European Charter for Local Self-Government

European Charter for Local Self-Government
See also
Voivode Public administration Public tasks of local government European Charter for Regional Self-Government Public task Government Public authority Principles of organization of public sector entities European Coal and Steel Community

The European Charter of Local Government was established by an act of 15 October 1985. in Strasbourg by the Member States of the Council of Europe. Charter took effect on 1 September 1988. The European Charter for Regional Government is a set of general principles, which are also common in democracies of Europe. The main aim of creating the Charter was to develop a European standard for local government. Acts of local governments may not be contrary to the provisions contained in the Charter. In order to check the conformity between the Charter local self-government authorities may apply to the Constitutional Court, whose judgement on this matter is final.

Main provisions in Charter

The Charter contains provisions which relate to:

• the concept of local self-government,
• the main principles of the activity of local self-government-in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity,
• protecting boundaries of local communities-with the requirement of consultation with the community,
• the establishment of internal structures and administrative measures tailored to the tasks performed,
• the status of the representatives of the local authorities on the free exercise of the mandate,
• reduction of administrative supervision over the activities of local communities-the principle of proportionality,
• the right to organize and to cooperation with other entities in the country and abroad.
• principles of financing in accordance with the principle of financial autonomy, including the right to dispose of their own financial resources tailored to the nature and extent of the tasks.

References

• Council of Europe website