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Admin.-Territorial Reform in Latvia. 1992-2003 Voluntary process 1992-93 First investigations of LG infrastructure 1993-95 Preparation of new local government legal, organisational and financial foundations 1995-96 Pilot investigations in selected clusters of municipalities
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Admin.-Territorial Reform in Latvia • 1992-2003 Voluntary process • 1992-93 First investigations of LG infrastructure • 1993-95 Preparation of new local government legal, organisational and financial foundations • 1995-96 Pilot investigations in selected clusters of municipalities • 1996-7 First voluntary amalgamation around Kandava town (3 municipalities) • 1998 Law on Administrative-Territorial Reform
Admin.-Territorial Reform in Latvia • Law on Administrative-Territorial Reform 1998 • Introduces a terminology for new municipalities • Defines overall time plan (Voluntary process until 31 Dec. 2003, “Administrative” (forced) process 1 Jan-30 Nov 2004, election to new councils in 2005 • Presents 7 very vaguely formulated criteria (long-term development potential, financial base, necessary infrastructure, number of inhabitants, history, access to services, other conditions) • Financial support to amalgamating municipalities (1-5% of total sum of amalgamated budgets)
Admin.-Territorial Reform in Latvia • Law on Administrative-Territorial Reform 1998 • Sets procedures for investigations and preparation of amalgamation projects • Establishes a Council of Administrative-Territorial Reform (8 Local Government – 8 State representatives, Ministry as secretary) • Coordinates the ATR process • Confirms the ATR investigation methodology • Evaluates investigation results and recommendations • Drafts normative acts on ATR
Admin.-Territorial Reform in Latvia • Local Government Territorial Reform Secretariat • 1997-1998: 4 persons, supported by EU • 1998-2000: 5 persons, supported by EU • 2000- : Secretariat integrated in the Ministry’s Territorial Reform Department (“Ministry of Special Assignment for State Administration Reform”) • ATR Investigations • 1997-2001: 17 regional investigations supported by EU, 9 regions financed by Latvia • Many small scale investigations and amalgamation projects financed by Latvia
Admin.-Territorial Reform in Latvia • Results today: • 34 municipalities (out of approx. 585) amalgamated into 14 new municipalities • Council on Administrative-Territorial Reform has approved 4 basic criteria for new municipalities: • Min. population 5,000 inhabitants • One town – one municipality • Road system must have functional standard • Max. 30 km from the periphery to the center • Criteria have been proposed included in Law on Administrative-Territorial Reform, but so far in vain!
Admin.-Territorial Reform in Latvia • Results today: • Two national projects have been through a 2 months public hearing in Summer 2001 • 33 new municipalities (= 26 regions + 7 towns, “Lithuanian variant”) • 102 new municipalities • The present Government favours 102 and asked Parliament to discuss this variant, but it declined with reference to the proximity of next Parliament election (Fall 2002)
Admin.-Territorial Reform in Latvia • State support to ATR • In 2002 160,000 Lats provided to finance small scale projects on cooperation and amalgamation and 240,000 Lats provided for ministerial activities to support ATR • 40% of ministerial funds go to information • TV spots twice a month about topical themes of ATR • 2 films about ATR developed • Inputs delivered to regional radio stations on ATR • A booklet for citizens on ATR is in printing, 350,000 copies (contains basic information, aims, goals, process of ATR and information about the possible role of the citizens themselves) • Ministry has ATR department with 6 employees