Filenews 19 January 2024
While the countdown has begun until July 1st, when the much-discussed reform of Local Government will be implemented, which will theoretically improve the services provided to citizens and, indeed, more cheaply, some basic problems have not been addressed. There are fears that chaos may ensue, at least in the initial period of operation of the 20 new municipalities and the new District Councils.
Key outstanding issues are the intermediate computerization, to the point that one in three municipalities is very likely not to operate with the new unified computerized system "Evagoras". However, as has been said, in addition to paying outstanding bills, planning and building permits will be examined normally.
The second issue concerns the fact that public or municipal employees do not wish to permanently transfer the new District Self-Government Organizations, so that they can be adequately staffed and operate effectively. There is objection not only to the permanent transfer of officials, but also to their secondment, not only because of the uncertainty created but also for reasons of professional development.
The third issue, which will temporarily affect those planning to submit planning or building permit applications, concerns the fact that around June 10, i.e. about 20 days before the implementation of the reform, municipalities will pull down the shutters by not accepting new applications. The chairman of the parliamentary committee on Internal Affairs, before which the progress of the implementation of the reform was discussed, indicated that due to the elections, municipalities may malfunction with all that this entails in serving citizens.
It is noted that the spokesman of the Ministry of Interior clarified that civil servants as well as other staff affected will be transferred to the District Organizations they do not want.
Another question that has been left hanging, and the scale of which will become apparent in practice, concerns whether the cost of serving citizens will fall, as has been repeatedly announced, or whether, in the end, it will increase, as was implied by local authorities.
Briefing the MPs, Antonis Economides, responsible for Local Government at the Ministry of Interior, said that a great effort is being made to have everything ready on July 1. He referred to €117 million. He added that the budget will be increased in the second half of 2024.
Where there is difficulty, he said, is in the transfer of data to the new computer systems, which is, as he said, a bet for all involved. "We put pressure on the providers, that is, the companies that install the computer systems."
The other issue that arises concerns, as he said, the licensing of developments. As he explained, the Ministry of Interior registered all the staff of the Planning Authorities all over Cyprus. He explained that the affected permanent staff has the option of permanent transfer to the District Self-Government Organizations or temporary secondment for one and a half years. This time is required until vacancies are advertised and filled. He also said that at the same time, the recruitment of 105 temporary staff was promoted who will strengthen the provincial organizations in processing applications.
He then said that around June 10, about 20 days before the reform takes effect, municipalities will stop accepting applications to allow employees to be transferred to the new offices. It is worth noting that in the Famagusta district, the local authorities involved are arguing as to what should be the seat of the district organization.
Subsequently, the secretary of the Union of Municipalities, Michalis Socratous, said that the concern about the introduction and operation of the single computer program "Evagoras" is legitimate. He explained that, apart from technical issues, other issues arise regarding the homogenization of municipalities' procedures, since among them, there are differences from how planning permits are issued to payments to each municipality separately.
The only difficulty identified, he said, is the transfer of municipal data to the new system, taking into account that about 33% (ie one in three) may not be able to transfer their historical data to the new system, so they have to continue for some time to operate with the old computer systems. He assured, however, that a strong effort is being made to overcome the difficulties.
At this point, the President of the Committee, Aristos Damianou, intervened, stating: "Since reference was also made to obstacles in the implementation of computerization, which are these hands that hinder the smooth development two years after the adoption of the legislation for the reform of Local Government?" At the same time, he wondered how two different computer systems will work, when with one that exists, there are so many problems. "We are not prepared not to implement the reform for the tricks of anyone," he added.
Providers are to blame, not municipalities
Commenting on the report of the President of the Committee, the secretary of the Union of Municipalities said that the problems do not arise from the municipalities, but arise from the contracts they signed with some companies that install the computer systems. He noted that some municipalities have contracted with more than one provider. He added that the problem is mainly identified by a specific provider that serves several municipalities.
Asked by the President of the Commission to name this provider, the secretary of the Union of Municipalities mentioned his name. He clarified, however, that the company in question, which also cooperates with the Nicosia Municipality, after meetings and consultations, is proceeding with the implementation of the contract. Each municipality needs to consider how it works with that provider to move the process forward, he added.
Mr. Damianou noted that if agreements have to be terminated in order to proceed with the computerization process, they must be terminated so that the process can be unstuck.
The secretary of the Union of Municipalities said that despite the above problems, municipalities will be able to operate from July 1, collect, issue permits and so on. For example, if a citizen did not pay a fee two years ago, this will not be reflected in "Evagoras", but in the existing computer system.
At the end of the meeting, the President of the Commission lamented the fact that the implementation of the reform in free Famagusta is delayed. Commenting on what was said before the Committee, Aristos Damianou said: "I must admit that we are even more concerned than our initial concerns," adding that "things are very serious. We have called on the Ministry and all relevant bodies, with a sense of urgency, to push for the implementation of all prerequisites for the implementation of the reform. Because otherwise – and I do not want to be a fortune teller – it is very likely that everything we have voted for on reform will not be able to become life and action, because some people are either dragging their feet or have other priorities. That's why we're sounding the alarm."
"The big picture is that many things that should have already been done have not been done, with the risk that the reform cannot be implemented," the chairman of the Interior Committee said. He added: "We must bear in mind that on June 9, before the first of July when the reform is fully implemented, there will be elections based on the new system and the reform, as voted two years ago.
Finally, he said that on February 1, the Commission will examine the implementation progress regarding Nicosia and later the other districts.
