15th PLENARY SESSION
CG(15)17
2 May 2008
SUMMARIES OF THE REPORTS
I. REPORTS SUBMITTED TO THE PLENARY SITTINGS OF THE CONGRESS
1. Verification of credentials of new members and new appointment procedures
Rapporteurs: Anders KNAPE (Sweden, L, EPP/CD)
Günther KRUG (Germany, R, SOC)
CG(15)2
Resolution
2008 is a year of renewal of the national delegations to the Congress. The 47 member States have been invited to send delegations which must comply with all criteria set out in the Congress’s new Charter adopted in May 2007 by the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers. In particular, in addition to previous criteria, a strict minimum of 30% of the underrepresented sex will from now on be necessary. The draft Resolution, prepared by the two Rapporteurs, will be examined by the Bureau on 26 May 2008. It will then be submitted to the Congress at the opening of the Session. It will propose ratifying or not the credentials of each delegation according to the compliance with these criteria. Members will, in consequence, have or not have the right to vote and to speak in the Congress and possibly stand for election to its organs.
2. Rules of Procedure of the Congress and its Chambers
Rapporteurs: Halvdan SKARD (Norway, L, SOC)
Herwig VAN STAA (Austria, R, EPP/CD)
CG(15)3
Resolution
The Bureau prepared the revised Rules of Procedure for the Congress and its Chambers in order to reflect the changes to Statutory Resolution CM/Res(2007)6 and the new Charter of the Congress adopted in May 2007 by the Committee of Ministers. These Rules of Procedure unite in a single text the rules for the Congress and those for the Chambers, in order to ease their application and, whenever appropriate, align them.
In addition the Bureau, upon suggestions from both rapporteurs, further proposed a number of changes to improve the rules and set stricter criteria for certain of them in line with the political profile and role of the Congress
3. Draft European Charter on Regional Democracy
Rapporteur: Jean-Claude VAN CAUWENBERGHE (Belgium, R, SOC)
CG(15)6
Recommendation
The report presents the results of the work of the Congress's Reflection Group on Regionalisation in Europe. It provides the background to the draft Recommendation with the draft European Charter of Regional Democracy appended to it.
The report presents the political considerations that had led the Congress to start a relaunch of the debate on a European legal instrument for regionalisation. It draws in particular on recent regional developments in Europe and underlines the added value of greater regionalisation. It outlines the reservations of some member states that had caused the failure of the draft European Charter on Regional Self-Government proposed by the Congress in 1997 and describes the adapted, innovative approach necessary for a new legal instrument on regional democracy, such as the inclusion of the principle of loyalty and respect of territorial integrity of the state, the principles of good governance, participation of citizens and the reaffirmation of respect for local self-government. The draft Charter appended to the recommendation is a more elaborated proposal than the previous draft of 2007. It was improved in the course of the discussions engaged in 2007, and in the beginning of 2008, in particular with representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly, Committee of the Regions, and international and European associations of regions such as Assembly of European Regions (AER), Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), Assembly of the Presidents of Regional Assemblies with Legislative Powers of the European Union (CALRE), Baltic Seastates Subregional Co-operation (BSSSC) and others. The main amendment subsequently concerns the requirement of direct election of regional assemblies.
It is intended to submit this draft with the draft Recommendation to the Committee of Ministers to the Congress Plenary Session in 2008 for adoption.
4. Democracy and local governance in South-East Europe – the role of Local Democracy Agencies (LDAs)
Rapporteur: Dario GHISLETTA (Switzerland, L, SOC)
CG(15)7
Resolution
This report explains that in the development of local and regional democracy in south-east Europe NGOs and civil society are key actors, enabling people to play a part in local life and make a contribution to stability and democratic change in the region. In this context the LDAs established by the Congress have done important and concrete work in local authorities of south-east Europe, in line with major Council of Europe and Congress principles. The report takes stock of action by the LDAs and their association, the ALDA. An information document by the head of ALDA is also available. The draft resolution puts forward various proposals for improved synergy of LDA, ALDA and Congress activity.
5. Integration and participation of young people at local and regional level
Rapporteur: Stepan KIRICHUK (Russian Federation, R, SOC)
CG(15)8
Recommendation
Resolution
Increasing youth participation in local and regional life remains an important challenge for local and regional elected representatives.
The Congress proposes strategies and lines of action to stimulate young people's interest and commitment and the local and regional level, notably looking at legal issues, means of implementation and the role of the European Charter on the Participation of Young People in Local and Regional Life.
The revised Charter offers elected representatives a flexible and coherent framework, based on the principle that every policy area should have a youth dimension. For local and regional authorities, the priority areas for applying these participation principles are in the promotion of youth employment, education and professional training, sport and leisure. They should use practical tools for improving youth participation such as training courses, advice centres, youth projects and using local media created for and by young people.
Better dissemination of the Revised European Charter and some good practice examples should help those local and regional authorities that have yet to take action to put in place appropriate structures for its implementation. The setting up of a network of Youth Councils in Bosnia-Herzegovina, based on the recommendations of the Charter is a good example of how such a network can be implemented at the national level. Such actions point the way forward to giving the Charter the impact that it deserves
6. Child in the city
Rapporteur: Saima KALEV (Estonia, L, NR)
CG(15)9
Recommendation
Resolution
Although the majority of Europeans live in urban areas, town and city centres are not considered to be attractive places to raise children. This has led to those families with the means to do so moving out of city centres thereby increasing urban sprawl and automobile- dependency. This trend, reinforced by current demographic changes, weakens the economic and social vitality of towns and cities.
Territorial authorities have a major role to play in making their towns and cities attractive places where children can flourish and become fully-fledged citizens. They are responsible for policies which have an influence on children’s and families’ lives.
Local and regional authorities should respond to these challenges by developing a sustainable approach to the built environment and by developing child-friendly spatial planning policies in terms of mobility, exchanges, autonomy and security. Strong political will is also required regarding children’s participation in local life and in particular in decisions on issues which affect their daily lives and their environment.
7. Partnership between local and regional authorities and NGOs in Council of Europe Member States
Rapporteur : Sari YLIPULLI (Finland, R, NR)
CG(15)10
Resolution
The Final Declaration of the Conference on NGOs and local and regional democracy organised jointly by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities and the Conference of International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs) of the Council of Europe in Budapest in 2003 called for the joint drawing-up, by the Congress and the Liaison Committee of the Conference of INGOs of a “Memorandum of partnership between local and regional authorities and NGOs”;
In this memorandum (appended to this resolution) the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities and the Conference of International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs) agree to promote in current practices at local and regional level, if not in the legislation, procedures for citizen participation between elections.
The resolution and memorandum recognise the mutual benefits to be gained by establishing closer ties between local and regional authorities on one hand and NGOs on the other hand. They enshrine the Congress commitment to encourage local and regional authorities insofar as possible to take account of the action of local, regional and international non-governmental associations and to involve them in the decision-making process in public affairs.
The collaboration envisaged by the memorandum concerns three specific areas: the expression of citizens’ expectations, the special expertise which can be offered in the various fields of local and regional authorities’ action, and assistance in developing decentralised co-operation.
8. Gagaouzie - Elections to the People’s Assembly in Gagauzia (Republic of Moldova)
Rapporteur: Paolo Rondelli, San Marino (R, SOC)
CG(15)11
Recommendation
Following an official invitation from the Moldovan authorities to observe the elections to the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia on Sunday 16 March 2008, the Congress appointed an observer delegation headed by Mr Karsten Behr (Germany), Head of Delegation for the observation of the first round, Mr Joseph Borg (Malta), Rapporteur and Mr Paolo Rondelli (San Marino), Head of Delegation for the observation of the second round of the elections (the full composition of the delegation is detailed in Appendix I).Members of the Committee of the Regions were part of the delegation in both rounds of election observation.
The role of the Congress delegation was to examine the electoral process on election day, to ensure it complied with international standards.
The Congress delegation observed the two rounds of the elections, on 16 and 30 March, visiting almost every polling station. The delegation eventually concluded that the elections were held in accordance with Council of Europe and international standards for democratic elections. Some shortcomings were noted and are detailed in this report. Encouragingly, the voter turnout was no less than 64%.
9. Public local and regional action: for a new energy culture
Rapporteurs: Oleksandr LUK’ANCHENKO (Ukraine, L, EPP/CD)
Maria Cristina SPINOSA (Italy, R, SOC)
CG(15)13
Recommendation
Resolution
Energy issues are again high on the agenda for two main reasons: climate change and the need for a secure supply of energy at affordable prices. The industrialised countries need to reduce massively their energy intensity and make greater use of renewable energy sources.
Multilateral agreements and European and national decisions will not in themselves create the technical conditions for the substantial changes required to rise to these challenges. Over 75% of the energy is consumed in towns and cities for housing, travel, work, entertainment, etc. A fundamental shift is impossible without a strong commitment from local and regional authorities, which, being close to the public and economic operators, can act as a catalyst for change.
Local and regional authorities must, accordingly, play a major role in setting energy policies geared largely to energy efficiency, energy savings, improved energy output and renewable energy.
A sustainable local energy policy has a major beneficial impact on local development, economic activities, employment, the local and global environment, quality of life and the attractiveness of towns and cities. Furthermore, it does much to alleviate the precarious energy supply situation of inhabitants experiencing hardship
10. Responsible consumption and finance systems
Rapporteur: Pauline DEE (United Kingdom, L, ILDG)
CG(15)14
Recommendation
Resolution
There is a growing awareness across Europe of the need to incorporate social values into individual and collective consumer and savings choices with a focus on local products with social labelling and ethical financial investments.
Community-based initiatives are on the increase: these include solidarity foodstores, inclusive co-operatives and businesses which promote social integration, social micro-loans, socially responsible local partnerships between producers and consumers, socially-committed buying groups and local-level structures for non-monetary exchanges.
This report describes these practices and shows how local and regional authorities can take action within their own administrative services through the use of public procurement, by encouraging businesses to take more responsibility and by coming to the aid of economically vulnerable persons.
11. Intercultural and Interreligious dialogue: an opportunity for local democracy
Rapporteurs: Pierre CORNELOUP (France, L, EPP/CD)
Gianfranco MARTINI (Italy, L, EPP/CD)
CG(15)15
Recommendation
Local and regional authorities are convinced of the need to promote intercultural and inter-religious dialogue at the local level, in order to strengthen social cohesion in our pluralist societies. Placing the emphasis on the cultural dimension of religious beliefs can highlight the positive social functions that religious communities play.
Local and regional authorities are willing to create the conditions for structured dialogue. They are invited to make an inventory of local religious and cultural networks in order to evaluate the needs of these different organisations.
With their knowledge of the local situation, they are in a position to create opportunities for different groups to meet and interact.
By maintaining regular contact with groups, they can encourage the exchange of information about the various cultural similarities and differences that exist between communities with a view to encouraging balanced and coherent social development
12. Social approach to the fight against racism at local and regional level
Rapporteurs: Sherma BATSON (United Kingdom, R, SOC)
Viatcheslav ROGOV (Russian Federation, L, ILDG)
CG(15)16
Recommendation
Resolution
The counteracting of racism in its various forms, whether in the form of racist violence and hate crimes or the more subtle forms of racial or ethnic discrimination, is a fundamental cornerstone for the development of social cohesion and social inclusion.
While the struggle against racism is a legal and political obligation of states and regional and international intergovernmental organisations, the reality of racism is often most apparent at the level of local and regional governments.
Local and regional governments are increasingly recognising their duty as well as the opportunities open to them to develop strategies and policies to counteract racism, discrimination and related inequalities.
This report shows that they often have substantial powers in this regard as employers and service providers, as purveyors of public procurement contracts, as local legislators that implement various licensing policies, as the developers of guidelines for schools without racism, and as funders of awareness-raising and outreach programs and of support to the targets and victims of racism.
A number of actions are presented that can be undertaken at local and regional level in preventing racism and promoting racial equality together with examples which may inspire other municipalities, towns and regions.
II. REPORTS SUBMITTED TO THE CHAMBER OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES
1. E-tools: a response to the needs of local authorities
Rapporteurs: Alexander DROBOTOV (Russian Federation, SOC)
Etienne VAN VAERENBERGH (Belgium, ILDG)
CPL(15)2
Recommendation
Resolution
New technologies and a variety of e-tools offer increasing possibilities for interaction between citizens and their elected representatives. The changing face of politics and policy-formation is a direct result of the development of the Internet and other communication technologies. The increasing potential of such technologies affords new methods for consulting voters on electoral issues, legislation, political decisions and policy implementation.
The constant evolution of the online world is a cause of concern for many politicians who find themselves confronted with the need to keep abreast of developments which arrive with ever increasing frequency and complexity.
While some politicians have taken to the new technologies and online tools such as blogs, they have been less successful in adapting their working methods to realise the potential of such tools. The promise of a free exchange of ideas on online discussion fora raised many hopes, but these have rarely been realised due to poor implementation. Proposals made on such fora rarely seem to have an impact on policy formation, leading to public disenchantment.
The development of the use of new technologies should be more carefully managed to ensure that they lead to a new approach to politics and improves the relationship between voters and politicians.
The rapporteurs propose that politicians choose projects that are relatively easy to manage, such as multi-function blog platforms. The shared goal of citizens and elected representatives should be to increase the transparency of political decision-making leading to wider political participation and commitment
2. Electronic democracy in deliberative consultation on urban projects
Rapporteur: Helmut HIMMELSBACH (Germany, NR)
CPL(15)3
Recommendation
Resolution
Public authorities at all levels of governance are having to face up to public disengagement from politics and the public’s lack of confidence in politicians and political institutions. These trends call for renewed democratic practices, the provision of greater transparency and reinforced citizen participation in decision-making processes.
Electronic communication tools can significantly improve deliberative consultation on urban projects. They enable the presentation of complex issues in a high-quality and comprehensible manner thereby facilitating transparency and the expression of individual and collective viewpoints.
However, cyberdemocracy requires a learning process and indispensable changes in attitudes and behaviour on the part of the authorities, the public, associations and business. Elected representatives themselves try out new tools which encourage dialogue with citizens thereby reinforcing their representativeness.
3. European Urban Charter II:Manifesto for a new urbanity
Rapporteurs: Carlos Alberto PINTO (Portugal, EPP/CD)
Willy BORSUS (Belgium, L, ILDG)
CPL(15)4
Recommendation
The first European Urban Charter, adopted by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe in 1992, was a ground-breaking step for Europe and marked a key stage in the necessary recognition of the urban phenomenon in the development of our societies. Since then, our societies, economies and cultures have undergone far-reaching changes. In a context of rapid change and of massive urban development, towns and cities now face challenges on an unprecedented scale.
The European Urban Charter II – Manifesto for a new urbanity complements and updates the original Congress contribution and proposes a new approach to urban living, urging European countries to build sustainable towns and cities.
The Manifesto aims to establish a body of common principles and concepts enabling towns and cities and their inhabitants to meet the current challenges facing urban societies. It is an invitation to local authorities, in all their diversity and on the basis of shared European values, to implement the principles of ethical governance, sustainable development and greater solidarity in their public policies.
This Manifesto conveys an ambitious and demanding message to all those involved in urban development.
4. Improving the integration of migrants through local housing policy
Rapporteur: Esther MAURER (Switzerland, SOC)
CPL(15)5
Recommendation
Resolution
The quality and nature of housing is a critical component of integration since it affects not only the well-being of migrants, but also their community relations and access to local services and opportunities such as the labour market, education and health care. The extent to which migrant and minority households have achieved parity with locals can be defined as a measure of the degree to which these parts of the population are integrated into the larger urban society. Housing initiatives and local neighbourhood practices are therefore key factors in finding solutions to promote integration and social inclusion in the urban context.
Given the importance of housing, and the real impact local governance can have in this area, it was chosen as the first topic to be dealt with by the CLIP (Cities for Local Integration Policies) Network, which, since its launch in 2006, provides a forum for exchange between public administrations and political action researchers and of which the Congress is a founding member.
The recommendations set out in this report are the fruit of the work of the CLIP Network in the field of migrant housing. Housing integration for the purposes of this report is discussed in terms of access to affordable and standard quality accommodation which meets culturally diverse housing preferences and needs.
5. The social reintegration of children living and/or working on the streets
Rapporteur: Irmeli HENTTONEN (Finland, ILDG)
CPL(15)6
Recommendation
Resolution
Poverty, unemployment, family problems or abuse are among the diverse factors that lead children to live or work on the streets.
These children are at risk of exploitation, violence, sexual abuse, chemical addiction and numerous human rights violations. Sometimes they are at risk from the very authorities who are charged with protecting them.
While there are no accurate figures of the number of children concerned due to the lack of a systematic collection of data or statistics, it is clear that the scale of the phenomenon is both alarming and on the increase in Europe’s cities.
The challenge facing decision-makers and authorities is multi-faceted: they should act as positive role models, changing the way citizens perceive street children and the way their staff interact with them, enforce the respect of their human rights, making sure they are not simply treated as delinquents or criminals, provide them with security and give them a future.
In this report the Congress calls for the issue of street children to be prioritised by using a double approach that addresses the reasons street children take to the streets while substantially improving the lives of those already there.
III. REPORTS SUBMITTED TO THE CHAMBER OF REGIONS
1. Regional democracy in Greece
Rapporteur: Jean-Claude VAN CAUWENBERGHE (Belgium, SOC))
CPR(15)2
Recommendation
Resolution
The Explanatory Memorandum analyzes the functioning of prefectural level of territorial self-government in Greece. The Prefectures constitute the regional tier of territorial organisation in Greece (regions without legislative power) according to the criteria of the Congress. These territorial entities, the members of which are democratically elected, hold competences and financial resources for carrying out their functions. Currently the prefectural tier is undergoing a major reform aimed at further democratisation and territorial reorganisation.
In its first part the Explanatory Memorandum explains in detail the political functioning and management of these administrative entities, the role of the Secretary General of the Region (“Periferiaie”) vis-à-vis the local authorities, the financial system of Prefectures, their role in the management of European structural funds, the conditions of service of the staff of Prefectures, etc. The major characteristics of the ongoing reform, legislative and political developments related to this reform are also examined. In its final part, the Explanatory Memorandum contains suggestions particularly for remedying the identified problems, pursuing the ongoing reform, reinforcing the democratic principles of territorial self-government and giving follow-up to the initiatives of territorial reorganisation aimed at better governance
2. Regional public finance policies
Rapporteur: Karsten BEHR (Germany, EPP/CD)
CPR(15)3
Resolution
This report examines public finance policies in Europe with particular emphasis on their relevance for regional self-government. It analyses the state of regional fiscal autonomy in Council of Europe member States on the basis of the existing international acquis in the field of regional finance. Legal guarantees of fiscal autonomy, procedures for coordination between the central and regional level in fiscal matters as well as the necessary balance between the delegation of powers and the distribution of funds are addressed. The report concludes by recommending that the Congress should consider aspects of regional finance in its monitoring reports where appropriate as well as through its Working Group on “Regions with Legislative Power”.
3. The need for regional cultural identity
Rapporteur: Karl-Heinz LAMBERTZ (Belgium, SOC)
CPR(15)4
Recommendation
Resolution
A strong sense of regional cultural identity can provide people a valuable reference point to cope with globalisation.
The report shows how strong regional identities can provide the answers to some of the problems that people encounter in modern life. In particular the fragmentation of our multicultural societies could be counterbalanced by the influence of a strong regional identity.
For the Congress, regional cultural identity is an important component of Europe's cultural diversity. The Congress supports initiatives to develop structures that reinforce regional identity.
Regional cultural identity develops through the connections that citizens form with their immediate surroundings, giving them a sense of belonging to the places that they live in. For the Congress, this is a natural and necessary part of the process of integration, especially in a context where culture and the economy are becoming increasingly global in nature.
According to the Rapporteur, States should ensure that regions have the means and the necessary legal and political instruments to establish and maintain dynamic regional cultural identities