Transformation of functions of local authorities in the conditions of decentralization

Abstract

The current state of reform on decentralization of power in Ukraine at the local level is considered. The example of the three administrative districts and through a sociological survey of local government employees shows the achievements and main problems of the ongoing reforms. It is noted that as a result of the reform, district state administrations are now effectively devoid of leverage in such areas as: economic development; education; health care; cultural development; youth support and sport development; utilities; transport; household and commercial services; construction; land relations. Certain levers of influence remain in areas such as: environmental protection; protection of the rights and legitimate interests of citizens, in particular in the context of maintaining the State Voters Register, maintaining archives, state registers, etc.; defense and mobilization work, civil protection. In the area of direct responsibility of district state administrations, only the sphere of social protection of the population remains.

It is proved that in the conditions of deprivation of real administrative functions and powers, today the district state administrations at the local level are transformed into a “point of collection, processing and transfer of information”, which is then transferred to higher authorities. For this reason, information and analysis functions are the leading and best performing in most structural units. Against this background, functions such as: the implementation of state policy on the ground (except social policy) are considered secondary and practically ineffective; supervisory; advisory; advisory; coordination; educational and more. The basic directions of reforming the relations between local state administrations and the united territorial communities in Ukraine are highlighted. Features that should be left to local administrations are highlighted. Thus, in particular, it is proposed that the main mission of the district state administrations be to legislate to represent the interests of the state and promote the implementation of state policy at the district level. To define the main functions in the activity as: social (ensuring observance of state social standards and norms in the respective territory); information-analytical (gathering, summarizing information on local development, conducting public opinion polls, experts); advisory (development of recommendations on implementation of national as well as regional strategies and programs at the local level); supervisory (state supervision of decisions taken by local self-government bodies, as well as supervision of compliance with applicable legislation by all local development actors); consulting (providing legal assistance to citizens and organizations); coordination (coordination of activities of all state bodies and institutions operating in the respective territory, establishing partnerships between all actors of local development, their involvement in the implementation of state and regional strategies and programs); educational (informing citizens about the nature and main directions of public policy implementation).

The necessity of substantial reduction of powers and employees of executive bodies at the district level has been proved.