CYPRUS

Local Government System Introduction Historical reminder I/ The local system A) The local organization 1) The devolved administration 2) The decentralized administration 3) The competences of local authorities B) The territorial actors 1) The elected members 2) The civil servants C) Financial means II/ The local participative democracy A) The local referendums B) The public meetings organized by town councils C) The town councils of the young people 1) A participative institution 2) The modalities of functioning D) The new technologies of communication and information 1) A national initiative... 2)... Resumed by the local authorities E) A very particular example: the city of Limassol Conclusion

Introduction  The geographic context  A small country: inhabitants and km²  Two communities: greek and turkish  The historical and political context  Cyprus as an independent state  A long-standing conflict still existing between the two communities  Cyprus today  Cyprus as a member-state of the European Union

Local Government Structure General Principles:  Structure:  One single level  A division by districts  Tight links between central government and the local communities

The Decentralized Authorities  Municipalities (Local Government Act, 1985)  33 municipalities over inhabitants  Rural communities (Local Government Act, 1999)  356 rural communities

Local Authorities’ Responsibilities  Some residual competences  Major responsibilities regarding the inhabitants  municipalities  rural communities  co-operation is possible

Local Councillors and Local Government Staff The Local Councillors  The conditions for being elected  The elected members’ obligations  The reparations  Central government controls:  by means of the Home Office Ministry  by means of central government field services  by the Courts

Local Government Staff:  How are they recruited?  Appointment submitted to the control of the central government  Civil servants can be hired  What is the link between the elected members and the administration of local authorities?  The officers are subordinated to the mayor  Co-ordination is ensured by the Chief Executive

Central Government Field ServicesLocal Authorities Rural communities Municipalities Districts Local Councils Local Auhtorities’ Staff Chief Executive District Commissioners

Local Financial Means  Fiscal receipts  Central government grants  Other receipts  Loans Local Finances in 2005 PIB: 13,5 milliards of Euros Total public spending (TPS) =43,8% PIB Local public spending = 1,8% PIB Local public spending = 15,1% TPS Local public spending = 0,7% PIB

Conclusion  A state still in the process of decentralization  Through its European Union-membership  Through recent reforms  A persistent supervision by central government