Filenews 8 February 2024
Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou blames the apparent distortions in the reform of Local Government on the give-and-take of the parties, considering that failures are observed because decisions were taken, not on the basis of techno-economic data, as they emerged from various expert studies, but on other criteria.
According to the Minister, this discrepancy creates non-viable municipalities with all that this entails for the costs borne by their citizens.
It also implies that some deputy mayors will be paid heavily, even if they have limited duties.
The minister believes that the result of the "give and take" (without referring to it) is the fact that Pafos and Strovolos do not merge with other local authorities remaining autonomous entities, despite the decision taken not to leave anyone alone.
At the same time, he criticizes the fact that small municipalities, followingtheir reactions, managed to unite with a small number of communities. For this reason, it cites the municipalities of Dali, Strovolos, Ypsonas, Kato Polemidia, Athienou, Aradippou, Paralimni, Agia Napa, Geroskipou and Pegeia.
Municipalities will go to hell
According to the minister, these arrangements result in the creation of non-viable municipalities, since in many cases the critical mass of population required is not created, nor the economic benefits of the mergers.
The Minister also points the finger at the Parliament, which during the passage of the bill introduced additional amendments to the original bills (following law proposals submitted by MPs), resulting in the enlargement of the Municipalities of Pegeia and Polis Chrysochous with a large number of small communities in the Akamas region.
Deputy mayors up to €2.987 per month
At the same time, Mr. Ioannou raises the issue of the salaries of local authorities.
In particular, it collected the following data:
– The remuneration granted to a total of 93 deputy mayors will range from €717 to €2,987 per month, at an annual cost of €2.3 million.
– The responsibilities of deputy mayors continue to relate to clearly limited tasks, subject to the transfer of such powers following a decision of the Mayor (or possibly not) at municipal level. The inclusion of additional powers was considered to create a conflict between the Mayor and the Deputy Mayors.
With 14 deputy mayors, Polis Chrysochous
– The very large number of deputy mayors in some municipalities creates significant distortions. For instance:
§ Municipality of Polis Chrysochous: Mayor, 14 deputy mayors and 2 municipal councillors
§ West Limassol Municipality: Mayor, 9 deputy mayors and 11 municipal councillors
§ East Limassol Municipality: Mayor, 9 deputy mayors and 16 municipal councillors
§ Municipality of Akamas: Mayor, 7 deputy mayors and 9 municipal councillors
§ Municipality of Lefkara: Mayor, 7 deputy mayors and 9 municipal councillors
§ South Nicosia Municipality: Mayor, 6 deputy mayors and 14 municipal councillors
