Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments (LALRG)
The Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments (LALRG) is a public organisation associating local and regional governments of the Republic of Latvia on voluntary basis. It was founded in December 1991.
Today, in accordance with the article 96 of the law "On Self-Governments", the LALRG has authority to represent municipalities in the negotiations with the Cabinet of Ministers as the LALRG associates more than a half of all types of municipalities.
The Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments is the only municipal organisation
of such level in Latvia.
of such level in Latvia.
Main objectives:
· development of self-government politics in Latvia;
· solving of self-government problems
· protection of self-government interests.
Members
The members of the LALRG can be all municipalities of Latvia. Municipality becomes a member of the LALRG at the moment when its council decision about the joining the LALRG has been registered in the Board of the LALRG. There are 118 municipalities in Latvia after reform of 2009. All 118 municipalities are members of LALRG. In 2007 the LALRG had 520 members (total number of municipalities - 553).
POLITICAL STRUCTURE
The Congress
The highest decision making body of the LALRG is the Congress which is convened at least once a year. The Congress has an authority to make decisions if it is represented by more than a half of the members of the LALRG. The resolutions of the Congress are adopted by the majority of votes of participating delegates.
The Council
The Council conducts the activities of the LALRG between the Congresses. Not more than 118 representatives of local and regional governments are to be elected to the Council. The Council consists of the Chairman and the representatives from the municipalities:
· 7 representatives from Riga City Council;
· 6 representatives from the Town Councils;
· 26 representatives from the Councils of Regional Towns;
· 26 representatives from the District Councils;
· 26 representatives from the Rural Municipalities Councils;
· 26 representatives from the Amalgamated Municipalities Councils.
Council meetings take place at least once in a quarter. The Council has an authority to adopt resolutions if more than a half of the Council members participate in the meeting. The resolutions are adopted by the majority of votes of participants.
The Board
The Board of the LALRG administrates the work of the LALRG between the Council. Not more than 15 members are to be elected to the Board. Usually it is the Chairman of the LALRG, his 5 Deputy-Chairpersons, all Committee Chairpersons and some other members of the Council. The Board authorises separate Board members, Heads of standing committees, as well as developers of separate draft laws and normative acts to represent the LALRG and to inform about its opinion on a particular issue in the Saeima (Parliament) of the Republic of Latvia, in the Cabinet of Ministers and other institutions of state administration, as well as in international organisations.
Committees
There are 5 committees working in the LALRG:
· The Committee of Finance and Economy;
· The Committee of Education and Culture;
· The Committee of Social and Health Issues;
· The Committee of Regional Development and Co-operation;
· The Technical Committee.
And 3 subcommittees:
· The Subcommittee of Housing Issues;
· The Subcommittee of Sport Issues;
· The Subcommittee of Children, Youth and Family Affairs.
Auditing Commission
There are 5 persons elected to the Auditing Commission and it conducts its work according to the Regulations approved by the Congress. Revision Commission controls financial activities of the Council, Board and administration of the LALRG and implementation of resolutions of the Congress/ the Council and the Board of the LALRG, complying with the Statutes of the LALRG.
ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE
The administration of the LALRG performs its activities in accordance with the regulations approved by the Council of the LALRG. Administrative structure, personnel and salaries fund is also approved by the Council of the LALRG. At the end of 2007 there were 22 persons working in the administration on the permanent basis and 13 on part-time basis.
Tasks of the Administration
· to protect interests of self-governments in state authorities and administrative institutions;
· to organise preparation of conclusions for the draft laws which are developed by the government;
· to organise preparation of negotiation agreement with the government; to perform functions of the Secretariat of the LALRG;
· to secure self-governments with information and required services; to facilitate co-operation among Latvian self-governments and their associations;
· to facilitate co-operation with self-governments and their organisations abroad;
· to analyse problems in the field of municipal activities and to offer them for discussion to the politicians.
THE ENTERPRISES OF THE LALRG
· The LALRG is one of the founders of the Latvian municipal non-profit organization „Latvian Municipal Training Centre”. The main tasks of the Centre are: to organize training for local government politicians and representatives, and to organize Exchange of experience.
· Municipal Consultancy centre
· LALRG magazine „Window” (LOGS)
