Conversely, the time counts for the passage of the Bill for the Reform of Local Self-Government by the House of Representatives. And while the existing municipal and community councils have been extended for another year and a half, the parliament now has the responsibility to approve the scenarios of mergers between local authorities, in order to achieve the goal of reducing Municipalities that will occur through mergers with other Municipalities or communities.
See the proposed bill for the reform of local government as it is CLICKING HERE
The proposed scenario for the province of Famagusta
In the original proposal of the Ministry of Interior, the proposed merger was as follows:
Scenario 1:
Municipality of Paralimni - Protaras which will consist of the Municipalities of Paralimni, Sotira, Deryneia and Ayia Napa (savings of 7 million euros) and Municipality of Kokkinohoria which will consist of the Communities of Avgoros, Liopetri, Achnas, Frenaros and Acheritos (savings of 300 thousand euros).
Nevertheless, the following scenarios emerged along the way:
Scenario 2:
At the same time, the second most prevalent scenario was unification of all Municipalities and Communities in a Municipality under the name Municipality of Constantia, which is still officially supported by the Municipality of Paralimni and the Communities of Avgoros, Achnas, Frenaros and Acheritos but also a large portion of residents of the area as well as the majority of the municipal councilors of Deryneia (five of the eight).
Scenario 3:
Nevertheless, after the consultations of the parties as well as the strong claim of Ayia Napa, Sotira and Liopetri, it seems that the scenario that "passes" and satisfies both a portion of the local officials and the large parliamentary parties which "separate" the pie of their eligibility is the scenario of the five local authorities from the nine that exist today as follows:
- Municipality of Ayia Napa
- Sotira
- Liopetri
- Αγία Νάπα
- Municipality of Deryneia
- Derynia
- Frenaros
- Acheritou
- Municipality of Paralimni
- Avgoros Community
- Community of Achna
And while the third scenario satisfies, on the one hand, DISY, AKEL, DIKO, and even ELAM, which seem to maintain their optimism for the separation of the pie of the elected regions, as well as three of the local authorities (Saint Napa, Sotira and Liopetri), however all other local authorities seem to react to this scenario. Specifically, the Communities Avgorou and Achna that remain community councils react strongly to this scenario and call for a single Municipality. The Communities Brakes and Acheritou They react with their merger by the Municipality of Deryneia and they also seek a single Municipality for free Famagusta with the main reason being the reduced revenues of the Municipality under discussion in which they will join since there will be no possibility of tourist and economic development compared to the rest. At the same time, the majority (five of the eight) of its municipal councilors Deryneia they ask too in turn a single Municipality. Finally, the Municipality Paralimni, although it does not seem to have a problem to remain autonomous, however, it was and is part of the common demands of free Famagusta and calls for a single Municipality, despite the fact that in such a case it will be a minority.
The success of Ayia Napa for extra representation
The important element that changes the map of local government is what was claimed and achieved by the Αγία Νάπα and Peyia, the inclusion, that is, of financial situation them as well as his active population in its calculation representation in the new municipal councils. Already, from the initial fermentations for the reform of the local self-government, thanks to the assertiveness of Ayia Napa, the great success of the calculation took place, now, based on the active population or the finances of the Municipalities. In fact, according to me letter sent in November 2019 by the then Mayor of Ayia Napa, Giannis Karousos to the Minister of Interior, Ayia Napa has an equivalent population 36.272 thousands.
Therefore, in the proposed Bill that is currently before the Parliament, it is stated that the financial potential and the active population will be taken into account and the increase of the representation in the municipal council of the new formation ("For the purposes of this Article and in particular the provisions of subsections (4) and (6) thereof, with regard to municipalities of Ayia Napa and Pegeias, established under subparagraph (iii) of paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of Article 4 of the repealed Law, shall be taken into account under Regulations adopted in accordance with the provisions of Article 144 afford and / or o their active population, for purposes appointing appropriate consultants in each of them in the new municipalities in which they are merged. ”)
See the proposed bill for the reform of local government as it is CLICKING HERE
Interesting, however, is the fact that if the Municipality of Paralimni (something that did not happen), then the active population that would be estimated would rise to 44.332 residents approximately.
Establishment and Establishment of Municipalities
The proposed bill provides the following regarding the establishment and establishment of the new Municipalities:
- Establishment and establishment of Municipalities after a referendum.
- Municipalities have a defined seat and consist of municipal districts
- The Council of Ministers announces until 31/12/2023 a referendum for declaring an area in a municipality or in a municipal district, for municipalities that express a desire to unite with each other and / or in a community or neighboring communities with a population of more than 15.000 inhabitants.
- Each Municipality decides its seat, brand and name.
Election of Municipal Authorities
- Each Municipality is governed by Mayor, Their deputy mayors and councilors elected by the local electorate.
- In every council one participates deputy mayor for each municipal district of which constitute the relevant Municipality
- The number of councilors participating in the council, including the deputy mayors, may not be less than twelve (12), nor more than twenty-six (26), as provided below:
- Less than 10.000 voters: 12 consultants
- 10.000 - 20.000 voters: 16 consultants
- 20.000 - 30.000 voters: 20 consultants
- More than 30.000 voters: 26 consultants
- In case of declaration of communities in a Municipality, or Municipal District, if the number of councilors is not at least twice the number of municipal districts that constitute the Municipality, the Council of Ministers has the power to determine the number of councilors of that council.
- Ο Mayor, The deputy mayors etc members of the council are elected by the municipal voters of the Municipality
- Ο Mayor of the Municipality is elected on the same day as the elections of the councilors and the candidate who receives the most valid votes from the municipal voters of the municipality is announced.
- Deputy Mayor of each municipal district is elected the candidate who receives the most votes from the municipal district of which he is a candidate.
- The election of consultants is done per municipal district.
- Η service of the boards is five years.
See the infographic prepared by Famagusta.News
Famagusta.News