1.

Opening of the meeting

2.

Adoption of the agenda

[CDLR(2012)OJ1 rev.]

A.     Activities in pursuance of the general aim of the CDLR Terms of reference – to          oversee the Council of Europe’s intergovernmental work in the field of democratic          local and regional governance and advise the Committee of Ministers on all          questions within its area of competence

3.

Reports of the Bureau meetings on

9 December 2011 and 17 February 2012

[CDLR-Bu(2011)35]

[CDLR-Bu(2012)7]

For information

4.

Consideration of the CDLR's work by the Committee of Ministers

- Decisions of the CM

- Other developments

[CDLR(2012)1]

For action

5.

Information on other Council of Europe bodies

[CDLR(2012)2]

For guidance

6.

Priorities of the UK Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers

[CDLR(2012)3]

For information

7.

Appointment of a CDLR Rapporteur on Gender equality

[CDLR(2012)4]

For action

8.

Intergovernmental work on democratic local governance - Communications

[CDLR(2012)11]

For action

9.

CDLR work programme

- Providing comments on PACE and Congress

  texts at the invitation of the CM

- Advising, at its own initiative, to CM on

  questions within its area of competence

- Deciding follow-up to the Report on the

  impact of the Lisbon Treaty on the ECLSG

[CDLR(2012)5]

pages 3-4

For approval and specific decisions

B.       Activities in pursuance of element I of the Terms of Reference

           Exchange of information, views and good practices among members

10.

Exchange of information and good practices on intergovernmental issues concerning local and regional democracy and cross-border co-operation (Monday, 2 April, 2.30-4.45)

- Strengthening the capacities of local authorities (introduced by the Netherlands)

- Local finance in times of crisis (introduced by Estonia and Portugal)

- Citizens’ and local authorities’ consultation procedures and practice (introduced by Italy)

[CDLR(2012)6]

For participation and exchange

11.

CDLR work programme

- Modalities for holding topical exchanges

- Holding exchanges via electronic means

- Taking action on envisaged topical reports

- Manual of practical solutions to overcome

  obstacles to cross-border co-operation

- Report on "Initiatives to strengthen good

  governance, capacity building and citizens'

  democratic participation at local level”

[CDLR(2012)5]

page 5

page 6

pages 6-8

page 8

page 9

For approval and specific decisions

C.         Activities in pursuance of element II of the Terms of Reference

            Responses to requests from governments for information on specific issues

12.

CDLR work programme

- Workshops on request on promoting the

  Council of Europe's acquis: themes and venues

- Rapid response service

- Appendix to Protocol 3 to the Madrid Outline

  Convention

[CDLR(2012)5]

page 10

page 11

pages 11-12

For approval and specific decisions

D.        Activities in pursuance of element III of the Terms of Reference

            Follow the work of other international actors in the field of local and regional             democracy and cross-border co-operation

13.

CDLR work programme

- Modalities for keeping track of other

  actors' work

[CDLR(2012)5]

page 13

For approval and specific decisions

E.         Activities in pursuance of element IV of the Terms of Reference

            Participate effectively in appropriate bodies within the Council of Europe and,             subject to invitation and available financial means, other relevant and appropriate             fora

14.

CDLR work programme

- Designating representatives to the

  Stakeholders' Platform on the Strategy for

  Innovation and Good Governance at Local level

  and the Advisory board of the Centre of

  Expertise on Local Government Reform

- Modalities for accepting invitations, subject to

  resources, to be represented in other relevant

  events

[CDLR(2012)5]

page 15

page 16

For approval and specific decisions

15.

Centre of expertise on Local Governement

Reform and Co-operation programmes

[CDLR(2012)7]

For information and guidance

16.

Strategy for Innovation and Good Governance at Local level

[CDLR(2012)8]

For information and guidance

17.

European Local Democracy week

[CDLR(2012)9]

For information and guidance

18.     Appointment of CDLR Rapporteur(s) to the           Stakeholders' Network of the CoE strategy on           the "Rights of the Child"

[CDLR(2012)10]

For action

F.       Activities in pursuance of element V of the Terms of Reference

            Follow-up to any decisions taken by the Committee of Ministers subsequent to the             17th Session of the Council of Europe Conference of Ministers responsible for             Local and regional government (Kyiv, 3-4 November 2011)

19.

CDLR work programme

- Presentation of the book Local Governments in Critical Times (with the participation of professor Kenneth Davey, Open Society Foundations) (Tuesday, 3 April, 12 noon)

[CDLR(2012)5]

page 17

For approval and specific decisions

G.        Other matters

20.

Recent developments in member States

21.

22.

Other business

Date of the next meeting

For adoption

23.

Adoption of the abridged meeting report

[CDLR(2012)12]

For adoption