The comprehensive proposal for the radical reform of Local Government, which provides for the creation of 17 new municipalities, was presented today at the 37th Annual and Statutory General Assembly of the Union of Municipalities, which took place on Tuesday at the International Conference Center Filoxenia, Nicosia.
The work of the General Assembly was honored by the presence of the Minister of Interior, Nikos Nouris, who read a greeting from the President of the Republic Nikos Anastasiadis.
The ceremonial part of the Assembly began with the speech of the President of the Union of Municipalities, Andreas Vyra, who spoke, among other things, about the reform of the Local Government, the pandemic, the institutional crisis, the Cyprus issue and the unified tax policy.
It is noted that the Assembly was held in strict compliance with all provisions of the relevant protocols for the protection of health from Covid-19.
In his greeting, the President of the Republic, Nikos Anastasiadis, said that after a long period of dialogue, but also intensive consultations with the Union of Municipalities, the Union of Communities and the political parties, it became possible to present the comprehensive proposal for the radical reform of Local Government , to add that he feels obliged once again to thank the Union of Municipalities, which, as he said, "leaving aside partisan or personal positions, through a responsible and transcendental attitude, enriched the relevant bill with creative and appropriate suggestions, the which have been the subject of dialogue with both the Ministry of the Interior and the Parliamentary Committee on the Interior ".
Speaking about the bill in question, President Anastasiadis said that "it is at an advanced stage before the competent Parliamentary Committee", noting that he understands that "such a radical reform may provoke reactions, but we should all prioritize the good understood interest of the whole ".
"For this," he said, "it is my warm request both to those of the Local Government or to the political forces who have reservations about going beyond local or partisan expediencies, in order to achieve what the citizens deserve from everyone."
In his speech, the Minister of Interior, Nikos Nouris, said that the Law on Municipalities of 2020, which is being discussed in the competent Parliamentary Committee on Interior, is in the final stage, to add that only yesterday he had the opportunity to discuss in Parliament some of the key chapters of the new bill.
He said that "with a good mood and the continuation of the consensual climate at the parliamentary level, it is entirely possible to put the final text before the Plenary for a vote this year", adding that "in such a case, the decisions that will be taken will not change only the political map of the country, but they will create a new reality for the citizens, giving perspective to development ".
"These are decisions that I can easily claim will give flesh and blood to the realization of a common vision for all of us, which is nothing more than the creation of a strong local government, with strong municipalities, able to offer quality services to citizens at the lowest possible costs ".
He went on to say that "after discussions and exhaustive dialogue we are now in front of the hour of great responsibility and we are called to change the local landscape, with the Government declaring itself present and responding to the challenge in the affirmative", noting that all commitments have been met. dialogue with the Union of Municipalities, the vast majority of suggestions and requests were satisfied.
As the Ministry of Foreign Affairs added, "administrative autonomy is practiced by recognizing the necessary flexibility of the Municipalities and the termination of state intervention even in the process of preparing budgets", adding that "one of the most radical approaches to reform is to ensure economic autonomy by changing the way of financing the Municipalities ".
He added that organizations with such administrative autonomy and a corresponding financial surface can and will be endowed with a series of responsibilities so that the big beneficiary is the citizen himself, adding that the government insists on the position of a Unified Development Authority with the conditions set by the bill. sets, so that both the urban planning and the building permit are issued by the same authority, putting an end to the current fragmentation and suffering of the citizens.
Mr. Nouris also stated that "from October 1, with the active participation of the Local Authorities, we live and experience the implementation of the new licensing framework for ordinary houses whose licenses are issued in a maximum of 20 days", expressing the hope that The licensing sector of major developments will soon be reformed with the passage of the relevant bill so that they are also licensed within a maximum period of 12 months.
Additionally, he mentioned that one of the most important responsibilities assigned to the new Municipalities is the possibility of establishing a Municipal Police, while a big step for their development activity is the possibility to be contracting authorities.
"This responsibility has already been assigned to you for almost a year by the Ministry of Interior in an effort to maximize the absorption of development costs and the implementation of new projects. We are also transferring to the new Municipalities all the licensing responsibilities that are currently issued by the District Administrations, such as music and drink licenses, while strengthening your role in social policy with the operation of social housing, kindergartens, and nursing homes. You also undertake the utilization and maintenance of parks and green spaces, while of special importance, especially for the coastal Municipalities, is the assignment of responsibilities in the management of the beaches ".
In addition, he said that with five-year transitional provisions in order not to cause adjustment problems, the school ephorates are transferred to the supervision of local authorities, noting that the transfer of these responsibilities to the Municipalities is arguably the most important since the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus.
He explained that this proposal is not the result of a unilateral action of the Government, but as he added "it is the result of studies, discussion, consultation, collective work and consensus".
He called on all municipalities and communities to support the proposal together, as well as the transformation of the Union of Municipalities into a modern, strong collective legal entity under public law, which will have the ability to promote the interests and needs of local communities, but also of the Municipalities themselves.
He stated that for the Government the amalgamation of Municipalities was never an end in itself, but the necessary condition and the means to make the local self-government in Cyprus strong.
What the complete proposal provides
It is noted that the proposals, concerning the comprehensive proposal for the radical reform of Local Government, provide for the creation of 17 new municipalities adapted to the geography of Cyprus, with economic and social opportunities that allow them to move to the next day safely, since the new municipalities meet all the criteria.
At the same time, the new model of municipal administration ensures that the neighborhoods and villages that unite will be stronger than before, with their own representation in the new municipal councils.
According to the Minister of Interior, their name is retained, while they will have their own executive body - their deputy mayor - as well as a small budget for projects of local interest.
In his speech, the President of the Union of Municipalities, Andreas Vyras, said that "both the pandemic that has affected the whole world, as well as the internal and external crisis that we are facing, I believe that highlight the great need for Reform" to add that "this is a Bill, which embodies to a fairly satisfactory degree the vision we have for a Local Government modernized, strengthened and functional based on European standards".
"The philosophy of the Bill," he said, "is based on the main pillars that we had set and agreed with the Government from the first stages of the consultation. The responsibilities of the Municipalities have been significantly expanded and they are accompanied by administrative and financial independence ".
In addition, he noted that "Municipalities through the Reform will acquire a new, more effective, structure, so that they can provide improved services to their citizens", to add that "the reform of Local Government will significantly contribute to the fight against corruption."
Referring further to the Bill, he said that "it is scattered with mechanisms that ensure transparency in all spectrums of procedures and actions of Local Authorities", noting that "the Union of Municipalities has demonstrated in practice its commitment to a successful and substantial Reform."
"This is proven by the way we worked on this project. "All the work done for the Reform within the Union of Municipalities is an example of teamwork, transparency and sympathy, putting aside party positions and oppositions," he said.
He expressed his optimism that in Parliament the Bill will be handled seriously with a focus on the public interest and the improvement of the quality of life of the citizen, expressing the belief that the solution to the problems lies in keywords such as modernization, empowerment, decentralization of powers. , accountability, credibility and the establishment of procedures to ensure transparency.
Finally, he stated that "a State cannot operate indefinitely with short-term programs, which give it a momentary breath".