By George Psyllides
SIX Limassol local authorities yesterday voiced their disagreement with the reforms proposed by British experts who called for a drastic cut in municipalities from 30 to five.
In a joint news conference, the mayors said a lot of authority would be concentrated in the hands of a few meaning less social policy, less communication with the public, and less services.
“The savings the experts refer to are an illusion because this form would entail very complicated organisation and procedures,” Limassol Mayor Andreas Christou said.
Christou said the public should also be asked what they wanted instead of making proposals without consulting them.
Ypsonas Mayor Aristos Aristidou said the proposal effectively meant transferring all the authority to five people.
“This proposal topples the kings and enthrones the emperors,” he said.
In their report, commissioned by the Cyprus government as part of its effort to modernise the public sector, the experts identified the absence of a culture of performance management, lack of transparency, and tight control of finances by the central government.
They said the status quo was not an option and proposed, among others, replacing the 30 existing local government structures with five new directly elected local authorities, with boundaries matching those of district administrations.
The new bodies would, at the very least, combine the powers and responsibilities of both district administrations, municipalities and communities.
The report identifies substantial benefits in this option, like clear accountability, the capacity to assume additional responsibilities, and the existence of a core – in district administrations – to build around.
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