Strasbourg, 23 November 2010                                                        LR-IC(2010)9

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE ON LOCAL AND REGIONAL DEMOCRACY

(CDLR)

COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS ON LOCAL AND REGIONAL GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS AND COOPERATION

(LR-IC)

REFERENCE FRAMEWORK OF THE FEATURES OF SYSTEMS

OF LOCAL AND REGIONAL GOVERNMENT IN THE MEMBER STATES

Secretariat Memorandum

prepared by the Directorate General of

Democracy and Political Affairs

Directorate of Democratic Institutions

This document is public. It will not be distributed at the meeting. Please bring this copy.

Ce document est public. Il ne sera pas distribué en réunion. Prière de vous munir de cet exemplaire.

Intoduction

In response to the challenge identified by Ministers in the Utrecht Agenda: “Reducing the cost and complexity of the current system of local and regional government and enhancing its efficiency”, the CDLR agreed, inter alia, to produce a reference framework of the features of the systems of local and regional government in member States. The reference framework, once established, would provide member States with a basis the identification of features of interest in other member States. It could also provide a basis for targeted exchange of experience and the identification of good practices.

The CDLR appointed Mr Auke van der Goot (the Netherlands) and Mr Lukasz Krysztofiak (Poland) as its Rapporteurs and entrusted the LR-IC and LR-FS Committees with taking the work forward.

Below appears the first draft of the questionnaire that each member State would be invited to fill in. The aim is, as far as possible, to standardise the replies in order to facilitate comparison.

Action required

Member are invited to review the first draft for the questionnaire in detail with a view to making suggestions for its improvement.

The Committee is invited to review the draft in detail, to discuss and decide on proposals for its improvement and to give guidance to the Rapporteurs and the Secretariat for completing the work.

QUESTIONNAIRE

COUNTRY:

A. GENERAL INFORMATION

1.1 Is it your state:               1. Unitary                     2. Federal                     3. Other

1.2 How many levels of local and regional does your country have?

1. One              2. Two                                      3. Three                       4. Other……………..

1.3 Please insert a diagram describing sub-national government organisation in your country.

1.4 Please insert a map with the territorial set-up of your country.

1.4 What types of Local and Regional Authorities are there in your country?

1.
2.
3.
4.

1.5 Is there any kind of hierarchical relationship between different types of Local and Regional Authorities?

1. YES                                      2. NO

1.6 If so, please explain.

B. STRUCTURE OF LOCAL AND REGIONAL AUTHORITIES

For each type of Local and Regional Authority please provide the following information:

1.7 Exact title:

1.    Name

1.8 Number of units.

2.    Number

1.9 Chronological variation in the number of units.

a.2010
b.2000
c.1990

1.10 Please specify the following information about the TERRITORIAL DIMENSION.

1.    Average dimension
2.    Largest
3.    Smallest

1.11 Please specify the following information about the resident population.

1.    Average dimension
2.    Largest
3.    Smallest

1.12 Please specify the following information about the RESIDENT population per Km².

4.    Average dimension
5.    Largest
6.    Smallest

1.13 Number of units per category of size[1].

Population	Number of municipalities	Percentage of total
Less than 5000
From 5000 to 10000

1.14 Does your country have a special legal framework for particular individual authorities?

1. YES                                      2. NO

1.15 If so, please describe briefly (Please add references to relevant legislation).

A. DELIBERATIVE BODIES

For each type of Local and Regional Authority please provide the following information

2.1 Please briefly describe the duties and powers of the deliberative body.

2.2 Are there any special cases?

2.3 Number of residents per councilor (Please fill the table)[2].

Population	Number of councilors	Number of inhabitants per councilor
Under 5000
From 5001 to 10000

2.4 Electoral system[3]. Which is electoral system for the election of members of the deliberative body?

1.    Plurality (FPTP)

2.    Alternative Vote

3.    Block Vote

4.    Two-Round System

5.    Parallel (Segmented) (PR Lists and Majoritarian constituencies)

6.    Single Non-Transferable Vote

7.    List Proportional Representation

8.    Mixed Member Proportional

9.    Single Transferable Vote

10.  Other

2.5 Which are the requirements for eligibility as a members of the deliberative body?

2.6 Which are the incompatibilities with membership of the deliberative body?

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

2.7 Are there legal rules dealing with conflict interest?

1. YES                                      2.NO

2.8 If so, please briefly describe them.

2.9 What are the rules on resignation by councilors?

2.9 Are members of the deliberative body allowed to hold other electoral mandates, as well?

1. YES                                      2. NO

2.10 Is membership of the deliberative body a full-time position?

1.YES                                       2.NO

B. HEAD OF THE EXECUTIVE BODY

For each type of Local and Regional Authority please provide the following information

2.11 Please specify the exact title of the head of the executive.

2.12 Electoral system. Which is the electoral system for the election of the head of the executive?

1.    Directly elected in general elections (simple majority)

2.    Directly elected in general elections, absolute majority (with 2nd round if necessary)

3.    Elected /chosen by deliberative body  

4.    Leader of the biggest party in deliberative body automatically becomes head of the executive

5. Other – please specify

2.13 What is the term of office?

1.

2.14 Is there a possibility for a popular recall of the head of the executive?

1. YES                                                  2. NO

2.15 If so, please detail rules and legal framework of this process.

2.16 Is the head of the executive also a member of the deliberative body?

1. Has to be                 2. May be                     3. Cannot be

2.17 Which are the requirements for eligibility of  the head of the executive?

2.18 Which are the incompatibilities with the office of head of the executive?

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

2.19 Are there legal rules dealing with conflicts of interest?

1. YES                                      2.NO

2.20 If so, please briefly describe them.

2.20 What are the rules on dismissal of/resignation by the of head of the executive?

2.21 Is the head of the executive allowed to hold other electoral mandates, as well?

1. YES                                      2. NO

2.22 Is head of the executive a full-time position?

1.YES                                       2.NO

C. Executive Body

For each type of Local and Regional Authority please provide the following information

2.23 Please briefly describe the method of electing or appointing members of the executive body other than the head (eg aldermen).

2.24 Size of the Executive Body[4]:

Population	Number of members
Under 5000
From 5001 to 10000

2.25 Are member of the executive also members of the deliberative body?

1.Has to be                                          2.May be          3. Cannot be

2.26 Which are the incompatibilities with the membership of executive body?

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

2.27 Are there legal rules dealing with conflicts of interest?

1. YES                                      2.NO

2.28 If so, please briefly describe them.

2.29 What are the rules on dismissal of/resignation by of members of the executive?

2.30 Are members of the executive body allowed to hold other electoral mandates, as well?

1. YES                                      2. NO

2.31 Is membership of the executive body a full-time position?

1.YES                                       2.NO

D.GENDER REPRESENTATION

For each type of Local and Regional Authority please provide the following information

2.32 Please give the percentage of women member of the deliberative bodies.

1990
1995
2005
2010

2.33 Please give the percentage of women head of the executive bodies.

1990
1995
2005
2010

2.34 Please give the percentage of women member of the executive bodies.

1990
1995
2005
2010

For each type of Local and Regional Authority please provide the following information

3.1 What has voter turnout been in the last three elections?

1.
2.
3.

3.2 Please specify the electoral performance of local political parties in the last three elections.

1.
2.
3.

3.3 Are referenda allowed in your country?

1. YES                                      2.NO

3.4 If so, please specify the legal framework (Please also insert the legal references).

3.5 What is the average turnout for local referenda in the last 5 years?

1.
2.
3.

3.6 Which policy areas cannot be subject of a sub-national referendum?

1.	5.
2.	6.
3.	7.
4.	8.

3.7 Can citizens take the initiative for a local referendum?

1. YES                                                  2. NO

3.8 If so, Please specify the legal framework. (Please also insert the legal references).

3.9 Are referenda by popular initiative binding?

1. YES                                                  2. NO

3.10 Which policy areas can NOT be subject of a sub-national referendum by popular initiative?

1.	5.
2.	6.
3.	7.
4.	8.

5.7 Please mark the forms of direct citizen participation in decision making allowed[5].

1.   Citizens' forums

2.   Citizens' juries

3.   Citizens' panel

4.   Co-option / involvement in a council committee

5.   Council of children / youth council

6.   Focus group

7.   Opinion polls

8.   Public meeting or assembly of citizens

9.   Question and answer sessions

10.          Right of presenting petitions, applications, proposals or claims

11.          Satisfaction surveys

12.          User management of services

13.          Visioning exercises

14.          Other…………………………………………………………………………………………………

A. CONSTITUTIONAL AND LEGAL BASIS

4.1 Please specify the constitutional provisions relating to local/regional authorities.

4.2 Please specify other legislative texts concerning local regional authorities, which clarify their roles, duties and responsibilities.

4.3 Please briefly describe the legal framework of the distribution of powers between different level of government. (Please indicate also relevant art.).

B. COMPETENCES OF LOCAL AND REGIONAL AUTHORITIES

4.4 Please give information on the competent authority for each policy-function. Please include one column for each type of Local and Regional Authority.

	COMPETENT AUTHORITY
	1	2	3
CENTRAL ADMINISTRATION
4.4.1.    Security, police
4.4.2.    Fire protection
4.4.3.    Civil protection
4.4.4.    Justice
4.4.5.    Civil status register
4.4.6.    Statistical office
4.4.7.    Electoral register
4.4.8.    Other………………………….
EDUCATION
4.4.9.    Pre-school education
4.4.10.  Primary education
4.4.11.  Secondary education
4.4.12.  Vocational and technical
4.4.13.  Higher education
4.4.14.  Adult education
4.4.15.  Other………………………………
PUBLIC HEALTH
4.4.16.  Hospitals
4.4.17.  Health protection
4.4.18.  SOCIAL WELFARE
4.4.19.  Kindergarten and nursery
4.4.20.  Family welfare services
4.4.21.  Welfare homes
4.4.22.  Social security
4.4.23.  Other………………………………
HOUSING AND TOWN PLANNING
4.4.24.  Housing
4.4.25.  Town planning
4.4.26.  Regional/spatial planning
ENVIROMENT, PUBLIC SANITATION
4.4.27.  Water & sewage
4.4.28.  Refuse collection & disposal
4.4.29.  Cemeteries & crematoria
4.4.30.  Slaughterhouses
4.4.31.  Environmental protection
4.4.32.  Consumer protection
CULTURE LEISURE & SPORTS
4.4.33.  Theatres & concerts
4.4.34.  Museum & libraries
4.4.35.  Parks & open spaces
4.4.36.  Sport & leisure
4.4.37.  Religious facilities
4.4.38.  Other cultural facilities
TRAFFIC TRANSPORT
4.4.39.  Roads
4.4.40.  Transport
4.4.41.  Urban road transport
4.4.42.  Urban rail transport
4.4.43.  Ports
4.4.44.  Airports
4.4.45.  Other traffic & transport
ECONOMIC SERVICES
4.4.46.  Gas
4.4.47.  District heating
4.4.48.  Water supply
4.4.49.  Agriculture, forest, fishing
4.4.50.  Electricity
4.4.51.  Economic promotion
4.4.52.  Trade & industry
4.4.53.  Tourism
4.4.54.  Other economic services
OTHER FUNCTIONS
6.3.55…………….................................

A. MACROECONOMIC DATA

5.1 GDP (Gross Domestic Product). Please, fill the following table.

1. IN € MIO
2. PER CAPITA IN €
3. EVOLUTION 2009-2010
4. UNEMPLOYEMENT RATE (%)
5. INFLATION RATE (%)

5.2 Amount of expenditure in Public sector. Please, fill the following table.

1. IN € MIO
2. % GDP

5.3 Amount of expenditure in Local and Regional Public sector. Please, fill the following table.

1. IN € MIO
2. % GDP

5.4 Amount of GFCF[6] in Public sector. Please, fill the following table.

1. IN € MIO
2. % GDP

5.5 Amount of GFCF in Local and Regional Public sector. Please, fill the following table.

1. IN € MIO
2. % GDP

5.6 Amount of revenue in Public sector. Please, fill the following table.

1. IN € MIO
2. % GDP

5.7 Amount of revenue in Local and Regional Public sector. Please, fill the following table.

1. IN € MIO
2. % GDP

5.8  Amount of the budget balance for Public sector. Please, fill the following table.

1. IN € MIO
2. % GDP

5.9 Amount of the budget balance for Local and Regional Public sector. Please, fill the following table.

1. IN € MIO
2. % GDP

5.10 Amount of debt for public sector. Please, fill the following table.

1. IN € MIO
2. % GDP

5.11 Amount of debt for Local and Regional Public sector. Please, fill the following table.

1. IN € MIO
2. % GDP

B. EXPENDITURES AND REVENUES

For each type of Local and Regional Authority please provide the following information

5.12 Please, specify the structure of Local and Regional expenditure (%).

1. Investment
2. Social benefits and other transfers
3. Staff costs
4. Other operating expenditure

5.13 Please, specify the structure of Local and Regional expenditure by economic function (%).

1. Central Administration
2. Education
3. Public Health
4. Housing and town planning
5. Culture Leisure & sports
6. Traffic & transport
7. Economic Services
8. Other functions

5.14 Please, specify the sources of Local and Regional revenue in the last year (€).

1. TAXES
2. FEES AND CHARGES
3. SPECIAL GRANTS
4. GENERAL GRANTS

5.15 Please, specify the sources of Local and Regional revenues in the last year (%).

1. TAXES
2. FEES AND CHARGES
3. SPECIAL GRANTS
4. GENERAL GRANTS

5.16 Please, specify the sources of Local and Regional revenue in the last year (%).

1. OWN-SOURCE TAX
2. SHARED TAX

5.17 Are Local and Regional Authorities allowed to borrow?

1. YES                                                  2. NO

5.18 If so, please briefly describe the legal framework.

C. STAFF

For each type of Local and Regional Authority please provide the following information

5.19 Staff employed in the Public sector.

1. NUMBER
2. PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL WORK FORCE

5.20 Expenditure of staff in the Public Sector.

1. TOTAL EXPENDITURE
2. PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL PUBLIC EXPENDITURE

5.21 Staff employed in sub-national public sector.

1. NUMBER
2. PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL PUBLIC SECTOR WORK FORCE

5.22 Expenditure for staff in sub-national public sector.

1. TOTAL EXPENDITURE
2. PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL PUBLIC EXPENDITURE

A.SUPERVISION

For each type of Local and Regional Authority please provide the following information

6.1 Which authorities are responsible for general administrative supervision on local authorities?

1
2
3
4
5
6

6.2 Please specify the legal framework that rules this field.

6.3 Which measures can supervisory bodies take?

1
2
3
4
5
6

B. AUDIT

For each type of Local and Regional Authority please provide the following information

6.4 Are there arrangements for internal/external audit?

1. YES                                      2. NO

6.5 If so, please briefly describe the legal framework that rule internal/external audit.

C. REMEDIES AGAINST IMPROPER EXERCISE OF ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROL

6.6 Are there remedies for local and regional authorities against the improper exercise of administrative control?

1. YES                                      2. NO

6.7 If so, please briefly describe the legal framework.

6.8 What kind of remedies do citizens have against decisions of local and regional authorities? Please briefly describe them.

For each level of Local and Regional Authorities please specify following information:

7.1 Please describe the legal framework that rules the cooperation between local and regional authorities in the performance of common tasks?

7.2 Are associations of local and regional authorities involved in decision making at national level?

1. YES                                      2. NO

7.3 If so, in which way?

7.4 Are Local and Regional authorities entitled to engage in transfrontier cooperation?

1. YES                                      2. NO

7.5 If so, please specify the policy areas in which cooperation takes place?

1
2
3
4
5

7.6 Please describe the legal framework that rules transfrontier cooperation?

FOR EU COUNTRIES

7.7 Are Local and Regional Authorities involved in European Union policy making?

1. YES                                      2. NO

7.8 If so, how?

7.9 Please describe the national legal framework.

9.1 Is your country working on reform of the system of local and regional government?

1. YES                                      2. NO

9.2 If so, please specify in which field and detail the main objectives of the reform.

GLOSSARY

ELECTORAL SYSTEMS

First Past The Post (FPTP): First Past The Post is the simplest form of plurality/majority electoral system. The winning candidate is the one who gains more votes than any other candidate, even if this is not an absolute majority of valid votes. The system uses single-member districts and the voters vote for candidates rather than political parties. Block Vote (BV): Block Vote is a plurality/majority system used in multi-member districts. Electors have as many votes as there are candidates to be elected. The candidates with the highest vote totals win the seats. Usually voters vote for candidates rather than parties and in most systems may use as many, or as few, of their votes as they wish. Party Block Vote (PBV): Party Block Vote (PBV) is a plurality/majority system using multi-member districts in which voters cast a single party-centered vote for a party of choice, and do not choose between candidates. The party with most votes will win every seat in the electoral district. Alternative Vote (AV): The Alternative Vote is a preferential plurality/majority system used in single-member districts. Voters use numbers to mark their preferences on the ballot paper. A candidate who receives an absolute majority (50 per cent plus 1) of valid first preference votes is declared elected. If no candidate achieves an absolute majority of first preferences, the least successful candidates are eliminated and their votes reallocated according to their second preferences until one candidate has an absolute majority. Voters vote for candidates rather than political parties. Two-Round System (TRS): The Two-Round System is a plurality/majority system in which a second election is held if no candidate or party achieves a given level of votes, most commonly an absolute majority (50 per cent plus one), in the first election round. A Two-Round System may take a majority-plurality form–more than two candidates contest the second round and the one wins the highest number of votes in the second round is elected, regardless of whether they have won an absolute majority–or a majority run-off form–only the top two candidates in the first round contest the second round. List Proportional Representation (List PR): Under a List Proportional Representation (List PR) system each party or grouping presents a list of candidates for a multi-member electoral district, the voters vote for a party, and parties receive seats in proportion to their overall share of the vote. In some (closed list) systems the winning candidates are taken from the lists in order of their position on the lists. If the lists are ‘open’ or ‘free’ the voters can influence the order of the candidates by marking individual preferences. Single Transferable Vote (STV): The Single Transferable Vote is a preferential system in which the voter has one vote in a multi-member district and the candidates that surpass a specified quota of first preference votes are immediately elected. In successive counts, votes are redistributed from least successful candidates, who are eliminated, and votes surplus to the quota are redistributed from successful candidates, until sufficient candidates are declared elected. Voters normally vote for candidates rather than political parties, although a party-list option is possible. Mixed Member Proportional System (MMP): Mixed Member Proportional is a mixed system in which the choices expressed by the voters are used to elect representatives through two different systems–one List PR system and (usually) one plurality/majority system–where the List PR system compensates for the disproportionality in the results from the plurality/majority system. Parallel Systems: A Parallel System is a mixed system in which the choices expressed by the voters are used to elect representatives through two different systems–one List PR system and (usually) one plurality/majority system–but where no account is taken of the seats allocated under the first system in calculating the results in the second system. Single Non-Transferable Vote (SNTV): Under the Single Non-Transferable Vote system voters cast a single vote in a multi-member district. The candidates with the highest vote totals are declared elected. Voters vote for candidates rather than political parties. Limited Vote (LV): Limited Vote is a candidate-centered electoral system used in multi-member districts in which electors have more than one vote, but fewer votes than there are candidates to be elected. The candidates with the highest vote totals win the seats. Borda Count (BC): Borda Count (BC) – A candidate-centered preferential system used in either single- or multimember districts in which voters use numbers to mark their preferences on the ballot paper and each preference marked is then assigned a value using equal steps. These are summed and the candidate(s) with the highest total(s) is/are declared elected.

Source: http://www.idea.int/esd/ . For further information you can refer to the “Electoral System Design: the New International IDEA Handbook” (http://www.idea.int/publications/esd/index.cfm). You can also refer to VOTA DATABASE by VENICE COMMISSION (http://www.venice.coe.int/vota/fr/start.html)

PARTICIPATION OF CITIZEN IN LOCAL PUBBLIC LIFE

Citizens' forums → Ongoing bodies which meet on a regular basis. They may have a set membership or operate on an "open" basis. Sometimes they have the power to make recommendations to specific council committees or even to share in the decision-making process. The following forums may be distinguished: Service user forums (which discuss issues relating to the management and development of a particular service); Issue forums (which focus on particular questions of interest to the community); Shared interest forums (which concentrate on the needs of a particular citizen group, e.g. young people or minority ethnic groups); Area / neighbourhood forums (whose members are – at least mainly – residents of a particular geographically-defined area or neighbourhood; they may deal with services and matters of concern to the area or neighbourhood under consideration; they may or may not have dedicated officers attached to them; they may have a close link with the relevant ward councilors or with councilors responsible for the category of services under discussion). Citizens' juries: Groups of citizens (chosen to be a fair representation of the local population) brought together to consider a particular issue set by the local authority. Citizens' juries receive evidence from expert witnesses and cross-questioning can occur. The process may last some days, at the end of which a report is drawn up setting out the views of the jury, including any differences in opinion. Juries' views are intended to inform councilors’' decision-making. Citizens' panel: Ongoing body made up of a statistically representative sample of citizens whose views are sought several times a year. They focus on specific service or policy issues, or on wider strategies. Co-option / involvement in a council committee: Co-optees are citizens who usually represent a particular community group or set of interests on local council committees or working parties. In some cases these citizens act merely in an advisory capacity but in others they play a full role in decision-making. Council of children / youth council: Assembly, established for a municipality or a neighbourhood, and made up of young people or children elected by their peers, usually co-chaired by one of its members together with the mayor or the municipal councilor responsible for youth affairs. It may discuss issues concerning most directly the category of age it represents and may draw up and implement projects, on the basis of a budget allocated by the local authority. Decision-making process: It includes: definition and consideration of the issues to be dealt with; proposals for solutions and instigation of regulatory measures; deliberation and decision taking; implementation of decisions adopted; follow-up and assessment of measures implemented. Direct participation: Involvement of local citizens – individually or collectively – in the various stages of the decision-making process at local level, alongside or instead of their elected representatives. This involvement takes tangible forms in a number of arrangements, mechanisms and procedures associating citizens in the regulatory activity usually incumbent on the elected bodies (local councils in particular) and in the management of local public services. The various forms of such involvement go from mere information through dialogue and consultation to direct decision-making and direct users' management of certain services. Focus group: One-off meeting of citizens brought together to discuss a specific issue. Focus groups need not be representative of the general population and may involve a particular citizen group only. Discussions (which typically last no more than two hours) may focus on the specific needs of that group, on the quality of a particular service, or on ideas for broader policy or strategy. Focus groups do not generally call expert witnesses. Interactive web-site: This may be based on the internet or on a local authority-specific intranet. "Interactive" initiatives enable the citizens to send e-mail messages on particular local issues or services for which local authorities are responsible and get an answer, open a dialogue. Therefore, these initiatives differ substantially from the mere provision of information. Opinion polls:These are a tool of direct participation on a random basis, used to find out citizens' views on given issues, which are submitted to a sample of citizens who are representative of the various social groups of the community.  A classic opinion poll is a way of obtaining citizens' immediate reactions. Deliberative opinion polls are used to compare a group of citizens' reactions before and after they have had the opportunity to discuss the issue at hand. Popular initiative: Instrument which gives effect to a right of proposal granted to citizens to bring about a decision by the local deliberative body, if need be. The popular initiative may take the form of a proposal drawn up in general terms or a fully drafted project. It is introduced by a minimum number of persons entitled to vote. The legal value of the result of ballots may vary according to the case. Public meeting or assembly of citizens: General meeting of the electorate of a local community, initiated by the local council or executive body, or convened at the request of citizens / of a given number of electors. It gives the opportunity to obtain public views on particular issues or facilitate debate on broad options for a specific service, a project or a policy. Its function may be advisory or decision-making. In some cases, the citizens' assembly is the deliberative body of the community, within a system of direct democracy at local level. Question and answer sessions: These are held at the end of council or committee meetings, providing citizens with an opportunity to direct questions at elected members. Referendum: Instrument whereby a plan or decision is submitted to the judgment of the local community. According to the case, the referendum is initiated either by the local bodies (or a given number of elected representatives) or citizens themselves (through a request bearing a minimum number of signatures by residents or electors). A consultative referendum (which is not binding on the local bodies) must be distinguished from a decision-making referendum (the result of which is binding on local bodies). Right of presenting petitions, applications, proposals or claims: In all these cases, there is a right for an individual or a group to address the relevant local body. The latter must, in general, examine the question submitted to it and reply, although it is not obliged to give a positive answer. Satisfaction surveys: These may be one-off or regular initiatives, focusing either on specific services or on the local authority's general performance. Surveys may be carried out in a variety of ways (e.g. postal or door-to-door) and may cover the entire local authority population or a particular group of service users or citizens. User management of services: The initiatives of this kind imply direct control of citizens over the management of local services and resources. Such initiatives usually operate through an executive committee, elected by the wider group of users. Visioning exercises: A range of methods (including focus groups) may be used within a visioning exercise, the purpose of which is to establish the "vision" participants have of the future and the kind of future they would like to create. Visioning may be used to enlighten broad strategy for a locality, or may have a more specific focus.

Source: (CM(2001)124add / 03 August 2001 Steering Committee on Local and Regional Democracy (CDLR) Explanatory Report and Recommendation on the participation of citizens in local public life (2001)191.

MACROECONOMIC DATA

Gross fixed capital formation (GFCF) is a macroeconomic concept used in official national accounts such as the UNSNA, NIPAs and the European System of Accounts (ESA) since the 1930s. Statistically it measures the value of acquisitions of new or existing fixed assets by the business sector, governments and "pure" households (excluding their unincorporated enterprises) less disposals of fixed assets. GFCF is a component of the expenditure on GDP and thus shows something about how much of the new value added in the economy is invested rather than consumed. GFCF is called "gross" because the measure does not make any adjustments to exclude the consumption of fixed capital (depreciation of fixed assets) from the investment figures. For the analysis of the development of the productive capital stock, it is important to measure the value of the acquisitions less disposals of fixed assets beyond replacement for obsolescence of existing assets due to normal wear and tear. "Net net fixed investment" excludes the depreciation of existing assets from the figures for new fixed investment, and is called net fixed capital formation. GFCF is a flow value. It is measured by the total value of a producer's acquisitions, less disposals, of fixed assets during the accounting period plus certain additions to the value of non-produced assets (such as subsoil assets or major improvements in the quantity, quality or productivity of land) realized by the productive activity of institutional units. In this way GFCF is a measure of gross net investment (acquisitions less disposals) in fixed capital assets by enterprises, government and households within the domestic economy, during an accounting period such as a quarter or a year. Fixed assets are acquired through purchases, barter trade, capital transfers in kind, financial lease, improvement of fixed assets and natural growth of those natural assets that yield repeat products. The acquisition value includes acquisition taxes and fees and measures "all-up" costs of fixed investment. Fixed assets are disposed of by sales, barter trade and capital transfers in kind. Disposal of fixed assets excludes consumption of fixed capital and exceptional losses due to natural disasters.