Pitfalls in local government changes highlighted

Local government reform had been undertaken without preparation, Akel leader Stefanos Stefanou said on Wednesday.

The two and a half years which had been granted while elections were postponed had not been used to do what was needed, resulting in playing catch up, he said.

The relevant ministries “have not shown the necessary fervour” towards a smooth transition, he added.
He said that during his tour of the Paphos district, he had received the clear message that municipalities, EOAs (local self-governance administrations) and community clusters were waiting for clarity and support, which is not forthcoming.

“The government should keep its ears open and assume its responsibilities,” Stefanou said, speaking at an event in the Paphos district.

While progress had been made, many things still need to be done, including sorting out the issue of funding, the party leader said.

The division of labour between the district governments and municipalities needs to be defined, as well as staffing procedures.

He highlighted what he called the “huge issue of waste management” which he said was one of the major problems facing the island.

Over the summer several municipalities also faced issues with water management with authorities passing the buck between them and seemingly unable to coordinate a prompt response, while residents told the Cyprus Mail that water bills did not arrive and that they were “given the run around” when calling their district governments to ask about them.

Elsewhere, small municipalities and community clusters have complained that large municipalities are taking the lion’s share of state funding.

Stefanou said a resolution must be sought “fairly, based on the needs […] the municipalities have before them [and with] sufficient funding from the state.”

Despite the earmarking of €117 million for the transition, things need to be done “for which funds must be found”, Stefanou said, giving as an example the upgrading of old municipality rubbish trucks and sweepers.

The state ought to proceed with tenders and secure this equipment and distribute it to the municipalities, he suggested.

Akel has been touring municipalities, district governments and community clusters for two months to ascertain how the restructure is being implemented.

Ierokipia (the municipality of east Paphos) mayor Nikos Palios said many problems were surfacing and that state funding was not insufficient for the change.

“When you unite a municipality [such as Gersoskipou] with four communities that need upgrading, extra funding is needed,” he said.

Meanwhile, Disy said people are “anxiously awaiting the benefits of a modernised local government”.
They said local government reform is “on track” and must remain so, and that to this end, the government must “do everything it can” to make it work.

Speaking at an event in Strovolos on Tuesday, party leader Annita Demetriou said her party “continues the effort to contribute as much as possible to the successful implementation of this great reform”.

“We are listening, discussing, recording the problems and people’s needs so we can form suggestions and proposals,” she said, adding that her party’s proposals on the matter will be “focused on financial support, adequate staffing, and the expansion of powers”.