Filenews 4 March 2022
The reform of Local Self-Government in Cyprus is now a fact, says the Union of Municipalities of Cyprus, welcoming yesterday's historic passage of the three Bills that provide for the Reform of Local Self-Government, marking, as it notes, "a new chapter for local democracy in our country".
The Union of Municipalities states that this is the most important effort to modernize the governance model since the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus, the consultation of which was based on the principles of the European Charter of Local Self-Government and Recommendations of the Council of Europe, as well as on specialized technocratic and economic and technical studies, in order to ensure the creation of financially and administratively independent Local Authorities, which will be able to formulate and conduct real and meaningful local policy.
We reiterate, it is noted, that the Reform of Local Government aims to provide the best possible quality of services to citizens, at the lowest possible cost, thus ensuring the improvement of the quality of life in our country.
"Despite the individual weaknesses included in the new Legislation, we must recognize that important steps are being taken to strengthen municipalities, especially in terms of their administrative and financial independence and the enrichment of their responsibilities and powers," he added.
It is noted that the necessity for The Reform of Local Government has been recorded as a timeless position of the Union of Municipalities. All the members of the Union, it is said, have expressed their will and dedication to the goal of achieving the Reformation project and, especially over the last four years, have worked intensively in a spirit of democracy and consensus towards the goal they have set.
The Union of Municipalities points out that the current model of Local Government has long completed its cycle. "The Reform of Local Government is above all an investment in democracy, in our country and its people. We declare our readiness to work with the same will and dedication for its successful implementation, since the benefits of this Reformation will be reaped primarily by the citizen. The people of this place deserve it," the statement concludes.
Reminder - Tala is a village, not a municipality. Tala will be in a 'cluster' with other villages - Tremithousa, Mesa Chorio and Mesoghi. It is also likely that added to this group will be Emba and Chlorakas. The purpose of the group is to combine resources and act together as one purchasing unit for services. There are likely to be 30 'clusters' across the country.
