Letter from the Municipalities of Ayia Napa and Sotira to the Union of Municipalities for TA reform

A letter, in which they express strong concerns for the reform of the Local Government, was sent to the President of the Union of Municipalities Andreas Vyras, nine Mayors requesting the convening of an extraordinary General Assembly in order to be informed about the progress of the reform.

The letter is signed by the Mayors of Tseri, Pegeia, Sotira, Idali, Ayia Napa, Lakatamia, Geri, Geroskipou and Polis Chrysochous

"We would like to express our strong concerns to you about the local government reform, as it is being promoted after the amendments and changes made by the parliamentary committee on internal affairs. It is more than obvious that another bill was approved by the Union of Municipalities and the Ministry of Interior and another will be voted ", it is mentioned in the letter which is given to the public.

Indeed, he adds, "we wonder which local governments we are talking about now!" What are the new responsibilities that are being transferred to the new Municipalities from the ones we were claiming ". On the contrary, it is estimated that "we will lose the issuance of building permits and water supply and, of course, no reason to make the new municipalities urban planning authorities, which was one of the main goals of the reform."

"As for the revenues of the new municipalities, their future is predicted to be ominous", it is mentioned and added that "now, there is uncertainty about the revenues from the traffic fees and we want clarifications".

The question arises, "what will happen when the electric car with zero road tax starts to enter our lives?" At the same time, how will the loss of revenues from water supply and the issuance of building permits (by 40%) be compensated?

Unfortunately, it is noted, "the reform does not meet our expectations and some of us seem to be satisfied only with the mergers."

The complaint is expressed that the information they receive comes only from the media and the convening of an extraordinary General Assembly is requested "in order to be informed about the progress of the reform".

The letter is as follows:

To: President of the Union of Municipalities of Cyprus Mr. Andreas Vyra

Dear President,

Subject: Bill on Municipalities 2020

Regarding the above issue, we would like to express our strong concerns for the reform of the local self-government, as it is promoted after the modifications and changes made by the parliamentary committee for internal affairs. It is more than obvious that another bill was approved by the Union of Municipalities and the Ministry of Interior and another will be voted.

Really, we wonder which local governments we are talking about now! What are the new responsibilities transferred to the new Municipalities from the ones we claimed?

On the contrary, we will lose the issuance of building permits and water supply and, of course, no reason for the new municipalities to become urban planning authorities, which was one of the main goals of the reform.

As for the revenues of the new municipalities, their future is predicted to be ominous! Now, there is uncertainty about the revenue from road tax and we want clarifications! What will happen when the electric car with zero road tax starts to enter our lives? At the same time, how will the loss of revenues from water supply and the issuance of building permits be compensated (by 40%)?

Unfortunately, the reform does not meet our expectations and some of us seem to be satisfied only with the mergers!

And while all this is happening, we are only informed by the media. We request the convening of an extraordinary General Assembly in order to be informed about the progress of the reform.

Sincerely Yours

Following are Signatures of Mayors