More reforms planned for local government

Thorny issues, such as revenue from building permits and the responsibility for dangerous buildings, dominated Monday’s meeting between Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou and president of the Union of Municipalities Andreas Vyras.

Ioannou is having a series of meetings as part of his plan to create a package of legislative amendments that would improve the reform of local government.

Both Ioannou and Vyras agreed the reforms already being implemented were just the beginning and that time would reveal where improvements could be made.

On Monday they discussed transferring 60 per cent of revenue from issuing building permits from the district organisations to the municipalities. Ioannou, however said this income should remain with the district organisations to ensure their financial and administrative autonomy.

He said the interior ministry intended to amend the legislation so that all revenue from licensing remained with the district organisations, although he acknowledged that municipalities needed the money to fund development projects.

For 2025, he added, this amount would be transferred to the municipalities and that the methodology would be finalised over the coming weeks in consultation with the Union of Municipalities and the finance ministry.

Vyras admitted it was a difficult issue to solve.

He added that more building permits meant more development leading to more needs, such as road maintenance, parks, cleanliness and so forth.

“We reached a proposal, which is more feasible for the first years,” he said, adding that “we started the dialogue today […] and I am sure there will be many episodes, so we can agree on solutions which will be the best for the people,” he said.

Another thorny issue was the responsibility for dangerous buildings, which remained with the municipalities until September 30 and will be transferred to the district organisations as the new building authorities.

Ioannou said there were differing opinions between the municipalities and the district organisations.

He conveyed the ministry’s position that the responsibility should lie with the district organisations, however it was the cost of the responsibility that needed to be estimated.

Vyras said the authority to take over should have the means to implement the legislation.

Continuous efforts are being made to solve the problems arising or to improve the operation of local administration, the minister said. He pointed out that reforms were still in their infancy and that there was good cooperation with all involved.

Vyras agreed that this was just the beginning and that some changes would soon be discussed in parliament.

“Reform is just the beginning,” he said, adding that “it is through dialogue that solutions can be found.”