Municipal Elections: In the end, what are the responsibilities of the "District Governor"?

Afterwards reform of local self-government and based on the relevant proposals of the law which were initially amended and then approved by the House of Representatives, in addition to the mergers of local authorities to create single municipalities, a new institution will be created, that of Provincial Organization of Self-Government, one for each province of free Cyprus.

Specifically, from the reform of the local government and from July 1, 2024 in the free province of Famagusta the municipal departments of Paralimni, Deryneia, Frenaros and Acheritou-Vrysoules will be merged and will now form the single Municipality of Paralimni - Deryneia and the municipal districts of Agia Napa, Sotira, Liopetri, Avgorou and Achna will merge and form the single Municipality of Ayia Napa.

Based on the Provincial Self-Governing Organizations Law of 2022 (37(I)/2022), five Provincial Organizations will be created in Nicosia, Paphos, Limassol, Larnaca and free Famagusta. In fact, for the free province of Famagusta it is one for another reason historical institution since for the first time since the Turkish invasion of 1974 the residents of the free province of Famagusta will participate in a provincial vote to elect a candidate, since in the parliamentary elections, the representatives of the province of Famagusta are elected by the voters of the province, occupied and not, most of the who reside in other provinces.

Famagusta.News has prepared and presents the most frequently asked questions regarding the powers, operation and election of the President of the Provincial Self-Government Organization.

Frequently asked questions about the Famagusta District Self-Governing Organization:

Question: What are the responsibilities of a Provincial Self-Governing Organization?

Απάντηση: Each Provincial Self-Governing Organisation, for the purposes of administration, regulation and management of local affairs within the limits of its jurisdiction, exercises the powers assigned to it by virtue of the provisions of the relevant Law and any other Law in the relevant area as follows:

1. Environmental Planning and Environmental Management. Each District Self-Governing Organization draws up an urban green management protocol in the relevant area, as the Law would define;
2. Urban control and imposition of Town Planning Control by assigning the Minister's responsibilities pursuant to the provisions of the Town Planning and Spatial Planning Law and by issuing Regulations regarding the categories of developments for which said responsibilities are assigned. Provided that, for the purposes of issuing planning permits, the positions of the relevant local authority are taken into account;
3. Application of the provisions of Regulation of Roads and Buildings Law and the Regulations issued pursuant thereto, as the competent authority pursuant to said Law;
4. Construction, maintenance and operation of systems water supply·
5. Construction, maintenance and operation of systems drainage for liquid sewage and storm water;
6. Construction, maintenance and operation of facilities waste management·
7. Water supply and in particular the care of providing a suitable and sufficient supply of water for domestic purposes and the prohibition or regulation of the supply or use of water for domestic purposes.

Question: What will be the headquarters of the Famagusta Provincial Organization of Self-Government?

Απάντηση: Based on the relevant legislation, the seat of each Provincial Self-Governing Organization is located in the homonymous municipality of the relevant province. It is understood that, during the state of emergency, the temporary seat of the Provincial Self-Government Organization established in the province of Famagusta is determined by this Council. The SPE building of Paralimni is now considered a privately owned building of the Famagusta Provincial Self-Governing Organization, since it belongs to the Sewerage Council of Paralimni, which will join the EOA. Nevertheless, according to information, during the previous meeting of the temporary council of the organization, following a request made by the mayors of Ayia Napa and Sotira, the administration of the provincial organization will not be housed in Paralimni but in Sotira and the rest of the services in Paralimni.

Question: What will be the recommendation of the EOA?

Απάντηση: Each Council is composed of President and from sixteen (16) members, including Vice President, ten (10) of which come from the relevant Municipal Councils and six (6) from the relevant Community Councils. The members of the Councils coming from the relevant Municipal Councils are elected by voting from a general meeting in which the relevant municipalities are represented and the members of those coming from the relevant Community Councils are elected by voting from a general meeting in which the relevant communities are represented. Municipalities and communities are represented in general assemblies by all mayors and all community leaders, as well as members of municipal councils and community councils, on the basis of the applicable population ratio during the month preceding the date of the general election, as the case may be . The President of each Council is elected in accordance with the provisions of the relevant legislation.

Question: How and when is the EOA President elected?

Απάντηση: Based on the relevant legislation, the President of each Council is elected by the voters of the relevant constituency. General elections are held every five (5) years, on a date set by the Minister in accordance with the provisions of the relevant Law and which coincides with the date of general elections for the nomination of local administration authorities held in accordance with the provisions of the Law on Municipalities and of the Communities Law, as well as with the date of the elections for the nomination of the members of the European Parliament, in accordance with the provisions of the Law on the Election of the Members of the European Parliament.

Question: Is the District Council hierarchically superior to local authorities?

Απάντηση: No, based on the relevant legislation, between the Council and the local authorities of the area in question there are cooperative relations and there are no relations of hierarchy and control.

Question: Is the term "District Governor" correct?

Απάντηση: No. The President of the Provincial Council has no hierarchical relationship with the Municipal Councils, nor will he replace the Prefect, nor is he related to the role of the Prefect as in Greek local self-government.

Question: Who is responsible for the EOA staff?

Απάντηση: The EOA Council has the authority to determine the number of organic positions in the Provincial Self-Government Organization, the service plans, as well as the salary scale of each position.

Question: What are the duties and responsibilities of the Director General of EOA?

Απάντηση: Based on the Legal Entities of Public Law (Appointment of General Managers) Law, the Council appoints the General Manager, who is the highest executive officer of the Provincial Self-Government Organization, after announcing the position, with a private law contract, which may be renewed . The Director-General supervises the services of the Council, which he directs, directs and controls, orders the collection of Council revenues and issues money orders against budgets or appropriations, and exercises any other powers or duties assigned to him under the provisions hereof Law.

Famagusta.News