangements for the local support to the Chairperson and the Vice-Chairpersons of the Scientific Council, using the ‘Coordination and Support Action’ grant funding scheme of the Seventh Framework Programme.
(7) The term of office of the founding members of the Scientific Council expires on 1 February 2011 and there is a need for the staged renewal of the Scientific Council, as provided for in Article 4(6) of Decision 2007/134/EC. The identification of new members was carried out by means of an independent Identification Committee and in accordance with the provisions of Article 4(4) of Decision 2007/134/EC, including a report to Parliament and Council. This Committee made recommendations for the staged renewal of the Scientific Council and these recommendations have been accepted.
(8) Decision 2007/134/EC should therefore be amended accordingly,