Strasbourg 24 June 2010 SIGG/Platform(2010)2

STAKEHOLDERS’ PLATFORM ON THE

STRATEGY FOR INNOVATION AND GOOD GOVERNANCE

AT LOCAL LEVEL

RESULTS OF THE ROAD TEST OF THE EUROPEAN LABEL

Document prepared by the Directorate of Democratic Institutions

Directorate General of Democracy and Political Affairs

Introduction

Between 15 December 2009 and 1st March 2010, a road test was carried out of the tools for evaluating the quality of governance in candidate local authorities for the European label of innovation and good governance. There are 3 tools for evaluating good governance:

- a self-assessment benchmark,

- two questionnaires for an opinion survey on governance; one aimed at elected members of bodies and the other aimed at citizens, or a sample of citizens.

Seven pilot countries implemented this test in a sample of local authorities (mainly municipal). The aim was to check if the tools, developed by the Secretariat at the request of the Committee of Ministers, would help produce a coherent and accurate evaluation of the local authority’s governance.

The test municipalities were invited to send the Secretariat, directly or via their country’s project leader, their comments, suggestions and proposals for amending the tools.

The Secretariat has revised the tools on the basis of the comments collected. The revised versions were submitted for final modification to the pilot countries’ project leaders, meeting in Strasbourg from 27-28 April 2010.

The Council of Europe Stakeholders’ Platform will approve the tools (please see the annexes to the present document). They will then be put at the disposal of all member States, so as they may engage into the implementation of the Strategy. They are to be used for implementing the label of good governance. The process of commitment is specified in the document SIGG/Platform(2010)3.

Action required

SHP members are invited to examine and adopt the self-assessment governance benchmark and the questionnaires for the opinion surveys aimed at elected members of bodies and citizens, set out in the appendices.

APPENDIX I

The European Label of Innovation and Good Governance

Benchmark on the Label of Innovation and Good Governance

Explanation on how to use this benchmark

For each of the 12 Principles of good democratic governance detailed in the Strategy for Innovation and Good Governance at Local Level, the following information is provided in this benchmark:

a. a description of the good governance Principle and a list of the activities that would typically help a municipality to deliver that Principle;

b. a self-assessment section where municipalities are asked to identify their level of maturity for that Principle. The levels of maturity are the following: aware, developing, practising and excelling.

Not applicable

Aware

Developing

Practising

Excelling

Not applicable, don’t know, no opinion.

We are aware of the key issues to be addressed but currently have no or very few approaches developed to address them.

We recognise key issues and are developing approaches to address them, although there has been limited practical implementation so far.

We have well developed plans to address key issues with significant examples of implementation.

We can show clear evidence of good practice which can be shared and are further developing our approach to ensure long-term and sustainable improvement.

c. evidence to support the self assessment provided by the municipality.

2. A municipality would be expected to:

a. read the information provided for each Principle;

b. consider the evidence they have available which would support the delivery of the Principle;

c. make a self-assessment of their maturity for that Principle; and

d. record the evidence they would wish to offer in support of their self-assessment.

3. The description of the ‘indicators’ reflects a level of governance arrangements that would be consistent with a standard that would be appropriate for the European Label of Innovation and Good Governance. A municipality which is ‘practicing’ for a Principle of good governance is likely to be at the level required for the European Label of Innovation and Good Governance.

4. Information used as evidence to complete the self-assessment should be easily available to municipalities from a variety of sources, for example: existing policies, procedure documents, operating rules and guidance, internal audit and review reports and external audit, inspection and review documents. It is expected that the citizen survey required as part of the European Label of Innovation and Good Governance assessment will provide a useful source of evidence to support the self-assessment.

5. At the bottom of each Principle, you will find one question or statement which is taken from the citizen’s questionnaire. The way these statements apply is measured as follows:

Don’t know, no opinion

(0)

Applies very poorly

(1)

Applies quite poorly

(2)

Applies quite well

(3)

Applies very well

(4)

6. The Summary Maturity Matrix is used to determine if a municipality meets the criteria for the label by totalling the individual scores for each Principle. The total score is determined by adding the points scored for each of the indicators of each of the 12 Principles using the following system: Not applicable = 0 points; Aware = 1 point; Developing = 2 points; Practising =3 points; and Excelling = 4 points. A score of 3 points[z1] per Principle[z2] would be required to obtain the European Label of Innovation and Good Governance. If one of the principles scores a total of 0, the Label will not be awarded[z3].

7. Implementation of the benchmark can be country or region wide. Some questions in this benchmark may not be applicable for every region/country. Of course, efforts have been made in order to prevent this. Sometimes this could unfortunately not be overcome. It is therefore up to the National Stakeholders Platform[1] to propose (and for the European Platform to decide) if a question needs to be removed from this benchmark[z4].

8. A follow-up plan dealing with issues on which the municipality has failed to score well should be developed[z5] after the score is known.

EVALUATION

PRINCIPLE

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITY

INDICATORS

1. Fair Conduct of Elections, Representation and Participation

1. Local elections are conducted freely and fairly, according to international standards and national legislation, and without any fraud.

1. The municipality conducts elections according to laws which match international standards of best practice.

2. Citizens are at the centre of public activity and they are involved in clearly defined ways in public life at local level.

2. As part of a defined consultation process, the municipality actively publicises its plans and invites individual citizens, NGOs, businesses, local media and other groups to comment on these plans.

3. Municipalities strive to improve local regulations and practical arrangements concerning citizen participation in local public life.

4. The public is consulted in the initial phase of the decision-making process.

3. All men and women can have a voice in decision-making, either directly or through legitimate intermediate bodies that represent their interests. Such broad participation is built on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association.

5. There is an active programme of elected representatives engaging with citizens in decision-making.

6. There is an active programme for encouraging individuals to take on elected representational roles.

4. All voices, including those of the less privileged and most vulnerable, are heard and taken into account in decision-making, including over the allocation of resources.

7. Access to vote has been considered and actions taken to ensure no groups are excluded or disadvantaged.

8. There is an active programme to include those who are socially challenged in decision-making.

5. There is always an honest attempt to mediate between various legitimate interests and to reach a broad consensus on what is in the best interests of the whole community and on how this can be achieved.

9. The municipality has identified key stakeholder groups (that includes NGOs, businesses, local media and other interest groups). This list is subject to review and updated.

10. The municipality has introduced techniques for deliberative process in the municipality (deliberative hearing, citizens’ jury, participation budgeting etc).

6. Decisions are taken according to the will of the many, while the rights and legitimate interests of the few are respected.

11. The demographic composition of the body of elected officials represents the demographic composition of the municipality.

Citizens’ questionnaire

In this municipality people are satisfied with the opportunities they have to influence municipal decisions which are of interest to them.

EVALUATION

PRINCIPLE

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITY

INDICATORS

2. Responsiveness

1. Objectives, rules, structures, and procedures are adapted to the legitimate expectations and needs of citizens

1. Clear guidelines and procedures for officials and elected representatives exist in all decision-making processes.

2. Municipalities ensure that all elected representatives have the interests of local people at heart.

2. Public services are delivered, and requests and complaints are responded to within a reasonable timeframe.

3. An individual complaints procedure regarding the functioning of local public services and authorities, with response time targets, has been developed and implemented and there is evidence that it is being used.

4. Information relating to complaints made about the municipality and responses to the complaints including any resulting change is made available to employees, elected representatives and citizens

5. If changes in policy and service delivery are required, they are made in response to research, reports, consultations, complaints and other methods of input. The changes made are publicised.

6. The municipality provides good ’customer’ care by ensuring that services are provided by knowledgeable and well-trained staff who understand the needs of their population.

Citizens’ questionnaire

In this municipality, complaints over service provision are handled in a professional manner.

			EVALUATION
PRINCIPLE	DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITY	INDICATORS	U	A	D	P	E
3. Efficiency and Effectiveness	1. Results meet the agreed objectives	1. The municipality plans its activities and budget according to its strategic guidance plans at a strategic and an operational level.
	2. Best possible use is made of the resources available	2. Performance information is regularly collected and reviewed. The municipality acts to deal with gaps between expected and actual performance.
	3. Performance management systems make it possible to evaluate and enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of services	3. The municipality develops and implements a performance management framework that covers all of its objectives, services and functions including appropriate indicators and reports regularly on its performance and its progress.
		4. The municipality exchanges good practises with other municipalities and uses this information to improve its own efficiency and effectiveness.
		5. The municipality develops a strategic and operational evaluation document for the evaluation of public policies.
		6. The municipality takes into account the results of its evaluations on order to implement its future public policies.
	4. Audits are carried out at regular intervals to assess and improve performance[2].	7. Procedures, performance reports and information systems are independently audited and the results reported to the councillors.
		8. All major services and functions are regularly reviewed at appropriate intervals, to evaluate their performance and impact.
		9. Municipalities keep appropriate records to ensure patterns can be identified and efficiency and effectiveness increased.
Citizens’ questionnaire			0	1	2	3	4
Citizens’ questionnaire	On the whole, people in this municipality are quite satisfied with the services offered by the municipality.

			EVALUATION
PRINCIPLE	DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITY	INDICATORS	U	A	D	P	E
4. Openness and Transparency	1. Decisions are taken and enforced in accordance with rules and regulations.	1. The municipality has a clear and well understood legal framework which is widely publicised.
		2. The municipality’s legal framework includes a clear decision making scheme of delegation, setting out who has the responsibility for taking each decision, and how decisions will be taken, enforced and publicised.
		3. The municipality takes and enforces decisions in a manner which is open, transparent, accountable and timely, and in accordance with rules and regulations and which matches international standards of best practice.
		4. There is a process for appealing against decisions which is widely available and understood.
		5. The opposition has the right to introduce propositions, amendments, and interpellations. The opposition also has the right to request meetings of committees of inquiry on certain topics and it has the right to be represented in some bodies of the local authority.
	2. There is public access to all information which is not classified for well-specified reasons as provided for by law (such as the protection of privacy or ensuring the fairness of procurement procedures).	6. Muncipalities ensure regular and easy contact between citizens with elected represenatives.
		7. Muncipalties actively informs the population.
		8. Municipality meetings are open to the public and media and agendas and documents are publically available.
	3. Information on decisions, implementation of policies and results is made available to the public in such a way as to enable it to effectively follow and contribute to the work of the local authority.	9. The municipality has a 12 month rolling forward work programme that has received input from citizens and elected representatives, and is publicised widely.
		10. The elected representatives show openness towards the media, and a willingness to provide the media with information.
Citizens’ questionnaire			0	1	2	3	4
Citizens’ questionnaire	This municipality does a good job in informing citizens about issues on the local political agenda.

			EVALUATION
PRINCIPLE	DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITY	INDICATORS	U	A	D	P	E
5. Rule of Law	1. The local authorities abide by the law and judicial decisions	1. The municipality complies with all applicable laws and regulations.
		2. The municipality publicly reports any judicial decisions or sanctions taken under law of all offenses it has committed.
	2. Rules and regulations are adopted in accordance with procedures provided for by law and are enforced impartially.	3. Rules and regulations are adopted in accordance with procedures provided for by law.
		4. Rules and regualtions are enfoced impartially.
Citizens’ questionnaire			0	1	2	3	4
Citizens’ questionnaire	In this municipality, special interests prevail, not the common interests of all residents.

			EVALUATION
PRINCIPLE	DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITY	INDICATORS	U	A	D	P	E
6. Ethical Conduct	1. The public good is placed before individual interests.	1. Public policies are decided taking in account the general welfare role of the municipality
	1. The public good is placed before individual interests.	2. The local public interest guides the allocation of budgetary resources of the municipality.
	2. There are effective measures to prevent and combat all forms of corruption.	3. Codes of conduct specify the ethical standards expected of elected representatives and officials. These include a requirement for interests, gifts and hospitality to be recorded in publicly available registers.
		4. Specific procedures have been adopted for decisions in areas that are vulnerable to corruption including procurement, selling municipal assets and awarding permits and licences.
		5. An annual review of anti-corruption arrangements is undertaken, for example by internal or external audit.
		6. Personnel policies require staff to be appointed, promoted and rewarded on merit, and/or disciplined only in accordance with approved procedures.
	3. Conflicts of interest are declared in a timely manner and persons involved must abstain from taking part in relevant decisions	7. Elected representatives and staff are required to declare any potential conflict of interest that could impact on decision taking and to abstain from taking part in relevant decisions making.
		8. Municipalities ensure an effective and efficient procurement and it uses pre-set selection criteria.
		9. Municipalities ensure free access to public procurement documents and decisions with regard to the awarding of the contract.
Citizens’ questionnaire			0	1	2	3	4
Citizens’ questionnaire	In this municipality, people with good personal connections are given preferential treatment.

			EVALUATION
PRINCIPLE	DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITY	INDICATORS	U	A	D	P	E
7. Competence and Capacity	1. The professional skills of those who deliver governance are continuously maintained and strengthened in order to improve their output and impact.	1. The municipality identifies the skills needed to deliver its services effectively and undertakes a skills audit to identify any gaps as part of a strategic workforce plan.
		2. The municipality operates a system to implement personal development plans for its staff.
	2. Public officials are motivated to continuously improve their performance	3. Arrangements are in place to reward good performance and improve poor performance.
		4. The municipality has a recruitment and selection policy and procedures that are made public and implemented consistently.
		5. A training plan is developed, implemented and monitored to ensure that training needs are fully met, and professional skills continually developed before that become an obstacle for the service delivery and take evasive action hat the lack of training does not interfere with the efficiency of service delivery.
		6. Municipalities review the implementation and outcomes of recruitment, training and promotion procedures and makes improvements based on that.
	3. Practical methods and procedures are created and used in order to transform skills into capacity and to produce better results.	7. Selection criteria are defined for each post and communicated to all applicants. The criteria reflect the essential requirements of the job and do not exclude any social groups.
		8. Staff receives regular appraisals of their performance and development as part of a systematic approach to performance appraisal and career development.
Citizens’ questionnaire			0	1	2	3	4
Citizens’ questionnaire	Most public officials in this municipality are competent people who (usually) know what they are doing.

			EVALUATION
PRINCIPLE	DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITY	INDICATORS	U	A	D	P	E
8. Innovation and Openness to Change	1. New and efficient solutions to problems are sought and advantage is taken of modern methods of service provision.	1. The municipality has a structured approach to innovation, research and development.
		2. Municipalities take action to identify and implement examples of good practice and new solutions.
	2. There is readiness to pilot and experiment new programmes and to learn from the experience of others.	3. The municipality is actively involved in a good-governance pilot project.
	3. A climate favourable to change is created in the interest of achieving better results.	4. Elected representatives and staff are clearly committed to taking action to ensure that benefit is derived from new solutions and good practices.
			0	1	2	3	4
Citizens’ questionnaire	In this municipality there are good procedures for handling citizen suggestions to improve public service delivery.

			EVALUATION
PRINCIPLE	DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITY	INDICATORS	U	A	D	P	E
9. Sustainability and Long Term Orientation	1. The needs of future generations are taken into account in current policies.	1. The municipality has a structured approach to long term development.
		2. The needs of the future generation is taken into account routinely in the planning process.
	2. The sustainability of the community is constantly taken into account. Decisions strive to internalise all costs and not to transfer problems and tensions, be they environmental, structural, financial, economic or social, to future generations.	3. There is a clearly demonstrated high level commitment from politicians and senior management to achieving corporate sustainability.
		4. Ensuring sustainability is an integral part of policy and strategy development, action planning and target setting within all departments, functions and service areas.
		5. Specific resources and responsibility are affected to mainstream sustainability (for example, in a multi-functional working group).
		6. It is routinely ensured that the municipality’s processes such as performance management, audit and scrutiny provide mechanisms for feedback and challenge on sustainability in practice and performance.
	3. There is a broad and long-term perspective on the future of the local community along with a sense of what is needed for such development.	7. There is a participatory approach to decision making for a sustainable development.
		8. A capital financing plan exists that ensures the long term viability of the infrastructure and assets of the municipality.
	4. There is an understanding of the historical, cultural and social complexities in which this perspective is grounded.	9. There is a structured approach on how to preserve historical, cultural and social aspect of the municipality.
Citizens’ questionnaire			0	1	2	3	4
Citizens’ questionnaire	In this municipality decision-makers involve citizens in attempts to find solutions to local problems and sustainability.

			EVALUATION
PRINCIPLE	DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITY	INDICATORS	U	A	D	P	E
10. Sound Financial Management	1. Charges do not exceed the cost of services provided and do not reduce demand excessively, particularly in the case of important public services.	1. Elected officials are clear about the rationale and the basis for charges for services.
	2. Prudence is observed in financial management, including in the contracting and use of loans, in the estimation of resources, revenues and reserves, and in the use of exceptional revenue.	2. Standing financial instructions identify the financial responsibilities that apply to everyone working for the municipality.
		3. An internal audit function reviews financial transactions to ensure compliance with approved internal procedures.
		4. Regular reports are presented to officials and elected representatives comparing actual income and expenditure with budget.
		5. The accounts are audited by persons independent of the municipality.
		6. The external audits and the annual audits are made public.
		7. The annual audit includes a review of value money in the provision of services by the municipality.
	3. Multi-annual budget plans are prepared, with consultation of the public.	8. Annual and multiyear budgets are adopted before the start of the relevant period. The budgets should outline key provisions of resources and its commitments.
		9. The budget preparation process includes extensive consultation with external stakeholders.
		10. Approved budgets, tax rates and an annual report including information on service outputs and outcomes, are made publically available.
		11. A summary of the budget and taxes is made available to all citizens.
	4. Risks are properly estimated and managed, including by the publication of consolidated accounts and, in the case of public-private partnerships, by sharing the risks realistically.	12. The municipality identifies and manages its financial and service delivery risks by either: · accepting and recognising the risks; · avoiding the risks (e.g. by transferring an activity to another entity); · transferring the risks (e.g. by means of a public-private partnerships or obtaining commercial insurance); or · sharing the risks (e.g. working collaboratively with another municipality).
	5. The local authority takes part in arrangements for inter-municipal solidarity, fair sharing of burdens and benefits and reduction of risks (equalisation systems, inter-municipal co-operation, and mutualisation of risks).	13. The inter-municipal approach is a factor of progress in the management of the municipality.
		14. The municipality takes part in an inter-municipality organisation in order to improve its performances and its services to the citizens.
Citizens’ questionnaire			0	1	2	3	4
Citizens’ questionnaire	This municipality does a good job in informing citizens about what taxpayers get for their money.

			EVALUATION
PRINCIPLE	DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITY	INDICATORS	U	A	D	P	E
11. Human Rights, Cultural Diversity and Social Cohesion	1. Within the local authority’s sphere of influence, human rights are respected, protected and implemented, and discrimination on any grounds is combated.	1. The municipality ensures that all different groups are involved and has implemented anti-discrimination measures and has defined targets which are put in the place in all policy areas.
		2. Municipalities take action to protect all citizens from discrimination and exclusion.
	2. Cultural diversity is treated as an asset, and continuous efforts are made to ensure that all have a stake in the local community, identify with it and do not feel excluded.	3. The municipality actively promotes diversity and cohesion as being in the best interests of all citizens by making resources available, supporting and subsidising the activities of non-governmental actors, promoting dialogue and encouraging partnerships between various key social actors.
	3. Social cohesion and the integration of disadvantaged areas are promoted.	4. The municipality has set clear objectives to improve social cohesion and maximise the potential of cultural diversity by encouraging greater inter-cultural mixing and interaction.
		5. The municipality has adopted individual plans for specific disadvantaged groups (i.e. Plan for self-sufficiency, Plan for the rights of the children and the youth, others.
	4. Access to essential services is preserved, in particular for the most disadvantaged sections of the population.	6. Politicians and staff ensure, together with all strategic partners, that the equality targets are embedded in and translated into strategies, spatial plans, and public service delivery.
Citizens’ questionnaire			0	1	2	3	4
Citizens’ questionnaire	In this municipality most people are considerate of others and are helpful.

			EVALUATION
PRINCIPLE	DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITY	INDICATORS	U	A	D	P	E
12. Accountability	1. All decision-makers, collective and individual, take responsibility for their decisions.	1. All decision makers are clear about their collective and individual responsibilities for the decisions they take and these are clearly set out in a legal framework and in their job descriptions.
	2. Decisions are reported on, explained and can be sanctioned.	2. The council prepare regular public reports (at least annually) to account for the decisions they have taken.
		3. The municipality’s legal framework includes details of reporting, explaining and sanctioning decisions which is well understood by elected representatives, officials and citizens.
		4. Reports and other documents will be accessible and made available.
	3. There are effective remedies against maladministration and against actions of local authorities which infringe civil rights.	5. The municipality has a transparent and independent audit arrangement, as set out in the legal framework. The scrutiny arrangements are respected and considered as independent and are undertaken without fear or favour.
		6. Auditors are clear who to hold to account for each decision and the relevant decision takers willingly present themselves for public scrutiny.
		7. The municipality has a robust process as set out in its legal framework, to remedy against maladministration and against actions of local authorities which infringe civil rights, in accordance with rules, regulations and best practice.
Citizens’ questionnaire			0	1	2	3	4
Citizens’ questionnaire	In this municipality elected officials are good at explaining their decisions to residents.

Summary Maturity Matrix

Principle	Headline Definition	Maturity Level
Principle	Headline Definition	Not applicable	Aware	Developing	Practicing	Excelling	Citizens questionnaire
Principle 1	Fair Conduct of Elections, Representation and Participation
Principle 2	Responsiveness
Principle 3	Efficiency and Effectiveness
Principle 4	Openness and Transparency
Principle 5	Rule of Law
Principle 6	Ethical Conduct
Principle 7	Competency and Capacity
Principle 8	Innovation and Openness to Change
Principle 9	Sustainability and Long-term Orientation
Principle 10	Sound Financial Management
Principle 11	Human Rights, Cultural Diversity and Social Cohesion
Principle 12	Accountability
	Total Score

APPENDIX II

The European Label of Innovation and Good Governance

Citizens and Councillors Questionnaire

Assessment of local democracy

based on surveys of citizens and local elected officials (councillors)

Contents

Questionnaire for citizens

organised according to the 12 principles of good democratic

governance p. 3

Questionnaire for local elected officials (councillors)

organised according to the 12 principles of good democratic

governance p. 6

Study of local democracy – telephone interview with local residents

Items organised according to the 12 Principles of Good Democratic Governance

Introduction

Hello. I am calling from N___ (name of a public opinion research organization). We are calling on behalf of X___ (name of municipality) in connection with a study of people’s opinions about municipal politics and services being carried out by _____. We would like to hear about the experiences you have had and what you think about the municipality’s activities. By taking part in this study and giving your opinions you can also improve local democracy in this municipality. We want you to know that participation in the study is voluntary, and that all information you provide will only be used in an anonymous form. It will not be possibly to identify individual responses. The project will be concluded in ____.

NB:Register if the respondent refuses to participate, wishes to participate at a later time (to be noted), or is willing to be interviewed.

1) Refuses to participate

2) Wishes to be interviewed later: ______________________________

3) Is willing to be interviewed now

Other information to be registered:

Gender:

1) Man

2) Woman

Number of municipality: ________________

Date of interview: ________________

People can have different opinions about local conditions. I will now read aloud some statements, and would ask you to say how well they apply to you and your experiences with the municipality in which you live. Do the statements apply very well, quite well, quite poorly or very poorly, or do you have no opinion?

To the interviewer: The sentence”Do the statements apply very well, quite well, quite poorly or very poorly, or do you have no opinion?” can be repeated as necessary.

Don’t know, no opinion (0)

Applies very poorly (1)

Applies quite poorly (2)

Applies quite well

(3)

Applies very well

(4)

Fair Conduct of Elections, Representation and Participation, to ensure real possibilities for all citizens to have their say in local public affairs;

I am satisfied with the opportunities I have to influence municipal decisions which are of interest to me.

Responsiveness, to ensure that the local authority meets the legitimate expectations and needs of citizens

In this municipality complaints over service provision are handled in a professional manner.

Efficiency and Effectiveness, to ensure that objectives are met while making the best use of resources

On the whole, I am quite satisfied with the services offered by the municipality.

Openness and Transparency, to ensure public access to information and facilitate understanding of how local public affairs are conducted

This municipality does a good job in informing citizens about issues on the local political agenda.

Rule of Law, to ensure fairness, impartiality and predictability

In this municipality, special interests prevail, not the common interests of all residents.

Ethical Conduct, to ensure that the public interest is put before private ones

In this municipality, people with good personal connections are given preferential treatment

Competence and Capacity, to ensure that local representatives and officials are well able to carry out their duties

Most public officials in this municipality are competent people who (usually) know what they are doing.

Innovation and Openness to Change, to ensure that benefit is derived from new solutions and good practices

In this municipality there are good procedures for handling citizen suggestions to improve public service delivery.

Sustainability and Long-term Orientation, to take the interests of future generations into account

In this municipality decision-makers involve citizens in attempts to find solutions to local problems

Sound Financial Management, to ensure prudent and productive use of public funds

This municipality does a good job in informing citizens about…. what taxpayers get for their money

Human rights, Cultural Diversity and Social Cohesion, to ensure that all citizens are protected and respected and that no one is either discriminated against or excluded

In my municipality most people are considerate of others and are helpful and can be relied upon to help each other

Accountability, to ensure that local representatives and officials take responsibility and are held responsible for their actions

In this municipality elected officials are good at explaining their decisions to residents.

27a. What is your primary occupation?

READ ALOUD

1) Employed in the public sector

2) Employed in the private sector

3) Independent business person

4) Student

5) Social security recipient, pensioner

6) Other

NB: Following question is only asked of those who are employed in the public or private sector – i.e. categories 1 and 2 in question 27a.

27b: We would ask you to indicate your opinion on the following : READ THE SCALE

I am very satisfied with the possibilities I have to influence my own work situation.

Does this statement apply very well, quite well, quite poorly or very poorly, or do you have no opinion?

Don’t know, no opinion (0)

Applies very poorly (1)

Applies quite poorly (2)

Applies quite well

(3)

Applies very well

(4)

28: In politics one often talks about “left” and “right”. On a scale where 0 represents those who are completely to the left politically, and 10 represents those who are completely to the right politically, where would you normally place yourself?

Background information

Age (in years)

…

Highest completed education:

1) Elementary school

2) Secondary school

3) Occupational training school

4) University/ college

USE A STANDARD OMNIBUS QUESTION Household income (note the amount to the nearest € 10.000)

…

How many years have you lived in this municipality? (Number of years to be noted)

…

Do you have daily responsibility for the care of children or other family members?

0) No

1) Yes

Study of local democracy – questionnaire to elected officials

Items organised according to 12 Principles of Good Democratic Governance

At the request of ___, ___ has developed a means of assessing the character of local democracy in a municipality. The approach involves questionnaires for both residents and elected officials. X__, X__ and X__ (names of municipalities) have agreed to be the first to try this approach. N___ (name of a public opinion research organization) will soon undertake telephone interviews with N___ (number) residents in each municipality. Results from the studies will provide a basis for considering how local democracy may be further developed. The questionnaire that you have in front of you is a survey we are conducting among elected officials. The questionnaire is to be returned in the envelop provided and the information you provide will be treated confidentially. It is voluntary to participate in the study. The study will be concluded in____. Information gathered in the project will only be used in an anonymous form. It will not be possibly to identify individual responses. Additional information may be obtained by contacting __________, who is responsible for the project, by the following means (telephone or e-mail etc.).

	Please indicate to what extent the following statements correspond to your own experience as an elected official in xxxx municipality.	Don’t know, no opinion (0)	Applies very poorly (1)	Applies quite poorly (2)	Applies quite well (3)	Applies very well (4)
P
1	Fair Conduct of Elections, Representation and Participation, to ensure real possibilities for all citizens to have their say in local public affairs;
	I am satisfied with the opportunities citizens have to influence municipal decisions which are of interest to them.
2	Responsiveness, to ensure that the local authority meets the legitimate expectations and needs of citizens
	In this municipality complaints over service provision are handled in a professional manner.
3	Efficiency and Effectiveness, to ensure that objectives are met while making the best use of resources
	On the whole, I am quite satisfied with the services the municipality can offer our residents
4	Openness and Transparency, to ensure public access to information and facilitate understanding of how local public affairs are conducted
	This municipality does a good job in informing citizens about issues on the local political agenda.
5	Rule of Law, to ensure fairness, impartiality and predictability &
	In this municipality, special interests prevail, not the common interests of all residents.
6	Ethical Conduct, to ensure that the public interest is put before private ones
	In this municipality, people with good personal connections are given preferential treatment
7	Competence and Capacity, to ensure that local representatives and officials are well able to carry out their duties
	Most public officials in this municipality are competent people who (usually) know what they are doing.
8	Innovation and Openness to Change, to ensure that benefit is derived from new solutions and good practices
	In this municipality there are good procedures for handling citizen suggestions to improve public service delivery.
9	Sustainability and Long-term Orientation, to take the interests of future generations into account
	In this municipality decision-makers involve citizens in attempts to find solutions to local problems
10	Sound Financial Management, to ensure prudent and productive use of public funds
	This municipality does a good job in informing citizens about what taxpayers get for their money
11	Human rights, Cultural Diversity and Social Cohesion, to ensure that all citizens are protected and respected and that no one is either discriminated against or excluded
	In this municipality most people are considerate of others and are helpful and can be relied upon to help each other
12	Accountability, to ensure that local representatives and officials take responsibility and are held responsible for their actions
	In this municipality my colleagues are good at explaining their decisions to residents.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

a) Age (in years): ………………..

b) Gender

1 Man 2 Woman

c) Highest completed education

1 Elementary school 3 Occupational training school

2 Secondary school 4 University or college

d) Position/workplace

1 Employed in the public sector

2 Employed in the private sector

3 Independent business person

4 Student

5 Social security recipient, pensioner

6 Other

e) Which political party or list do you represent on the municipal council?

1 Name of party/list 1 5 Name of party/list 5

2 Name of party 2/list 6 Name of party/list 6

3 Name of party 3/list 7 Name of party/list 7

4 Name of party 4/list 8 Name of party/list 8

9 Other

f) Are you a member of the executive committee?

1 Yes, a regular member 2 Yes, a reserve member 3 No

g) Of which committee or main board are you a member?

Please give the committee or board name (leave blank if not a member): …………………………

h) How many terms have you been a regular member of the municipal council, including the present term? Make one mark.

1 One term

2 Two terms

3 Three or more terms

i) Are you a member of a board of any of the following types of organizations? Place as many marks as are appropriate.

1 Municipal company

2 Private firm

3 Voluntary association

4 Foundation or fund

APPENDIX III

Feedback received with regard to the testing of Benchmark (Deadline : 1 March 2010)

Belgium (Wallonia)

Municipality	Date feedback received	Processed by and comments
Ath (Hainaut)
Fleurus (Hainaut)
Mons (Hainaut)	26 feb / 3 Jun	Trainee 03/03 / SC 07/06
Sambreville (Namur)
Soignies (Hainaut)
Tournai (Hainaut)	10 feb	SC on 19 feb
Ministry of the Wallonia Region, Directorate of Prospective and Local Development	30 Mar	PS 30 Mar

Belgium (Bruxelles-Capitale Region)

Municipality	Date feedback received	Processed by and comments
Jette	26 Mar	PS 26 – 29 Mar
Woluwe-Saint-Lambert	26 Mar	PS 26 – 29 Mar
Ministry of the Brussels-Capital Region	26 Mar	PS 26 – 29 Mar

Bulgaria

Municipality	Date feedback received	Processed by and comments
Shumen	Global feedback on benchmark and citizens questionnaire 30 Mar	PS 30 – 31 Mar
Varshets
Mezdra
Dolni Dabnik
Karlovo
Dobrich
Strumyani
Vratsa
Svishtov
Pravets
Svilendrag
Sandanski
Lovech

France

Municipality	Date feedback received	Processed by and comments
Bordeaux (Gironde)
Bricquebec (Manche)	14 April	PS 15 Apr
Lille (Nord) (to be confirmed)
Nantes (Loire Atlantique)
Nevers (Nièvre)	06 April	PS 14 Apr
Strasbourg (Bas-Rhin)
Suresnes (Hauts-de-Seine)	17 Mar	PS 19 Mar

Italy

Municipality	Date feedback received	Processed by and comments
Città di Castello (Umbria)	Global feedback on the benchmark by Cittalia/ANCI 23 Mar	Trainee 24 Mar
Fiumicino (Lazio)
Reggio nell’Emilia (Emilia-Romagna)
Riccia (Molise)

Netherlands

Municipality	Date feedback received	Processed by and comments
Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations

Norway

Municipality	Date feedback received	Processed by and comments
Harstad (Troms)	02 Mar	Trainee 5 – 10 Mar
Gjesdal (Rogaland)	02 Mar	Trainee 5 – 10 Mar
Kristiansand (Vest-Agder)	02 Mar	Trainee 5 – 10 Mar
Sørum (Akershus)	02 Mar	Trainee 5 – 10 Mar

Ukraine

Municipality	Date feedback received	Processed by and comments
Boryspil (Kyiv province (oblast)
Chernihiv Provincial Council (Chernihiv province)
Mykolaiv (Mykolaiv province)
Nejin (Chernihiv province)
Odessa (Odessa province)
Pryluky (Chernihiv province)
Slavutych (Kyiv province)
Ukrainka (Kyiv province)

[1] For the role and responsibilities of the National Stakeholders Platform, please see document ’Structures and procedures of attributing the label of innovation and good governance’.

[2] Audit refers to audits to improve the working of municipality.

[z1]Or more

[z2]Question: per principle or per indicator within each principle? If ”per principle”, are the results per indicator summed up and made an average of? Or is it really meant ”per each indicator within each principle”? The latter solution looks quite difficult to fulfil (but I like it).

[z3]This sentences does not seem really necessary. If the minumum is 3 per principle, it matters little whether you score 2, 1 or 0.

[z4]For the NSP to propose and the Council of Europe SHP to decide...

[z5]Yes, but by whom? It sound like an obligation for the municipality but can hardly be. Is this rather a warning that something needs to be done?