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
News from the member States:
Changes to municipal election legislation in
Lithuania [9/06/2010]
A draft law on Municipality Elections is currently being discussed
by the Lithuanian Parliament. The draft was presented to Parliament by a
working group comprising parliamentarians and representatives from
government, local authorities and non-governmental organisations.
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.