In 2014 the sixth Belgian institutional reform was the central theme of social dialogue amongst the Flemish social partners. The various commissions of SERV technically prepared the transfer of new competences in 2014. The open councils were organized around the same topic of the institutional reform. In the annual report one can find the overview of the other activities of SERV in 2014 as well as the activities of the different SERV-entities such as the Commission on Diversity, the Commission on Social Economy and the Flemish Ports Commission.

Abolishing state aid for certificates of small scale solar power installations because they have become profitable without aid, may well be logical and reliable but only if the decision fits in a clear and  broad policy vision. Both councils claim they miss a broader vision. They doubt that the difference between small scale and larger scale solar panels is based on objective factors, especially since the actual topping and bending factors are the same for all types of solar panel installations. The councils expresses serious concerns about how the continuity in the investments can be reassured. Indeed,  accompanying measures are not yet finalized and may be too limited.

Flemish social partners reached an agreement on the basic principles for the Flemish child allowances. They want the reform of the child allowance system to be efficient and solid thus assuring legal certainty to all families.

The new system should be simple, transparent and facing social realities such as growing child poverty, changing family relation, the situation of one parent families, the budgetary context…

The social partners agree with the Flemish government choosing for a basic allowance independent of the number of children in the family. As costs related to children vary according to age, social partners nonetheless plea for maintaining age modulated basic child allowances. The cost of older children tend to be substantially higher and account for a higher share in the family budget.

Policy is in need of feedback and scientific justification. SERV formulates in its advice guiding principles for the organization of relevant scientific research in Flanders. Hence social partners want to contribute to the debate in a proactive way.  At the same time the advice points at the actual uncertainty of the future of the policy research centers. SERV is recommending clarification and urgent transition measures towards an eventual new policy framework.

The Flemish government asked advice on a series of amendments on the BBB –decree ( better governance) The replacement of contractual agreements by business plans is excellent because of it simplifying effects. SERV stresses the need for dialogue mechanisms between the agencies and the departments to prevent tunnel vision. Social partners are supporting the criteria guiding the division of tasks between the departments and the agencies. Most important however is structural dialogue, mutual consultation and cooperation between departments and agencies trough project approaches. Finally SERV reminds that efficiency and quality of joint services will be enforced by dialogue and consultation mechanisms that integrate the clients of the provided services.

SERV approves the merging of some agencies in one Agency for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and the renewed FWO.(Fundamental Scientific Research). Customer-oriented approach, efficiency, transparency and homogenous areas of responsibility are important principles guiding the reform. New agencies should strive for maximal consistency. In the advice social partners put forward the main and crucial aspects of the restructuring such as efficient preparation of the trajectories, clear communication and strong interlinking between the new agencies with full commitment of the relevant stakeholders. 

SERV welcomes the draft decision of the Flemish government that paves the way to implement the  decree on  environmental permits. Some topics however still need clarification, amending and additional drafting. In its advice SERV proposes amendments that are mainly referring to the evaluation system.   SERV points out that non-judicial preconditions such as investing in governance capacity, organizational changes and digitalization remain important success factors. Therefore the government must pay attention to the communication of the new rules and especially aim at the target groups and the municipalities.

In the Work Program 2015 SERV formulates the ambition to fully participate in all important social an economic debate. Major issues for SERV are:

• the concrete implementation the 6th Belgian state reform with special focus on the target group policy,
• education and vocational training with temporary work experience as an essential part of a jobs pact ( labor market policy),
• learning and working (education),
• adjusting and integrating the assistance scheme of the Agency Enterprise Flanders and IWT,
• setting up a benchmark for the Flemish governmental  investment companies ( economy and innovation),
• the energy pact,
• the energy grids,
• the regulation of the energy tariffs,
• the Flemish scheme of child allowances ( social protection),
• updating the long term vision for Flanders,
• strengthening social dialogue and the commitment of social partners and other stakeholders in policy issues.

The advice on the Flemish budget policy and the budget report are as well on the agenda in 2015.

The Work Program includes also the program of the international activities of SERV, the  STiA (Foundation of Innovation and Work), the Competency team and the cooperation with the Diversity Commission.

As the economic perspectives deteriorated last months the Flemish public budget rapidly moves towards an imbalance if no interventions are made. Nevertheless Flemish social partners in SERV are pleading to increase public investments thus stimulating economic growth. Unfavorable economic conditions and a high need for investment will probably cause a deficit in Flanders budget 2015. Social partners think that under very strict conditions a deficit is acceptable.

Since competitive industries stand for economic growth, strong policies encouraging industrial activities are essential. The Flemish social partners emphasize the importance of the industrial SME in the Flemish economy and the need for optimal integration in the industrial support policy.

Therefor SERV is formulating concrete twin-track recommendations.

First and foremost SERV underlines the necessity of accompanying policies consisting of incentives for entrepreneurship and improving the business climate.

Furthermore ERV provides concrete and specific proposals for industrial SME in Flan-ders aimed at eliminating obstacles to growth.

With its recommendations SERV wants to contribute to an efficient Flemish industrial SME policy.