19 July, Kyiv - first meeting of the Steering Committee to Strengthen Local Democracy in Ukraine [23/07/2010] Following the launch of the Council of Europe “Programme to Strengthen Local Democracy and Support for Local Government Reforms in Ukraine” (Kyiv 18 June 2010), the first meeting of the Steering Committee took place on 19 July. Members discussed and adopted the Report on the Inception Phase of the Programme. The Report sets out the first results and proposals for a work plan for the next 6 months. (more...)

European Label for Innovation and Good Governance at local level: Thursday 8th July, Nevers, France The first Meeting of the French pilot local authorites for the European Label of Innovation and Good Governance at Local Level took place in Nevers on Thursday 8 July. The meeting was organised by the Centre of Expertise for Local Government Reform of the Council of Europe. (more...)

Alain Juppé: 'Council of Europe has much to contribute' [28/06/2010] In an interview on innovation at local level and the soon-to-be-launched European label for Governance Excellence (ELOGE) at the Bordeaux Colloquy on 24-25 June, Alain Juppé emphasised the importance of international exchanges, and hoped the Council of Europe would continue to play an important role in developing these types of initiatives.

Colloquy 24-25 June "The citizen at the heart of local innovation" [24/06/2010]

Left to Right: Andreas Kiefer (Secretary General of the Congress), Alain Juppé (Mayor of Bordeaux, Former French Prime Minister), Childerik Schaapveld (Director of Democratic Institutions - Council of Europe), David Carussus (Maître de Conférence, Pau and Pays del'Adour  University), Olivier Terrien (Colloquy coordinator for the Council of Europe)

The first international colloquy on this theme was held from 24 to 25 June at the Palais des Congrès in Bordeaux, organised by the city of Bordeaux, the Council of Europe and the University of Pau and Pays de l'Adour.

More than 500 participants (locally elected representatives and officials, representatives from other public sector fields, associations, NGOs and civil society) attended. This year's discussions focused on changes to public services at international level, and in particular, the role of the citizen in this field.

Interview with Alain Juppé
Video of opening Speech of the Secretary General
Conference website
Photo gallery

Council of Europe Programme to Strengthen Local Democracy in Ukraine launched in Kyiv 18 June 2010. [25/06/2010]  This Programme is being implemented by the Directorate of Democratic Institutions (DDI) as part of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine. It is funded by a voluntary contribution from the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida). The Programme’s budget is 1.5 million euros for three years. (more)

CDLR Peer review in Iceland    [18/06/2010]

At the request of the Government of Iceland, a CDLR Peer Review will take place on the reform of local government finances in Iceland . Peers designated by the governments of Denmark, Norway and the Netherlands are participating. From 22- 25 June the Peer Team, composed of Peers, consultant experts and the Secretariat will be in Reykjavik for consultations and meetings with representatives of the Icelandic government and the Association of Icelandic Local Authorities. In particular the Peer Team will examine draft proposals for reform developed by the bi-lateral commission (SUE), established between the government and the association. At the end of the visit the Peer Team will present its main findings and recommendations to the Commission (SUE). A full report will be drawn up and sent subsequently. (more)

"Ethics, transparency and good governance in the Balkans": regional conference, 3-4 June 2010, Budva, Montenegro   [02/06/2010]  
From public officials taking bribes to rigged elections, unethical behaviour drains democracy. Especially in a time of economic crisis, citizens across Europe are increasingly conscious that ethical standards must be held to the highest standard if confidence in public authorities is to be sustained. Debates identified key challenges and possible solutions on the best ways to improve ethical conduct in local government and to fight corruption.  (more)
Programme
Final Recommandations
Photo Gallery

Sweden - 2nd member State to ratify the Additional Protocol to the ECLSG [27/05/2010]
Sweden became the second Council of Europe member State to ratify the Additional Protocol to the European Charter of Local Self-Government on the right to participate in the affairs of a local authority. The Additional Protocol was opened for signature at the Utrecht Ministerial Conference in November 2009.
Chart of signatures and ratifications 

New! Report on the impact of the economic downturn on local government in Europe: What is happening? What can be done about it?
Collection of texts presented and/or adopted at the 16th Session of the Council of Europe Conference of Ministers responsible for Local and Regional Government, Utrecht, 16 - 17 November 2009. This text was distributed at the Spring Parliamentary Assembly and Congress sessions. Download

Under the current arrangements, candidates must be nominated to a party list, before being able to stand for election, though party membership is not a requirement. The Constitutional Court recently held this violated the Constitution. If approved, the new draft law would enable independent candidates and non-governmental organisations to nominate themselves or their candidates respectively via separate lists. Municipal council elections would be by proportional representation. It is hoped the new law will enter into force this autumn in time for the 2011 spring elections.

Direct election of mayors rejected in Lithuania

Proposals to elect mayors directly, which would have entailed amending the Constitution, fell at the second reading on 13 April 2010 by six votes. Direct election of mayors has been a topical issue in Lithuania for the last 12 years. Recent polls showed a majority of people were in favour of directly elected mayors. Under the present law which will remain in force, a municipality’s mayor is elected by the council from among the councillors.

United Kingdom: Total Place: better for less

A new pilot programme in the UK is looking at how a ‘whole area’ approach to public services can lead to better services at less cost. Following sustained investment in public services over recent years which has led to significant improvement in quality for the public, the expectations of citizens continue to rise – but the impact of the economic downturn means the public sector needs to find radical new solutions to not only deliver better value for money, but also better local services more tailored to local needs. Total Place seeks to identify and avoid overlap and duplication between organisations, delivering a step change in both service improvement and efficiency between the different agencies at local level, as well as in their interaction with central Government. more

Italy: New Act on Fiscal Federalism

On 5 May 2009, the Italian Parliament passed a new act on fiscal federalism (Law No. 42/2009). Under this act, some of the principles on finance from the European Charter on Local Self-Government and promoted by the Council of Europe are now fully reflected in the Italian legal and institutional system.

The act was designed to improve and strengthen careful and accurate financial accountability, which enables all possible responsibilities across the different levels of government to be identified and established, and optimises the use of public finance.
 

Useful Lnks

Congress of Local and Regional Authorities