OSCE Mission in Kosovo helps assess municipal assemblies’ legislative compliance

A workshop organized by the OSCE Mission in Kosovo on municipal assemblies’ legislative compliance and their oversight role concluded on 26 November 2011 in Durrës, Albania.

The two-day event was attended by 30 municipal assemblies’ chairpersons, as well as representatives from the Association of Kosovo Municipalities and the Ministry of Local Government Administration. It was used to examine the municipal assemblies’ adherence to the procedural regulatory framework and their performance with respect to legislative oversight of mayors and administration, especially in the 2012 budgets preparation process.

“Services delivered to residents by the municipal administration are largely based on decisions and regulations adopted by the municipal assembly members and their chairpersons. Thus, it is of crucial importance that they are reached and implemented in full compliance with the legislative framework,” said Jan Lueneburg, Chief of the OSCE Mission’s Local Governance Section.

Conference participants noted that the oversight role has not been fully exercised by the municipal assemblies. “Municipal assemblies’ members and caucuses rarely challenge executive decisions perceived as irregular or actions that have bypassed or neglected legislative concerns. There is a need to exercise our legislative oversight more effectively and efficiently,” said Xhelal Gashi, Chairperson of the Kaçanik/Kačanik Municipal Assembly and Chairperson of the AKM Collegium of Municipal Assembly Chairpersons.

Furthermore, the Mission’s monitoring of the municipal assemblies has indicated that members of assemblies seldom report their own financial or other conflict of interest in decision making. Dissemination of invitations to open or public meetings is often late and insufficient to ensure that all residents are informed.

As a follow up to the conference, the OSCE Mission, the Association of Kosovo Municipalities and the Ministry of Local Government Administration will develop a guide for assembly members on procedures and effective oversight of the executive.