Public tasks of local government
Local self-government is entitled to a substantial part of public duties. The scope of public tasks, for local government determines, respectively, the law on communal self-government, self-government district and the local government of the province. These laws generally do not Express directly the tasks themselves, but also links to detailed acts of administrative law, which identified specific outcomes and standards for implementation by local governments in specific areas of public life (for example: education, roads, water supply and sewage disposal).
Importance of local government
Local government is important for several reasons:
- Providing essential services: Local government is responsible for providing essential services such as police and fire protection, emergency medical services, and sanitation.
- Improving quality of life: Local government can make a significant impact on the quality of life for residents by providing public parks, recreational facilities, and libraries.
- Planning and zoning: Local government plays an important role in planning and zoning decisions, which determine how land is used in a community. This can impact everything from housing to transportation to economic development.
- Representation: Local government provides a way for citizens to have a voice in the decisions that affect their community. Local officials are more accessible to citizens than state or federal representatives, and can more easily understand and respond to the specific needs of their community.
- Economic development: Local government can play a critical role in promoting economic development by providing infrastructure and services that are attractive to businesses, and by working to attract new companies to the area.
- Community development: Local government can help to build stronger communities by fostering social cohesion, promoting civic engagement, and supporting local non-profits and community groups.
- Emergency management: Local government also play a vital role in emergency management by providing emergency services, emergency response, and disaster recovery.
- Environmental protection: Many local governments also have responsibility for protecting the environment and managing natural resources.
Overall, local government plays a vital role in ensuring the well-being and quality of life of the people in their local communities.
Types of tasks of local authorities
Applicable law, identify three types of tasks of local government:
- own tasks,
- task commissioned from state government,
- tasks commissioned by the state in the sphere of organizing and holding elections and referendums
Refusal to perform the tasks or its implementation not in accordance with applicable legal, are a prerequisite for the application of measures of supervision in respect of bodies of local self-government, including their decisions and the establishment of the board of trustees.
The source of the obligation of performing the tasks entrusted by the government administration, are the provisions of a special law, which for certain tasks and competencies has identified tasks and powers of local self-government. In addition to those tasks local government may additionally make administrative arrangements with public authorities (for example, taking over the management of the national public roads within the city that is the seat of the municipality).
See also:
Examples of Public tasks of local government
- Providing public services: Local governments are responsible for providing a range of public services such as roads, public libraries, parks and recreation facilities, waste management, and public transportation.
- Regulating businesses: Local governments have the authority to regulate businesses in their areas, such as setting zoning regulations and issuing permits.
- Maintaining public safety: Local governments are responsible for providing a range of public safety services such as police and fire departments, as well as emergency medical services.
- Promoting economic development: Local governments are often tasked with promoting economic development in their areas by providing incentives to businesses that create jobs and attract investments.
- Providing social services: Local governments are responsible for providing a range of social services such as affordable housing, education, and health care services.
- Managing land use: Local governments are responsible for managing land use in their areas, such as setting development standards and issuing building permits.
- Raising and allocating funds: Local governments are responsible for raising funds for their operations and allocating those funds to various projects and programs.
- Enforcing laws: Local governments are responsible for enforcing laws and regulations within their jurisdiction.
- Creating public policies: Local governments are responsible for creating and implementing public policies that promote the well-being of their residents.
Advantages of Public tasks of local government
- Public tasks of local government provide greater flexibility for local communities to manage their own affairs, allowing for more effective and targeted policy implementation.
- Local government is closer to citizens and is more accountable to them, enabling better access and involvement from the local citizens in decision-making processes.
- Local governments are better placed to understand and respond to local needs, as they are more familiar with the area and the local population.
- Local governments are more able to develop and implement policies that are tailored to the needs of local communities, as they have more intimate knowledge of the local context.
- Public tasks of local government can provide an important source of revenue for local governments, enabling them to fund services and projects.
- Allocating public tasks to local governments can help to ensure that resources are used more efficiently, as local governments can better assess what is needed and target resources accordingly.
- Public tasks of local government can help to build capacity within local government, as they are often better placed to deliver services, and can provide the resources to do so.
Limitations of Public tasks of local government
- Local governments are constrained by the legislative framework set by the federal government. This means that activities and tasks of local government must be carried out within the legal limits set by the national government.
- Local governments are also limited in terms of their resources and abilities. This means that they often lack the necessary financial and human resources to undertake certain tasks or pursue particular projects.
- Local governments are also limited by their jurisdiction. This means that they can only take action within their geographic area and cannot reach beyond it.
- Local governments are also limited by the scope of their powers. This means that they are only able to undertake activities that are explicitly defined in the laws governing their jurisdiction.
- Local governments are also limited by their political culture. This means that certain activities or projects are not undertaken due to a lack of political will or a reluctance to engage in certain types of activities.
- Finally, local governments are limited by their own capacity and capacity of their staff. This means that they may not be able to successfully carry out certain tasks or projects due to a lack of knowledge or resources.
- Co-operative approach: This approach requires local governments to work together with national, regional, and local partners to collaboratively develop and implement public policies. This approach can help ensure that public services are delivered efficiently and that resources are used effectively.
- Fiscal approach: This approach focuses on the ability of local governments to raise revenue and manage financial resources. Local governments must be able to balance their budgets and make sure that public funds are used responsibly.
- Regulatory approach: This approach focuses on the ability of local governments to develop and enforce regulations. Local governments must be able to set and enforce standards for public services, such as zoning and building codes.
- Economic development approach: This approach focuses on the ability of local governments to promote economic growth and development. Local governments must be able to create job opportunities, attract new businesses, and foster economic growth.
In summary, local governments have a variety of public duties and responsibilities. These include the co-operative, fiscal, regulatory, and economic development approaches, which all focus on providing public services and improving local economies. Local governments must be able to balance their budgets and manage financial resources responsibly in order to ensure that public services are delivered efficiently.
| Public tasks of local government — recommended articles |
| Public task — Non-governmental organization (NGO) — Budgetary classification — State administration — Policy instrument — Policy makers — Voivode — Employers association — Chamber of Commerce |
References
- Fisher, R. C. (1988). State and local public finance. Scott Foresman & Co.
