Strasbourg, 21 September 2010                                                       CDLR-Bu(2010)22

BUREAU OF THE EUROPEAN COMMITTEE

ON LOCAL AND REGIONAL DEMOCRACY

(CDLR)

MEETING REPORT

         

5 July 2010

1.         Opening of the meeting

The Vice-Chair of the CDLR, Mr Auke van der GOOT (Netherlands) opened the meeting and welcomed the participants, listed in Appendix I.

2.         Adoption of the agenda

The agenda, as adopted, appears at Appendix II.

         RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

3.         Decisions of the Committee of Ministers concerning the CDLR

The Bureau reviewed the decisions of the Committee of Ministers concerning the CDLR, as set out in document CDLR-Bu(2010)8. The Bureau examined Recommendations 280-282 and 286-288 (2010) of the Congress. As concerns the initial deadline for possible comments, the Bureau agreed to request an extension from the Ministers’ Deputies. The Secretariat was asked to prepare draft elements for the CDLR to consider with a view to adopting its comments on Recommendation 280) (2010) on “The role of local and regional authorities in the implementation of human rights” and Recommendation 282 (2010) on “Follow-up by the Congress of the Conference of Ministers responsible for Local and Regional Government (Utrecht, Netherlands, 16-17 November 2009)” at the meeting in October. As concerns the other Recommendations, it concluded that it had no substantial comments to make to the Committee of Ministers and that the CDLR was to be advised accordingly.

The Bureau took note of the other decisions of the Committee of Ministers, and agreed to consider the item “Reform process of the Council of Europe” concerning the proposal for a partnership between the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe and the Ministers of member states responsible for Local and Regional Government, under item 8 of the agenda.


4.         Information on other Council of Europe bodies

The Bureau took note of the information on other Council of Europe bodies contained in document CDLR-Bu(2010)9.

The Bureau also agreed that a joint meeting with the Congress Bureau should be held and asked the Secretariat to contact the Congress Secretariat about this with a view to identifying a date in autumn 2010.

5.         EU member States High Level Group on Governance

As agreed at the LR-IC Committee meeting on 31 May - 1 June 2010, this item was part of the agenda of the CDLR Bureau in order for it to identify the scope for synergies between the EU member States High Level Group and the Council of Europe's work in the field of local and regional democracy and to discuss the issue with the Belgian EU presidency. The Belgian EU presidency was represented at the Bureau meeting by Mr Paul-Henri Philips.

The Bureau took note of the invitation to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe and programme for the meeting of EU member States High Level Group on Governance in Brussels on 30 September - 1 October 2010, as part of the Belgian EU presidency. Mr Philips informed the Bureau that the invitations had recently been sent out and this time included a wider range of participants from international associations of local and regional authorities. The Bureau noted in particular that the workshop at the High Level Group meeting on new approaches for a new governance after the economic and financial crisis was closely related to the ongoing work under the Utrecht Agenda and was being held shortly before the CDLR/LGI International Conference on 11-12 October 2010.

The Bureau agreed that in line with the steps and measures agreed by Ministers in Utrecht further to the Kiviniemi report, more effort should be made in future to ensure timely and substantive coordination between the organisers of the HLG meeting and the CDLR and its Secretariat. This is all the more important as the idea is that the meetings of the HLG will be included as an EU presidency obligation.

6.         Committee of the Regions – development of an instruments on multi-level governance

The Bureau took note of the information contained in document CDLR-Bu(2010)10. The Committee of the Regions, on 19 June 2009, adopted a White Paper on Multilevel Governance that “puts forward the parameters for promoting multilevel governance as the preferred model or process of coming to binding decisions within the EU”. The Committee of the Regions recently embarked on the task of drawing up a “European charter on multilevel governance”, to which the Council of Europe Secretariat was invited to make a contribution. Further work leading to the eventual drafting of a Charter will be undertaken.


The Bureau considered that a possible European Union charter on multilevel governance would need to take into account and be compatible with the legal instruments of the Council of Europe, notably the European Charter of Local Self-government and its Additional protocol and, more generally, fit with the Council of Europe’s acquis in this field, including the Strategy for innovation and good governance at local level.

In this connection, it was recalled that at Utrecht, Ministers agreed that “decisions by international organisations and structures contrary to the acquis of the Council of Europe in the field of local and regional democracy (be) avoided” and that “a coherent approach is adopted and information between member States about possible implications before decisions are taken in these other fora (be) exchanged, as appropriate, in consultation with local and regional authorities”.

7.         Cooperation between Morocco and the Council of Europe

The Bureau considered the Conclusions of the Seminar on the perspectives of cooperation between Morocco and the Council of Europe, held in Rabat 22-23 February 2010. It agreed to draw the attention of the CDLR to this subject, referring to the steps and measures agreed in the Utrecht Declaration as follow up to the Kiviniemi report (in particular item 14).

            IMPLEMENTATION OF THE UTRECHT DECLARATION

8.         Partnership between the Committee of Ministers and the Ministerial Conference

The Bureau discussed this item on the basis of document CDLR-Bu(2010)13 with the participation of Mr Kimmo Collander, Finnish member of the CDLR, who had been invited to attend the meeting on this item. The Bureau took note of the progress made so far in establishing a partnership between the Ministerial Conference and the Committee of Ministers, and of the fact that Minister Kiviniemi has become Prime Minister of Finland and a new minister of public administration and local government, Mr Tapani Tölli, has been appointed. The Bureau noted with pleasure the commitment of the new Finnish Minister to ensure full continuity of the process entrusted to him.

9.         Utrecht reviews

The Bureau took note and exchanged views on the action the CDLR and its members could take in order to contribute to and facilitate the work of Minister Chaves in carrying out the reviews decided at Utrecht. At the invitation of the Bureau, Mr Andreas Kiefer, Secretary General of the Congress, took part in the discussion of this item.

At the initiative of the CDLR, an advisory group, including representatives of the Congress, has been established in order to act as a “sounding board” for the Minister and his rapporteur, Mr Enrique Ojeda, Director-General of Cooperacion Autonomica in the same ministry. The advisory group held a meeting on 21 June in Paris, to exchange views on the outline for the implementation of the reviews and the roadmap established by Mr Ojeda.


The Bureau examined the possibility for the advisory group to meet again in September/October, considering the steps recently taken by the Congress towards its own internal reform which include a streamlining of structures and a reprioritisation of activities around monitoring, human rights and election observation.

The Bureau agreed that the process should be completed and the report published in early 2011 in time for the CDLR at its meeting in Spring 2011 to consider and prepare the decision-making by Ministers at their next Session in Kyiv (November 2011).

10.      Steps and measures to follow-up on the Kiviniemi report

At its last meeting in March 2010, the CDLR decided that the list of steps and measures should be discussed in each of the CDLR’s sub-committees. The Bureau examined the overview of the steps and measures proposed and agreed on by the CDLR’s sub-committees and instructed the Secretariat to prepare a consolidated version of the document for consideration and adoption by the CDLR at its meeting in October 2010.

11.      Implementation of the Utrecht Agenda

The Bureau examined the draft list of activities of the CDLR to implement the Utrecht Agenda (2010 – 2013), contained in the document CDLR-Bu(2010)16 and Appendices I, II, III and IV.

After an in-depth review, the Bureau gave further guidance and instructions to the Secretariat for the preparation of a consolidated version of the document for consideration and adoption by the CDLR at its meeting in October 2010.

12.      Centre of Expertise for Local Government Reform

The Bureau was informed that following an internal competition, Mr Daniel Popescu has been appointed Head of the Centre of Expertise for Local Government Reform and co-operation programmes by the Secretary General as from 1 July 2010. The Head will thus also have responsibility for the assistance activities in the field of local and regional democracy implemented by the Secretariat (Department of local and regional democracy and good governance).

Furthermore the Bureau was informed that the Secretary General’s budgetary priorities for 2011 foresee that one permanent administrator’s post in the Secretariat will be transferred to the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights, as from 1 January 2011.

13.      Strategy for Innovation and Good Governance at Local level

The Bureau took note of document CDLR-Bu(2010)18, and was informed that Council of Europe Stakeholders’ Platform on the Strategy for Innovation and Good Governance will hold its next meeting on 12 July 2010. The CDLR will be represented by Ms Greta Billing (Norway) and Ms Annie Biefnot-Vanboterdal (Belgium).


14.      Preparation for the Conference on the impact of the economic downturn on local government and the responses to it

The Bureau discussed the final draft programme of the Conference co-organised by the CDLR and the LGI (Local Government and Public Service Reform Initiative of the Open Society Institute) that will be held in Strasbourg on 11 and 12 October (morning) immediately preceding the 46th meeting of the CDLR.

The Bureau agreed on the programme, in particular decided on the title, suggested speakers and format, and gave further guidance to the Secretariat.

15.      Setting up of working group for the preparation of a conference on transfrontier co-operation

In the light of the expressions of interest received, the Bureau agreed on the composition of the working party (Mr Leeuwestein (NL), Ms Nagy (H), Mr Lefebre (B), Ms Gonzalez Carloman (E), Mr Taschetta (CH), Mr Ricq (ARE) plus the chair of the LR-IC Committee) for the preparation of a conference on transfrontier co-operation.

It agreed this item should be discussed further at the plenary meeting of the CDLR in October 2010 in order to make the necessary decisions for the holding of the conference in the first half of 2011.

16.      Communication relating to the CDLR and local and regional democracy

Ms Greta Billing, CDLR co-Rapporteur on Communication and invited to the meeting as such presented document CDLR‑Bu(2010)21 concerning the state of affairs in communication in the field of local and regional democracy at the Council of Europe, and put forward ideas for further action to be discussed by the CDLR.

The Bureau examined the proposals for change resulting from CDLR sub-committee meetings and instructed the Secretariat to prepare an updated document for consideration and adoption by the CDLR at its meeting in October 2010.

            MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE

17.      Preparation of the 17th session of the Ministerial conference (Kyiv, November 2011)

The Bureau discussed the preliminary agenda and themes for the 17th session of the Ministerial conference (Kyiv, November 2011). It instructed the Secretariat to prepare the first frame/outline of the programme for discussion and adoption by the CDLR at its meeting in October 2010.

         


CDLR

18.      Preparation and draft agenda for the 46th CDLR meeting (12-14 October)

The Bureau discussed and agreed the draft agenda for the 46th CDLR meeting (12-14 October 2010).

            OTHER

19.      Other business

None.

20.      Date of the next meeting

The Bureau agreed the date of its next meeting should be decided at the CDLR meeting in October 2010.


APPENDIX I

                                                      LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

VICE-CHAIRMAN / VICE-PRESIDENT

Mr Auke van der GOOT, Senior Adviser, 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) 70 426 7386; Fax: (31) 70 426 7655; E-mail: [email protected]

OTHER MEMBERS / AUTRES MEMBRES

Mrs Miroslava-Nina MIŠKOVIĆ, Head of Independent Division for International Cooperation, Ministry of Public Administration, Maksimirska 63, 10000 ZAGREB

Tel: (385) 1 2357 532; Fax: (385) 1 2357 609; E-mail: [email protected]

M. Paul-Henri PHILIPS, Adjoint du Directeur Général, Administration des pouvoirs locaux, Ministère de la Région de Bruxelles-Capitale, 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 Séverine REYMUND, Bureau des structures territoriales, Direction Générale des Collectivités locales, Ministère de l'Intérieur, 1 bis, place des Saussaies, F - 75800 PARIS

Tél: (33) 01 49 27 31 78; Fax: (33) 01 49 27 49 79;

E-mail: [email protected]

Mr Paul ROWSELL, Deputy Director, Democracy and Local Governance, 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]

INVITED GUESTS / PERSONNES INVITEES

Mrs Greta 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]

Mr Kimmo COLLANDER, Department for Municipal Affairs, Ministry of Finance, PO Box 28, FIN – 00023 GOVERNMENT

Tel: (358) (0)9 160 32209; E-mail: [email protected]


SECRETARIAT

Mr Childerik SCHAAPVELD, Director of Democratic Institutions/ Directeur des institutions démocratiques, Directorate General of Democracy and Political Affairs / Direction générale de la démocratie et des affaires politiques

Tel: +33 (0)3 88 41 20 60; Fax: +33 (0)3 88 41 27 84;

E-mail: [email protected]

Mr Alfonso ZARDI, Head of the Department of Local and Regional Democracy and Good Governance / Chef du Service de la démocratie locale et régionale et de la bonne gouvernance - Directorate of Democratic Institutions/ Direction des institutions démocratiques, Directorate General of Democracy and Political Affairs / Direction générale de la démocratie et des affaires politiques

Tel : +33 (0)3 88 41 39 06; Fax : +33 (0)3 88 41 27 84; E-mail : [email protected]

Mr Frank STEKETEE, Administrator / Administrateur – Directorate of Democratic Institutions/ Direction des institutions démocratiques, Directorate General of Democracy and Political Affairs / Direction générale de la démocratie et des affaires politiques

Tel: +33 (0)3 88 41 39 61; Fax: +33 (0)3 88 41 27 84; E-mail: [email protected]

Mrs Vesna ATANASOVA, Administrator / Administratrice – Directorate of Democratic Institutions/ Direction des institutions démocratiques, Directorate General of Democracy and Political Affairs / Direction générale de la démocratie et des affaires politiques

Tel: +33 (0)3 88 41 31 68; Fax: +33 (0)3 88 41 27 84;

E-mail: [email protected]

Ms Siobhan MONTGOMERY, Directorate of Democratic Institutions/ Direction des institutions démocratiques, Directorate General of Democracy and Political Affairs / Direction générale de la démocratie et des affaires politiques

Tel: +33 (0)3 88 41 24 14; Fax: +33 (0)3 88 41 27 84;

E-mail: [email protected]

*

Mr Andreas KIEFER, Secretary General of the Congress / Secrétaire Général du Congrès

Tel : +33 (0)3 88 41 22 48; Fax : +33 (0)3 88 41 27 51; E-mail : [email protected]


APPENDIX II

AGENDA

         

1.

Opening of the meeting

2.

Adoption of the agenda

[CDLR-Bu(2010)OJ2]

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

3.

Decisions of the Committee of Ministers concerning the CDLR

[CDLR-Bu(2010)8]

4.

Information on other Council of Europe bodies

[CDLR-Bu(2010)9]

5.

EU member States High Level Group on Governance

[CDLR-Bu(2010)10]

6.

Committee of the Regions – development of an instrument on multi-level governance

[CDLR-Bu(2010)11]

7.

Cooperation between Morocco and the Council of Europe

[CDLR-Bu(2010)12]

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE UTRECHT DECLARATION

8.

Partnership between the Committee of Ministers and the Ministerial Conference

[CDLR-Bu(2010)13]

9.

Utrecht reviews

[CDLR-Bu(2010)14]

10.

Steps and measures to follow-up on the Kiviniemi report

[CDLR-Bu(2010)15]

11.

Implementation of the Utrecht Agenda

[CDLR-Bu(2010)16]

12.

Centre of Expertise on Local Government Reform

[CDLR-Bu(2010)17]

13.

Council of Europe Strategy for Innovation and Good Governance at Local Level

[CDLR-Bu(2010)18]

14.

Preparation for the Conference on the impact of the economic downturn on local government and the responses to it

[CDLR-Bu(2010)19]

15.

Setting up of working group for the preparation of  a conference on transfrontier cooperation

[CDLR-Bu(2010)20]

16.

Communication relating to the CDLR and local and regional democracy

[CDLR-Bu(2010)21]


MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE

17.

Preparation of the 17th session of the Ministerial conference (Kyiv, November 2011)

[CDLR-Bu(2010)22]

CDLR

18.

Preparation of and draft agenda for the 46th CDLR meeting (12-14 October 2010)

[CDLR(2010)OJ2 prov.]

OTHER

19.

Other business

20.

Date of the next meeting

.