14e PLENARY SESSION

As they do every year, the Rapporteurs will review the credentials of the new members and any new procedures for the appointment of national delegations in the light of the current criteria of the Congress Charter and Rules of Procedure.

Transfrontier co-operation in Europe

Rapporteur : Karl – Heinz LAMBERTZ, Belgium (R, SOC)

CG(17)5

Resolution

Recommendation

Transfrontier co-operation between local and regional authorities is an important part of the Council of Europe's work to promote democratic stability and good neighbourliness between states and regions. It is a key political task for the Council of Europe that needs to be organised by regional and local authorities in partnership with national bodies.

As such, transfrontier co-operation is exercised by those authorities closest to the citizens in full respect of the principles of subsidiarity and partnership. Thanks to this proximity, co-operation is centred around the preoccupations of the authorities, citizens and structures in those areas and can deal with the specific issues encountered by border regions.

A sustainable cross border spatial and regional development policy must gain in importance as the elimination of daily border problems and the enhancement of socio-cultural co-operation are a foundation for sustainable economic development. Transfrontier co-operation can also contribute to achieving European integration, to strengthening social and territorial cohesion, to promoting the active participation of all citizens, as well as to intercultural dialogue.

The Congress has an important role to play in analysing the operation and evolution of co-operation structures, in activities to support and set up new structures, as well as in studying specific themes such as minorities in frontier regions.

Congress Declaration on the 60th anniversary of the Council of Europe

Rapporteur : Dubravka SUICA, Croatia (L, PPE/DC)

CG(17)7

Resolution

On the occasion of the 60^th anniversary of the Council of Europe, the Congress Declaration reaffirms the importance of local and regional democracy as the foundation of any democratic system, recognised by national governments, and the role of the European Charter of Local Self-Government in this context.

It reaffirms the unique role of the Congress as the guardian of the Charter, making sure that its principles are applied and respected in our member states, and underlines the importance of monitoring the Charter’s implementation and compliance by member states with their commitments and obligations.

The Declaration also acknowledges the role and place of territorial communities and their authorities in Europe today, as major political, economic and social stakeholders that governments and parliaments cannot do without. In this context, the Congress is the main reference point for territorial democracy.

Finally, the Declarations emphasises that, in order to succeed in its mission, the Congress must have its role and place fully recognised within the Council of Europe, and be endowed with proper and adequate resources.

Local and regional democracy in Turkey

Rapporteurs : Anders KNAPE, Sweden (L, PPE/DC)

Herwig VAN STAA, Austria (R, PPE/DC)

CG(17)10

Recommendation

The purpose of this report on the situation of local and regional democracy in Turkey is to continue the monitoring of Turkey's obligations according to the European Charter of Local Self-Government that was undertaken in 2005.

In the light of visits to Turkey in 2008 and 2009 and the 2007 fact-finding mission on Southeast Anatolia, the report concludes that progress towards the reforms called for in 2005 has been particularly slow.

It is recommended that Turkey continues constitutional reforms towards decentralisation, notably by removing administrative tutelage and allowing the use of languages other than Turkish in the provision of public services. Turkey is encouraged to reduce the involvement of Governors in the Special Provincial Administrations and to carry through proposed reforms, especially the Villages Law and Revenues Law.

The report calls for a more assertive and more independent role for the Union of Turkish Municipalities.

The global challenge of climate change: local responses

Rapporteur : Jens Jorgen NYGAARD, Denmark (L, NI)

CG(17)8

Recommendation

Resolution

Climate change is a phenomenon that constitutes one of the most serious economic, social and environmental challenges of this century.

The meeting of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Copenhagen in December 2009 is taking on capital importance because it will negotiate a new international agreement on the climate which should take over from the Kyoto Protocol after 2012.

Local and regional authorities, aware of these challenges, have taken numerous initiatives to stabilise the climate and to adapt their areas to the new climatic conditions.

The Congress wants for their role to be fully recognised and for the full support of states for their actions, support which is necessary if the national objectives for the reduction in greenhouse gases are to be achieved. The Congress believes that an effective representation of local and regional authorities in national delegations will add more weight to the negotiations and thus result in an ambitious agreement equal to the climatic stakes.

Moreover, when the fate of the whole of humanity is at stake, the Congress invites the Parties to integrate the human rights dimension into their negotiations in order to provide a more sustainable response to this major challenge.

Preventing violence against children

Rapporteur : Pia BOSCH I CODOLA, Spain (R, SOC)

CG(17)9

Resolution

Recommendation

Violence against children exists in every state and cuts across cultural, class, education, income, ethnic and age boundaries.

The Council of Europe has drafted a series of Policy Guidelines on National Integrated Strategies for the Protection of Children against Violence, proposing a multidisciplinary and systematic national framework to prevent and respond to all acts of violence against children.

This report aims to support and contribute to the finalisation and adoption of the Guidelines by exploring the specificities of the role that European local and regional authorities can play in the prevention of such violence and protection of their most vulnerable citizens.

Equal access to local and regional elections

Rapporteur : Cees BIJL, The Netherlands (L, SOC)

CG(17)12

Recommendation

The right to vote and to stand for election is guaranteed in states’ domestic legislation by the principle of equal access to elections, whether at national, regional or local level. It is a principle protected by international legal norms.

The purpose of this report is to describe these legal norms and the conditions for access to local and regional elections, both for voters and for candidates. The report also proposes to identify the different types of restrictions, legal or otherwise, to the right to vote, exercise of the right to vote and eligibility to stand for election in the Council of Europe member states.

Inequalities continue to exist in some countries, particularly with regard to certain population categories such as non-citizens, women or immigrants. Other inequalities can be seen in the financing of election campaigns, registration of political parties, participation of candidates and access to the media.

On the basis of these findings, the report puts forward some concrete proposals. The recommendation to the Committee of Ministers suggests that the Congress should continue this work as part of the monitoring of local and regional elections, and calls on member states to grant the right to vote and to stand in local elections to all residents who have been legally resident on their territory for at least three years, irrespective of their origin.

II. REPORTS SUBMITTED TO THE CHAMBER OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES

E-Democracy: opportunities and risks for local authorities

Rapporteurs: Etienne VAN VAERENBERGH, Belgium (GILD)

Alison COOK, United Kingdom (PPE/DC)

CPL(17)2

Resolution

Recommendation

Information and communication technologies offer local authorities exciting new opportunities to improve the effectiveness of their work and increase voter participation and engagement.

Citizens are increasingly turning to online collaboration and social networks for political mobilisation and debate. The challenge for local authorities is to respond increasing expectations and demands for more open, transparent, accessible and participatory governance.

Careful management and sound methodology are essential to minimise the risks that accompany these new developments, to avoid public disillusion and ensure adequate protection of the individual.

Creative cities – Managing the cultural activity of cities

Rapporteur : Constanty DOMBROWICZ, Polonia (GILD)

CPL(17)3

Resolution

Recommendation

Cities and towns have a huge creative potential in the cultural field, which can be a catalyst of positive change and growth. They function as centres of culture, where people can meet together and explore their multiple identities, while being entertained and invigorated by the contributions of others. Culturally creative cities can become a driving force for their regions, stimulating economic development and social cohesion.

To make best use of this potential, the involvement of all parties concerned is essential. A thorough evaluation should be carried out to identify the specific cultural identify of the city.

The cultural programme needs to involve all age, language and ethnic groups. Cultural pluralism can be a source of strength and vitality.

Improving indoor air quality: a new challenge for local authorities

Rapporteur : Paolo RONDELLI, San Marino (SOC)

CPL(17)4

Resolution

Recommendation

Indoor air quality has only recently been considered a major health issue, unlike outdoor pollution which is subject to extensive regulation and media attention. However, recent public health scares have alerted public authorities and public opinion to the fact that pollution levels in indoor air are often higher than those outside. This is a cause for concern as Europeans spend up to 90 % of their lives in closed environments.

Public authorities need to make a paradigm shift and pay serious attention to the quality of indoor air. Adequate regulations and appropriate management and prevention measures need to be put in place. Delaying action in this field could put people's health at risk and damage both the environment and the economy.

Many local authorities have already set up ambitious programmes to improve indoor air quality which go way beyond the scope of existing legislation. These approaches include taking preventive action in order that all indoor spaces under their authority, whether public or private, are of the highest environmental quality. Local authorities also have a responsibility to raise public awareness and to facilitate training on the issue of improved indoor air quality and a healthy environment.

First elections of the Mayor of Yerevan, Armenia (31 May 2009)

Rapporteur : Nigel MERMAGEN, United Kingdom (GILD)

CPL(17)5

Recommendation

Following the official invitation from the Armenian authorities to observe the first election of the mayor of Yerevan on Sunday 31 May 2009, the Congress appointed an observer delegation, headed by Nigel Mermagen, Councillor in South Somerset District Council and Rapporteur to the Congress. The delegation was composed of nine members of the Congress and four members of the European Union’s Committee of the Regions, assisted by the Congress Secretariat.

The delegation concluded that the organisational framework of the elections had been broadly in compliance with European standards. However, the delegation made clear that democracy does not only depend on a proper organisational framework but on highly-developed electoral conduct and democratic culture. Also, the delegation regretted those malpractices which tempered the normal conduct of the vote. It found that the political actors in Armenia should strive for a higher standard of ethics, attitudes and behaviour and that citizens should be better aware of democratic rights and duties.

III. REPORTS SUBMITTED TO THE CHAMBER OF REGIONS

Regions with legislative powers: towards multilevel governance

Rapporteur : Bernd PETRISCH, Austria (PPE/DC)

CPR(17)2

Resolution

The Council of Europe lays great store by the strengthening of local and regional democracy in particular as it is at local and regional levels, in application of the principles of subsidiarity and proximity, where democracy is closest to citizens. Regions with legislative powers have an important role to play in policy shaping and decision-making, in particular they reflect more accurately regional and cultural differences.

Regional democracy is a strong element of constitutional checks and balances, especially in federated states, and a guarantee for democratic and effective multi-level governance. This multi-level governance must be guided by mutual co-operation and interaction between all levels of power - European, national, regional and local – in the search for solutions to today’s challenges.

Overindebtedness of households: the responsibility of regions

Rapporteur : Carmen Patricia MURATORE, Italy (GILD)

CPR(17)3

Resolution

Recommendation

The economic and financial crisis affects the consumption patterns of many families, particularly the most vulnerable who, to meet their essential needs, are exposed to overindebtedness or to usurious practices.

As an adjunct to the necessary development of the national provisions, this report proposes regional measures, especially preventive ones, to protect consumers and ensure the financial inclusion of the poorest households.

It advocates control of lending practices and puts forward the idea of devising a European model for a code of good practice under the aegis of the Council of Europe in order to make all the players in the credit chain aware of their responsibilities.