IMC LADDER: Initiate−establish−implement−evaluate December 2016 Inter-municipal Cooperation Reference material: TOOLKIT ON INTERMUNICIPAL COOPERATION Council of Europe
IMC in CoE members CDLR reported IMC to European Ministers – since 2008 IMC is a widespread phenomenon in western European countries (France, XIX, NL 1851) With an elaborated menu to choose from: composition, tasks, scope, institutionalisation, decision-making powers
IMC STEP LADDER:1-6 Initiating cooperation 1. Identify needs and opportunities 2. Identify partners and possible areas of cooperation 3. Analyse legal environment 4. Conduct feasibility study 5. Decide areas of cooperation 6. Build awareness and support
IMC STEPS: (7-10) Setting up the cooperation 7. Establish Joint Task Force 8. Identify best legal form 9. Agree financing 10. Negotiate agreement / statutes 11. Establish management / representatives 12. Ensure continuous self-assessment and monitoring 13. Enable continuous and effective communications 14. Conduct regular evaluations
Step 9. Agree financing, 1 Fee related Service Type: E.g. water supply, heating, sanitation IMC body or its operator may recover costs directly from consumers Municipal contribution may be necessary for subsidy or investment costs Who has powers to borrow / guarantee loans? How are costs apportioned between municipalities?
Step 9. Agree financing, 2 Socio-economic Tax Borne Expenditure E.g.: Economic development, social welfare; health care; environmental protection tourism promotion. Can an IMC impose a tax? Municipal contributions from grants or taxes? Which are the basis of contribution?
Step 9: Financing Socio-economic Functions: British/French IMC levy additional taxes Hungarian specific government grant for joint administrative offices Specific grants for e.g. schools, care homes Grants favouring urban centres (services periphery) Association of Jura LG - 40 Polish LGU, on joint tourist development, EU funding
Step 10. Negotiate agreement or statutes Non-formal agreement (handshake) Private/public law contract/agreement Statutes of a private/public law institution
Step 10. Negotiate agreement or statutes ToC Sample Purpose/ duration of the agreement Service related visibility activities Field and scope of the agreement Parties liabilities, shares Admission / withdrawal of a partner Rights and obligations of each party Dissolution Articles governing the Management Settlement of disputes Shares, Financing, Accounting and audit Monitoring and evaluation Rights of ownership and assets
Step 11. Establish representation and management Decision-making bodies Members assembly: election by citizens, by municipal councils, member of municipal councils? Each municipality has same number of representatives? Proportional to population; financial criteria? Private sector involvement anticipated?
Thank you! alba.dakoli.wilson@flag-al.org