"A historic reform. The autonomy of municipalities and their financial viability ensures the quality of services for all citizens."
This was the first comment of President Anastasiades on the passing of the Local Government Reform, which his government had set as a top priority.
Yesterday, after a marathon debate, the House of Representatives approved the three local government reform bills which create a total of 20 municipalities across Cyprus without referendums.
"Through an arduous process that lasted more than 10 years, we managed to implement something that proved to be a common goal of all, both the government and the parliamentary parties, as well as the Union of Municipalities and Union of Communities," the minister said, noting that the result is "a real achievement" despite the disagreements that arose along the way, Interior Minister Nikos Nouris said.
And he indicated that the road will not be easy.
"We have a two-year period ahead of us during which we will all have to work in this transition period, so that in 2024 what has just been voted on will become a reality, that is, to have a structured model ready to be put before the citizens in a new format," he said, recalling that the aim is to have better quality services, at the lowest possible cost, operating under transparent procedures and strict controls, "leaving in the past all the negatives that had crept into the T.A."
- "A historic day" for local government, said the Minister of Interior
[*]The amendments that shaped the final... map of local government
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52 for and 4 against
The Law on Municipalities was passed by a majority with 52 votes for and 4 against by the EPP, while the Law on Communities and the Law on District Collectives were passed unanimously by the Plenum of the Parliament. Explaining the EPP's negative vote on the Municipalities Bill, party President Marinos Sizopoulos said that although there are positive elements in the law, they cannot vote for it since the principles of simple unadulterated proportional representation have been violated.
Also voted for an amendment by DISY on not holding referendums for the purposes of the proposed mergers of local authorities, as well as other amendments, some of which concerned changes to the mergers. Five municipalities are created in Nicosia, four in Limassol, five in Larnaca, four in Paphos and two in Famagusta.
Yesterday was described as "a good day for the parliament and local government" by the chairman of the Interior Committee and AKEL MP Aristos Damianou, on the occasion of the passage of the bills on the reform of local government, stressing that "if everything we have voted for today is implemented almost unanimously, by 2024 citizens will be able to enjoy an efficient, functional and more accessible local government, a local government that will be close to what is called local government abroad".
The purpose of the bills is to revise the current legislative framework governing local government, with the ultimate aim of improving the regulatory, supervisory and coordinating framework of the local government system.
The purpose of the Municipalities Act of 2020 is, inter alia, to modernise the current legislative framework in order to give municipalities administrative and financial autonomy to become financially and operationally viable as local authorities.
Similarly, the Communities Act of 2020 aims to amend the existing law in order to modernise certain provisions and to introduce arrangements for the provision of shared services by certain communities through the establishment and operation of local service clusters, such as e The Bill originally provided for planning and building permits to be issued by provincial local authorities, but during its discussion the relevant provisions were deleted, so that this power was exercised by local authorities rather than by these bodies.
ΛΕΥΚΩΣΙΑ
Δήμος Λευκωσίας: Headquarters Nicosia
It will consist of the municipalities of Nicosia, Ayios Dometios, Aglantzia and Eggomi
Municipality of Lakatamia: Lakatamia Municipality
It will consist of the municipalities of Lakatamia and Cheriou, and the communal settlement of Anthoupolis
Latsia-Geriu Municipality: Latsia Municipality
It will consist of the municipalities of Latsia and Geriou
South Nicosia-Idalia Municipality: Idalion as its seat
It will consist of the municipality of Idalion and the municipalities of Alambra, Lybion, Nisos, Pera Choriou and Potamia
Strovolos Municipality: As it is today
LEMESOS
Limassol Municipality: Seat Limassol
It will consist of the municipalities of Limassol and Mesa Gitonia, and the community of Cherkezon
East Limassol Municipality:Seat Ayios Athanasios
It will consist of the municipalities of Ayios Athanasios and Germasogeia, and the communities of Ayios Tychona, Akruda, Mathikolonis, Mouttayaka and Finikaria. Armenochori was added by amendment
Municipality of Polemidia: The seat of Polemidia
It will consist of the municipality of Kato Polemidia and the municipality of Pano Polemidia
Municipality of Western Limassol: Headquarters Ypsonas
It will consist of the municipality of Ypsonas and the municipalities of Akrotiri, Asomatos, Episkopi, Erimi, Kantou, Kolossiou, Sotiras and Trachoniou
LARNACA
Municipality of Larnaca: Headquarters Larnaca
It will consist of the municipalities of Larnaca and Livadia, and the municipality of Voroklini
Municipality of Aradippou:Aradippou Municipality
It will consist of the municipality of Aradippou and the communities of Kellion and Troulon
Municipality of Dromolaxia-Meneos: Dromolaxia municipality
It will consist of the municipality of Dromolaxia-Meneos and the municipalities of Kition, Pervolias and Tercefano
Municipality of Lefkara: Lefkara seat
It will consist of the municipality of Lefkara and the municipalities of Vavla, Delikipou, Kato Lefkara, Kornou, Laya and Skarinou
Municipality of Athienou: The seat of Athienou
It will consist of the municipality of Athienou and the community of Avdlerou
Pafos
Municipality of Pafos: seat of Pafos - In its present form
Municipality of Eastern Pafos
Municipality of Pafos: Seat Geroskipou
It will consist of the municipality of Geroskipou and the municipalities of Agia Marinouda, Acheleia, Konion and Timi
Municipality of West Paphos: Seat Peyia
It will consist of the municipality of Peyia and the municipalities of Akoursos, Ineia, Katika, Kato Arodon, Kissonerga and Pano Arodon
Municipality of Polis Chrysochous: Headquarters Polis Chrysochous
It will consist of the municipality of Polis Chrysochous and the municipalities of Agia Marina (Chrysochous), Androlikos, Argaka, Gialia, Druzeia, Kretou Tera, Makounda, Neos Chorio (Paphos), Nea Dimma, Pelathousa, Pomos Tera and Chrysochous
FREE Municipality of Ayia Napa
Municipality of Ayia Napa:
It will consist of the municipalities of Ayia Napa and Sotiras and the communities of Avgoros, Achna and Liopetriou
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