1. Module 1, Session 1.3

2. Learning Objectives Participants will: Have an appreciation of key concepts and principles relating to political decentralisation, local governance and domestic accountability Be familiar with the functions and services that devolved local governments are typically responsible for Understand the different ways devolved local government can be held to account Have identified approaches available to and challenges faced by development partners in promoting domestic accountability in a decentralising context

3. Reminder ! This session serves as no more than an introduction to a complex topic Principle of “good fit” rather than “best practice” should be observed Decentralisation, local governance and domestic accountability is a work in progress

4. Structure of Session Presentation in 4 parts: Part 1: Introduction and warm up Part 2: Defining Terms Part 3: Domestic Accountability in Decentralized Contexts Part 4: Summing Up

5. A Quick Warm Up How many of you know what social services your local municipality / council is responsible for delivering ? Do you know what % of your municipality / council budget is locally generated rather than provided for by Central Government ? Besides voting in local elections, how else do you hold your local government to account ?

6. Part 1: Defining Terms Political Decentralisation Local Governance Domestic Accountability

7. Political Decentralisation Domestic Accountability Local Governance

8. What is Political Decentralisation? Also referred to as “Devolution“....going well beyond concept of “deconcentration“ Some defining features: A process through which political powers/ authority are transferred to sub-national levels of government, enshrined in laws/ constitution Establishment of a democratically elected local government (i) executive positions eg mayors, (ii) representative positions eg local councillor, (iii) single function eg water board Granting of autonomy/ discretion to programme and spend own resources, (within framework of national laws, policies, standards)

9. Political Decentralisation Existence of bodies separated by law with from centre Adapting public institutions to decentralised context Organisation downward accountability A well-developed and inclusive local political process (participation) Free and fair elections Devolution of power to local governments Local autonomy to programme and spend (own) resources

10. It is only meaningful in context of: Fiscal and administrative decentralisation providing discretion over management of financial and human resources Commitment to democratisation: free & fair elections Broader state reforms: reconfiguration roles and relationships In reality, different combinations and levels of political, administrative and fiscal decentralisation with Implications for: real level of devolved authority ability to exercise it what it can be held accountable for

11. Proponents of political decentralisation claim: Greater responsiveness to local needs and priorities Greater accountability to local constituents Better opportunities for marginalised to have “voice” Facilitates more active citizenship and promotes democratic ownership Enables local inputs into national processes Facilitates horizontal/ area-based planning Why Political Decentralisation?

12. Beyond the institution of local government A multi-actor perspective that emphasises the relationship between local government, civil society and the community at large, as engaged actors Premised on notions of: Responsive and accountable local government civil society participation in policy process opportunities for local revenue generation and taxation giving local people a voice in deciding on local policies, determining the use of resources and ensuring the delivery of public services What is Local Governance ?

13. Local Governance Responsive and accountable local governments Institutional and organisational set-up for local governance process Existence and quality of accountability mechanisms Mechanisms for exchange of information and dialogue Improvement local finances (including citizen’s willingness to pay taxes Empowerment civil society (dialogue partners and ‘watchdog’

14. Domestic Accountability Is concerned with the different ways state institutions are held to account by their principals (Citizens and their representatives) Involves multiple channels typically divided between vertical (answerability of state to citizens) and horizontal (checks and balances between state institutions at all levels) mechanisms There are many different combinations of institutions and mechanisms to assure domestic accountability in decentralising context

15. Three underpinning principles: Transparency: access to information about commitments the state has made and the extent to which these commitments have been honoured Answerability: obligation of the government, its agencies and public officials to provide information about their decisions and actions and to justify them to the public and institutions tasked with providing oversight Enforcement: willingness and power of citizens or the institutions that are responsible for accountability to sanction the offending party or remedy the contravening behaviour

16. Remarks Accountability in decentralized or decentralizing political systems is Complex

17. Part 2: Domestic Accountability in Decentralised contexts Social services Physical planning & Infrastructure Byelaw enforcement

18. Domestic accountability: For what? Local government can be reasonably held accountable for: Basic service delivery (on behalf of CG); Implementation of own projects &programmes (own revenues): Local economic development: Bye law enforcement, licensing and related regulatory responsibilities; Preparation of local development plans and budgets; Resource mobilisation: Physical planning, land servicing and land allocation: Other…

19. Constraints Limited fiscal decentralisation Limited administrative decentralisation Planning and Coordination Late disbursements of funds Procurement delays Political interference and legitimacy

20. Three Main Lines of Accountability: Between local and central government Across local government (administrative and political) Between local government and citizens

21. Domestic Accountability and the accountability chain Central Govt LG execut council Civil serviceCivil Service Deconcentrated Citizens, electorate, users, taxpayers… Control & downward accountabilit y Upwards (political) accountability Quality of political, legal and fiscal adjustments Management capacity of accountability mechanisms Quality of policies, decision making processes, management and governance Quality of general administration Quality of provided services

22. Between Local and Central Government Involves: - Compliance with standards, rules and regulations - Performance monitoring and reporting Sector service delivery standards Public Financial Management rules &regulations, including Audit Human Resources Management rules & regulations National Planning, budgeting, M&E “Parent” ministry (Ministry of Local Government)

23. Between Local and Central Government Local Authorities CabinetMinistriesParliament Supreme Auditor Institutions

24. And Holding Central Government to Account ? Decentralisation expands lines of accountability LG in a crucial position: held and holding CG to Account Kind of mutual accountability is established - What mechanisms are in place to sanction? - What Role of Associations - The Role of District Commissioner, Prefet, governor - Informal local institutions: Chieftaincy, community and religious leaders

25. Across Local Government Influenced by Executive Model and status of elected officials Elected Officials hold administration to account Administrator (chief executive) holding line departments to account; Mutual Accountability through” joint action” Local Government Associations

26. Across Local Government Insert chart showing horizontal accountabilities

27. Between Local Government and Citizens Ballot Box/ local Elections Transparency through information sharing Direct participation Social Accountability and watchdog function Multi-stakeholder dialogue/monitoring/ consultative bodies Participation in local planning & budgeting

28. Between Local Government and Citizens Traditional leaders?

29. Challenges in supporting DA in Decentralised context Context Matters Hybrid nature of political systems of developing countries Importance of informal institutions and their impact on domestic accountability systems The possible impact of donors’ support: Lines of accountability may change: new bilateral lines with LG, parallel lines to CG Power relations CG-LG and among LG may change  shift of political balance Strengthening Horizontal but weakening Downward accountability Excessive upward accountability and skewed towards to donors -> An analysis of the impact of decentralisation on DA needs to take account of these informal aspects of governance by looking at the Political economy of a country (Module XX)