Strasbourg, 12 December 2013 CDLR(2013)31 FINAL
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE ON LOCAL AND REGIONAL DEMOCRACY
(CDLR)
ABRIDGED REPORT OF THE 52nd MEETING
14-15 November 2013
1. Opening of the meeting
The CDLR met in Strasbourg from 14-15 November 2013, with Mr Paul Rowsell, (United Kingdom) in the Chair. The list of participants appears at Appendix I.
2. Adoption of the agenda
The agenda as adopted appears at Appendix II.
3. Report of the Bureau meetings of 5 July 2013 and 27 September 2013
The CDLR took note of the reports of the Bureau meetings of 5 July and 27 September 2013 as they appear in documents CDLR-Bu(2013)25 and CDLR-Bu(2013)35.
4. Intergovernmental work on democratic local governance – Communications
Following a summary provided by the Chair, the CDLR took note of the information provided in document CDLR(2013)16. Given how successful the communications policy is becoming, it important that the information on local and regional government activities remains consistent and constant irrespective of the changes to the committee structures.
5. Stocktaking report from Gender Rapporteurs
The gender rapporteurs, Mr Edwin Lefebre (Belgium) and Ms Gabriëlle Metz (Netherlands), reported on the gender equality and mainstreaming activities they had carried out this year on behalf of and for the CDLR and highlighted the largely positive feedback they had received from the Gender Equality Commission. Mr Philips (Belgium) suggested that the work of the committee would be enhanced if the gender dimension was addressed more consistently in the preparation of reports.
A. Activities in pursuance of the general aim of the CDLR
A.1 Consideration by the Committee of Ministers of the work of the CDLR
The CDLR took note of the information contained in document CDLR(2013)18.
The Chair informed the Committee of the content of the draft terms of reference for the successor committee to the CDLR, the CDDG, which are due to be considered by the Committee of Ministers at its meeting 18-20 November 2013.
Delegations requested that they be kept informed of the preparations and topics to be discussed in the new committee so that they might best prepare the meeting and nominate the appropriate delegate.
As a practical point, the CDLR requests that delegates appointed to represent the CDLR on bodies such as the Stakeholders Platform and the Advisory Board of the Centre of Expertise are permitted to continue to do so by the Committee of Ministers until such times as the new committee meets and makes new appointments.
A.2 Information on other Council of Europe bodies
The CDLR took note of the information contained in document CDLR(2013)19. A brief exchange took place on the subject of Congress monitoring visits. Members who took the floor urged the Congress to inform member states of monitoring visits at a much earlier stage and to allow a greater time to prepare an official response to the Congress report. The CDLR invited the Congress to take these requests into consideration.
A.3 Mechanisms for cooperation with the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities
The CDLR took note of the information contained in document CDLR(2013)20.
A.4 Information on Armenian Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers and priorities of the Austrian Chairmanship
The CDLR welcomed the information provided by Mr Vache Terteryan (Deputy Minister for Territorial Development, Armenia) on the activities carried out under the Armenian Chairmanship.
The Committee also took note of the information contained in document CDLR(2013)21 with respect to the Austrian Chairmanship as well as the additional information provided by the Austrian delegate.
A.5 Implementation of the CDLR work programme according to its Terms of Reference
The CDLR took note of the information contained in document CDLR(2013)22. The CDLR adopted a report summarising its achievements with respect to the Terms of Reference for the period 2012-2013 (see Appendix III).
The CDLR welcomed revised Structure and Operation reports and, in light of the experience of some delegations, noted that the new design has greatly simplified the task. The Committee adopted the revised report format and agreed that henceforth reports would be published under the sole responsibility of the country that submits them. It is hoped that the new committee would encourage member states to regularly update their reports by holding regular tour-de-tables.
B. Activities in pursuance of Element I of the terms of reference - Exchange of information, views and good practices among members
B.1 Exchange of information and good practices on intergovernmental issues concerning local and regional democracy and cross-border co - operation
The CDLR held a substantive and extensive exchange of views on current or on-going reforms in a number of member states. Presentations were given by Belgium, Denmark, Spain and United Kingdom on administrative reforms in these states. The presentations focused on the following:
· Key challenges the reform is seeking to address
· Financing for preparation and implementation of the reform
· Consultation process in preparing and drafting the reform
· Processes for drafting, adopting and implementing the reforms.
A summary of the ensuing lively debate – which included contributions and comments from a number of member states – is appended (see Appendix IV).
D. Activities in pursuance of element IV of the ToR - Participate effectively in appropriate bodies within the Council of Europe and, subject to invitation and available financial means, other relevant and appropriate fora
D.1 Centre of Expertise for Local Government Reform and Co-operation programmes
The CDLR took note of the information provided in document CM(2013)108.
It encouraged member states to have recourse to the Centre for their own capacity building initiatives, peer reviews and legislative assistance, as well as contributing expertise and voluntary contributions to the Centre.
D.2 Strategy for Innovation and Good Governance at Local Level
The Committee noted the latest developments in the promotion and dissemination of the Strategy in several member states.
It took note of the information provided by Ms Greta Billing and Mr Paul-Henri Philips on the informal meeting of the Stakeholders Platform. The Committee congratulated Bulgaria and Norway for organising their respectively second and third round of the ELoGE and welcomed the prospect of an evaluation on the current procedures with a view to extending the implementation of ELoGE and bringing it in line with the scope of the new Terms of Reference.
E. Activities in pursuance of element V of the ToR - 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)
E.1 Analyse the impact of changing economic fortunes on local budgets and develop proposed policy responses on the basis, as appropriate, of the “Kyiv Guidelines”
The CDLR welcomed the latest information provided by Professor Ken Davey regarding the economic situation in member states. Current work being prepared by the OECD with regards to local government financing offers an opportunity for cooperation and collaboration in the future. The Committee adopted the report and proposed policy responses on the impact of changing economic fortunes on local budgets and agreed to transmit it to the Committee of Ministers with an updated cover page (see Addendum I).
E.2 Prepare proposals to strengthen awareness-raising of the human rights dimension of local and regional governance, in consultation with the Parliamentary Assembly, the Congress and the Conference of INGOs
The CDLR heard a presentation by Mr Jorg Gebhard on behalf of the Fundamental Rights Agency of the European Union on recent work by the Agency and its toolkit on Joined-up governance.
It adopted the report and proposals to strengthen awareness-raising of the human rights dimension of local and regional governance and agreed to transmit it to the Committee of Ministers with an updated cover page (see Addendum II). The Committee welcomed the contribution to the report by the Parliamentary Assembly and expressed hope thatthe Congress would see the report as a valuable contribution to their on-going work in this vein.
The CDLR took note of the willingness of the Conference of INGOs to contribute actively to the diffusion and application of the policies proposed in this report.
E.3 Examine how the principles of good democratic governance at local and regional level can be promoted and applied in the practices of local and regional authorities
The chair of the Group of States against Corruption (GRECO), Mr Marin Mrčela, provided a presentation on the work of the GRECO and its main priorities for the coming period of time underlining the importance to fight and prevent corruption at the local level since it is considered a severe treat for human rights and democracy. The presentation was followed by a substantive and exchange of views with the chair of the GRECO
The report on the promotion of the principles of good democratic governance at local and regional level was adopted by the Committee (see Addendum III). The Committee underlined the importance of the concept with regard to preventing and fighting corruption at all levels of government.
E.4 Develop activities to help to overcome obstacles to transfrontier co-operation, inter alia, by sharing the lessons learned from relevant initiatives in member States
The Committee took note the report of the seminar on overcoming obstacles to cross-border cooperation, and acknowledged that the seminar should be considered as a significant practical example of the important work that has been done by the CDLR in this field over the years.
The Committee adopted the manual of practical solutions to overcome obstacles to cross-border co-operation and agreed to transmit it to the Committee of Ministers for publication (see Addendum IV). The CDLR also approved a proposal to establish a digital platform to facilitate regular updating of the manual.
Other
6. Recent developments in member states
The Committee took note of the information provided by the Austria, Bulgaria, Estonia, Netherlands, Russia Federation, Switzerland and Turkey regarding recent developments in local and regional democracy.
7. Other business
No other business.
8. Adoption of the abridged meeting report
The CDLR adopted the abridged meeting report.
APPENDIX I
LIST OF PARTICIPANTS
MEMBERS / MEMBRES
CHAIRMAN / PRESIDENT
Mr Paul ROWSELL, Deputy Director, Democracy, Department for Communities and Local Government, 3/J1, Eland House, Bressenden Place, LONDON SW1E 5DU, GB
Tel: (44) 303 44 42568; E-mail: [email protected]
ARMENIA / ARMENIE
Mr Vache TERTERYAN, First Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration, 10, Republic Square, Government House 2, YEREVAN
Tel.: (+37410) 511 303; E-mail: [email protected]
AUSTRIA / AUTRICHE
Mr Stefan UMNIG, Federal Ministry of the Interior – III/7, Landstrasser Hauptstrasse 169, A - 1030 WIEN
Tel: (43) 1 53126 5385 ; Fax: (43) 1 53126 3492; E-mail: [email protected]
Mr Stefan GÖLLER, Vienna City Administration, Municipal Department 27, European Affairs, Schlesingerplatz 2, A – 1082 WIEN
Tel: (43) 1 4000 27045 ; Fax: (43) 1 4000 7215; E-mail: [email protected]
Mr Andreas GREITER, Region Tyrol, Land Tirol, Eduard Wallhöfer’ Platz 3, 6010 INNSBRUCK
Tel: (43) 512 508 2341; Mobil: (43) 676 88508 2341; Fax: (43) 512 508 2345; E-mail: [email protected]
AZERBAIJAN / AZERBAÏDJAN
Mr Gadir KHALILOV, Senior adviser, Centre of work with municipalities, Ministry of Justice, B. Safaroglu str. 141, AZ BAKU 1009
Tel: (994) 12 596 34 08; Fax: (99412) 59 63 408; E-mail: [email protected]
BELGIUM / BELGIQUE
M. Paul-Henri PHILIPS, Chargé des Relations internationales, Bruxelles Pouvoirs Locaux, Service public régional de Bruxelles, Boulevard du Jardin Botanique, 20, B – 1035 BRUXELLES
Tel : (32) 2 800 32 77; Cel-phone: (32) 499 58 81 05; Fax :(32) 2 800 38 00;
E-mail : [email protected]
Mme Annie BIEFNOT-VANBOTERDAL, Expert auprès du Ministre des pouvoirs locaux de Wallonie, 4 rue du Moulin de Meuse, 5000 NAMUR
cel-phone : (32) 475 46 79 38 ; E-mail: [email protected]
Mr Edwin LEFEBRE, Deputy of the Director, Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Flemish Region, Agency for Home Affairs, Boudewijnlaan 30, B - 1000 BRUSSELS
Tel : (32) 2 553 40 16; Fax :(32) 2 553 43 04; E-mail : [email protected]
M. Xavier KALBUSCH, Ministerium der Deutschsprachigen Gemeinschaft, Gospert 1, 4700 EUPEN
Tél : (32) (0)87 59 63 00 ; Fax : (32) (0)87 55 28 91 ;
E-mail : [email protected]; [email protected]
BULGARIA / BULGARIE
Mrs Desislava DRAGOVA, Senior expert, Ministry of Regional Development, 17-19 St. Kiril I Metodii Str., 1202 SOFIA;
Tel : +(359) 2 9405 428 ; E-mail: [email protected]
CROATIA / CROATIE
Mrs Miroslava-Nina MIŠKOVIĆ, Adviser to Minister for International Cooperation, Minister’s Office, Ministry of Public Administration, Maksimirska 63, 10000 ZAGREB
Tel: (385) 1 2357 532; Fax: (385) 1 2357 609; E-mail: [email protected]
CYPRUS / CHYPRE
Mr Antonis ANTONIOU, Senior Administrative Officer
Tel: (357) 228 678 51; Fax: (357) 228 677 16; E-mail: [email protected]
CZECH REPUBLIC / REPUBLIQUE TCHEQUE
Mr Petr FEJTEK, Department for Public Administration and eGovernment, Ministry of Interior of the Czech Republic, nám. Hrdinů 3, 140 21 Praha 4
Tel.: + 420 974 816 267; Fax: + 420 974 916 632; E-mail: [email protected]
DENMARK / DANEMARK
Mr Jesper LORENZ GRADERT, Head of Section, Ministry of Economics and the Interior, Slotsholmsgade 10-12, 1216, COPENHAGEN K
Tel: (45) 7228 2524; E-mail: [email protected]
ESTONIA / ESTONIE
Mr Kaur KAASIK-AASLAV, Adviser to the Local Government and Regional Administration Department, Ministry of the Interior, Pikk 61, TALLINN, 15065
Tel: (372) 612 5136; E-mail:[email protected]
FINLAND / FINLANDE
Mr Arto LUHTALA, Ministerial Councelor, Department for Municipal Affairs, Ministry of Finance, PO Box 28, FIN – 00023 GOVERNMENT
Tel: (358) 40 830 9194; E-mail: [email protected]
FRANCE
Apologised for absence / excusé
GEORGIA / GEORGIE
Mr Giorgi DIDIDZE, Deputy Head, Department of Reforms and Innovations, Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure, 12 Kazbegi, TBILISI 0160
Tel: (995) 577 112 145; E-mail: [email protected]
GERMANY / ALLEMAGNE
Mrs Kristina SCHADE, Division O2, Better regulation, bureaucracy reduction; Act on E-Government; local matters, Federal Ministry of the Interior, Alt-Moabit 101, D-10559 BERLIN
Tel: (49) 30 18 681 2137; E-mail: [email protected]
Mrs Gabriele STELLMACHER, Representative of the „Laender“ (States), Ministry of the Interior and Sports of Lower Saxony, Department for Local Government Affairs, Lavesallee 6, 30169 HANNOVER
Tel: (49) (0) 511 120 4640; E-mail: [email protected]
GREECE / GRECE
Mrs Katerina GKAMPETA, Directorate of Organisation and Functionning of Local Government, Mnistry of the Interior, 27, Stadiou Str., 10183 Athens
Tel: (30) 6970970470; E-mail: [email protected]
HUNGARY / HONGRIE
Mrs Viktória ZÖLD-NAGY, Deputy State Secretary for Territorial Public Administration Development, Ministry of Public Administration and Justice, Kossuth Square 2-4, 1055 – BUDAPEST
Tel: +361 795 4905; Fax: +361 795 0121 Email: [email protected]
IRELAND / IRLANDE
Apologised for absence / excusé
ITALY / ITALIE
Mr Francesco GIUSTINO, Presidenza del Consiglio dei Ministri, D.A.R. - Ufficio Attività Internazionali, ROMA
Tel. +39.06.6779.5130; E-mail: [email protected]
LATVIA / LETTONIE
Mrs Ilona RAUGZE, Deputy State Secretary, Local government monitoring department, Ministry of Environmental protection and Regional development, Peldu street 25, LV – 1494 RIGA
Tel : (371) 67026437; E-mail: [email protected]
Mrs Fatma FRIDENBERGA, Riga City Council Legal Office, Ratslaukums 1, LV - 1539 RIGA
Tel: (371) 6 7026022; Fax: (371) 6 7026326; E-mail: [email protected]
LITHUANIA / LITUANIE
Mr Paulius SKARDŽIUS, Director of Public Governance Policy Department, Ministry of the Interior, Šventaragio Str. 2, LT - 01510 VILNIUS, LITHUANIA
Tel: (370) 5 271 7071; Fax: (370) 5 271 8915; E-mail: [email protected]
LUXEMBOURG
Mme Christiane LOUTSCH-JEMMING, Conseiller de Gouvernement 1ère classe, Ministère de l’Intérieur et à la Grande Région, 19 rue Beaumont, L – 1219 Luxembourg
Tél : (352) 247 84615 ; Fax : (352) 26 20 26 93 ; E-mail : [email protected]
REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA / REPUBLIQUE DE MOLDOVA
Mme Victoria CUJBA, Chef, Direction des politiques de décentralisation, Chancellerie d’Etat, 1, Piaţa Marii Adunări Naţionale, MD – 2033 CHISINAU
Tel: (373) 22 250 583 / (373) 69480105; E-mail: [email protected]
Ms Felicia COJOCARU
E-mail:[email protected]
MONACO
Apologised for absence / excusé
MONTENEGRO
Mrs Tanja OSTOJIĆ, Head of Section for planning, programming and implementation of the projects, Directorate for International Cooperation and European Integration, Ministry of Interior of Montenegro, Bulevar Sv. Petra Cetinjskog 22, 81000 PODGORICA
Tel: (382) 20 203 295; Fax: (382) 20 242 416; Mobile: (382) 67 189 290;
E-mail: [email protected]
NETHERLANDS / PAYS-BAS
Mr Tom LEEUWESTEIN, Head of Europe and Local and Regional Governance Unit, Directorate General for Governance and Kingdom Relations, Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, P.O Box 20011, NL - 2500 EA THE HAGUE
Tel: (31) 6 53578243; Fax: (31) 70 426 7655; E-mail: [email protected]
Mrs Gabriëlle METZ, Policy Advisor, Europe and Governance, Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, P.O Box 20011, NL - 2500 EA THE HAGUE
Tel: (31) 6 52766098; E-mail: [email protected]
NORWAY / NORVEGE
Mrs Greta Ulland BILLING, Deputy Director General, Department of Local Government, The Royal Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Postbox 8112 DEP, N - 0032 OSLO
Tel: (47) 22 24 72 25; Mobile: (47) 92 61 37 27; Fax: (47) 22 24 27 35;
E-mail: [email protected]
Mrs Nina Britt BERGE, Senior Adviser, Department of Local Government, The Royal Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Postbox 8112 DEP, N - 0032 OSLO
Tel: (47) 22 24 72 55; Mobile: (47) 99 72 43 14; Fax: (47) 22 24 27 35;
E-mail: [email protected]
POLAND / POLOGNE
Mrs Monika STURLIS-GUMIENICZEK, Chief Specialist, Department of Cooperation with Local Self-Government Units, Ministry of Administration and Digitalisation, WARSAW
Tel: + 48 22 245 59 04 ; E-mail: [email protected]
PORTUGAL
Mr Eugénio BARATA, Directeur Adjoint, Direction Générale des Collectivités Locales, Rua José Estevão, 137-7°, P – 1169-058 LISBOA
Tel : (351) 21 313 3000; Fax : (351) 21 352 81 77 ; E-mail: [email protected]
ROMANIA / ROUMANIE
Ms Alina GHERGHE, Ministry of Administration and Interior, Directorate General for Local Communities
Tel: 40 724219019; E-mail: [email protected]
RUSSIAN FEDERATION / FEDERATION DE RUSSIE
Mr Vladimir LEBEDENKO, Deputy Director, Department for relations with the subjects of the Federation, Parliament, political and public Organisations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Arbat Street 57, 119200 MOSCOW, Russia
Tel : 7.499.244.35.70 ; Fax : 7.499.244.44.78 ; E-mail: [email protected]
SAN MARINO / SAINT-MARIN
Apologised for absence / excusé
SLOVENIA / SLOVENIE
Mr Roman LAVTAR, Ministry of Interior, Trzaska 21, 1000 LJUBLJANA, Slovenia
Tel: + 386 1 4788541; Fax: + 386 1 4788649; E-mail: [email protected]
SPAIN / ESPAGNE
Ms Paqui SANTONJA, Special Adviser, Direction Générale pour la coordination de compétences régionales et locales, Ministère des Finances et de l’Administration Publique, MADRID
Tel: (34) 91 273 46 59; Fax: (34) 91 273 46 10; E-mail: [email protected]
SWEDEN / SUEDE
Mrs Klara CEDERLUND, Director, Division for Local Government Affairs, Ministry of Finance, S - 103 33 STOCKHOLM
E-mail: [email protected]
Mr Henrik KÄLLSBO, Deputy Director, Division for Local Government Affairs, Ministry of Finance, S - 103 33 STOCKHOLM
Tel: (46) 8 405 43 50; Fax: (46) 206 196; E-mail: [email protected]
SWITZERLAND / SUISSE
Dr Robert BAUMANN, Responsable du Service du Fédéralisme/Responsible for the Service of Federalism, Office fédéral de la Justice, Bundesrain 20, CH – 3003 BERNE
Tél : (41) 31 322 41 61 ; Fax : (41) 31 322 84 01 ;
E-mail : [email protected]
''THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA'' / "L'EX-REPUBLIQUE YOUGOSLAVE DE MACEDOINE"
Mrs Slavica JAKIMOVSKA, Ministry of Local Self-Government
E-mail: [email protected]
TURKEY / TURQUIE
Mr Ilker HAKTANKACMAZ, Head of the International Funding Unit, Directorate General of Local Authorities, Ministry of the interior, Devlet Mahallesi Inönü Bulvari No. 4 Bakanliklar – 06644 ANKARA
Tel: +90 312 419 07 81; Fax: +90 312 425 17 91;
E-mail: [email protected]
UKRAINE
Ms Inha VOYTSEKHOVSKA, Head of Division of Multilateral Cooperation and European Integration, Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Regional Development, Construction and Municipal Economy of Ukraine, 9, Velyka Zhytomyrska Str., 01601 KYIV
Tel: 38 044 207 18 95; Fax: 38 044 207 18 82; E-mail: [email protected]
UNITED KINGDOM / ROYAUME-UNI
Ms Hannah BROOK, Democracy Division, Department for Communities and Local Government, Zone 3/J1, Eland House, Bressenden Place, LONDON SW1E 5DU
Tel: (44) 303 4441858; E-mail: [email protected]
PARTICIPANTS
PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY / ASSEMBLEE PARLEMENTAIRE
Mrs Maren LAMBRECHT-FEIGL, Secretary to the Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development
Tel: (33) 3 90 21 47 78; Fax: (33) 3 90 21 56 49; E-mail: [email protected]
CONGRESS OF LOCAL AND REGIONAL AUTHORITIES OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE / CONGRES DES POUVOIRS LOCAUX ET REGIONAUX DU CONSEIL DE L’EUROPE
M. Manuel LEZERTUA, Director of the Congress, Directeur du Congrès
Tel : (33) 3.88.41.21.25 ; E-mail : [email protected]
M. Jean-Philippe BOZOULS, Head of Department I – Executive Secretary of the Chamber of Local Authorities / Chef du Service I – Secrétaire exécutif de la Chambre des pouvoirs locaux
Tel: (33) 3.88.41.20.07; Fax: (33) 3.88.41.27.51; E-mail: [email protected]
Mr Tim LISNEY, Deputy Secretary of the Chamber of Local Authorities / Secrétaire adjoint de la Chambre des pouvoirs locaux – Secretary of the Governance Committee / Secrétaire de la Commission de la gouvernance
Tel: (33) 3.88.41.35.73; Fax: (33) 3.88.41.27.51; E-mail: [email protected]
CONFERENCE OF INGOS OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE / CONFERENCE DES OING DU CONSEIL DE L’EUROPE
Mme Anne-Marie CHAVANON, Présidente de la Commission démocratie, cohésion sociale et enjeux mondiaux, IAU, 15, rue Falguière, 75015 PARIS
Tél. (33) 1 77 49 76 80, (33) 6 60 76 86 14; E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]
OTHER PARTICIPANTS / AUTRES PARTICIPANTS
HOLY-SEE / SAINT-SIEGE
Maître Marc LEYENBERGER, Avocat honoraire au Barreau de Strasbourg, 26, rue Aubry et Rau, 67000 STRASBOURG
Tel: (33) (0)3 88 41 14 94; E-mail: [email protected]
BENELUX UNION/UNION BENELUX
Mr Hans MOOREN, Administrateur, Union Benelux, Rue de la Régence 39, 1000 Bruxelles
Tel: 32-2-519 38 43; E-mail: [email protected]
OBSERVERS / OBSERVATEURS
ASSEMBLY OF EUROPEAN REGIONS (AER) / ASSEMBLEE DES REGIONS D'EUROPE (ARE)
Mme Agnès CICCARONE, Responsable du Comité Permanent, Affaires Institutionnelles, 6 rue Oberlin, 67000 STRASBOURG
Tél : (33) (0)388 227 432 ; E-mail : [email protected]
M. Francesco PUGLIESE, Assistant de Mme Ciccarone, 6 rue Oberlin, 67000 STRASBOURG
M. le Professeur Charles RICQ, Directeur du Centre d'Observation Européen des Régions (COEUR), Professeur à l’Université de Genève, Chemin de la Renardière, CH - 1272 GENOLIER (Genève)
Tel: (41) 22 366 40 66; Fax: (41) 22 366 40 65; E-mail: [email protected]
ASSOCIATION OF EUROPEAN BORDER REGIONS (AEBR) / ASSOCIATION DES REGIONS FRONTALIERES EUROPEENNES (ARFE)
Mme Silvia BANCOD, Chargée de Recherches au sein de l’Université du Val d’Aoste et du CŒUR, Conseiller national de la SIOI (Société Italienne des Organisations Internationales)
Tel : (39) 0165 066700 ; Fax : (39) 0165 066749 ; E-mail : [email protected]
COUNCIL OF EUROPEAN MUNICIPALITIES AND REGIONS (CEMR) / CONSEIL DES COMMUNES ET REGIONS D’EUROPE (CCRE)
Apologised for absence / excusé
UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR EUROPE (UNECE) / COMMISSION ECONOMIQUE POUR L’EUROPE DES NATIONS UNIS (CEE/ONU)
Apologised for absence / excusé
EXPERT-CONSULTANT / CONSULTANT-EXPERT
Prof. Ken DAVEY, Local Government and Public Service Reform Initiative (LGI), Haymesbrook - Haymes Drive, Cleeve Hill – Cheltenham GL52 3QQ, UK
Tel : +44 (0) 124 25 26 232; E-Mail: [email protected]
OTHER / AUTRE
EUROPEAN UNION AGENCY FOR FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS / AGENCE DES DROITS FONDAMENTAUX DE L’UNION EUROPEENNE
Mr Jörg GEBHARD, Seconded National Expert, Communication Department, European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, Schwarzenbergplatz 11, 1040 VIENNA, Austria
Tel: (43) 1 58030 502; E-mail: [email protected]
Mr Martin WATSON
GROUP OF STATES AGAINST CORRUPTION / GROUPE D’ETATS CONTRE LA CORRUPTION (GRECO)
Mr Marin MRČELA, Chair of the GRECO
Mr Wolfgan RAU, Executive Secretary / Secrétaire exécutif
Tel: +33 (0)3 88 41 22 11; E-Mail: [email protected]
SECRETARIAT
Ms Claudia LUCIANI, Director of Democratic Governance / Directrice de la gouvernance démocratique / Directorate General of Democracy / Direction générale de la démocratie
Tel : +33 (0)3 88 41 21 49 ; Fax : +33 (0)3 88 41 27 55;
E-mail : [email protected]
Mr Alfonso ZARDI, Head of Democratic Institutions and Governance Department / Chef du Service des institutions et de la gouvernance démocratiques - Directorate of Democratic Governance / Direction de la gouvernance démocratique, Directorate General of Democracy / Direction générale de la démocratie
Tel : +33 (0)3 88 41 39 06; Fax : +33 (0)3 88 41 27 84; E-mail : [email protected]
Mr Daniel POPESCU, Head of Good Governance Division / Chef de la Division de la bonne gouvernance - Directorate of Democratic Governance / Direction de la gouvernance démocratique, Directorate General of Democracy / Direction générale de la démocratie
Tel: +33 (0)3 88 41 36 08; Fax: +33 (0)3 88 41 27 84; E-mail: [email protected]
Mr Niall SHEERIN, Directorate of Democratic Governance / Direction de la gouvernance démocratique, Directorate General of Democracy / Direction générale de la démocratie
Tel : +33 (0)3 88 41 39 61; Fax : +33 (0)3 88 41 27 84;
E-mail: [email protected]
Mr Thomas ZANDSTRA, Directorate of Democratic Governance / Direction de la gouvernance démocratique, Directorate General of Democracy / Direction générale de la démocratie
Tel : +33 (0)3 88 41 52 30; Fax : +33 (0)3 88 41 27 84;
E-mail: [email protected]
Ms Siobhán MONTGOMERY,Communication, Directorate of Democratic Governance / Direction de la gouvernance démocratique, Directorate General of Democracy / Direction générale de la démocratie
Tel: (33) 3 88 41 24 14; Fax: (33) 3 88 41 27 84; E-mail: [email protected]
Mme Isabelle ETTER - Secretariat / Secrétariat
APPENDIX II
AGENDA
APPENDIX III
CDLR REPORT ON IMPLEMENTATION OF ITS TERMS OF REFERENCE
Strasbourg, 15 November 2013
Introduction
According to its terms of reference, and under the authority of the Committee of Ministers, the CDLR was tasked with overseeing the Council of Europe’s intergovernmental work in the field of democratic local and regional governance for the period 1 January 2012 until 31 December 2013. The following report sets out how the CDLR undertook the main tasks it was instructed to complete and what steps it took to achieve the expected results.
Main tasks
I) Exchange information, views and good practices among its members, observers and participants on intergovernmental issues concerning local and regional democracy and cross-border cooperation, as much as possible via electronic means;
· The Committee held substantive exchanges on the following topics:
o Strengthening the capacities of local authorities
o Local finance in times of crisis
o Local authorities and citizen’s consultation procedures
o Online access and the availability of documents for extensive infrastructural or infrastructure projects
o Best practices in implementing austerity policies
o Presentation and exchange on legislative reform in several member states (Belgium, Denmark, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom)
o Presentation by the EU’s Fundamental Rights Agency on their toolkit for joined-up governance.
II) Respond to requests from governments for information on specific issues relating to states’ current policies and activities in the field of democratic local and regional governance (“the rapid response service for governments”);
· Committee members responded to requests for information on topics such as: women’s participation in local bodies; financial benefits for mayors and deputies following the expiration of their mandate; local finance/local revenues from state sources; procurement procedures; local budgetary policy; and administrative supervision and inspection of local government.
III) Follow the work of other international actors in the field of local and regional democracy and cross-border co-operation, report to the Committee of Ministers on possible synergies and co-operation with these actors and develop such synergies on the basis of the decisions taken by the Committee of Ministers;
· The CDLR prepared a report on possible synergies and cooperation with other actors in the field of local and regional democracy and cross border cooperation and submitted it to the Committee of Ministers for consideration (see doc CM(2013)65).
IV) Participate effectively, through its designated representatives, in appropriate bodies within the Council of Europe, (e.g. 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) and, subject to invitation and available financial means, other relevant and appropriate fora;
· CDLR representatives participated in the Advisory Board of the Centre of Expertise for local government reform, the Stakeholders Platform on the Strategy for Innovation and Good Governance at Local Level, on the Coordination platform for European Local Democracy Week, at meetings of the Gender Equality Commission and in a CM Chairmanship conference on citizen participation.
V) Ensure, as appropriate, the 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), including in relation to the Chaves Review, in close co-operation with other appropriate Council of Europe bodies, and non-governmental organisations.
· Following a decision by the Committee of Ministers at the 1156th meeting of the Deputies in November 2012, the CDLR was entrusted to:
o analyse the impact of changing economic fortunes on local budgets and develop proposed policy responses on the basis, as appropriate, of the “Kyiv Guidelines”;
o prepare proposals to strengthen awareness raising of the human rights dimension of local and regional governance, in consultation with the Parliamentary Assembly, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe and the Conference of INGOs;
o examine how the principles of good democratic governance at local and regional level can be promoted and applied in the practices of local and regional authorities;
o develop activities to help to overcome obstacles to transfrontier co-operation, inter alia, by sharing the lessons learned from relevant initiatives in member States.
Expected results and achievements
I) A report on initiatives to strengthen good governance, capacity building and citizens democratic participation at local level is prepared;
· The CDLR adopted a report on initiatives to strengthen good governance, capacity-building and citizen’s democratic participation at local level
II) Responses are provided to up to ten requests from governments for information through “the rapid response service for governments”;
· The CDLR provided 8 responses to requests for information from governments
III) A manual of practical solutions to overcome obstacles to cross-border co-operation is prepared and published;
· The CDLR organised a cross-border seminar on removing obstacles to transfrontier cooperation; adopted a manual of practical solutions to overcome obstacles to cross-border cooperation, and agreed to a proposal to establish a digital platform to facilitate regular updating of the manual
IV) Norms suitable for inclusion in the Appendix to Protocol No 3 to the Madrid Outline Convention are prepared;
· The CDLR prepared the Appendix to Protocol No. 3 which was approved by the Committee of Ministers at the 1176th meeting of the Deputies on 10 July 2013
V) A report to the Committee of Ministers on possible synergies and co-operation with other international actors in the field of local and regional democracy and cross-border co-operation is prepared and synergies are developed on the basis of the decisions taken by the Committee of Ministers;
· The CDLR prepared a report on possible synergies and cooperation with other actors in the field of local and regional democracy and cross border cooperation and submitted it to the Committee of Ministers for consideration (see doc CM(2013)65)
VI) Any activities agreed by the Committee of Ministers, coming from the 17th Session of the Council of Europe Conference of Ministers responsible for local and regional government, are implemented.
· The CDLR prepared and responded to a questionnaire on local finances and adopted a report, including proposed policy responses, on the impact of changing economic fortunes on local budgets
· In consultation with the Parliamentary Assembly, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe and the Conference of INGOs, and in light of information provided by member states, the CDLR adopted a report and policy proposals to strengthen awareness-raising of the human rights dimension of local and regional governance
· The CDLR organised a seminar on good democratic governance and citizen participation, issued a questionnaire (to which 22 member states responded) seeking to draw out best practice, and adopted a report on initiatives to strengthen good governance, capacity-building and citizen’s democratic participation at local level
· In addition to adopting a manual on cross-border cooperation, the CDLR organised a cross-border seminar on removing obstacles to transfrontier cooperation and agreed to a proposal to establish a digital platform to facilitate regular exchanges and updates on relevant initiatives.
APPENDIX IV
EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION AND GOOD PRACTICES ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL ISSUES CONCERNING LOCAL AND REGIONAL DEMOCRACY AND CROSS-BORDER CO –OPERATION
Belgium - the sixth Reform of the Belgian Federal State
The sixth federal state reform is a historic reform not so much by its content, but by the exceptional length needed to reach an agreement (negotiations started in the summer 2008).
The reform aims at a fundamental change of the Belgian institutional landscape by redistributing the competences between the regions and the central government. This reform has to result in an improved balance of powers, competences and budget between the different tiers of government.
The core elements of the reform program are:
· The splitting of the electoral district Brussels-Halle-Vilvoorde and the creation of new district the electoral district of Rhode -Saint-Genèse. Francophones in this district will be able to choose whether they vote for a Flemish Brabant list or a Brussels list.
· The redistribution of competences worth € 17 billion between the federal level and the communities and regions. Regions will become responsible for economic and employment policies, communities will be responsible for family policies.
The committee welcomed the presentation and had an extensive exchange of views on the difficulties experienced when reforming the competences of the different tiers of government. Members expressed admiration for the way successive governments dealt with the reform process.
Denmark - Local democracy
The Danish ministry of Economic Affairs and the Interior initiated a study of local democracy in the Danish municipalities. The study was partly motivated by the municipality reform of 2007, and partly by the fact that the percentage of voters participating at local elections has decreased.
The researchers have taken a tour through Denmark visiting 17 municipalities, and meeting with mayors, councillors, administration officials and citizens in the municipalities in question. The findings of the tour and of the survey have been published in a report published by the Ministry of Economics and the Interior in September 2013. The report concludes that local democracy in the Danish municipalities faces challenges, but that there is a will to work on improving local democracy within the municipalities. One of the main elements highlighted in the report is the question how to enlarge the participation of young people and those from a different cultural background.
The issues raised in Denmark´s presentation were broadly recognised by the members. Several delegates said they face similar difficulties when trying to encourage or increase the participation of these members of society. They requested that the findings of the Danish report be broadly shared and possible actions to improve the participations of these groups continue to be discussed in future.
Spain - the reform of public administrations
As a result of the imbalances and dysfunctions raised in Spain by the economic crisis, the Spanish government has prepared an ambitious public administration reform with the aim of readjusting multilevel governance and reducing public expenditure at all levels. The main content of the reforms is as follows:
· In order to ensure an effective and lasting correction of the excessive deficit, the control by the Ministry of Finances and the general accounting office will be strengthened, and the regional and municipal budgets strictly monitored to avoid any other future deficit in their budgetary policy. For 2015 onwards, regions and municipalities will be obliged to have a balanced budget, no further deficits will be accepted;
· The competences of each level will be clarified. Whilst in the past municipalities used the fact that some competences were not well defined (the so-called “non proper competences”) to become active in many more fields than what their actual budget would have allowed, the draft law limits this risk, by limiting clearly the “non-proper competences”. A municipality will not be able to become active in a field, if it does not have the proper competences and budget to do so;
· To face the budget constraints, the reform also foresees a new grid of salaries for regional and municipal elected politicians. Salaries will be reduced proportionally to the numbers of inhabitants, in particular and pensioned civil servants will not be replaced;
· Reducing the number of municipalities is also considered as a way to face budget constraints. As the autonomous communities are also responsible in this field, the central government cannot impose but only promote the merging of municipalities, through fiscal incentives and the support to municipal cooperation through ad hoc mechanisms.
Thanks to these measures, Spain hopes to save about 400 million € in the next ten years.
Members were interested in details of public administration reform and measures taken to regain control on its expenditure, in particular the factual implications of the reforms and the way the government managed the dialogue with regions and local authorities’ associations and addressed public opinion’s concerns The exchange of views also focussed on the ways the economic and financial crisis forces member states to reform. Some expressed concern that these reforms are too much top-down shaped.
United Kingdom - Combined Authorities and Neighbourhood Planning
The delegation of the United Kingdom presented two different types of reform currently implemented in the country:
· The introduction of the combined authority
· A combined authority is a governance structure that enables relevant local authorities to work jointly to deliver improvements in economic development, regeneration and transport across their functional economic area.
· The creation of a Combined Authority is voluntary but has to be approved by Parliament and once established it’s governed by its members.
· Manchester established a Combined Authority in 2011 and is currently managing an investment fund of more than £100m.
· The introduction of an neighbourhood development plan
· Neighbourhood planning is considered a vital part of the Government’s reforms to help local communities to play a stronger role in (re)shaping the areas in which they live and work and to create support for new development proposals.
· A neighbourhood development plan is community and neighbourhood led and focuses on new planning policies for the development and use of land in a neighbourhood
· Once a Neighbourhood Plan is brought into force after a referendum it becomes part of the statutory development plan for the local area and carries real legal weight.
The CDLR welcomed the presentation and asked many question on the element of increased public participation in these reforms, the final decision-making process and the ways to manage the public expectations in this kind of processes.