The training within the project "Polish experience in system changes. Practical implications for Ukraine" took place in Lutsk City Council
The training in self-government sphere within the project "Polish experience in system changes. Practical implications for Ukraine" has been taking place during two days in Lutsk City Council.
On the 12th of May the debates about local self-government took place. Lutsk Сity Mayor Mykola Romaniuk, the Secretary of the City Council Serhiy Hryhorenko, the City Council member Anatoliy Parhomiuk, the Head of Non-investment Projects Department of Lublin City Administration Kshyshtof Lontka took part in the event.
Anatoliy Parhomiuk represented the participants and informed that the project will be realized in eight cities of Ukraine. The Mayor noted that the concept has been reviewed by the Ukrainian Government. Now the action plan for its implementation is being developed. According to Mykola Romaniuk, the main action of the reform is decentralization, which has a financial component.
In addition, the Mayor emphasized the need for a clear division of responsibilities and powers so that they are not duplicated.
Mykola Romaniuk paid attention to the need to leave a part of law enforcement powers of the police under subordinate, in particular, the municipal police, district police, traffic police. At the same time, the state should have subordinated all other agencies of law enforcement.
Kszysztof Lontka noted that the process of administrative and territorial reform in Poland was difficult. The current three-level system of local self-government could be replaced by a two-level. The Constitution of Poland has the point of decentralization. State and local government are the partners. Local self-government is independent, financially in particular. He said that their local authorities can decide how and for what to direct. They don’t have the Treasury, all the money are on the accounts of commercial banks. The government can always control the local communities whether they use the funds legally.
Kszysztof Lontka also said about the cooperation with the European Union. He said that EU actively supports projects in five areas: employment of people of productive age; investment in research and innovation in the economy; environmental protection, energy saving measures and climate change; development of education; fight against poverty and social exclusion.
Serhiy Hryhorenko noted that our current system of governance is a vestige of the Soviet system. He believes that it is necessary to give local communities more authority, to provide financial resources and to eliminate district administrations.