Vietos valdžios reformų raida Latvijoje

Abstract

Significant local government reforms are being implemented in Latvia. Reforms of local governments include both – strengthening democracy and increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of activities of local governments, using updated methods of management and involving the population in decision – making process. The principles of local government reforms in Latvia are based on the principles of the European Charter of Local Self-Government. The core of these reforms is administrative – territorial reorganisation. It is implemented by voluntary amalgamation and is slow. In result today in Latvia local governments are too small. The functions of local governments in Latvia are quite wide, but their financial resources are insufficient. In Latvia actual is decreasing the unfavourable regional disparities, using the support from the EU Structural Funds. Integration of public administration reforms, territories socioeconomic development planning, formation of local government’s capital investment and operational budgets, using the EU Structural Funds is proposed.