Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments
Secretary General: Mudīte PRIEDE
Latvijas Pašvaldíbu Savieníba
1 Mazá Pils Str. - LV - 1050 RIGA
Tel.: 371-6722 65 36 / Fax: 371-6721 22 41
E-mail:
lps@lps.lvWeb:
http://www.lps.lv
Adviser to the Chairman on EU issues: Evita GRZIBOVSKA
Ph.: +32 2 550 12 62
Fax: +32 2 550 12 72
LOCAL AND REGIONAL STRUCTURES IN LATVIA
Latvia is a unitary state composed of local governments - municipalities and cities (novads and pilseta) and planning regions.
Local level: 118 local governments (municipalities)
Local authorities
The local council (dome) is the legislative body. Its members are elected by universal direct suffrage for four years. The council elects the chairperson from among the councillors, and the standing committees.
The committees prepare draft decisions for the council.
The chairman/mayor (priekssedetajs) is elected by the council for four years. He/she chairs the local council and the finance committee.
Competences
. Provision of utilities (water, heating supply, waste management)
. Public services and facilities
. Public-use forests and waters
. Primary and general secondary education
. Culture
. Access to health care, promotion of healthy life style
. Social care
. Adoption matters and trusteeship
. Assistance to residents in resolving issues regarding housing
. Facilitation of economic activity, unemployment problem solving
. Public order and civil defense
. Setting land use and building order according to territory development plan
. Collection and provision of statistical information
. Public transport
. Organisation of continuing education for teaching staff
. Child protection
Local governments have a number of voluntary functions.
Note: The 118 local governments consist of – 109 novadi and 9 cities (republikas pilseta or republican town - with dual competencies - of local and regional government).
Regional level: planning regions
Previous system of 26 districts (rajons) was abolished since 1 July 2009.
The planning region council is the decision-making body consisting of chairpersons of municipal councils.
Any member of the council may nominate a candidate for chairperson of the council from among the chairpersons of local governments of respective territory. The chairperson of the council is elected by secret ballot.
The planning regions are in charge of regional development planning, coordination, management and monitoring of elaboration and implementation of regional development programmes and territory development plans, etc.
