law_no_2019_024_24122019.pdf - Cameroon High ...

REPUBLIC OF CAMEROON PEACE - WORK- FATHERLAND

------------

- IJ• ("', 1 n 2 tr.. LAW No l. 0 \

1

:1 ' u ~ OF --------------------------- -----------------~----~--

2 4 OEC 2019

BILL TO INSTITUTE THE GENERAL CODE OF REGIONAL AND

LOCAL AUTHORITIES

Section 1: (1) This .law institutes the general code of regional and local authorities referred to hereinafter as "local authorities".

(2) lt sets out:

- the common provisions applicable to local authorities;

- the status of local elected officiais;

- the ruies governing the organization and functicming of local authorities;

- the. financial regime of local authorities; and

- special regulations applicable to certain local authorities.

· • Section 2: (1) The local authorities of the Republic shaH be regions and councils .

(2) They shall carry out their activities with due respect for national unity and solidarity, territorial integrity and the primacy of the State .

. (3) Local authorities shall have equal status. No local authority may establish or exercise control over another. .

{4) Any other such local authority shall be created by law.

Section 3: (1) The North-West and South-West Regions shall have a special status based on the ir language specificity and historical heritage. ·

(2) The special . status referred to ih sub-section (1) above shall be reflected with .. regard to decentralization, in specificities- in the organization and functioning of these two regions.

(3) The special status shall also entail respect for the peculiarity of the Anglophone education system and consideration of the specificities of the Angle-Saxon· iegal system based on common law. · ·

. . .. .(4) The content of the specificities and peculiarities referred to in sub-sections (2) and (3) above shall be specified in se pa rate instruments.

Section 4: Where necessary, tax and economie. inc~ntives may be granted through separate instruments to sorne regions, depending ori their c.ontext.

2

--BOOK ONE .. . ~~

RAMEWORK OF DECENTRALIZATION

Section · 5: (1) Decentralization. shall consist of devolution · by the State of special power$ and appropriate resources to local authorities.

(2) Decentralization shall constitute the basic driving force for promotion of development, democracy and good governance at the locallevel.

. PARTI . FREE ADMINISTRATION OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES

CHAPTER 1 PRINCIPLE OF ELECTION OF THE OR GANS OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES ·

Section .6: (1) Local authorities shall be administei'ed freely by elected organs, under conditions laid dawn by law.

(2) The deliberative and executive organs of local auttiorities shall derive their power thrm.igh universal suffrage. . ·

Section 7:. Local authorities may exceptionally be administered by unelected organs, in particular, pursuant to the provisions relating to the establishment of a · special delegation.

CHAPTERII ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL AUTONOMY

OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES

· Section 8:Local authorities shall be public law legal persans. They shall have . adrninistrathie and· financial · autonomy ïn the management of regional and local . . interests and shall, by deliberation, address matters falling within their sphere of · competenc~ . ·

. 1 -Administrative Autonomy of Local Authorities Section 9: Local authorities shall have the.ir own assets, staff, public and private

· property and services separate from th ose of the State and ether public bodies.

Section ·1 0: Local authoritles may, as part of the ir mandate, execute · projects in partnership with one another, with the State, public èstablishments, public, semipublic and private enterprises,civil society organizations or foreign. partners under the terms and conditions laid down by the laws and. regulations in force.

Il - Financial Autonomy of Local Authorities Section 11: (1) Local authorities shall have the ir own budgets and resources for the management of regional and local interests. ·

As such, they shall: . .

. - freely draw up and vote their budgets;

3

have the ir own resources;

. receive resources from the State and ether public· or private sector entities;

receive ali or part of the proceeds from the exploitation of natural resources within their territory, und er the conditions laid down by law;

- generate the resources needed to promote the economie, social, health, · educational, cultural and sports development in the ir a reas of jurisdiction.

(2) The resources referred to in sub-section (1) abové shall be freely managed · by regional and local authorities under the conditions laid down by law. ·

Section 12: The resources necessary for the exercise of thé powers devolved to local authorities shall be allocated to them either by transfer of taxes or grants, or both. ·

CHAPTER Ill LIABIÜTY OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES

Section 13: ( 1) Local auth6rities shall be solely lia ble for the timeliness of the ir decisions, in compli~:mce with laws and regulations. · · ·

. (2) Heads of executives of local authorities shall represent them in civil life and . in court.

(3) Heads of . executives may take or initiate · safeguard or interim revocation measures.

Section 14: (1) The deliberative organ of the local . authority shall decide on which matters to refer to or defend in court on behalf of the local authority. ·

(2) However, at the beginning of the financial year, it may authorize the head ·of the executive to defend the interests of the local authority concerned in ali matters.

Section 15: The liélbility of regions . or councils shall be waived where the representative of the State replaces the head of the regional or council executive

·. under conditions laid down by law. . . · .

Section 16: (1) Local authorities shall exercise their powers within the bounds of national defence interests.

(2) The exercise of the powers provided for by this law shall not bar State authorities · froni · takirig, in regional · and Jocal authorities, thé ir public establishments and enterprises or groups, measures necessary for such State authorities to perform their duties in matters of security, civil or military defence, in accordance with the lawsand regulations in force. --· -~~:::-::-::'~mmÜBÜôüË--=]

PRESIDENCE DE LA REPUBLIQUtuE~----... PRESIDENCY OFTHE REP

. . SECRETARIAT GIF ET REGLEMEI!LiAI SERVICE OU fiCHIER L~RY AFFAIRS CARD INDEX SE CE lEGISLATIVE AND lE CERTIFIEE CONFORME .

CERTIFIED TRUE COPY . ·

. . -------- --F .. •• . =-------

4

PARTit , ~==:;;z!::::.::z=:~fQ!ïtt]~ON OF POWERS TO LOCAL AUTHORITIES

CHAPTERI PRINCIPLE OF DEVOLUTION OF POWERS

Section 17: The State shall devolve to local authorities the powers necessary for their economie, social, health, educational, cultural and sports development.

Section 18:(1) Local authorities shaH exclusively.exercise the powers devolved by ·the State. · · ·

(2} However, notwithstanding sub-section (1) above, the State may exercise the powers so devolved: · . . .

(a) where the Government intends to intervene on an ad hoc basis to ensure the . batanced development ofthe territory orto address an emergency situation;

(b) in the event of a fa il ure duly established by order of the minister in charge of · local authorities, as reported by: ·

- the minister concerned by the pqwer devolved;

- . the deliberative .organ of the local authority by a two-thirds majority of its membeœ. · · · · ·

. (~) The conditions for the implementation of this .section ~hall .be laid down by decree of the Prime Minister. ·

Section '19: The devolution and sharing of powers between local authorities shall distinguish between the powers devolving upon regions and those devolving upon cciuncils. . · · ·

. ·_ . .. · ·_ . . •' .. . . .. · . · : ._- . . - : Sec·tion 20: (1) The devolution and sharii1g of powers provided for in Section · 19 ab.ove shall be consistent with the principles of subsid1ar1ty and complernentarity,

. . .

{2) The devolution of powers provided for under this law may not authorize a local . authority tb establish ·or exercise supervis~ry powers over another.

· Section 21: The devolution of powers to a local aUthority shall be accompanied by the transfer, by the State to ·the local authority, · of the resources and · means necessary for the effective exercise ofsuch po_wers.

CHAPTER Il . . . · HUMAN AND MATERIAL RESOURCES INHERENT IN

THE DEVOLUTION OF POWERS .

. . . 1 -- Hu man Resource$ · . Section 22: (1)-Local authorities shall freely recruit and manage the staff needed for the purposes of the ir màndate, in accord ance wi.th the laws and regulations in force.

5

(2) However, State employees may be transferred to, placed on secondment to or at the disposai of local authoritie.s upon the request of the latter, in accord ance

. with the terms and conditions laid dawn byregulation:

(3} The State shall establish a local public service wh ose ru les and regulations shâll be laid dawn bydecree of the President ofthe Republic .

. Section .23: Civil servants or employees of devolved State services who directly or indirectly lend assistance to a local authorlty in the condüct of ~n operation may not, in any mannerwhatsoever, be involved in the oversight of actions related to the sa id operation.

Il- Material Resources Section 24:(1) Devolution of power .shall automatically entail the handover to the

· beneficiary local authority of ali ·. movable and immovable property in use, . at . the dévolution date; for the exercise of su ch power.

(2) Thé property handover provided for in sub-section (1) above shall be duly established by a devolution decree signed bythe Prime Minister.

CHAPTER Ill FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE DEVOLUTIONOF POWERS

1 - Common Decentralization Fund Section 25: (1) A Common Decentralization Fu nd for the partial financing of decentralization is hereby instituted.

. . . . . .

(2) Each year, the Finance Law shall determine the fraction . of State revenue to be aUocated to the Common Decentralizatiori Fund referred to in sub-section (1) - abov~ ·

. . . . . . . . . . .

(3) . The fraction .· referred to .·in sub-section (2) ab ove may ·not be less th an · fifteen p~rcent (15%).

Il ~· Baia nee between Devolved Powers and Resources · ·.Section 26; (1) E.xpenditure corresponding to .the exercise of devolved powers shall

be assessed ptior to devolution of su ch powers: ·

· (2) Any . new expenditure to be borne by · local authorities subsequent to amendments by the State, byregulation, of rules on the exercise ofdevolved powers r:nust be . offset by an equivalent allocation to the Common Decentralization ft,~ nd

· provided for in Section 25 ab ove or by other tax revenue, in accord ance with terms and conditions laid down by law. The abovementioned regülatory instrument shaH so specify. · · · ·

(3) Where a shortage of funds in local authorities may jeopardize the 13xecutiofl of public service missions, the State mÇiy intervene' through special allocations tothe local · authorities concerned.

· Section 27: (1) For each local authority, financial expenses ans1ng from the devolution of powers shall entail an allocation by the State of resources of an amou nt

. at leastequivalent to thesaid expenses.

(2) Resources to be so allocated shall be at least equivalent to the expenditure incurred by the State during the finantial year immediately preceding the date of devolution of power.

PART Ill · MANAGEMENTAND USE OF THE PRIVATË DOMAIN OF THE STATE, THE PUBLIC DOMAIN AND THE NATIONAL DOMAIN BYLOCAL AUTHORITIES

Section 28: (1) The .powers devolved on local · authorities in .matters concerning public land shaH be exerdsed in accordance with the laws in force and which is not répugnant to the provisions of this law.

· (2) Projects or operations initiated by a region or council shall be established in accorèlance with the land laws and regulations in force.

. CHAPTER 1 MANAGEMENT AND USE OF THE PRIVA TE DOMAIN OF THE STATE

· BY LOCALAUTHORITIES .

Section 29:. (1) The State may transfer to local authorities aH or part ofits movable or immovable property within its private domain, or conclude agreements with them relating to the use of suéh cpropêrty. . . .

(2) The St?te may transfer to loçal authorities the · movable · and immovable property referred to in sub~section (1) abovè, at their request, or on the

· initiative ·of the State, in order: to enable them to · carry · out · the ir . missions, host services, or build public amenities .

. . Section 30: The State may, pursuant to the provisions of Section 29 of this law, . facilitate ac-cess bYiocal authorities tofull ownership of ali or part of the movable and immovable property beloriging to its . pdvate domain, or sim ply assign to them the right to usé sorne of its movable and immovable property. · ·

CHAPTER Il MANAGEMENT AN.D USE -OF PUBLICMARITIME DOMAIN AND INLAND

WATERWAYS BY LOCAL AUTHORITIES .

. Section 31: {1) The·councilshaH be bound toseek, by deliberation, ·the authorization · of the · regional executive, to initiate projects of local interest in the public maritime

domain and in land waterways. · · ·

(2) The decisions provided for in sub-s~ction (1) above shall be subject to approval by the r~presentatlve of the State. · ·

any other corporate body shall be subject to authorization by the deliberative organ of the region, on th,e recommendation of the municipal .council where the project is located. · · ·

(2) The authorization provided for in· sub-section (1) above shall be subject to . prior approval by the representative ofthe Stat~ . ..

Section 33: (1) ln zones falling under public maritime domain and .in land waterways wh ose speeial · development plans are approved by · the State, powers shall be ·· devoJved to regions and co un cils for the management of the a reas respectively assigned to them in thé said plans . . · ·

(2) The related royalties shall be pa id tothe regions and councils concerned .

(3) The management decisions issued by the heads of executives of local authorities shall be subject to approval by the competent Representative of the State and shall, upon meeting this requirement, be notified to the deliberative organs for .· information. · ·

. Section 34: Decisions concerning projects or operations initiated by the State in the public maritime domain and . in land waterwàys as part of the exercise of its soverelgnty . or to prol11oté economie and social · development, . or regional

· development shall be ta ken after consulting the regional council, except for purp6ses of nàtional defence or for maintailling_law and arder. ln the latter case~ the State shall

. notify the decision to the deliberative organ of the region for information .

. Section 35: The artificial public .domain shaH be managed exclusively by the State. · However; the State may transfer su ch domain to regions, in accord ance with the . dassificafion procedures laid down by decree of the Prime Minister.

CHAPTERIII MANAGEMENT AND .USË OF THE NATIONAL DOMAIN

Section 36: (1) Projects or · operations initiated by a local authority s.haH be . implemented in accordance. with the land laws and regulations in force.

. .

· · (2) For projects or operation sinitiated by a, · decision of the State on the territory of a council, the opinions of the Regional Council and the MunicipaiCoimcil concerned shaH be sought, save where .national defence or public orderrequirements dictatè otherwise. ·

(3) The decision referred to in sub.:section (2) above shall be notified to the Règionai Council orthe_MunidpalGouncilconcerned for information . .

(4) National domain land may, where necessary,-be registered in the name of the cou neil or region, particularly to serve as a site · for the implementation of collective infrastructure projects.

PART IV ANIZATION AND FUNCTIONlNG OF

LOCAL AUTHORITI.Es··

CHAPTER 1 GENERAL RULES OF ORGANIZATION

Section 37: (1) Local authorities shall have their own services and, as and when necessary, recèive assistance from deconcentrated State services. ·

(2) Local public services of local authorities may be l'un under council supervision, as concessiqns or leases.

Section. 38: Local authorities may setup local public .establishments or enterprises, in accorda nee with the laws in force governing public establishments, enterprises or companies with State participation · and private lélw corporate bodies, which receive financial assistance from public authorities.

CHAPTER Il FUNCTIONING PRINCIPLES

1 - Legality of Actions of Counc.ils anc:t Regions .. Section 39: (1) Local authorities shall carry out the ir missions in accordance with the

· Constitution as weil as laws and regulations in force.

(2) No local authority may deliberate · outside its statutory meetings, or on . matters outside its. jurisdiction or whiëh undermine State security, law and order, national unity or territorial integrity,

. . .(3) \Nhére a local authority acts in violation of the p~ovisions ofsub"'section (1) ab ove, the re solution or decision impugned shall be declared nu li and void by arder ofthere presentative of the State, without prejudice to the penalties provided for by

· the laws .and regulations in force. ·.

(4) The . representative of the State shall thus take appropriate interim measures.

If- Participation of Citizens i~ the Acti~ns of Councils and Regions · Section 40: (1) Any natural or legal persan may propose to th~ council or regional

execUtive any measures aimed at fostering the development and/or improving the . fUnctionJng of the local authority conqerned. ··

. . (2) Any inhabitantortaxpayer ofa local authoritymày, at his expense, request the disclbsure :or .· obtain a complete or partial copy of the reports . of deliberative organs, the budget, draft and an nuai performance reports, · development plans,

· accounts or orders, under the conditions laid dowri by regulation. · · . .

(3) Thedm:;uments referred to in sub:.section(2) above shall also be postèd on the website of the local authority and filed at its heaqqliarters where they may be consultéd.

9

1 - Local Services

1.1- Public management .

Section 42: (1) Public managem~nt shaH consist in the direct management of a · service by a local authority as laiddown by regulation.

. . . . . . . . .

. .

. (2) Loçal public services directly managed by councils shall operate in accordance With.the ordinàry law applicable to State public services.

. . . . . . . . . ·. -~ . . . .

(3) Ho~ever, local authorities may directly manage public serviées where public interest sO requires., . especially where private initiative is lacking or inadequate ~

Section 43: The deliberative organs of local authorities shall draw up the list · and provisions which shall be set out in the by-laws of services which they intend to manage directly as local public interest undertakings. ·

. . ·. · .· . . . · ·. . . . . .

Section 44: (1) Where several .local authorities are involved in the fuhctioning of a service, the local public undertaking may be managed: . .

. . . - . . . .

··. (a) either under the supervision of · on~ regional · or local authority · as a · representative. of the ether regional and local authorities; or

· (b) under the supervision of a group formed by the local authorities involved. . . . . . .

. .. {2) Where th~ . group · is fornied for the sole purpose qf runnirig ·an industrial or commercial undertaking, the local authorities may request that the management of the body so established be merged with that of the local public undertaking. ln such ·· case, the founding instrument of the group shall be amended in compliance with the provisions ,of this law. · ··

Section 45: (1) Services· that may be · directly provided by local authorities may be subject toth,e technicalsupervision of the State. · · · · · ·

. (2) The conditions for the implementatio~ ofsub~section (1) above shall be laid . down by regulation. ·

. 1.2- Delegated management of local services Sëction 46:(1) For a local authority, delegated management shall consist in transferringthe management of a public service to anothet corporate body . .

. . .

·(2) The different types of delegated management are: ·

- ·concession;

10

- leasing;

.,.. public ownership with private management;

- outsourcing;

- mixed enterprise .

. (3) The del.egated ·management systems of regional or cou neil pùblic services · provided for in sub-section (1) above shall bè laid dawn by regulation, subject to the provisions of this law. · ·

Section 47: Under public service concession contracts, local · authorities may not · include any clause that requires the concession holder to bearthe cost of providing

services outside the scope of the concession. · · . . . .

Section 48: Public works contracts concluded by local authorities may ·not include · clauses for the ·leasing ofpublic revenue, · ëxcept for revenuè deiived from the operation of the utility under concéssioh.

.. .

Section 49: Enterprises runnîng public services undér direct council supervision shall be bou nd, in ali matters of management and preliminary works they may carry out on behalf of the conceding party, to respect ali control measures and produce ali supportihg documents iri compliance with the regulations in force.

: A ' ' 0 ,' 0 0 0 0 ' 0

. Section~(); Groups of local authorities may, through a concession, manage services which are ofinterest to each ofthe local authorities concerned. ·

. . . .· . . . .

Section 51: (1) Any local authority that bas conceded or leased a public service or service of public interest may ainehd or terminate the. concession or le.ase contra ct in the event of default by the concession holder due to persistent ëontingent economie or technical reasons th at interrupt thé normal delivery ofthe sa id service.

. .. . .·· .

(Ï) The provisions ·ofthe sub-section ( 1) ab ove shaU apply mutatÏs, mutandis to . the ~oncession holder·or operator. . .

. . .

(3) The local authority concerned must either stop providing the sa id service or reorganize same on sound economie grounds. . .

JI -:-'Local Public Establishments and Public Enterprises a.nd Shareholding in · · .· Public,Semi-publicand Private Entities

. .

Section 52: (1) Local authorities may, by resolution of the ir deliberative organs, either acquire shares or bonds of companies responsible for operating local services, or re ce ive as a royalty contribution or · start .. up shares issuëd by the sa id companies, · upon the prior approval of the State supervisory authority, foJioWing the maximum · participation level set under this law.

. . .

. . · (2) ln slich case, the articles ofassociation of the companies r~ferred to in sub-section (1) above must provide in favour of the local authority concerned:

11

(a) when if is a sti13reholder, the statutory appointment outside the general meeting of one_ or more representatives on the board Of directors; ·

(b} when it is a bond helder, the right to have its interests defended by a special delegate in the company.

.. . .

.. . · (3) Amendments to . the articles of association . of such a company shall be subject to the pri()r approval of the ' represent§itive of the State, when such amendments con cern su ch local authoriti~s.

Section 53: (1) Securities acquired by local authorities at the floating of corporations .• or through shareholding . in State enterprises or private companies shall be issued eithër Tn the form of régistered shares or certifiêates.

· (2) They shaH be acquired on the basis of a resolution of the deliberative organ · of the local authority concerned and . kept by the. treasurer of the sa id authority, even whêri they haye be.en uSed as management COIIéiteral ofthe board of directors.

Section 54: (1) Securities used as collateral by the board of directors shall be nontransferable.

. . . . . . .

. . . . ·

· (2) Securities may only be transferred through. a· resolution approved un der the . same conditions as for their acquisition. · · ·

Seètion 55: (1) ftie local Ci!Jthority shall b~ Hable for élCts carried. out by its representative on the boardofdirectors of a company in which it holds shares,

·. without prejudice to a personalliability daim against the sa id representative.

. (2) The persona! liability claim referred to in sub-section (1) above shall be applicable only in cases of persona! error or gross miscbnduct that undermines the

.interests of the local authority concerned.

.. .Section. 56: Local authorities or groups thereof shall not acquire more. than 33% · · (thirty-three perce'nt) of the share capital of local public establishments and PLJblic enterprises, and other public, semi-:-public and private entities. ·

.· Ill ~ Pro~erty of Local Authorities · . . . ·. ·.· . . . ·. .

. . .

Section 57: The public · and private propërty of a local èuthority shall comprise ali rnovabl~ and immovablé property acquired either free .of charge on:igainst payinent.

Secti.on 58: The deliberative organ ·Of a local authority shall decide on the management of property and on real estate transactions made by the local authority .·. concerned. . . . . . . . . .

Section · 59: The cost of . real estate acquired by lbcal authoritiés shall be pa id . . · acqordirig to conditions laid dawn by the regulations iri .force for similàr transactions . made• by the State. · · ·· · · · ·

·- . .

Section 60: (1) The sale of property belonging to locai authorities shall he subject to · .the same rules as .for State property.

(2) The proceeds of su ch sale shall be pa id to the local authority's treasurer.

Secti.on 61: (1) Local authorities may hold government stock acquired particularly through the . purchase of seturities, with . capital derived from repayments by individuals, transfers, excnange balances, gifts and legacies. . .

(2) lnvestment in government stock shall be based on a resolution of the local ·· authbrity concerned. ·

·. . : . .

Section 62: (1) . Funds kept by the local authority's treasurer may be used for the purchasê of StOck OJ sharés, ln such ·case, he shall register them and keep the

· . · certificates ~ · . · · · · . .

(2) Registered stock held by local authorities shall b~ considered immovable ~se~. · · · · · · · ·· ·· ·

IV ~ Conttacts Concluded by Local Authorities . . . . ·. , . . . . . -· '. -. .

·Section 63: Membêrs of the executive and the treasurer of a local authority may not, in any form whatsoever, either directly or iridirectly, bidfor or be awarded contracts, under pain ofcancellation ofsuch contracts by the representative of the State.

. . . ·_ : _: .. . . . . .

. ·. SeCtion 64: . Private . law contratts of ·local . authorities shall · be conclùded · in accord ance with ordinary law.

·. . . . .

. ·Section 65:. (1) Where seve rai local authorities jointly hold property or rights, they . shall, through an agreement, subject ta .authorization . by the deliberative organ, set · up a committeecomprising representatives of the deliberative orgahs concerned.

. · (2) Each deliberative organ shaH, by secret ballot, elect from · among its · members the hUmber of representatives fixed by inutual agreement.

. .

. (3) The committee's deliberations shall be consistent with ali rùles governing · . deliberative organs: .· · · · · ·

·Section 66:. (1) The duties of the committee and its chairperson shall be . to admiriister the jointproperty and rights and carry out ali related works. Such duties shall. correspond to those of the deliberative organs of làc(ll authorities and their _ . executives in similafcircumstances. · ·

. . .. (2) Notwithstanding · the provisions of sub~sectiOn (1) -above, the sale; exchange, sharihg, acquilSition: or tram:;actioiis in property shall remain the preserve of deliberative orgaris vvhich may authorize the committèe. chairperson "t6 sign the

· relevant documents.

. . . .

·· Section 67: (1) Resolutions of a local authorityrelating to the acceptance ofgifts and legacies that entail expenses or conditions may be enforced only ùpon the approval ' of the minister in charge of local authorities.

(2) Whatever the amou nt · and nature of the gift . or legacy, where the re are claims by heirs, the aoceptance authorization may be granteci only by order of the minister in charge of local authorities. · ·

. . . . . . . . .

. Section 68: (1}The iegional or local authority executive rhay, as an interim measure, accept the gift or legacy and apply for delivery thereof bèfore the authorization is

. issued: . . · ·

(2) The subsequent resolution of the council shall -take effect from the date of such acceptance. · ·

. . .

(3) The acceptance shaH be made forthwith and, as muchas possible, form part of the gift deed. Failing this, it shall be _made by separatè deed; which shaH equally be authentic, ·and be notified · to the don or in . accord.ance .. with the legal ·

•· provisions ih forqe governing civil and commercial obligations .. . ' . . . . . . . .

Section 69: _· (1) Local authoiities or groupings thereof shall freely accept gifts or legacies made to them without expenses, conditions or real estate entailments .

.. . . (2) ln any case, where gifts and !egacies give rise to daims by familie~. the · authorization to accepfsuch gifts and legacies shall be granted by order; pursuant to the provisions of Section 68 above~ · ·

. . .

Section 70.Where the proceeds of the gift can no longer defray its .expenses, the minister in charge of local aUthorities may, by arder, authorize the .local authority -concerned to assign the proceeds to other uses that comply with the don6r's or legator's purpose. Otherwise, the heirs may redaim the gift. Under no circumstance may the members of the local authority executive acquire the gift. .

. VI- Works Conducted by Local Authorities . . . . . .. · . ·. . ... .. · · . · .. . · .. · . . . . . · . . . .·.. . . : • .

Secti~il 71: Pl~ns and estimates shall be made available to the cou neil or board of . . the local _ authority before any new construction or. reconstruCtion work is executed on .

behalf of the local authority concerned. ·

PARTV .. SUPERVISION AND SUPPORT AND AD\!ICE

.. _ Section 72: (1) The State shall, through its representatives , exercise supervisory . authority over local authorities by controlling legality. .. . . . ..

. (2) The State·shail provide support and advice for the effective exercise of the powers devolved and ensure the balanced development of local authorities on the

14

basis of national solidarity, regional and council potentials and interregion~l and intercouncil balance. ·

CHAPTERI CONTROL OF LEGAUTY

.. . 1 - Control Powers Section 73: (1} Und er the aljthority of the President of ·the Republic, the minister in chargé of local authorities and the representative of the State in the local authority shall exercise State control over local authorities and the ir establishments. · ·

. . . . . . . . : . . . . . . . . .

.. (2) The control pow~rs referred to in sub-section (1}above shali be exercisèd · · to the exclusion of any assessment of timeliness and subject to the cases provided

for in Séction'77below. ·

(3) TheGovernor, appoirited by decree of the President of the Republic, .shall be ·the representative of the State in the region. ln . this capacity, he shall be

. r~sponsib le ··for ·national . interests, administrative control, ensuring compliance with . laws . and reg!JJations, as weil .as maintaining làw and order. He shaH, un der the ···· authority of the Government, supervise . and co-ordinate civil State services in the region.

(4) He shall exercise the supervisory · authority of the State over the region • . . .

(5) The Senior Divisional Officer shall be the representative of the State in the council. ln this capacity, he shaH be responsible for national interests, .ehsuring èompliance with laws and regulations, as weil as maintainirig. law and arder. .

. . (6) As represemtatives of the President of the Republic, the Government and each ofthe miriisters; the Governor and the Senior Divisional Officer shaH be the only authoritiés empowered to speak on behalf of thé State before the deliberative organs of local authorities, council unions and rnanagementbodies ofestablishmemts .of local authorities. · · · · ·

. . . .. ·. .. _ . _Il -Control Mechanisrn .. Section 74: (1) The . decisions of local authorities shan be forwarded to the ·representative of the State in the said local authority, by registered letter or delivery at the compétent servi·ce, against an acknowledgement of receipt.

(2} . Electronic transmission of documents by local authorities to thé representative of the State shall be admitted wnder the conditions laid dawn by the

• lawsand regulations inforcR · ·· ·

.. (3) Evidence ofreceipt of documènts by the reprèsentative of the State. above . may be prod.uced in anyform. · ·

{4)The documents referred to in sub.:section (1) above shall be fully binding . within 15 (fifteen) days from flie day of receipt and upon publication and notification to the persans concerned . The representative of the State may shorten this time limit. · ·

~~~~~~~~

. 15

· · (5) Notwithstanding the prov1s1ons of sub,.sections (1) arid (2), the · representative of. the State may, within 15 (fifteen) days from the date of receipt,

request a second reading of the said decision. Such request shall defer the .enforcement of the document and statutory deadlines applicable in case of litigation, in accordance with the laws in force.

. . . .

Section 75: (1)Statutory and individual decisions taken by the head ofthe executive of . a. local authority iri the exèrcise of his . supervisory powers and routine management duties shall · become automatically binding · upon · publication or notification to the persans concerned.

. .. . (2) Suèh decisions shall be forwarded to the representative of the State and to · the local official of the ministry in charge of locai authorlties within 15 (fifteen) days.

· ·· . Secti~n 76.: (1} Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 74 and 75 above, · ali deCisions taken ·in ·the follqwing ~reas shall be SLJbject to prior approval by the represEmtative of the .State-and foiWàrded tothe local official ofttie miriistry in ch.arge of local authbrities: · · .· · · ·

. .

budgets, accounts.and special expenditure authorizations:

... · ·_loans <.md loan guarantees;

· - international cooperation agreements; ·

land matters;

.· de légation of ·.public service beyqnd . the ·· current term of office of the deliberative organ of the local authority;

- . agr-eements on the execution and control of public contracts, subject to the · · relevantliniits provided for by the regulations in force; and · ·

.. recruitment of staff in accorda nee with the _conditions laid dowri by regùlatio~.

. . {2) Council and re~ional developmentplans as weH as territorial development · plans shall be drawn up as much as possible in keèping With nationaldevelopment ·.· plan$. Cohsequently, the related resolutions shall be .submitted to the representative ·. · of the State for approval. · · ·

. . . . .· . . . . . ·.· . . .

(3) Resolution~ and d~ci~ioris takén in pursuance of sub-section (1) abo've .· shall be forwarded to the representative ofthe Statè, according to the procedure set

· . •· out in .section 7 4. above. The approval of the representative · of the State shaH be deemed granted, where such approval is not notified to thè local authority concerned . within a maximum period of 30 (thirty) days from the date of acknowledgement of ·· receipt, by any medium. · · · · ·

. . . . . . . .

(4) The time limit provided fori~ sub-:-section (~) above may bereduced by the representative of the State, at the request of the chief of the executive of the local authority: Such reqwest shall stay the enforcement of the resolution as weil as the · calcùlation of the deadfinés applicable in case of litigation; in accordance with thé laws in force.

--~~~~~~--~

. . --------~---------------~~- .

. III~Effects of Control . Section 77: (1 ). The representative of the State shall, in writing, inform the. chief of

. the council or regional executive of any illegaliti.es noted in any document submitted to him. · · ·

(2) The representative of the State shall refer to the appropriate administrative court, ali documents provided for in Sections · 75 and 76 above th at he considers illegal; :within no more th an · (1) one month with effect from the date of the ir receipt.

(3) The administrative court to which the matter is referred shall be bou nd to .. deliver its decision within no more th an one month. ·

.· . : . .·.. ... . . : .

(4) Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-section (2) above, the representative of the Statè . may -cancel decisions iss~,Jed by . local authorities ·that are grossly unlawful, hotably in cases of expropriation ·or trespass, and the . local auth6rity

. • cohcernedshall have the rightto refer the matter to the competent administrative court. · ·· · · ·

. . ~

Séction 78: (1}' The representative of the State m~y attach a request for stay of execution to. his appeal. Such reque.~t shall be granted where one of the grounds raised is de.emed given the state of proceedings, to be serious and warrants the quashing of the impugned instrument. · · ·

. . ·. . . . . . . .. · . . . .

(2) Where the contentious instrument is likely to undermine the exercise of a . public or individual freedorn, the president of the administrative court : to which the

J'natter is referred oro ne of its members qelegated for thal purpose, shall order a stay .. of ex.ecution wîthin no more th an 48 (forty-:eight) hours. . . . . . .

. . . .. . . .

.(3) The administrative court may, on its own motion, order,i stay of execUtion ofanY public contracfreferred to itby the représentative of the State for quashing. ··

.. Section 79: · (1) The chief of ~ council or regional executive may, on grounds of abuse of power, challenge . before the competent administrative court the approval

.deniai decision_ of the representative of the .State; in accordance with the proçedure provided for oythe ·1aws in force .. ·. ··

. . . . . . .

.. .· (2) Cancellation of thé approval deniai decision by the aqministrative court · seized shall be tantarnount to approval once the court decision is served on the local authority. · · · · ·

Section 80: Any natural persan or corporate body with an interest may challenge, . before the competent administrative court; the instrument referred to in Sections 74,

75 and 76 above; in accôrdance .with the procedure laid dawn by t~~ law on litigation~ .. ·· from thè date on which the cbnte'ntious instrument became enforêeable.

~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Section 81 : ( 1) ·Any enforceable decision of a general scope · i.ssued by a local · · authority as weil as any petition by thé representative of the State against su ch ·.·decision involving a stay of execution , shall be given wide .publicity, in partlcular by posting it up at the $eat of the local authority and the services of the administrative

unit concerned . . . -----=":":· ~';7.";";M~iTPiiiiiïii5"üf---, PRESIDENCE OEtA REPUBLIQUE

PRESIOENCY OF GENERA L SE 1ER LEGISLATI FT1' RE ENTAI RE

SERVICE ·o-STATUTORY AFFA IRS CA INDEX SERVICE

l COPIE CERTIFIEE CONFO ME CERTIFIED TRUE CO y

.17 .

(2) The procedure provided for in sub-section (1) above shall be by · notification, where it involves an individual instrument ·

. . Section 82: Any request for annulment ofan instrument issuec:f by a local authority, submitted to the· representative. of the State by ariy intèrested persan prior to the date

· when su ch instrument becomes enforceable; shall . have . no effect on· the litigation procédure; , ·

Section 83: (1) Upon request: (a) the cciuncil or regional executive head shall re ce ive from the representative of · the State ali information required for the performance of his duties;

(b) the representative. of the State shall receive from the coLmcil or regional executive head ali information required for the performance of his. duties~

. (2) The council or regional executive head $hall inform the deliberative organ of the content of ariy correspondence th at the ·representative of the Sta.te may address toit. , · .· ·

.· cHAPTER Il SUPPORT AND ADVICE

.. . Section 84: (1) The State and its agencies shall provide advice and support to local .· . . . . authorities. . . . . ' . . .

. . (2} The support and · advice shall consist in offering advice, op1mons, sUggestions and information to locaJ authorities in the exercise of the ir powers. · ·

Section 85: The authorities responsibie for providing State advice and support shall ·ens ure the . regular . functioning and . balanced development of local authorities and

· • their establishments, as weil as the efficiency, sound administration; management and quality ofJocal services. · · · · ·

. . . .

section 86: (1) Âdvice ·and support shall be provided at the request otthe locar authority or inltiated by the authorities referrêd to in Section 7 4 above. · . . : . . '

· (2) The opinions, advice and suggestions provided in this context shall be advisory in nature.

.. PARTVI MONITORING BODIES

Section87:A National Pecentralization Board shail be setup. lt shall be respcinsible · forthe monitoring a11d evaluation ofthe implementation otdecentralization~

. . . ·' . .

·.Section 88: An lnter-:-Min.isterial Committee on Local Services shall .be set up. ·1t shall . be responsible for preparing and monitoring the devolution of powers and res6urces to local authoi'ities: · · · · · · · · ·

. . . .

Section 89:The organization and functioning of the monitoring bodies provided for iri Section~ · 87 and 88 ab ove shall be laid dowri by decree of the President of the Republic ..

·Section 90: A N;:1tional Comtnittee on Local Finance responsible especially for the optimum mobilization of revenue · of local aùthorities as weil as for the sound management of local funds shall be set up.

Section 91: . An lnter~Ministerial Committee on Decentralized Coop~ration shall be _ set up to monitor and evaluate decentralized cooperation.

Section 92: Theorganization andfunctioning ofthe monitoring bodies provided for in · .· Sections 90 and 91 above shaH be laid down by decree of the Prime. Minister.

. . . . . . .

. Section 93: Parliamentariàns shall take ·part in the proceedings of the · monitoring bodies providéd tarin Sections 87, 88, 90 an.d 91 above, under the conditions laid down by regulation. · · ·· .. · ·

PART VIl DECENTRALIZED COOPERATION, GROUPINGS AND PARTNERSHIPS

·CHAPTER 1 DECENTRALIZED COOPERATION ..

. Section 94: (1) Decentralized cooperatio!J shaH mean any partnership between two or more iocal authorities or their groupings established forthe .purpose ofachieving common objectives. · ·

. (2) lt may be carried out between Cameroonian local authorities or between the latter and foreign local authorities, \.Jnder the terms and conditions laid . dawn by .

. the _laws ~nd regùlations in force and hi accordahce with the international · commitmentsof the State. · - · · · · ·

' . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) lt shall -be in the form of ·. an agreement freely concluded betw.eên .·local authorities .or the ir groupings.

(4) Decentralized cooperation shall not apply lo partnership contracts or solidarity relationships .established by local authorities within the frameWork of coundl-.. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

umons~ . _ . . _ . . _ .. . . . . . -. . .. · Section 95: • Local authorities ·.may jo in cities or regions twinnirig internationaL organizations or other international organizations of cities or regions. .

Section 96: The terms and conditions of decentralized cooperation shall be laid down by decree of the Prime Minister.

19

. . . . .

.. .

Section 97:(1) For the achievement of objectives or implememtation of public interest projects, local authorities · may; . as and· when necessary, enter into contractual e1rrangements with:

.the State;

on~ or more public law corponite bodies set up either under State control or with State-participation; · · · ·.

- one or more corporate bodies governed by private law;

- one or more civil society organizations.

(2) ln the PE3rformance of the ir duties, local authorities may form or jo in va rio us groupings to -exercise common interest powers, by setting up public cooperation bodies through agreements, in accor'darice with the l~ws applicable in each. case.

· Section 98: (1) Local authorities may freely maintain operational and cooperation ties between them in accordance with the laws and regulatiOns in force. To that end ,

. they may form groupings to exercise joint interest powers by setting up. public · cooperation bodiesthrough agreements. • ·

· (2) Where a grouping of local authorities jointly exercises powers over an a rea that is subject to · devolution, ~ such devolution shal[ benefit the entire. grouping

. concerned, on the strength of a decisi.on by the deliberative organ of each iocal authority ·concerned. ln such case, the local authorities concerned · shall establish, ·

· among themselves, agreements by which each authority undertakes to place its . services or resources at the disposai · o.f the other authority, with a view to facilitating · . the ëxercise of suchpowers by the beneficiary local authority.

. . CHAPTER Ill INTER-REGIONAL SOLIDARITY

Section 99: (1) Two or more regions may, on the initiative of their respective presidents, .reaèh an understandirig between themselves on matters of comnion

' . . regional interest included in their missions .. ·.

(2) The understanding shall be the subject of agreements authorized-by the respective boards, signed bytheir presidents; and approved by order of the minister in chargé o(locâl .authorities. · ·

·· (3) Matters of common interest shaH be examined in meetings where. each · region is represented by a special committee set up for this purpose comprising three ·. member~ elected by secret ballot. . . .

. (4) The specié;il êomrnittees shall constitute an · administrative committee in .. charge ofmanaging the understandinQ.

20

5) The repr sentative of the State in each of the regions concerned may attend or be represented at the meetingsreferréd to in sub-se.ction (3) above.

(6) The décisions adopted therein shall come into force only after adoption by ali the regional cou ri cils concerned, in accordarice with the.provisions ofthis law.

. .

SecUon 100: Where matters other than those.provided for in Section 278 of this law · are under discussion, the representative of the State in the region where the meeting is taking place shall cancel the meeting. · ·

Section 101: Mixed groupings may be formed by agreement between regions and the State, with public establishments, or with councils for the execution of works or delivery of a service of interest to each of the parties. .

Seêtion 102: (1) The mixed grouping shan be à corporate body governédby public' law. lt shall be authorized and dis~olved by decre.e of the President of the Repùblit.

· (2) The dééree authorizing the · grouping · shall approve its operational . procedures and set conditions .for the conduct of administrative, finaricial or techriical ··. inspections . .

. . . . . . . . . .

(3) The laws arid regulations governing public est~blishments. shall apply to >mixed groupings. · · · · ·

Section 103: (1) The mixed grouping may achieve its purposeparticularly through direct operation or by simple finaneial pi3rticipation in · companies or bodies with majority public shareholding uriderthe sa me conditions as regions.

· (2) The . terms and conditions of ·suèh participation .shall be defined in the · .constitutive instruments.

· .. ·· CHAPTER IV COUNCIL UNIONS .

.. 1 - Status ofCouncil Unions

Section 104: (1) Councils withih the sàme .division or region may, by a decision ofat !east a twothirds (2/3)rnajority ofmembers ofeach municipal coi.mcil ,. forma union

.. for the purpose of implementing operations of inter ~coljncil interest.

. · (2) Thecoun~H union shallbe formed by an agreement signed bythe mayors of the councils concerned. The sa id agreement shall set out the terms and conditions

. for thé functioning and management of the union, as'provided for iri this law. . . . ·. . . . .

Section 105:. (1) The cou neil union shall be an inter-coUncil public establishment with · legal personality and . administrative and finàncial autonomy. · ··

(2) lt sh~llremain subject to the provisions of this' law. ·

21

..

. . . .

Il - Organization and Functioning of the Cou neil ·Union

Section 1.06: (1) Gouncil union organs shall be:

- the council union board;

th~ council union chairperson.

(2) 'Th.e union board provided for in sub-section (1) above shaH comprise mayors, each assisted by 2 (two) councillors designatedin each member counciL

. . . . . . . . : . . :. . . :_ .

· •·· · (3} lt shall be headed . by a chairperson elected from among ,the members of · the Ul)iOn board fora one-year renewable term .

. · . . . . .

. . . ( 4) The t€:}rm of office of mernbers of the union board shall be governed by the legal system of the municipal council to whjch they belong. Jn the event ota vaèàncy or resigl]ation, rnembers shaH be replaced in accord ance with the ru les applicable to sub-divisional council representatives on the city co un cil board~ ·

. Section 107: (1) The chairperso~ shall notify council ùnion minutes and decisions to .· .. th~ mayors of unionized councils. ·. · · ·· · · ·

. (2) Mayors shall notifythe minutes and decisions referred to in sub~section (1)

.· above to their municipéll ·councils during the next session. · · · . - . . . . . . .

Section 108: The union board shall examine matters within its competence, in particular:

. . . .

. ttie ünion's budget; · · · · ·

the uhion's administrative and management accounts;

. the acquisition; dis'posal and exchange of the union'~ property';

., the union's action programmes;

requests for interyention by unionized councils;

.. membership of new coùncils; ..

the • management · of a public enterprise b r . an inter-council public . establishment. .

. . . . .

Section 109: Thé chairperson shall répresent the union in' civil matters and in court. As àu_ch, he shall: · . . . · .

· be answerable to the union board;

implementthe resolutions and c:Jecisions of the unioh board; .

..; b~ the expenditure authorizing officer and order the execution of the un.ion's reverlUe;

propose the union's org~nization chart and action plan;

22

prepare and present the aècounts of the union;

- . conclude contracts in accorda nee with the instruments in force ;. . .

- take out leases, contract loans and perform acts relating to the acquisition, sale, transaction, èxchange, sharing or acceptance of gifts and legaciés, wittiin

. the fmms laid dqwn by regulation . .

Section 110: . The budgE3t of the union shaH be prepàred,. voted, executed and . audited .in accord ance with thè provisions ofthe establishment agreement.

Section 111: The budget of the. union shall be drawn up and executed in accord.ance . with the procedures · laid dawn by the finan.cial regime · of regional and local authorities. · · .

. .

Section 1 12: (1) Membership of a council ·in an existiilg · council union shall be · . subject to the prior approval of thE? council union board. ·

. (2) The chairperson shall notify the mayors of unionized councils of the . · . decision of the uriion board to adrnit a nëw council. ·

. . . . . . . . . ' .

. · Section 113: A council may withdraw from the u11ion upon obtaining the consent of the board, in a6cordànce with the terms and conditions set out in the cqm;titutive

.•.. agreement; . . . ' . . .

: · ..

Section 114: (1)The council union shall be dissolved:

. 9s of right upon expiry ofits duration orupon complétion of the · operation for .· which it was established; ·· · ·

by decisiqn ofthe municipal councils concerned adopted by atleast (2/3)twothirds majority ofthe mèrl1bers of each municipal qounciJ, in accordance with ordina,Y law ru les. · ·· · · · ·

(2) The dissolution instrument shall determine, subject to the rights of third parties: the conditions urider which the union shali be placed under liquidation.

23

. PRESIDENCE DE LA REPUB LI QUE PRESIOENCV OF THE REPUBLIC

. SECRETARIAT GENERAl · SERVICE OU FICHIER LEGISLATIF ET REGLE LEGISLATIVE AND STATUTORY AFFAIRS CARO

COPIE CERTIFIEE CONf E CERTIFIED TRU OPV

. _;

Section 115: For the purposes of this law, "a local elected · official" shall be any personholding an elective office in a local authority su ch as:

municipal councillor;

regional councillor;

city coUiïcillor;

.,. . union board member;

member of local . authority ·bodies representing . traditiorial rulers and ·. designated ex officiO.

·. . · PARTI .·. · · . .. ·· STATUS AND ATTRIBUTESOF A LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIAL

CHAPTER 1. STATU$ OF A LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIAL .

Section 11 G: (1) The status of a local elected official shall be ·acquired ·and lost in accordailcewith the laws and regulations governing the office concerned .

. . . · . . . . . . . .

·. {2) The status of member of the local authority executive shall be established by order of the minister in charge of local authorities. . . . .

Section 117: (1) The status of alocal elected official shall entitle the elected persan t6 a local elected official's ca rd .. · .· ·

. .. . .. : . .

(2) The issuing conditions and characteristics of the card referred to sub. section (1} above shall be laid dawn by arder of the mînister in charge of local

authorities. · ·

.·. S~ction 118: ln addition to the local elected official's càrd referred to in Section 117 above, members of the executive of local authorities may be issüed a service

. passport, underthe conditions làicj downby.regulations .in force.

CHAPTER Il ATTRIBUTES OF A LOCAL ËLECTED OFFICiAL

. · . . .

Section 119: (1) During official cer~monies and in the solemn discharge othis duties · within the terrïtory of his local authority,· the local elected official shaH wear protocol attriblltes and insignia. ·· · · ·

(2) lt shall be mandatory for the local elected official to wec:~r attributes and · insignia dyring: ·

24

.· ..

sessions of the. deliberative organ; . . . . .. . .

. . ali other meetings ancfpublic events . .

. (4) Du ring official . ceremonies attended by thè President of the Republic and · Parliaméntarians aswell as in the solemn discharge oftheir duties, members of the executive of. local authorities shaH wecu, a round the waist, a sash in the national colours with gold tasse! fringes for the chief executive and silver tasse! fringes for the ether members of the executive. . .

·(5)However, when chairing a council board, a marriage celebration or signing · an agreement, members of the cm,mcil executive may wear, a cros~ the shoulder, a

sash în · the national cplours with gold tassel fringes for mayors and silver tasse! fringes for deputy mayors. · ·

. .

. (6) The insignia and sash in the natiqnal colours mentioned àbove may not be w6rn together with the symbols of a political party, an association or a religious organizaticm. .· · ·

·section 120: (1) Members of the executive of a local authority .shall visibly display ~n ·. their service vehicle a cockade that enables them to be identified at any time of the day or night. . · · ·· ·

.. . . . · {2) The features of the cockade .shaH be determined by deèree of the . President ofthe Republic. . ···

. . .

· · Section.121: The cost· of the .insignia and ~ash in the national colours, the cockade .. and the Jocàl elected Official's card mentionedaboVè .shall be charged to the budget

· of the local authority. · ·· · · · ·

. · PART Il RIGHTS OF i..OCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS .·

. · . · · CHAPTER 1 . · . . · RIGHTS OF ALL LOCALELECTEDOFFICIALS ·.

Section 122: ln the discharge of his duties, the local .elected officiàl shaH enjoy the ·. following rights: · ·

- right t6 P?rticipation;

25

- right to a session allowance;

right to training and information; . . . . . · .. · ·' . ,'

right ta health; .

- right to protection;

- · right to means of transport and travel;

- right to a funeral.

1 - Right to Participation

·. Section 123: Local elected officiais shall attend meetings, events and consu~tations · .. organize~ in the local authority or in connection therewith. · · · ·

Article 124:(1)A local elected official not holding an executive position in the local authority Shall ênjoy the . right, with · regard to . his employer; . to participate in the sessions and activities of the localauthority. . . . .

· .. (2) Whére the ernploye'r is ihformed; in writing, · at ieasfthrée days prior to thé date ofthe se.ssion or activity, such ernployèr shall be bound to adjust the lo~:;al elected official's work schedule or give him enoughtimeto participate 'especially.iri:·

. . . .

- sessions of the deliberÇttive organ; . . . .

meetings of ~~mmittees setup by the deliberative ·organ; . ~ . . . .

meetings of the deliberative assemblies and the bu rea us of bodies, and in ·. othefmeetingsafwhich the elected official sits iri forthe local authority .. · ·

(3) The abSence of à local elected official from his place of work as a result of his participation . in the sessions of the deliberative organ may not lead to a

· dowrigrade in categwy . or ~alary scale, disciplinary action or 'termination· of the enipl6yment contract, under pain ofpayment of damages to the local elected offiëiaL '

. (4) The Jocal elected official wjshing to suspend his employmentcontract to fully deVote himself to the discharge of his duties must inform -his employer by .·· registered letter with acktmwledg111ent of receipt. ·

. .

· (5) Thè · agreemént reached shall grant the persan requesting it a mere . suspensio11 of the affects of his employmént contra ct until the expiry of his. term of

office. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . · (6}At the expiry of his terril of office,· the .loëal elected official w~ose contract was suspended may, if he sowishes, resume his professicinal activity and secure an ' equivalent position withiri two months: · ·

· Il - Right to Sessiori AUowance

Section 125: . Ever)i local elected official .shaH be entitled to a session allowance . dùring the holding of a deliberative organ session or meeting, the amou nt c:>f \Nhich .

· shall be fixedbyregulation. · · ·

-26 . . ·

~====7zé::t::::====~~111". - Right to Training and Information

Section 126: · (1) Local ·elected officiais shall be entitled to training· adaptèd to their ~œ; ·. - .

. . . . .

. (2)Within 3 (three)montHs from its election, the deliberative organ of the local aUthoritY shall adopt àtraining plan for .local elected offiCiais. The plan shalllay down the guidelines, priorities and appropriations opened in this respect.

. . : . . . . . . ·. . .. .·.

. (3) The summary table of training activities for local elected offiCiais financed · · · · . by the council or région shall be attached to the administrative aCcount. ·

(4) Training shall be mandatorily organized within the first 6. (six) months of the term of office for rhembers of the executive ahd · chairpersons ·Of. the . committees of

· the deliberative organ. · · · · ·· · · ·

. · .·. (o) An employee local elected official placed ori training by his local authority ··.must submit a written request to his employer at least 10 (ten) days prior to the starf · ofthe training. · · ··

. . . . . ~ . . . . . . . . . . . .

.· ·. ·. Section 127: A local elected offiCial shaH be entitled .to information on ali màtters of · ·· ·the· local.authority. The representative of the State and officiais of devolved State ··

servicés shall be bou nd to èommunicate to the local elected offiCial, at his reqUest, any complete or partial infoimation and ali documents of use fqr the management of th(3 local authority. · ·· ·

· IV - Right to Health

.· ·. Section 128: The local authority maytake out an insuranëe policy to covercasesof . · accident and ill ness invciiVing a localeleded official in the performance ~of his· dufies; . · ·

V- Right to Protection

· ... Sectic>n 129: (1) The local elected official shall be protected in accordance with the . crlmiriallaw in . force and speciallaws against threats; conteillpt violenèe, insults or defamation committed against hlm in the exercise or becauseOf his duties .

. . · (2) The local authority shall, in , conjUncti6n with the ,relevant · State services, .. . provide such protection and repair, ·as appropriat~. the damage resultirig from such

acts as mentioned above. · · · .· . . . . .' · . . . . . . .. · ..

. . (3)The protection referred to sub-section 2 above shaH extend to thé spouses, children and direct ascendants of .chief executives· or their alternates who die in the discharge oftheir duties because ofthe ads that càused death or for acts committed befbre ôeath, but related to the duties that the local elected official performed.

{4) Without prejudice tothe provisions qf sub-:section 1 above, contempt and insult against the chief e)(ecutive of the local authority or the presidentpro tem of the

27

. · ..

deliberative organ's sessions shall be punishable with th~ : penalties provided for by . criminallaw. The local authority shall th en be subrogated to the rights of the victim in arder to obte3in repayment, by the perpetratms of these offences, of the sUms pa id ta

· the local el.ectecf Officiais concerned. ltshall, fotthe same purposes, be entitl~d to direct action that ifmay brihg before the criminal court, where necessary, by way of .

-ciVil sUit. ·

VI - Right to Means of Transport and .Travel .

Section 130: (1) A local elected Official who, for the purposes of his office or in the discharge of his duties, travels outside his local authority or abroad, shall be deemed to be on official missiçm. . .

. · .. · . . .

. (2) The chiefexeci.Jti~e ofthe local authority shallplace himself on mission. ·He shaU place the other local elected officiais on mission. He shall, in advance ther~of, informthe following persans accordingly: · · · ·

. . .

. the RegionaiGovernor, for eleçtéd officiais of the regi~m; the .Senior Division al Officer, for elected. Officiais of tlie councH; · ..

- ·.the Divisional Officer, for elected officiais of the council in case qf emergency.

Section 131 : Jhe conditions for app!ying the provisions of Section 130 above shall · . be laid down by regulation. · · · · ·

.. _.· :· . . " . . . . ·. ·· .. ·

VIl - Right to a Funéral

.. Seetion ·132: (1) 1~ the event of death du ring his term of office, the local elected : official shall be entitled to a funeral organized by the local authority to which he is

attached. Su ch fight shall cover the provision of a coffin; transport ofthe remains and the family and participation in fu fierai expEmses, und er the conditions laid dawn by the ·déliberé;itive organ .

. (2) The deceased local elected official may ·also 'be entilled to posthumous .. hohorific decoratiOn. · · ·· · · · ·

CHAPTER 11 . . · · SPECIAL RIGHTS

1- SpeCial Rights for Elected Members of Executives

.·· Section 133: ln th~discharge of hisduties, the lociaLèieded official who is merriber . of the executive of a local authority shaU enjoy the following i"ights: . .

~ . : : . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . ~ .

.:. right to remuneratibnand allowance~ ;--~~~:r7r;EU0Wniii~~~?l - right to housing; .

.;; rightto leave;

-.right to means oftr~nsport;

- right to pensi.on . .

28

- t to Remuneration and Allowances . ' . . . . . .

. . . : . .

Section 134: (1) Members of the executive of a local authority shall be entitled to a monthly remuneration, a · quty allowance and an entertainment allowance, the paymemt t€ml1s and conditions ofwhich shaH be la, id down byregulation.

(2) The amounts of the allowances due to membérs of the executive of a local authority, borne by the budget ofthe local authority concerned, . shall be fixed by .· resolution approved by the minister in charge of regional or local authorities.

1.2 - Right to Housing · .

. . Section 135.: (t) The chief executive ·of a· local authority.shall bé entitledto ·an offiCi~l residence, which shall be the property ofthe local.àuthority; ·

· (2) The. official residence of the chief executive shall be located in the chief town of the local authority. · · ·

. ·- ... · . .. . ·.. .. . · .

. . · (3) lnthe àbsE:mce of such officialresidence, the lo'cal authority may lease one whose cost shall be determined by resolution. ·

. . . . . . . . . . : .

(4) Wher~ the chief executive ofthe local authority lives in his own house, he may be granted a yearly màintênance allowance by resolution. . .

(5) The amount ofthe maintenance cast~ referred to in sub~section (4) above may not exceed the entertainment auowance calqulated over a period of equal . du ration~ ·. ·

· .· {6) Thé resolutions referred to in sub-sections (3) and (4) ·above shall be .·. ~ubjectto approyal by the minister in charge of local aufhorities. · · ·. · ·

.·· . ·. . . . . . . . :

. Section 136: The rightto housing enjoyed by the chief executive shallentail charging electricity, water and telephone consumption, as weil as .expenses for domestic and

· security · services, to the ·local authority's · budget within the limits set by applicable regulations. · · · · · · · ·

' :- : . . .

.. ·. . . · . . . 1.3- Rightto Leave .. .. . . ·. .· . . . . Se~tion 137: (1)Members ofthé executives of-local authorities shall be entitled, after ·. twelve (12) monthsof effectiveservice, to annual leave of -30 consecutive days, in

accordance with an ·annual plan submitted to the deliberative organ and the ·r~presentative ofthe State~ . · .

.• (2) A melilber of the executive of a local authority on an nuai leave shall receive his monthly remunèation, but shall not be entitled to any . other allowance for such . leave: · ·· ·

· 1.4 .~ Right .to Means of Transport

Sëction 138: The . chief executive of a local authority shall be entitled to a duty · · .· vehicle wh ose featuresshall be fixed by regul.ation. ·

29

l::::==~~==::%=======• . ..., .......... 1.5 ., Right to Pension Benefits .

Section 139: (1) Members of the executive of a local àuthority shall be eligible for pension ber1efits in case of cessation of duty, under conditions laid ·dawn by the regulations in force. · · · . · · ··

(:2) The above-mentioned pension · benefits shall be . charged to the State budget. . ~ . . . . ' . .

. . . . . . . ~ . .

· Il · Rights of Local Elected Officiais Who Are Members of the Deliberative Organ .. ··· · · · · ·

. Section 140: (1) Mèmbers ofthe deliberative organ of a local authority shal( in the discharge of the ir duti~s, be entitled to: . · · · ·

. - reimbursement of exp en ses incurred in the d ischarge :of the ir d uties;

· ~· ·reimbursement of transport and .. · subsistence expenses incurred du ring . cou neil ·sessions or comnïittee meetings ..

. . . .

. . (2) ln addition toreimbursemenfof travel and subsistence expensés incurred, members of the committees set up within the deliberative organ of a local authority:

.. shan, on thè occasion. of their meeti'ngs, whàtever the du ration thereof, receive an aHowal1ce fixed by deliberation approved . by ·the minJster in charge · of locaL

· authorities . . ·· · · · · ·

.· .m -Rights of Members of Special Delegations

· Section .141: (1)Members ofthe spetialregiona.l or counci.ldelègation· shall perform the full duties eritrus.ted to local elected officiais. · · · ·

. . .. . . . . .

(2}Theysh~ll, .in the .. discharge oftheir duties, receive:

. adaily allowance;

- .· travel allowances fqr the accomplishmentof their missiqn . . · ' .-. .

·. (3) The allowances referred to in sub-sectiori 2 ab ove shall be fixed by . regulation ..

·PARTUI . . . . OBUGATIONS OF LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS

. Section 142: ln .the discharge of thèir duties, the local elected officiàl shall be bound · bythe following ·obligations: ·. · ·

·:- obligatiqn to serve andto devote. himselfto his duties;

- obligation · of reside-ney;

~ obligatiÔn of. selflessness;

30

- obligation of cor1fidentiality and. reserve.

. CHAPTERl .· OBLIGATION TO SERVE- AND BE DEVOTED.TO DUllES

Section 143: (1) The mayor, deputy mayors, the president, the first vice-president, the vice.:.presidents or members of .· the. regional ·· council executive shall . devote thernselves to the full _exercisè of the ir duties.

(2) During their term of office, the remuneration of members of the executive of • . a localauthority may not be combined wîth a civilservant $alary or any other salary · .pa id byapublic or semi-public employer. · · · · · · · · ·

' • . . . . ..

· (3) Ahy, employee of the Stat~ or . a ·. local authority . elected ·mayor or deputy ·. mayor, · president, seriior vice~president, vice~president or member of the regional . co un cil execütive shall, as of. right, be placed on second ment to the local authority during the term of office. . . . . . .

(4) . The erriploymerit ·contract . of a; State employee governed bY the Labour Code or belonging to the private sector; who is elected to the aforementkmed offices,

. shall be suspended for the du ration of the term of officè.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . :

. · (5) The local elected official shali participate diligently in the meetings of the ·deliberative orgàn and the bodies to which he has been assigned-.

· CHAPTER Il · . . OBLIGATION .OFRESIDENCY·

Section .144:· (1) Members ôf the executive of a local authority ·shaH be bound to · reside in the local authority's chief town, · ·

: .. . . · . .

. . ·. (2) The obligation of residency shall mean the obligation to effeètively re.side in the territory of the local authority and the obligation to perform acts relating to the discharge .of dutiés in the services and territory of the local authority. ·

. . .

{3) The apsence of an executive member from the territory of the local aüthority. must be the subject ofprior infOrmation to: · ·

the Governor ofthe Region; for members orthe regional executive;

.. ·the Senior Divisi~nal Officér, for members of the council executive, and, in . case ofemergency, the Divisional Otticer.

. (4) VVhere a member of the executive does . not reside in the territory of his ·· local authority, . the minlster ·in charge of lqcal authorities may, afteran unheeded formai . notice by the representative of the State; suspend the remuneration of su ch member.

. . - . . .

(5) ln case of repéated violation of the obligation of residency, the minister in .··. charge Of ·local _authoritiès shàll suspend ~uch member of the ·executive from his

. duties: After 90 (ninety) days following the suspension, the member of the executive may be dismissed by dècree ·.· resident of the Republic. · · ·

: ' . . · Bl\QUE PRESIOE:g~FL~~E:~EPUBUC=----

. pRES 1 ~icRET~IUAl GENERAl. GlEMENTAIRE SERVICE OU FICHIER LEGISLAfAIRS CARO INDEHE 3l LEGISlATIVE AND STATU Tif lEE CONFORME

. ERTifiED TtWE cOPV . _;.. _____ _

... '·

... ·

CHAPTERIIl OBl.IGATION .OF SELFLESSNESS ·

. . . - . . . . . . . . . . . . : . . . .

Secticm 145: (1) ln the discharge of hisduties, the local elected official shall pursue the general interest, to the exclusion of any direct or indirect persona! interest, or any

·. particular interest.

. (2) The loca.l electëd official shall perform . his c:h..ities with impartiality, objectivîty; diligence, dignity, prcibity, loyalty and integrity. As such, it shall . be

. forbioderi for him, his spou se and his rightful claimants to · supply goods or provide .services, againstremuneration, to the local authority for which he works.

. . . . : . . . . . . . . . . . .

.·. ~ (3) The local elected official shaU avoid or immediately put an end to any conflict pf interests. ·Where his per:?onal interests are involved in matters submitted to the deliberative organ of which he is a member, the local elected offiCial shaH make · them known before discussions and voting.. ·

. -~-

.·· · · · · · CHAPTE~N . . . OBLIGATIONS· ÔF CONFIDËNTIALITY AND RESERVË .

Sêcfion 146: . (1) The l9cal elected official shall bé bound by the obligations of .confidentiality·and reserve. To this end, he stiall abstain lroril using; for his persona! · interest or that of his relatives and friends, or disclosing facts· and information to · Which he becarne privy h1 the discharge or in corinedion with the dischàrge of his · duties. · · ·· · · ·

. . . . .

· (2) He must, at ali times, abstain in public from any act or gesture, statemerit or demonstration likely to . discredit national institutions and the local authority of . which he Js an elected official. · ·

. , ·, . . ·

. 32

·· . ...

..... , ·

.. BOOK THREE . LES' APPLICABLE TO C0UNCILS

PARTI GENERAL PROVISIONS

. . .

Section 147: The council shall be the basic local authority. lts overallobjective shall be to ens ure Jocâl development and improve the living environmentand conditions of .

. jts in.habitants. · · · · ·

Section 148: (1) The council shall be created . by decree of the President of the Republicwhi,chshall state its name, territorial jurisdiction and headquarters;

: . . .

(2) ·The President of the Republic may, by decree, as and wh~ri necessary, · .. alter the né3me, geographical boungaries and chief town of the counçiL ··

. (3) He . may also arder the dissolution of a •. coundl by deëreë. The d~cree · . orderingdissbhJtion .shall decide on itsattachment to one or more councns~ · ·

. . . .

Section 149: (1) Instruments to alter the territorial boundaries . of one or more councils shalllay down the terrris and conditions of such amendments, pârticularly those relating tb the devolution of property. ·

. (2) T~e instruments referred to in sub:-section 1 above shall a Iso Jay down the ··conditions foràliocatingthe followingtothe éouncH(s) ofattachmerit, :ortothe State:

land or buildings forming part of the public domain; ·

the private domain;

. donations inade to tt-le dissolved council.

.. Section 150: (1) ln adqitionto its own resources,·the councillllay requestassis.tance · from the State, lts population, civil society organlzatiohs, qther~ local authorities and international partners, in aêcordance with the laws and regulations ihlbrce~ . .

. · (2) Reco,urse to the assistance referred · to in ·. sub-section 1 above .. shall _ be · · decided by deliberation of the relevant cou.ncil board, .. in . light . of the related draft

agr.eement. · ·

. Section .151: {1) The President . _of ·the Republic m.ay, I:>Y ~ecree, decide on the tempor~ry grouping ofsome council, on theproposal ofthe minister in charge of local authorities. · ·· · · ·

. . . . . . .

. · .. (2)Temporary grouping ()tcounqils mayresultfrom:

(a)· a similar draft agreement.adopted by deliberation by each of the council -boardsconcerned. Suchdraft agréement shall enter into force in accordànce with the procedure provided for uridersub-section 1 above; · ·

33

1 1 . . (b) a grouping plan prepared by the minister in charge of local authorities. ln

this case, the draft agreement may, as and when · hecessary, be submitted · to the · council boards concerned for endorsement.

(3) The decree ordering the temporary grouping of councils shalllay downthe terms and conditions thereof. . · · · · · · ·

Section 152: (1) The property of a coüncilattached to another council orto part of a · cou neil raised to a separate council shall become the property . of thé cou neil of attachnient or of the new cou neil. · ·· ·

(2) The de6ree ordering attachment or break~up of councils shaH lay down aU · the ether proçedures, inCIUding the dèvolütion ofproperty. · · ·

. Section 153: ln èàse of attachm~nt or break-up of a couhqil; the décree of the . Preside nf . of the Republic shall . be issuèd after consulting a committee .wh ose .

composition shall be determined by order of the representative of the . State, on the sharing, between the State and the council of attachment, of ali ·the rights and obligations of the council or the part of a council concerned. The committëe shall inciude represëntatives of the deliberàtive or·gans of. the .couhcils conc~rried. ·

Section 154: ln the . event of agroUping of çouncils; the boàrcls and executives of the . ·· counCils concierned shall contim.ie to discharge the ir duties untir expiry oftheir term of office. · · · ·

· Section 155: Sorne urban centres may be granted a special status, in accordance • with the provisions ofthi~ law. · · · · ·

·. PARTII .. . . . . . ERS DEVOLVEDTOCOUNCiLS

CHAPTERI · ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT··

1 -Economie Action . . '. . ·. . . . .

Section 156: Th.efollovving.powersshàll be d~volvedto cour10ils: . . . -. . . .. . ·.. ... '

. promotion of co~ neil agricultural, pastoral, _artisanal and fish fârming activities;

developinent and management of counci[ tou rist sites;

. construction, equipping, management and maintenance of markets, inotor · .. parks and slaughterhoùses; . ·

- · organlzation oflocàltrade fairs;

~upport to inco111e~geherating and job-creatirig micm..,projects;

exploitation of mi~eral substances th at cannet be given o~t as co~cession .

34

'·

. .

Il .;. Environ ment and Management of Natural Resoùrces

.Section 157: The followir)g powers shall .be devolvect to councils:

drinking water supply;. _ .

. cleaning .ofstr-eets, roads and council public areas;

- . industriàl waste man~gementmonitoring and control;-....,....-~~-::-:-;:~:-;:-;;~;-;;-;-nïïï:-~'J . .

reforestation and creation of cou neil wood lands;

the fight against squalor; pollution and nuisances; .

. - .· protection of groundwaterand sUrface water resourcèj-~;,:2!~- -=-=· -=· ·-::-::-::--::-::-::-:.:~r=;:._ =--=-=-=-;•-;:;;--;;;.;;.;;-;.;;;_ -~- ·

preparation-of council emiironmental action plans;

preparation -and impfementati~n of specifie council -pi~HlS f~r rh)k prevention and emergency responsè in the event of disasters; · -

-creation, -maintenance and management of council green spaces, _parks and · · gar<::lens; . · - · ·

. . . . . .

local pre~côllection . and managementofhouseho1d waste . . -

. . . ' .

m~spatial Planning, Regional Development;Town PI~Jining and Housïng -

Section 158: The following ·powërs shaH be devolved upon councils:

,_ creation and devëlopment of Urban spaê~s; · . preparatio-n and implementation. ofcouncil investment plans;

· - . signing, in : conju~cti~n yvith .the State or the region~ of' performance cdntracts for thErachievement of development goals;

preparation of. land u$e plans, town planning, concerted development, land .. consolidation and urban renovation dÔcumEmts; · ·

. . - . organization and management of urban public transport~ . . -. development operations;

_· issu ance of town · plémning certificate.s, land parcelling authorizatidns, location .. permits. and bui1ding and demolition petmits; . . . . .

Ùëation ç:~nd maintenance of cou neil road networks arid execution of _rel~üed . . works;

. . : . . . . . .

· development and servicing of hàbitàble areas;

·public streetlighting;

· addres~ing and naming otstreets, squares-and public buildings;

- creation and maintena11ce ofunclassified ruralrbads and ferries;

- crea-tion of Îndustriar zones;

35

:.__ contribution to th~ electrification of needy a reas;

- authorization for . temporary land occupation à nd various works on public roads:

. Section · 159: Each · councH board shall express its opmton on draft regional de\lelopment master 'pla ris prior · to approval, und er the conditions laid dawn by regulation. · · ·

. CHAPTER Il . . . . . AL TH AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

· vision- Health Po ulation and SociaiAction

·Section 160: Thefollowing powers shaH be devolved to councils: •

a. . Health and population .. · . - civil status reg istrati on; · · . . . · . · · ·... ·. . .· ·.·

' setting up, equipping and managing arid rriaintainJng council health centres, in . keeping with the health map;. . . .

. - . recruiting and managing nursing staff and paramedJcs of integrated health .centres and sub:.divisional health centres; . · . · · .· ..

. providirig assistànce to health. facilitiés and social welfare centres; . . insu ring ·· sanitary • .inspections in establishments ·that manufacture, package,

store and distribute. food products, as w~ll as in plants that treat . sol id and · liqüid wàste prodüced oy individuals or companie~: .. ·.

. .. .

· b. Socialwelfare ·· participating iri the upkeep and management, where necessary, of social

. advanèement and reintegration centres; . creating, maiiitaining and managing public cémeteries; . ..

,_ organizing anq coordinating relief operations for the needy ..

· · . . · CHAPTER Ill · · EOUCATIONAL, SPORTS AND CULTURAL OEVELOPMENT

. . . . . . . . . . .

. 1- Education, Literacy and Vocatiorial Training

·· Section 161: Thefollowing powers shall be devolved to .councils: . · à Education ·. · · ·

·- setting lip, managing, equipping, tending ~nd maintainiilg counc.il nursery and primary 'schools as weil as preschool establishments, . in keépirig with the. school map; . . .

. . . . .

recruiting and ma~agingthe teaching .and support staff of the said schools;

acquisition of ~chool supplies and equipment;

participating in the management and administration of .State and regional . secondary and high sch9ols through dialogue and consultation platforms.

1 • • • • • • • • • • ~

36

b.Literacy

executing plans to eradicate illiteracyj in conjunction with the regional administration; · ·

- . participating in the setting-Lip and management of educatiohal infrastructure and equipmemt.

· C; Technical andvocational training . preparing a local training and retraining forward plan;

dràwing up a council p-lan for professional integration and reintegration;

· """"' partidpating ih the setting-:-up, maintenance and administration of training ·· centres. · ·

·U...;.Youth Affairs, Sports and Leisure · ·· -·· . . . . . . . . . . . . - . .

S~ction 16~: Thefollowing powers shall be devolved upon councils:

.:c:_ promoting and coordinating sports and youth aëtivities; ·

....: · supporting sports associations;

constructing . and · managing municipal stadiums, ·· sports centres, fitness ·courses·; swimniing pools, playgrounds and ar.enas; . .· ... · . · · .· .. ·

. identifying and participating in the equipment of sports · associations;

pàrticipating in the organization of competitions;

creètï"ng and operating leisure parks; . . . . . . . . . . . . .

·- organizing socio-:-Cültural events for leisure purposes .

. .. lU _ ~ Culture and Prornotiol1 ofNationài ~Languag~s ·.

·section 163: The following powers shall be devolved upon councils:

a~ Culture ...., · organizing çultlJral days, traditional cultural events and literary and a'rtistic

- càmp~titions at locallevel; ·

. setting . wp. and . rnanàging • orch~stras, . tradition al lyrical ênsernbl~s , ·. ballet . grqups aridlheatre troupes· at locallevel;

setting up and managing socio-cLJI,tural centres and publi~ reading libraries; . . . . ·. . . . ·. · . . : . . .

Providing support to cultural associations:

b.Promoting national languages - · partidpating in regional programmes forthepromotion ofnational ·languages;

· partîcipating in the · settirig~up and maintenance of infrastructure and . equipmerit.

37

. .

Section164: (1) The organs of the council shall be: . . . .

-the councH board;

. - the cou neil executive. . . . . . . . - .

(2) The cou neil board, through its deliberations, and the council executive, _. through its actions, the . examination of · matters and the · enforcement of resolutions, shalt contribùte to the administration of the cou neil. · · · ·

. . ' . ·'

CHAPTER 1 . . • :COUNCIL BOAR'D --• .

· 1 - Composition of the Cou neil Board . . . . . . ..

Section 165: The council board shall pe composed of municipal councillors elected urider the tenns .and conditions laiddown by law. ·

. . . ..

Section 166: (1)The number ofmunicipal councillors shall beas follow~ :

- · councils with . l~ss them 50 000 (fifty thousand) inhabitànts: . 25 (twenty~five) coundllors; . . .

· · - councils with frqm fifty 50 000 (flfty thousand) to 100 000 (one hundred thoüsan9) ·_·_ inhabitants: 31 (thirty.:one) coLincillors; · ·

- cou_ncils with from 100 001 (one hundred tho~sand and one) to 200 OQO (two hündted thoùsand)inhabitants: 35 (thirty-five) councillors; .

· · - councils with from 200001 (two hundred thousandand one) to 300,000 (three · · hundrèdthousand)inh.abitants: 41 (forty~one) councillors;

· .:. councils with . over 300 000 (three hundred thousand) in habitants: 61 (sixty-nne) councillors. · - · · ·

. . ; . .· . . : . . . . . ·

. (2) The official popÙii:üion censlis immediately preceding mUnicipal el~ctiohs . .. shall sërve ·• as ba sis for :determinihg, · through regulation: . the -number of municipal _ .·_ : ·

-_ councillors per councif, in accordance with the provisions of süb~section t abùve. . ·_

. (~) The co.uricil board shall reflect thé various sociological components of the counc,il. lt must; in: particular, ehsürè représentation of the indigenoüs populations of thecouncil, minorities and gender mainstreaming. · · · · · ·

: ._ . - ·• __ (4) ~enatç>r~ of the cou neil of attachment·shall attend council board meetings · in an adyisory capac;ity. · · · · · ·

·11 .;. Powers of the Council Board

Section 167: (1) The couneil board shall be the council's deliberative organ.

38

. (2) lt shall regulatethe affairs ofthe council through deliberations.

. . {3) lt shall express. an opinion whenever required by the laws and regulations or atthe requE;Jst of the representative of the State. _ .

. (4) lt may _express ~ishes through resolutions on ali matters of local interest, . ·· particulatlythose coricerningthe economie and soci.al developmEmt of the cou neiL

(5) lt shaH be ·informed ofthe progress of works and actions financedhy the co.uncH orcarried out',Nit.h its participation. _ _ .·. .. . . __ . _ .

(6) H shall be mandatorily consulted on the implementation, -within the council · a rea, of any · developn1ent or equipment prôject of the State, the region, any other

·_ . local authqrity or any public or private organiiation. · · ·

Section 168:The c()l.mcil_shall deliberate, in particular, on: .·· · . . .

1 ~ Urban planning documents; · ·

· 2- ·cou neil ecoriomic, social and cultural development plans and programmes;

3- budgets and the administrative account;

. 4~ the creationand ITlanagementof municipalpublic facilities: in areas concerning preschool . and ·basic education, no·n formai education and apprenticeship, ·•· vocational • training, health, . public hygiène and sanitation, road and communication . infrastructure classified .• und er the . council domain, . public

. .. transport and traffic plans, water .and energy, trade fairs and markets, youth · · ._· affairs, sports. arts and culture, and small~scale exploitation of cou neil mineral

resources;

. . 5~ the lllanagerrient of the . coüncil's are a of interest, especially pollution and .. · nuisance control, the organizati6n .Of agricultural and_ animai health activities, · __ .

· land management, the acquisition and d_ispo~al of heritage property; the . managemenfofforest wildlife and fishery resources; . .

. . .· . . ·:· :_: . . . ·.· . . . ·. .·

6., the creation and i:nânag$mentofcouncil public services; ·

· ' _· .. · 7- . thè organization ofeconomic actiVitie~;

. ·.

.. . ·s.:. the Ôrga~iiation of handicraft and touri~m activities; .

· ·· ··. 9~ ttÏeorganization of soCial promoti?nand_protection actiyiti~~; 10-the fixing of cou neil tax rates, · in accordc:ü1ce with:,the brackets .fixed . by law; ·

·. 11- thé acceptance and rejection ofgrants, subsidies ·and legacies; ·

. 12:- lea.ses and other agreements; · . .

· 13"' loans and loan guarantees or endorsements; .· . . . . . .

·14-grantihg subsidies;

.15- eqUity irwestment; . . . .

.· '

16-twinning . projects and cooperation with other national or foreign local àuthoriti<3s; ·

17~staff management procedures;

39

pRt:SlOENCE ~EF\HE p.EPUBLI

PRESlDSEEC~~;ARIAT GF.NERAl EMENT E GISLATif ET R Vl ct

sf.RvtcE ou ••cl-liER \EoRY Aff~ IR R·o tNDH s . lEGISlATIVE AND ISETACTEURllflE fORME .

COP · uE COPY . . CERTIFIE . · . · . . --- . ·. . . . . .

· · · - · . . . . . . ymg down, among other thihgs, the operating procedures of councif comrriittees; · . . ·. · · ·· · · · · · .·

. 19~couilcil police regulations; .

. ·.· 2Q:.humalllnvestmentprojects;

. 21- the creation, decommissioning or extension of cemëteries;

.. 22-th~ . regime and thé conditions of accessing and ·using ali typés of water points; .

··• 23~the. creation, demarcation and marking o~,Jt()f livestocktrails wittiin ·the council, · with the exception of high\Nays th at fa li un der the jurisdiction of the State;

~4- the narning ofsqÙares, streets, · complexes and municipaLgardens. . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . ·. .

S~cti.on 169: (1)The councilboard may delegatetheexercise of part ofits powersto the mayor, with the exception of th ose referred to in Section 168. above. ·

. . . . . . (2) The relevant decision shaH be del.iber~ted . upon to determine the scope of . · delegation. · · · ·· · ·

. . ... {3) Upon · expiry of the . delegation, the counèil board shall be informed

.. accordingly.

or, where he is

. . · . · Section 171 : (1)The council board. shall meet in ordinary session quàrterly for a . · · maximi.J!Tlperiodpf7(seven) dayswtîen convened by the mayor. · ·

... ... '. ..... '· .·

. ·.•. (2} Du ring ordinary sessions; th~ council board may only handle matters fa !ling . within itsp()wen~. · · · · ·

·. .· ·. . -(3) • Where the ,mayor fa ils to convene the session, arid after a 72-"hour formai notice .remains unheeded, the ·representative of the ·State shall sign convening n()tiçes for the holding of counci! board sessions. .

.. . . • . . . . . ·. . ·. . .

Section 172: (1)The mayorrm1y convene thecouricilbo~rdin extraordinarysession whenever hé deèms it ·necessary. He shall also be required to convène ah

. · êxtraordinary session where à r~àsoned request ÏS SUbmltted tb him by .tWO-"thirds Of mernbers. ·

.. · · · (2} Convening · notices ~hall be sigried by the m~yo( and shall state the agendà. The board may not handle matters not featuring. on the agenda.

·. 40

. . (3) The representative qf the State may request the mayor to convene the c~uncil board in extraordinary session. · · · ·

·. (4) Where themayor's failure to convene is establishedin the cases provided for in sub-sections(1), (2) and _(3) above, and after an unheeded formai notice, the

· representative of the State may sign .the converiing notices requked for the holding of an extraordînary cou neil _board ~ession. . · · ·

Section 17.3: :(1) The corivening of the couricil board shallbe eritered in the record of deliberations, . posted at the co un Cil premises or the mayor'$ office and forwarded in writing or by any means in writing to the mUnicipal councillors at least 15 (fifteen) ·clèar days prior to the session ~ ln case of emergericy, su ch time liniit shaU be ·

.. · reduced to 3 (three) days. · · · · ·

.·· .. ·(2)Where n~cessary, the time limÎt for convening may be shbrtened to t~o '(2) days, subject to compliancewith the quorwn providedfor in Sectkm 174 below . . · ·

Section 174: (1) The cou neil board may validly .sit only wh en two thirds of its •· members are present. ·

- .· . .. . ·. . . . . . .

. (2) Where the quorum is ho(attained after the session is duly convened , a·ny · .• resolution voted at the second convening withiri an interval of at least 3. (three) days ·shaH be val id ïf atleast half .Of cou neil board rnembers are present. .· · ·

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

·. (3) ln ca·se of general mobilizatioh, the c6uncifboard shall validly deliberate · after a single convening, .where the majority of its non-mobilized members attend the meeting. . · · · ·

. . - . . . . ~ . . . . .

_ . . · ·. Section 175; (1) Decisioris_shall be takenby a simple majority ofvoters:

·.·. (2) A muniCipal coUncillor unable to attend the session may giv~ writtem and .legâli:ied prqxy ta a colleagueto vote on his behalf. No councillor _may hold more

· ·th an one proxy ~ Except in thé case of duly established ill ness, the sa me proxy may · · · ·. h()t be valid for more than two {2) consecutive sessions. · · ·

(3) ~oting shall b~ byopèn ballot. ln case of a tie, ~he p~esident shall have the ·. casting vote~ TheJull name ofvoters;. togetherwith the d.escription of thëirvotes, shall ..

be 'entered .inthè minutés. · · · · .· · · · · · · · · · · ·· · ··

(4)Notwithstanding sùb;:séction 3 above, voting shall be secret whenever two ·. third$ of rriembers présent so request .or in the event of appointmeht or 'representation. ln the latter Cà$e, where nonè Of the candidates Obtai!}S an absolute majority after tWo rounds ofvoting, a third round shall .be organized and the election shall be won by a relative majority~ ln the eventof atie', the eldestcandidate shall be declared elected. · · · · · ·

. Section 176: (1) During discussions on thé administrative account, thëchair of the · conimittee responsible for · financial matters or, in his.· absence, a . member .··of the committee, shall chair the council board meeting. ln this case, the. mayor may take

.· part in the proceedings .bÙt shallleave the room in the event of a vot auE .--=""11 . . PRESIDENCE DE LA REPUB LI IC

P RESIDENCY OF THE ERAL . . SEC.RnAR : SLATiF ET REGL TAi ll E . 41 ·S.ERVICE OU FICHI -fFAIRS CARO DEX SERVICE

lE~ISLATIV E CERTIFIEE CON fOR · . ·. . · .. . ·. CERTifiED TRUE COPY

. . -'

(2) The pro. tem .· president shall · subniit the resolution . directly to . the representathie of the State. · · . . . .·

. Sectio~ 177: (1) At the beginning· of each session and· for the .du ration thereof, the council board shall designate one or more of its members to supervise the work of ..

. · the secretary:.general in his. capa city as rapporteur. ·

{2) lt may appoint auxiliaries vvh.o are non:-members, from among cou neil staff. · Su ch· auxili~ries .shall atténd meetings, but shall not participa~e in · deliberations~ ·

. . . . . . . . . . . } .

· (3)The representative ofthe State or his duly authorized delegate shall attend . cou neil board sessions as of dght. Hé sha,ll take the floor whenever he so requests, .but may not take ' part in voting or chair council board ·deliberations. His statements · shall be èntered iri the minutes. ··. . ·. . .

·, . .

• · ... (4)The council board may, ifitdeems it necessary, request authoriùüionfrom the representativeof.the State tcrcom~~lt with State employees du ring the session. lt . ·

·may alsq ·cons~ltwi.th any otherperson ·on accountof theitcompetemce1 following the · ·· sarne procedure. . . . .

Section178:{1)Council bo~rd meetings shaH be public. HoWe.ver, at the requèst .of . the mayor or one third of members, thé cou neil board may deliberate in camera.

. . . . . : . . ·. . . ~ . . . . . . . . . . .

. . .. ·. . ··. (2)The co un cil board shall, as of right, meet in camera where it has to express . · •. an opir1i0n OIT thè;following indiyidual meaSures and rnatters: . . . .

: • .. · ..

· ~ assisb;mGe to sctiools;

·- free medicalassistance;

- assistance t~ elderly perso~s. families; the needy and disastervictims.

Section179: (1) The pro ternpresident shallm~intain orderduring the session. ·

· · · · · . (2) The conditions of implementation of sub-section: (1) above shaU be laid . dowri in the standîng orders of thé couricil board. ·

Section 180: (1 )The minutes of the meeting shaU be produced within 8 (eight) day~ . . . a no ~xcerpts th~reofposted up at the council premisesor the mayor' s. office. .

. . . (2) Postirig up ofthe minutes shall be certified bythe mayor ~nd ente red in the · · record of deliberation~~ . . . . . .

.· (3) Deliberations · shall be recorded by date in a riumbered register signed by · the representative of. the $tate. They shall be signed by ali the members present at

the sitting. If need be; reasons forfailure tosign shaltbe mentioned.

. (2} Co_mmitteés may meet during _and between . sessions. Participation in committee deliberations shall be honorary. Howêver, expenses incurred for their

· functioning shall be chargeëHo the councilbudget. · · . .

. (3} Comrnittèes shail be .convened to a meeting. by the chaii"person within a maximum period · of 8 (eight} days of their setting~up. Düring thefirst meeting:;. each· çommittee sh~:iil designate a vice-chair who shall r~placé the c~airpersori in case of · established unavoidable absence. Subsequent éommittëe meetings may be convened at shorternotice atthe request of the majorityof coilunittee members.

. . . . '·

. (4) The chairperson may invite Emy person, by virtue of their cbmpetence, to take . part in committee deliberations in an advisory capa city: · Su ch participation may give ri se to remuneration by deliberation of the councH board. . .

. Section 1.82: (1) Within the limlts of the avaBable resourèes, th~ coUntil'board méy .. set ùp neighbourhood orvillage committees withln the coLmcil. .

. (2) The neighbourhood or viilage committees mentioned iri sub-section 1 abové chail be p.latfoims for consultation aimed atencouraglt1g the participation of the population in the · preparation, execution. and monitoring of cou neil_ progr~mmes

. . · and projects or in the monitoring, management or maintenance of the works and equipment concerned. · · · · ··

. (3) An order Of the minister in charge of. local development shall lay downthe · procedures for the creation, organization and furictiëning of neighbourhood and

· · village ·committees. · ·

s~btion 183: (1) Regional councillors shan participate as of right in the d~liberations ·of the board of the ir cot.mcil of attachment in an· advisory capa city.

. .· .·· (2) The mayor . mc;ty, by his own volition or at their rèquest, invite < ·. representatives Of civil society crgan:izations or any other persbn, by virtue of the ir · . competences, to take part in deliberations in an adyisory capacity.

• • • • • 1

Section~ 184: An allowance or specialbenefits me3y be granted to State employees responsible for ancillary duties ·in councils; in âccordance with the law. ·

. ··· .Section 185: (1 )Cou neil board delibe~ations grantihg council staff; by assimilation to . ·. the personnel mentioned in Section .184 of this law, salaries, wages, allowahces or

benefits conferring on süch personnel a more advaritageous sitùation than the one p·rovided for bYthe regulations in ferce· shall be illegal. . ·

(2) The provisions of sub-section 1 abbve shall <apply to deci.sions taken for personnel by State-controlled services providing a public. ser\Jice Jalling under the ju risdiction of councils . ---~~-:.-:;-~ii7i~illPU"i~t--,~-"-]

43

IV ;,. Suspension, Dissolution, Termiriation ofDuty · and Replacement o.f the Co un cil Board

Section 186: (1) The council board may be suspended by reasoned arder ofthe minist~r _in charge of local authorities in the event of: · ·

(a) cornmissi~n of acts in violation of the Constitution; ·. . . .· . .

(b) -breach of State security or public order;

(c) jeopardizing orthe integrity of the. national territorial;

. {d} prolonged impossibility to fundion normally~ _·. . . . .· . . . . . . . . ·. . .

. . . -. . (2) The suspension provided for in sub-séction 1 above may not exceed 2 ··-. (twÔ} months. _· __ · · · .· · · ·

.: ·. '. ·,. ·

Section 187: ·· The President ·of the Republic may, by . decree, _ dissolve a coûnCil - .board: ·

·._(a) in one of the .cases provided for in Section 186 of this law;

. . (b) . in case ()f persistënce or impossibility to resto re the-situation that prevailed . before; at the expiry of the time limit provided for in Section· 186 above. . . . . . . . . . . . . . : .

· Section 188: (1)Any duly .convened .cduncil boardmemberwhofailsto attendthree ·· successive sessions without legitimate reason, and after being servèd a qùery by the mayor, may be cohsidered to have resigned by déc.ision of the. mihister in charge of

; local authorities, after consulting the côunèil board . . . ··

. . _ . (2) The decision to establish resignation. Which shall be · co pied tq the me m'ber concerned and the representative of the State, • may be challenged before the

-. _ compète·n.f coürt. ·· · · · · · · · · · · ·· ·

.· . . . _. (3) Tlieboardmembàr ccnsider~d to have resigned pursUa~t to sub-section - (1) above· may hot be camiidate for council board by-eléetion or general election ·

. -._ organized immediately following the date of his automatic resignation .· · ,· ,.·

Section 189: (1) Any council board m~mber who. without any reasonablè excUse, . refuses to discharge the dÙties assigned to him .by the laws and regulations ·may be ·

·· consideredto h~nteresigned .bydèdsion oftheministerin charge of local authorities, ·· afterconsulting the council board ~ · ·

.. . . . . .

· (2)The refusai to discharge duties referred to. in sub~section 1 above shaH, be .. · based on ·a writtèri statement sent to whom it may concern or made public by its . author, or on repeated absence after formai notice bythè mirüster ih charge of local · authorities. . · · · ·- ·

.·: ."

- (3) Thé corresponding decision may be challenged before the competent court . . · .

Section 190: Voluntary resignations shall be tendered through registered letter to the • mayorwith copy to the representative of the State. They shall be final on the date of ·· acknoWiedgement of receipt by the mayor or, failing suchacknowledgement, withina .petiod not e~ceeding ·1 (one) month with effèct from the date of tendering à new ·

. resignation as èstabli$hed by registered letléL . . . . ..

Section 191: (1) ln times o(war, a council board may be ~uspendëd by decreeof the President of the Repul)lic until the end ofhostilities. · ·

, .... · . . . . . . .·· . . .

· {2) The sa me qecree shaH set up a special delegation empow~red to take thé same decisions as the council . board. lt shall lay dawn the . composition of the

.· delegation, including achairperso_n andavice:..chairpersbn. · . . . . . · : . '• ·. . . ' .

Section 192:.(1)Wtîere it is materially impossibletoholdcouncil board elections or a counCil board 'cannat be set up after the dis~olutioh thereof or resignation of ali its members ih office, a special delegation shall discharge its duties. · ·

. . . ; . . .

·· (2) Withih · 8 (eight) days following dissolution, acceptance of resignation or establishment ofthe material impossibility tb organize election of the council board,

·. the President of the Re pUblic sha.ll appoint the special delegation by decree which shall· designate itschairpers6n and the vice,..chairperson. · ·· · ··· · ·

-· . (3) . The mmiber of mein bers of the special delegation shall be 3 (three) for . co un cils with ·a popÜiation not exce.eding 50 000 . (fifty thousand) inhabitants. The

riümber may be ihcrease(:! to 7 (seven)forcotmdls with a larger population • . · · .. ': . . . . ' ' . . . . .

Section 193; (1) Thé special (:!elegation shall ex~rcise the sam~ powei'S às .-the · ... cèuncil board~ · · · · · · · · · · · · ·

. . . . . ~ . . . .

· .. ·. (2) However; itmaynot: . . . .

. - dispose of or exchange càuhcil property; . ·.·

.·· - incr~ase budgetary provisions;

·· ~ ·create public ~ervices.; . · •. · . .. vote loahs. . . . .

. .. . . .

Secti~n 194: ln case ofmobilization, the special delegati~n shall be authorizèd to take :the same .deCisions as the council board where council board elections are

·. po~tpo~ed ; · . .

Section 195: {1) Whenever thecountil board is dissolved .. or where its resignation is accepted ·and a special delegation is appoinfed, the cou neil board shal1 be re-elèctéd within the 6 (six) months following the dàte .Of dissoiu~ion or lastr-esigrlatiori, · . .

. . .

(2) The ti me li mit referred to in sub~section 1 ab ove may · be extended by dècree of the President . of the Hepublic for a period of 6 (six) months renewable

. . thrice at most.

·--··,

45

. ... ·.·· . . . : . · · ..

Section.196: (1) Where it is materially impossible to elect a council board or where it . is impossible to tonstitute a council board, and a special delegation is appointéd, the latt~r shall remain ln office fora period of6 (six) months renewéible.

(2) The reconstitution . of the co~ntil board shall automatically terminate the specialdel~gation. · · · · ·

· . .· ~- . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) ln the event of -establishment of a special delegation; its president shall perform the duties of mayor, .and the vice.,.president th~ duties of the deputy mayor. Theirpowers shaH be terminated in acçordance .with the provisions of Section 195 of ; this law. · · · ·

_ CHAPTER Il . COUNCIL EXECUTIVE

.... ' :

· ., - Mayor and · De put; Mayor . ..· . . . . . .

. Sectio~ 197: (1) The. c.oLinçil executive shàll comprise the mayor and his deputies.

· .· . (2) T~e mayor shall be the chief execUtive of the cou neiL He shall be assisted by deputy mayors in ·order of theirélectiori. . .

:-. . . . . ·. . ' . . .

· .. · ·.·. · (3) ·The number of depUty may ors shan be déterm·ined in the foHowing mÇtnner · depending cm the number of municipal counCillors: ··

. · . . ·· . .

.··.

· çbuncils with twenty-.five (25) to thirty-one (31) councillors: 2 (two) deputy · . mayors; . _ .

coun6ils with · 35 (th.ïrty;five )to 4 t (forty-one) councillors: 4 (four) . deputy . · . mayors; ... ·

"'" .· CbUi)Cil~ _with sixty~of:ie(61) -councillors: 6 (six)deputy mayor~ . . ··

··Section ·198: (t) Where-any obstacle or distance renders conimunicationbetween the headquarters and part of the council . difficult, dangerous or -momentarily . impossible, a position .of special dep_uty mayor may be instituted throügh a reasoned councH board . resolutiOn submitted to the representative of the State for prior ·approvaL .· ·· · .

. . . . .· _-.•.• (2) ·· tt1e ·_.special deputy •. mayor provided for ·tn sub~sectlon 1 above shall be .-. elected from among coundllors resident in th at part of the cou neiL · ·

.· . . (~) Thé special deputy mc;tyo'r;

~ · · shall perf()rrri th éd uties of civil status registration officer;

.. may be responsiblé . for. implementi;rig the p~licing laws and regulations in that .. · . •. . PFirt of t~e oour1ciL · ·· · · ·

.46

(4) The duties of the . special deputy mayor shall cease once the situation becomes normal. Su ch cessation shall . be estabtishèd by . a · council board deliberation .

. . .. . . . . ·. . . .

.. ·· Settion 199: (:1) Thé maidensession of the council b~ard shall .be converied bythe . representative of the State, on the second Tuesday following the proclamation of the municipal çouncil election results. The ses~ ion shall be devoted to the election of t hè mayor à nd deputy mayors. · ·

(2) The distribution of deputy mayor positions rnust, as much . as possible, · reflect the configuration of the council board.

. . . . .

· Sec~ion 200: (1)The ~ayo~shaHbeelected in a two,.round majority sing.le-candidate bàllot. The election shall be won in the first round by anabsolute majority of votes cast. Where an absolute majority is not .obtained in the first round, a .second round shall be organized. The ,candidate who obtains a relative majority of votes shall be

· . de~lar~d elected. .ln case of ·~ tie, the el~ction shall be won by the elciest of the candidates~ · ·· · · ·

·.. .· . . . · . (2} A ft er election ~f the mayor; the deputy maVors shan be elected by a . · proportional representation list system, followihg the highest average rûle. Onlyballot

papers bea ring a nUmber of names equal to the number of mernbers tô be elected shall be vaUd. · · . · . .·

(3) The .ballots refer.redto in sub.,sectiohs1 . and2 above shall be secret

. .. . . (4) The ~ompositîon ·of the executive or.gan shaU be esta.blished by order of . ·the minister in charge of localauthodties:. · .· · · · ·

Section 201: < 1) The mayor and dèputy rna y ors shall t~ke an oath before the competent court prior to ta king office.

(2) The .worqings ofoath shall be as follows:ll/ swear on my honoutand pledge .. · . . · fO COnducf fhe . affairs of fhe CQL!ncf/ . and serve the inferesfs of al/ . ifs inhabifants ·.

without .discrimination or favouiitism, ·and to dischatge in a/1 ·/oyalty and . faithfulness .. my duties as Civil status registra tian . officer . in . compliance with ·the /aws and in accorda née wfth the va/Uf]S ànd princi(JfEJS of defnocraCy, • national uhity . and the integrity of the Republic" . · · ·

· . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Section, 202: (1) ·The council board sitting devoted to election of the mayor and ·· . deputy mayors shall be chai red by the !31dest member, àssisted by the youngest. ·

. .

. . •.. (2) The listofthose el~cted shallbe mad·e public bythe president pro tem . within no mo te than twenty-four hours following the proclamation of results by posting

·. Up . at the coürïcil · premisès br thè . rnayor's office . . lt shàll be notified to the . representative of the State within the sa me period,

. . ' . .· . . . . .. . .

Section 203: (1) Th~ n1ayor and deputy mayors shaU be elected for the sameterm of office as the council.board. · · · ·

- ·,

·· ... · ... · . (2) The. election of the ·mayor and deplity mayor~ may be subject of a petition for cancellatic:m; in accordânce With the rules provided for by the laws in .torce regarding the cancellation of municipal council election.

(3) Where the .election is cancelled or, for any ether reason, the mayor or his deputî~s have ceased discharging the ir duties, the coùncil board shall. be convened to replace them within 1 (one) month. · · · ·

_(4) The mayor whose election is challenged, shall. stay in . officè until the · .· · issuarïce of a final res judicata ru ling;

. Section 204: .The du.ties of mayor shall be incc;>mpatible with thosë of: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

member of;Govèrnnient and persans ranking as s~ch; ,. . . ,. ·. . . . .

~ .. ·member ofthe National Assembly and senator;

. ambassador 'or official irla diplomatic·mission;:

. director general . or director Of a public . establishment or a· State~owned company; ·

president or vicè-president of a regional executive . council; .

·mémber ofthe forces of law and arder;

employee or staff of the ~ou neil concemed; ·. · ·.

' . ·· ~taff of financial sërvices ha~ing access to the fin~nbe or accounts . of. the · council ·concerned. · ·

···. S~cth>n 205: ·(t)ln the evemt ofdeath, resignation or dismissal of the mayor or a . . deputymayor, thé council board shélll be convened to elect a new mayor or deputy

· .. mayor withif160 (sixty) dayà folloviti~g the death, resignation or dismissaL .· · . . . .

. · .. . ·· .. · ·.·· ... · .··. (2)The m.ayor_shall be temporarily replaced during.the period provided for in sub~sectioh 1 ab6ve by a deputy mayor, in arder of precedençe or.· failing th at. by one of the 5 (five) èldest counciliors, desigriated by~he councilhoard. . ..

(3) ln case of vacancy in the position of deputy mayor; the deputy mayors in . · .. . ser\tice shall enjoy pre:ernption dght oyer the candidates for replacement; in arder of

·. ·. precedènce acquired dudng the preceding election. · · . .

· · Il ~ Duties. of the Mayor

. Section 206: (1)The mayor shall represent the council in acts of civB life and in · .. ·court As such; he shaH, ul1der the control of the couocil board, be responsible for:

· .. preserving, maintaining . and adniinistering the • coùncirs property and assets, . ~md "peiforming ali acts· aimed at preserving su ch property ç;~nd assets; ·

managing revenue, and supervising council services and account$; .• .'·. . . ·. . . . ·. . . . .

- · · is$uihg building· and demolition permits as weil as land use authorizatioris;

48 ·.

- preparing and proposing the budget, authorizing expenditure and prescribing revenue execution; · ·

supervising co~ncil works; . .

- ensuringthe execution of development programmes funded by the. council or implement~dwith its participation; · · ·

· taking measures relating to cou neil road network~; ··•

. concluding. contracts and signing leases and . tenders for cou neil works, in accordance with the n~gulation in force; · ·

signing, according to .the same rules, deeds of sale, exchange; sharing, acceptarice ~f gits or legaCies and transaction, where such deeds have been

· ·.· __ . authorized :bythe cou neil board; - · · · · · · ·

·,..:: _ taking àll measurès required to destroy animais declared harmful, where the .· · . owners or holders of the hunting right served with a prier formai notice fail ta do so, in aécordance with the laws and regulations iri forée and , as appropriate, requiring inhabitants having weapons and dogs .used to huntsuch

. animais to supervise and ensure the enforcement of such measures and · _ . prepare a report thereof; · · · ·

. erisurin.g emilronri1ental protection and, accordingly, taking measures· to . prevent or elimi.nate pollution and nùisal'lces·, ensure the protection of grèen · .. spaces and .contribute tobeautifying the cotincil;. · · · · · ·

appointing tô cou neil positions . and, generally; implementing council board deliberations,

.. ·. (2) He shall be the couricil'sàuthorizing offiçer. : . .

. Section 207: (1) the mayorshall dèlegate, ûT1de~ his control and by arder, sorne of . his poWers to his depüties and, iri the absence or in case of inipediment of his

dEipüties; to members ofth~ council board.

(2) The delegation of powers referred to in sùb"-section 1 ;above shall run on until such powers are deferred. However; it ·shaU cease, . Vitithout being expressly

·: stated, upon the de9th, -suspension;· dismissal or declared résignation of the mayor.

. Section 208: Where 'the rnayor;s persona!· interests are in conflict with . th ose of the ·. counêil, the cbt,:iri'cil -board shall desighatè another niember :to reprEisent the . cou neil, · notably ih court orin any.contractuàl transaction. · · · · · ·

Section: 269: (1) The mayor shallrecruit, suspend and dismiss staff governed by the labour laws and-collective agreements. . . .

. (2) ·He sh(:lll assign and manage staff under his authority.

Section 2~o: {1) A standard table. of council jobs taking intèn:fccount the respective .· importance Of the various councils shall be rendered enforceable by order of . the · minister in charge of local authorities. . .

49

; ·_ . ·,

. (2) The methods and rates of remuneration of council staff ahd the allowances .· to whi?h theymay be entitled slîall be determined by r~gufatiori . . ·· ·

Section 211 : ln his council and under the authority of the representative of the State; · the mayor shall be responsible for: ·.

. . . .

·. · - publishing and enforcing laws, regulations and measureS of a general scope;

., imptementing general security measures. . . . . . . . . .

. · Section 212: The mayor anddéputy ~ayors shaH be civil status registraticm officers. . . ; . . . .

· .. Secti~n 213: (1) The . council exec~tive . shall be, as.sisted by a cou neil secretary-generaL · · · · ·

· · (2) The secrètary-general, who shall be an executive staff expérienced in local · development managernerit, shaH coordinate the services 6f the cou neiL. · · administration. Und er the authority of the mayor. and a.s the latter.'s cJosest . aide, he.

··.· shall érisure mariagemènt of the affairs · of the coùncil and · enforcemerit ·of the mayo(~ dèc:;isioris. To this end, he shall have delegation of signature.

Section. 214: (1)The ministerin charge oflocal authorities shall appoint and dismiss . the couneil secretary-g~heral, on the proposal ·ofthe mayor. : . . .

. . . ·. .

.. (2)T he cou~ciJ_ ' secrétary-general shaH a~tend council executive meetings for .· . which he sha.ll provide secreta rial düties. · ·· · ·

Section 215: (1) Decisions. isslles by the mayor or the cou neil . board shall . . be immediately notified to the representative of the State, who shall control them .

.. .. ·. . . .. ••. (2) Th~y shall be come enforceable and recorded on the date oftheir adoption . . . . in a speciaLregister kept at the cou neil office .

. ·.Section 216:. (1)Under thecontroloftherepresentative ofthè .State; the mayor shaB . be tesponsibleforthe municipal police ·and enforcemenLof _Statéinstrumer1ts relating·

th-eretb. · · · · · · · ..

. ·· . .... ·. (2)The creation of a council police service shall be authorizèd by. a cou neil . . . board deliberatior1 which shall specify .its pow~rs; resourc~s arid Operating ru les. ·

{3}The resolution provided for'.in sub.,section 2 aboveshallbe subject to prior approv8.1 by the r:ninistér in charge of local aut~orities -. · ·

. ~èction 217: (1) ln towns raised to ~ity counci.ls, council police services shaH be ·providedby cny cou neil emplOyees orthose of sub-divisi6nal coUncils.

. ·. . . .

. (2) ln both cases, the s~rvicesconcerned m'ay not be created withoùt.prior consultation betwèen the executive organs of the city council and sub-divisional councils; leading to an agreement. .· .

50

(3) The cori eurre nt resolutions. of the city c~uncU ·board and the cou neil board on the. provision~ .. of the agreement referred to in sub-:-section (2) above shall . determine the levèl and type of intervention of the respective .services of the city cou neil and sub-divisional councils ~ · · ·

. . . .

. . , .· (4) 1r1 the event of disagreement, the councB police serviceset up by sub':" . divisional councils shall, as of right; carry out municipal policing activities.

. : . . _ -· -· . . . .. · .. .

Section 218: (1) The objective of the council police shall be to ensure public ordér, . safety, tranquillity, security and cleanliness. .

·. . · . .: : .. · ..

. (2) ltsdut!esshall include: ..

. . •·· ··.· (a) providing safe and convenient passage in streets, wharfs, public squares · ahd routes, notably the cleaning, li.ghting; rémoval ' of obstructions, demolition or ··

renovation of buildingsfalling in ruihs, prohibition fro.m placing on windows or on .anY . part of buildings any abject that may cause damageor produce harmful exhé\lation~ ; ·

.. · . .. · .. (b) ·the .'mearis of transporting d.eéeased pe,rsons, .interment .and exhumation, · · maintenance of order ar:~d decency in cemeties; without anybody being authorized to

make epitaphs or special write,.ups stating the circumsta.nces ofthe death; · . . . . . . . .. . ... .

. .· (c) inspection of appllances and/or instruments u.sed for foodstuffs soid by · weight orrr1easUre, and the safety of edible foodstuffs displayed for sale; ·

. . (d) prevention, through apprôpriate precautionary meà~u-res, and intervention,·. . through the provision of required assistance,. in case of accident and calamity such · as fi re accidents, floods and.other natüral disasters, epidemies and contagi()us · ·

. : · . dise_ases, ·epizooties, • the Implementation of emerge ney safety,assistance and relief · measures. (:!nd; Where necèssary, seeklng thè intervention ofthe représentative of the . . . State to who ni-a report on the r:neasures prescribed shall be presented; . .

. . . · .. ·.· · ··~• (~) . meas~res taken conceniing the insane wh ose situation may compromise · public morality) the security of persans or preser-Vation of propèrty; ·

(f) intervention to prevent or reh,edy unfortunate events thcÜ could be caùsed . · by stray. animais; · ·. · · ·

(g) the de~olition of buildings con:struct~d witllout a bu.ilding permit

Section 219: The powers devolved upon the mayor in case ofserious or immin~nt .. ·.·. dangér shall ilot preclude the · power of the representative: of the State to take ali

. secürity _measUres t èquiréd by ciicumsü;mcés ih the administrative unit where the · cou neil iS located; ·

: : . . . .. . . . . . . . . . ' . ,.

Section 220: (1) The mayor shall exercise raad traffic policing powers within the. jurisdiction of his counciL

. . : . . · . . . ·. ·: .· . · . ·. .· .. : :. .

· (2} He .may, against payment of levies . fixed by the · council, grant parking ·. pemiits or authorizatiOrys for the temporary use of publ!c roads, rivers, river ports, ·. quays arid ·other. public places underthe jurisdiction ofthecàunçil, on conditionthat

· such usage does nothinder traffic on the publicroad or waterway. · ·

. ;51

. . .

. . (3) The mayor shall grant temporary and revocable permlts for the use of -·public roads, in ;accordance with the laws ahd regulations in force. Such· permits shall _ · notably be intended for the installation of water supply, electricity or telephone networks on the grou nd and on public roads ~ . . . .

. ·. Section 221 : The mayor may instruct usufruct owners, farniers or any other owners . or usersto build proper fe nees a round wells and excav;:;ttiçms th at constitute a hazard · . to publicsafety as weil as insalubri6us lands that ar~ c;:langerous to public health .

. · . . . .

. -· · Section 222: (1) The powers vested _in .the mayor shall not bar the power of the · representative of .tbe . State to take measures relatirig . to public · order, security, . sanitation, safety 9nd peace for ali the councils of an administrative unit or for one or

. more of them, and in ali-cases where·coun.cil authoritiés-fail to Çtct. . · . : . · .- . . . . . .· ·. . · .. .

. · .· (2) . . The power, referrèd to . in sub-section 1 . above rh a y · oe . used by the ·• representative· of the Sta_te with . regard to ·a sin glé cou neil only ·aftèr a. formai notice · uhheeded to bythe mayor, where the council concerned has apolice service.

· Section 223: (1) .1n the absence of a council police service,. the mayor may create a · . . hygiene serviceresponsiblefor the councWs sanitary policirig. . . . ·. ·

. . :. . •' . . . . . . ~ .

(2) Cou neil police officers shan tâke an · oath bef ore the competent court. · ·

.-· ·_·Section 224:Regardirig ëouncilpoiicing, the council board ~ay exprè~s wishes and . opinions;but shàllnot in any case give orders to the mayor: · · · · ·

. · . .''

Hl ~ Suspension, Termination ofDuties and · · Replacementofthe Council Executive .

. . . . . . . ·. · .

.. · Section 225: (1.) in case of infringement of the laws and regUlations in force or gross misconduct, . mayqrs and deputy mayors, after being heard or reqt.iested: to provide written explanations on the charges .againsttheni, may be suspèhded by order ofthe . minister in charge of local autliorities for a pèriod iiot exceeding 3 (three) rnonths.

' . . :'

Beyond sLich. period, fiJeyma·y be rehabilitated or cHsmissed. ·

. . ... _ .• (2). The dismissal referred to . in . sub-section 1 above shall be ordered by deâee-of the President of the Repuplic, ·

' • w• • • • • •

· ·(3) The suspension orders and the dismissal de cree must be r~asoried .

·. (4) DismissëdQr impeached .mayo;s and •deputy mayor$ shall keèp the status .· of municipal CQljncillor. · · · · ·

. . . . . ·. : ' ·._ ·· . . . . . . ·. . . . .

Section 226: (1) ln case of, embezzlernènt of public furids, an offence Hable tb . · criminal sanction . with ._ forfeitute; p,roven shortcoming or . gross miscoriduct in the · · dischargê of thèir düties, .the inayorand deputy mayors may be dismissed by decree _· ·.of thè .President of thè Repüblic, Linder the conditions provided for in Section 225 ~~: . . . . . . . . . . .

.. . · (2) They may also; after b,eing heard; be dismissed by deliberation of the · co~ncilbdard during an extraordinary se~sion ëonvened by the representative of the

. . . State at his own . initiative or that of two third.s of board ·rhembers. Thé deliberation . shaH automatically entail sÜspension ·of the mayor or .and deputy mayors' onëe itis

adoptëd.llshqll be rendered emforceable by arder ofthe minister in charge of local autliorities. .. · · · ·

. . . . . : . .

. Section 227: (1) Where the :mayor refuses to take or refr(:lins frOm takirig the actio11s reqùired of him by the laws and regulations in force, the rninister iri charge of local aüthorities; to whom the · matter is referred by ·the representative of the State, ·and .

. atterformal notice, may order such actions to be takènas ()f right. .

. . . ,(2) Whete th~ measürehas· an intér-council scope, the. ministet incharge of local auf~orities, to ·whom the matter is referred by the representative of the State, may act in lieu of the mayors oqhe councils concerned, underthe same conditions.

· . .. · , Section 228: (1) The formai notice referrëd to in Section 227 above shaH be sent to the mayorconcerned byany mearis in writing . . · · ·

(2)U must specifythe ti.me limitwithin whichthe mayor is expected to replyto-the · . representative ofthe State, · · · · · · · ·

. . . . . .· . . . . . . . . . : .

,(3) Whëre ·he does not re ply at the explry of · the ti me lirnit provided for insub- ·· section 2above, his silence shall be construed as refusai.

Section 229: ·(1) The mayor o~thEl deputy mayor who, fora r~ason subsequent to his . élection, no longer fi,Jifils the conditions required to be:mayor or depütymayor, orWho ·

Jinds himself in brie :of thé cases of intonipatibility provided for by. this law, must. ... .. · immediate.ly céasethe performance of his duties~ · ·· · · ·

· · (2) The minister in . charge of local authorities, to whom . the matter is referred · . by the representative of the State, shall emjoin the mayor .or the deputy mayor to .·· im111ediately hand • over · to his designated replacement · without waiting for the instailation of his successor. Where the mayor refuses to resign, the minister in

· ·.· charge of Jocal authorities shaU establish his suspension by orderfor a du ration that . tîe shall fix. His dutîes shall be terminatedby decrée of the President oftheHépublië.

. .. . . . . . . . . .

· Se.ction 230: (1) The ·mayor appointed to . a position thatis incompatiblè with his .... ·• ôffice shall be boun~ to make an option statementwitfiin 30 (thirty) days. · After this .. 1ime limit, hemayberequestedby théminlster in charge of local authorities, to whom the : matter is referred by the representative of the State, to give up one of his ·positions. · · · ·.. · · · · · · · · ·

. . : (2) ln càse of refusai cir within a maximum period of 15 (fifteen) days follbwing_ the formai notice provided ferin Section 229 ab ove, the mayOr shall be con$idered to have resigrïed by order of the minister in charge of localauthorities.

minister in charge of local authorities or, where appropriate, .yvithin _a maximum périod of t (orie) .month witheffectfrom the dispatch of aneW registered letter, ·

. · (2) Mayors and deputy mayors who have resigned shall continue to discharge · ·· .· their duties until theirsuccessors are installed. · ·

Section 232: The provi~ionsof the -criminal legislation in .forceshall apply to any · . mayor who deliberately tenders his resignation to preveht or ·stay the. administration ofjustice or the, performance of any service. . .

. . . . . . . .

· . ·Section 233: Dismissal shallimply, ipso facto, ineligibility for the duties of mayor and deputy mayor until the end of the term of office, with effect from the date of pübllcation of the dismissal decree. · · ·

Sectio:r1 234: (1) ln the event of dismissal, suspension; absençe or any other irripediment, the rnayor shall bè ternporarily rèplaced.by a députy mayor in the: arder · of électiçm and, in. the absence. of a deputy mayor, by a municipal councillor

· designated in the order of the list. · · ··

. ·· .. (2) ln the latter case, · the council board may, within a maximum period of 8 (eight) days, designateoneof its mèmbers to a~t as substitutè. ·

Sectioh 235: ·.{1} Where a mayor is disrtlissed or suspended, his replàcemenfshall · fully dischargehis duttes until anewmayoriselected, whiçh rnustbewithTri 60(sixty)

· days from the date. of thè dismissal or suspension. · ·

. (2) 1~ case of ab~ence or . impediment, the mayor's replacement Shall be responsible for the day~to-::day runniqg of the council. He may, notably; not replace

· · ~ the mayor in the ·general management of council'bÛsiness, br am end decisions or · budget provisions. · ·

. • (3) .Thè cases .of.absence or.impediment provided _for in $U.b'"sedion 2. ab~vë · .· may not exceed. 3 (three) mpnths.Beyorid this period, the re.présentativeofthe State shall convene the cou neil t>oarçl to replace the absent or impedëd mayor. ··

:section .· 236: (1) ln limès ~f war, . the mayor and muhicipal cou~cillors may, for reâsons of · pljblic order or general interést, be suspended individually by decreë of the President ofthe Hepublic i.mtir end OT hostilities. The council boardmenibei"s so . .

· suspended, shaU not bë replacecj m.imericaUy duringtheir normal terrri of office. · ·

.. . • . (2) · Howëver, · .. whëre th~~e .· is. measùre to . rëduce the nulllber of .cquncil . ·. members by at léast one quarter, a special delegation shall be constituted. .

·. Section 237: (1) Thenon-exhaustive listof acts ofprofessional misconduct that may · .· give rise tdthe application ofthe provisions of Section 225 above sha.ll be as follows~ .

. : (a} acts providèd for and pünished . by l~ws and regulations relating to the , control of authorizing offic~rs and managers of public. appropriations;

·. ·· .· (b) u~e ofcounèit public funds for persona! m. priva te purposes; . ·

;....;.--~~d~~~~~~-tef~I'Yl as provided for în the criminallaw:· ··

54

~----

: • , ··

.. ·.

(d) extqrtion 6rdishonest receiptof money, orpribery;

. (e) specul~:ltiori .on the allocation or use of public .land and other council movable and irnrnovable prop~rty, building, land parcelling or demolition permits . .

. . . .· : . : . . . . . . .

· {2) ln the cases listed abovè, the administrative penalty shall not preclude . legal proceedings, inaccordance with the laws in force. · · ·

. Section 238: Where the mayor, the deputy mayors, the chairpersoh or members of thé special delegation . commit one of the irregqlarities provided for by the laws in forcé relating to the · control of authorizing officers and managers of public ·. (ipp'ropriation, they Shélll .be Hable to be broüghtbefore the competent aLithorîties.

• S~ction 239: The~ayor, the deputy mayors, th.e chairpersc>n or members of the . . special delegation who UnlàWfully interfere in the handling of coi.mcil funds shall be · treated as ·de ·facto accountiimts and . may, as such, be prosecuted before the

coi'Dpetent courts.

· · . .· . . . . PART Ill . . . . . :SPEClAL REGIME APPLICABLE TO .URBAN CENTRES

Section 240: (1) Onaccount oftheir peculiarity, so~e urban centres may.be raised . to city couricHsby decree of the President of theRepubliC which shaH determine their ·. seats abd territorial jurisdiction. . · ·

(2) The city cou neil shali be a local authority comp<;>sed of at least 2 (two) . · .. · councils. . · · · · · ·

· •··· .: .· (3) The cp un cils th at . make · up the city . council shall be referr'ed to . as sub:: . · ·.···. · · · . divislonal counëils. · · · ·. · · · ·.· · · · ·

· (4) The city council shall be referredto ••city : .... , imrl1ediately preceded by the name ot'the urbàn ceritre concerned. -. . . . . . . . . . .

. CHAPTERI CITY COUNCIL .

. . . . . . J;;_ Powers of the Cîty Cou nell

Section 241: (1) The dty council shall have jurisdiCtion over any action pertaining to .· · . inter~council collaboration, major works and structuring pr()jeCts. · ·

. . . . . ~ . . . . . .

·. · .. ·.· . · (2) Any power or rèsource relating to -inter"'counbil projects by nature or purpcise, ·irifrastrùcturé transférred to the city council, .built or deyeloped by thé latter,

· as well .as. infrastructur~ ;that,on account of its ge_ographicallocation or symbolic or economie importance; is Open to . use by the · inhabitants of many sub.,.divisional councils; shaH be ofcity:counciJ interest. . .

(3} Ac:cordingly, the. following activities shaH fall .under the exclusive jurlsdiction of the city council : ·

55 .·

devel6pment of couricil tou rist sites; · ~ . ·.

~ . cleaning of national, regional and divisio . oads a's \f\lell as city council public spaces; ·.

. . . . .

monitoring _andcontrol of .inçJustrial waste management;·.

prepahrig c!ty ·.environ mental action plans, ·· in . particular pollution and nuisance control as weil as the protection of green spaces;

- creatirig, maintairiirigand managing city greens, parks and gardens;

· constituting city land reserves; . . . ..

·. ~ollecting, disposai and . pr~cessing of householdwàste; · ..

creating ~nd developirig public urban spa ces; . . . . .

: .. .

- urb~n planning, .coric~rt~d developmentplans and master plans, urban renewal and land consolidation documents.· ln that connection, the city. council shaH express its opinion on the draft regional territorial ·development plan priorto approval ; ·

. . .

'"""·. participating in the organizationand m~~agementof urban. public transport;

. develôprnerit operations of·city interest; . . .. . . . .

. - . issuing t~wh planning certificates, land parc~lling authorizati~ns; location · perrnits ·and building and demolition periTlits; · · · ·

creating, developing; maintairiing; operating and manâging primary and secondary raad networks, their outworks and equipment, including street lighting, traffic signs,

.. :stormwaterdrainagê, safety equipment and,civil engineering structures; ·

· """. · . ~~o:~dinating LÙban enetgy, drihking water and telèt~mmunications distribution networks and ali stakeholders in the city's public communication network; ··

· . . ..:..creating, developing, · maintaihing, operatihg and managing sanitation, wastewater éihcJ storm water equipinent; ·

urba~ traffic and rnovementplans forthé entire raad tiètwork; .·.

- addressing and naming ofstreets, .publicsquares andbuildings;

--- creating indüstrial a'~ti~ity zones; . . .... ~ .. ·'

.. creati~g. mairitainir1g and managing public cemetries •

• ·. {4)' tnth;e eventof confliêt of powers between fhecitycouncil and the -sub-divisional · · coüncils, . the mayor of the city coun~il or of the slJb-divisional_ council shall r(?fer the · matterto the administrativejudge having territorial jurisdiction. · · · . . . ' ' · . . .. . . . ·.- . . .· . ·.. .. . .

. .... · ... _ •. Il ~ Oganlzation and Functioningofthe City Councit

·· Section 242: The city cou neil shaH function in acc~rdance with the ru les applicr:3ble to the couricil / as provided for by this law. . . .

. Section 243: (1 )The city coundl deliberative organ shaH be the city council board.

(2) Thé executive organ ofthe city couneilshall comprise the mayor of the city and deputy mayors. · · · ·· · · · · · ·

56

. . Section 244: (1) The. city co.uncil bo~~~~~~~~;~~d · councils and . representatives designated from

·. 111embers shall bereférre9 to as city councillors. . . . .

.• (2) Th.e city council board .shall delibérate on · ali matters falling with in its jurisdicti~:m. · ·

. · (3) Sena tors of the city countil ol attachme.nt shall take part in the prç>ceedings ·· ·. · of the city 9ouncil in an advisory capacity.

. . . . : . . . . . . .

. Section 245: {1) The. term of office of the city council board shall expire at the same _· .. __ -tirne as that ofthe municipal couricillors ofsub~divisiorial coüncils .

. · (2)A council board sh.all be representeq within the city council board_, in case of dissolution; resigllatkm ofall its members or suspel)sign, by 5 (five) members of the spéciaL delegation provided for in Seétions 192 'to 195 abo.V~. · .

(~} ln case of vacancy of the position of city councillor as a result of death, . resignation or for any other rea son, the counci_l board of the sub-divisional -cou neil

·. · concerned shall fiH the position within a maximum period of 2 (two) months. ·

.•. __ Section 246: ( 1) The . city ~ayor, ·municipal councilor of a. sub-divisional cou neil of the. · . sa id city council shaH be a native ofthe r~gion of attachm.ent of the city qouncil. ·

. . .. (2) The city mayor and his deputies shall be elected by a co liege composed of .. aH the Qlunicipal councillors pf the sUb~divlsional cÔuncils in the city. The election ..

shall be ·ccmducted on the third tuesday following the date of proclamation of the Sùb.,divisj()n.al ~result~; a~ the ._ request of the representative of the. state1 foUowing the conditions laid down in section 200 of this law. . .

. . (3) He shall pérfcïnil ali the mUnicipal duties within the context 'of the powers . ·• .· devolved tothe city couridl. •..

Section 247: -(t)The city mayorshall be_assisted by electE3ddeputymayors . .

(2) The ~umber of deF>Utymayor$ shall be fixed as follows:

~ tity council cqmprising 2 (two) to 3 (three) sub.,divisio~al councils: 2 . (two) .deputy rn:ayors; .. · . . . . . . . . . . .

- city cou~cil ~ompdsing 4 (four) to 5 (five) sub,.divisional cot.mçils: 3 (three) deputy mayors~ · - ·.

- city co'uncil. comprising 6 (six) . to .7 (seven) sub-divi.sional couriCils: 4 (four) · deputy: mayors; , · · ·

. - City cou neil comprising more th an 7 (seven) sub~divisional councils: 5 (five) deputy _mayors. · ·

. (3) The distribution of the positions of deputy m-ayors of th~ ~ity co un cil must; as rnuch as possible, · reflect thé configuration of the city cou neil board . ln any case,

.. 57

·. the .Gity mayor and deputy mayors may neither combï'ne their duties With.those of . sub~divi~ional mayor or. deputy mayor, nor origiri~te from the · sa me sub.:divisional

· councU board. · · · · .· · ·

.- •. · (4:) The city council board _session devoted to the designation of the city · .. _ co un cil mayor and deputy màyors shall be cohvened by the representative of the

· 8tate on the. -fourth Tuésday following the proClamation of the sub-divisional council election results. ltshalt be deyoted to sétting up of conimlttees to study m~tters that

. fall within its remit. · · · ·

Section 248: (1) The city mayor:shall convene and chair -city coUncil board sessions.

: . . ·

·. . . . .

. . (2) The. city mayor shall be responsible for: ._ .

·· preparing and implementing city co un cil board deliberations;

- preparing and executing city. councilbudget;

organizi~g and managihg èity council services; · __ ·

inanagiqg city council resources and property; .· : . . . .• .· . . . . .

sup~rvising dty council works; . . . . .

. . representing the ~rb an centre in solemn cer.emo~·~- s:;~~===:z:=::::;z=;;-.;=-_.

Section 249: (1) . The deliberati~ns · of -the city · coùnçil board shall corn ply with · the .· · legal regime of cou neil' board résoh.itioriS. . . . . . . ·. . . · . .

.• .· .· _ (2) Copies of the ~éliberations shall be forwa~ded by the city mayor to the . mayors of the sub-divis'ional councils coricernèd within 10 (ten) days . following thé ir entryinto force . . · ·

· (3) The mayors ·of Sub-divisior)al cduncils shaH bè bound to notify the pèli.beratioos referred to in_sub-:s~ctions (1) ard (2) above to their councH boat~ sat · · the session immedie3tely following the hc)lding of the city councilboard session. ·

. ,· ... CHAPTERII

SUB-DIVISIONAL COUNCIL

1 - Power~ of the S~b-divisiona~ Councn .

··._.·_. S~ctioi12SO: . (1) Thepfovisions ofthis lawrelating to c.ouricils shall be applicablè to .. . . ·. city 'coühcils andsub~djvisional coüncils. : ', . .

. . {2) Sub:divlsional councHs . Shall éxercise ali the pow~rs devolved :tq councils · ·. by this law, save for tho.sè explicitly dèvolved·to city councils iri Section 241 above.

. . . ~ . . . . . .

_ . . (3) ln any case, thè . powèrs of councils shall con cern projëcts relating to the gras~roots . ~nd daily _life ·of · th~ in habitants, . infrastructure tra.nsferred to the sub:

_._ divisional cou neil, built or managed by the latter, as weil as infrastructure Whiçh, on account of thefr purposé arid geogràphicar location; are opeh rnainly for use bythe

· populations ofthe sup-divisional cou neil c.oricerned. · .. .

58 .

-:: ..

. . .

Section · 251: .· (1) The mayor of · the sub~divisional cou neil shall be . an ex qfficio rnem1ber 9f the city council board. . .

' · · . •' . .

{2) ln addition to .the mayor; the sub~divisional council board shâll elect from · amol"')g itsmef1ibers 10 (ten) councillors to sëaton the city couricil bo~rd . . , ... _ . :,

.. ·. (3) The ele-ction provided for' in sub-sectiori. 2 above shall bé organized du ring . the as . of right session of the board held immediately · after the prqclamation of the

muniCipal election results. . · · · . . .

. •·· ·Section 252: {1) The sub-pivisional cou neil board· shall express its opinion, whenever · · · requestèd · by the eity cou neil or any other body; on . rnattêrs relating to the cou neil

concerned. · .·. · ·· · · · ·

· .· .·.· .. · · .... (2) The c~nsult~Ho~ provided'for i~ sub~section .1 ab ove . shaH be . mandatory · . ·for any operation or any project of general interestto. be implemented, in full or in ·

part;onits territory ~ · · · · ·. ·. ' . · . . . . . : .

. • Section 253: .(1) Sub..;divisionâl cou neil boards may meèt at the request of two thirds · of their members·or, exceptionally, of the city mayor, jo discussa specifie agenda,

·. · notably where city coli neil in~erestis concerned .. ln this case, the city council mayor . . may issue·~ statemént to the sub~divislonal councillors .attending the meetin~ .

· (2) The convening provided for in sub.:section·1· above shall be subject to the . prior approval of the . representative of the State, wh~re it is hïitiated by the city

mayor.· · · · ·. ·Section 254: ( 1) Except in case of the consultation · referred to in Section 252 . above,

the sub~divisionâl co un cil board may not deliberate on .a power devolved to the city counciL . . . . . . . .

. . · . (2) ln ëach case of consult~tion; the deJi.beratiOnS ofthe. SlJb~diVisional cou neil .. · board· may not bè' repugr:~ant t6 th ose · ofthè city coùncil board. · ·

. .•· (3) Nàtwithstahdi~g ·.thé provisions of sub-section 2 above, where the sub-.. divisional coùncil·· board adoptsa deliberation that goes cbunter to that of the city · council; the resolution of the sub-diVisional council shaH be automatically nu li and .

·. void, except in the case of violation of the instruments ln force by the city counë:;il.

.. . . . . .• Il - Organization and Functioning of the: Sub-divisionaiCouncil ·

. :sectioh · 255: The President of . the· Republic rriay; by decree, subject ·any cou neil to · . . ·theprovisionàofthis Parton account ofits status and·its leve! ofdevelopment.

. . . . . . . .

.· sedion 256~ (1)The te.rms and conditions fortransf~rring the assetsand liabilitiesof · the urb.ah ëentre split intô sub-divisional co un cils . shall be laid dawn by arder of th~ minister in charge. ofloc_al authorities:: ·. · ·· · · · · · ·

(2) ·The orderprovic;led for in sùb-section 1 above shall be published within a maximUm period 3 (three) months f · wing the date of creation of the city coûnci l.

·. 59

· ·· .. :· .

. Sectio,n 257: The creation . of . any inter-council service by the city council shall be subject to the prior con~ent of the sub-divisionàl councHs expressed by concurring deliberations. · ·

Section 258: The proVISions of this law on the organization and functioning of . councils shallapply, mt.Hatis mutandis, to Sl,lb:..divisional councils; ,.

---------~--

· ...

.· :

·'·· . . ,

,. ·

.. . · .·· ·.

. . . . ' · · ..

. :~-

60

. · .....

····BOOK FOUR LES APPLICABLE TO REGIONS

PARTI GENERAL PROVISIONS . .

. Se~tion259: {1) The region shall bea local authority composed of several divisions. ' lt shall co\ler the same territorial boundaries of the region which · is an administrative unit. · · · ·

. · .. · .. (2) · Tlîè region shall . have .a general duty to pmmote econom.ic development and .social progrëss. As su ch, it shall contribute to harmonioüs, balan'cêd, supportive .· .· andsustainable territorial dèvelopmetit. . · · · · ·

Section 260: The creation of regions, the modification of their names and their .. · démarcation shall. be carried out ih accordapcewith the provisions of Article 61 ofthe.

·Constitution; · · · · · · · · ·

. ·• Seètion 261: The chief .town of the regicm . as a local allthority .shall be the. · headquarters ôfthe region as an administrative unit.

. . . . . . . . . . .

.Section 262: The boundariès or chief town of relevant administrative units sh~:tll be modified as re~ult of: . .. .. ' . . . . . . . . · · . . . . . . . .· . . .. ·· . ·. ' . ' • .

. ...: •. theattachmentof a council or. part of a council to a region; '

. ~·· ' t~e niod iflcation of the territorial · boun_daries 9f regions; .

. - . the desi~rÎ~ttion ·of a new headquarters. . . . . . ..

S~étion 2S3>The : chief twon of a countilor part of a cou neil to a regionshall be subj~ctto the opinion ofthe deliberative .organsof the ·relevant cou neil and region .

· .. Section 264: Modifications to the territorial . jurisdictions . of regions . shall take · effect •· from the date of opening of the first session . of the regibnal coUncil of the newly · crëated eritity, subject to ·contrary provisions of the, modifiçation ôecrèe. ln the latter 'case, the decree shall provide for the dissolution of the regional couricil(s)

. ëoncerned. ·

S~ction 265: (~) the . instruments . rnodifying the territorial boundarie.s of one or more regions · ~hall lay down theterms ~nd · conditions thereof, including thos~ rerating ta the devolution ofproperty. ·

· : ._, (2}The iristrumènts referreé:Üo in Sub-section 1 abôve shaH also lay dovm the - ~ . conditions for allocatirig the following to the region or regions of attachmènt; orjo the · · Statë: · ·· · · ·· ·

lands or buildings forming part of the public property of the State;

- .the private property of the State;

·,

61

. . . . . .

. . ... ~ . .

. donations with charge~ made to the.dissolved region . . · ... ' • . . . . . .·

Secti~n 266: (1) ln acëordance with the laws in force, the' regi~n mày undertàke action~ thar are supp.lementary to those.of the State. ·

. . . . . . ' . . . . .

(2). lt shall propose to councils under its jurisdict,ion measures to promote the coordimition of local development actions and investments. · As such, regional councjllors shall participate, 'as of right, in the proceedings · of the board of their

. co une il of attachment, in an advisory capacity.

· : . CHAPTERI . . ECONOMIC OEVELOPMENT

f;. Economie Action ·

· Section 267: The folloWing powers shailbe devolved upon regions:

·• pr~rnoting small~ and medium-sized ènterprises; . · ·

. organizingtrade' fairs and exhibitions; . .·

· promqting himdicr;;~fts; . .

· promoting agricultural,pastoral and fis hery activities; . . . .

. erlcè>urë:tging the creation of regional groupings foreco.nomic operatofs;

supporting income~g~ner~tir1g ~ndjob-creatingmiciro.;projects; . •. ·

promdtinQ toufisrn.

Il • Environmental and Natural Resources Management

.. Section .26.8: Thef~llowing po~ers shaH be devolved upon régions: .

. ; .·

.. . .. . . . . . . . . . .· : . : . .

· · · • - ·. màrïaging, protecting C\nd maiotaining protected a reas and nqtural sites fafling · . -···· uhder the judsâiction of the region;· ·. • · · ·.· · · · ·. · ·• .. · ·. ·· .. · · · ,

- · · preserving à nd imptementing oth~rlocal mea.suresto protectnature;

managing regional in te rest water; .

-- . creating wood lands, forests·and protected areas of regional inter~st following à plan duly approved by the representativE§ of the State;

. creating.firèwaUs -ar1dearlyfiring as part of the fightagainst bush fires; . ... ·, .. . . . . ,. . · . . . .· '• . . . . .

managing regional natural ·. parks following · a · plan · ·submitted to the Représentative of the State for approval; .

formulating, implementing and monitoring regional émiironmental action plans . . or,schemes; · · ·

6.2

formt.Jiating and implementing specifie risk __ prevention _-and · emerge ney •--response ·regional plans. ·

.. ·. . . · .. .:· . . . .

m ·~ Spatial Planning, Regional Development.· Public Works, · - · TownPJahnirig and Housing

· _-_-Section 269: The following powers shall be devolved upon regions :_

fotm~latingand implementing regional development plans;

·-· · -signing performance con tracts with •· the . State for · th~ achievement . of · _. develppntent objectives; · - -- ··

: . : .·

·.- - __ -partlcipating in · the _ orgariization and 'management of _interurban public : .' t~ansport; .- · --

.,. c~ordinatingdevelopillellt actiorls;

- formulating regional territorial development guiç:Jelines, . in accorda nee with the . national plai1; . .. . ·. . . . . . . .

.., _ participating -in the formulation of urban planning documents and · local ' authority rnaster plans; . ..

re~abimating and maintaining division al and regionàl roads; .

- supporting the actions of councils in town planning ~nd housing matters.

-_ -- - . CHAPTER il __ . - . -_ -_H·E-ALTH AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT -

1- Health ·and Social Action .: .. · .. . -: . . .. · . :-. . . , · ·· __ :: ... . · . . ·. . . . ·. ·. · . .

_ Section 270: The following po~ers shali b_e devolved upon regions: . . . . . . .

..,. _ creating, . in accordance '{'Jith the .. health .map, equipping, . managing anq · · maintai~_ihg healt~ facilitieswithinthe region; - ·

- participating in -mairitaining and ;,anaging ' social - advancerl1ent ·and/o-r -.--rehabilitation -centres; -· · · · · ·

__ . __ •· r~cr~iting and mam:tging. ~ursing anq paramedical staff of regional and district --- --hosp- itals· - · · - · · - · · · ·

. 1

~ supporting health facilities and social institution$; _ --

• impl~memtihg pr~ventive and hygie nic measures;

organizing and managing assistance to the needy; . . . . .

participating i~ the deve!opmerit of the regional porti~n of the health map;

- - _ participating in . organizing :and -managing drug 'supply, essential reagents and -_ •·_ appHances, in accorda nee with the national health po licy: - -

63

, ·· ..

. . . . . ·. . . . CHAPTER Ill . . . . . ' . . ..•

... EDUCATlONAL1 SPORTS ANO CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT

_ 1 ~ Education, Uteracy and Vocatiorial Training Section 271: The following powérs shall be devolved upon regions: (a) Education: · ·· · · . · · . · . . · .

- participàtipg in drawing up and implementing the regional portion of the · national school map; · · · · ·

""'" creating, equipping, lllanaging . and maintaining governm~nt second~ry and high schè>Ois as weil as colleges in the region; ··

. - . . . . . ·. .. .

· recruiting and mc:maging teachirig and support staff of such institutions;

·. acquiring •school supplieS ~md mate rials; . . .

.,. distributing ancl. 'àwarding scholarships aod schooJ gr~nts;

particip~ting. in thé management and administration ofgovernmentsècondary and . high ··. schools as weil . as -colleges throùgh dialogue. and . consultation platforms; · · · · ·

supporting the - actions . of councils in the . area of prirnary and . nursery education. ·

• . >

(b)Uteracy: · . . . . _.. •. . -. . · . · . · . · · ·. · . · · · formulatingarid implen1enting rêgional plans to elknin~tè illiteracy; · ·

- · preparinga~nual s~mma~ reports on the implementation of literacy campaigh ·.· plans; ·. · · ·

- . rècruitirig persbrine.l in _charge of-literacy campaigns; .

training trainers; · · .. . . . . . .. . .

·. designing and producing teaching _aids; ..

·drawing qp tlÏe . lit~racymap; .. . ..

.:.. ·. G()nStructing educati~mal infrastructure and facilities;

.,... _·. monitoring alld evafuating illiteracy eliminatio'n èc:lmpaigns~ . - . .

(c) Voqatlonaltrainillg: _ . · , ·· . . · . . · ·. ·._· · .·· . .. ·· . · · .. · . . carryihg out . a coxnprehensivê censos ofthe .region's tràdes and preparing a

directory of existing vocational training col,lr~~s. with (:ln iridJcation-<of the .· · · n:iqüired skills ai:ù:f training profiles; • · · ·

- • particip.ating .. in çirawing ~P the regional portion of the school rnap relating to · techtücal education arid vocatibnal training; . . .

developing a forward-looking training plan; . . . . . . .

·. - ~ ensuri~g tne upkeep and. maintaining ~schools; training centres and institutes in th~ reg ion; · · · · .· · ~-.;;..;_~~· :-:-:7:-::-:--:-:-::::-;-;;-;:-;;-;-;:;~~-ï

·· recruiting and. managing support staff;

64

.. .. ··

.···

~ p~rticipating in the procurement of teaching aios, especially supplîes and work materials; · · · ·

. . .

- participating in the management and administration .of State training centres through dialogue and consultation platforms; . . .

- formulatirig aregion~l plan for thévocationc::tlint4?gratiori of youth;

ass.isting in the. drawing up OT school.:enterprises partnership coritracts . .

. Il -Youth Affairs, Sports and Leisure

· . Section 272: The following:powers shall be devolved up~n regions: .

i~suing , authori~ationsto dpen educational centres duly approved by th~ representative ofthe SÜite; · · · . . ·

assistihgregional sport~ associations;

constmcting, .·· administering and managing sports aild . socio-educational . infrastructure with a regional status; .

organizing, co~rdin<3ting a~d d~vêloping socio:-ëdÛcational actjvities; .

promoting and m~naging physical and sports activîties at the regionallevei :

creatingand operating:leisure parks of regional interest; ... · . . . . .

. - ~rganiiing recreation al socio.:cultural events of regional interest.

Ill -: Culture andPromotion of National Lan

· . . · (a) Culture . . ·. promoting and developing cultural activities;

contfibutirig 'toJhe surveillance ~md monitoring of the conservatidr1 status of historicalsites and mm1ur11ents and discoVery of prehistoric Vestiges; ·

. ...... · orga.niiih.g cultural · days, tradJtiorial cultur~l .:events . and literary and artistic. · .. ··••· contests;: · · · · · · ·· · · · · ·

. . . .

. creating arid managing bands, traditional sohg groups, ballets and drama · · ·•· · groups of regional interest; ·

· creating à nd managing socio-cu.ltural centres and public reading . libraries . of regional interest; . . . .· . . ·. . .

collecting · and .· tran~lating works of oral tradition . 'su ch ,as tales, myths and · Jegends, wlth a view to f~cilitating thèir publication,; . · -

- .· assisting ~ultural associations. ·. .

(b) Promotion of national.langüagés . . ... ericouraging functio'nal comma nd of national- languag~s and producing the regionallirigùistic map; . . . . .

65

· . ..

. , .. ·

- ·. participating in the promotion of publishing in national languages~ . . . . . . .

-- prornoting print and broadcast meclia innationallanguages; ..

- .. building infrastructure and facilities.

PARTIII . REGIONAL ORGANS .

. . ·. . . . . . . . . . . . : . . .· . . .· .

·Section 274: ( 1) Regions shall have the following organ

. • . theRegional Council;

the President of the Regional Çounèil.

(2) The reg:ion shall he administrated by the Regional Council through its .. ·· deliperatioris .and by the President of the Regional Cou neil through the i:nstruments .

. hè signs, the· investigation of case~ aridthe implemén~ation. ofdeliberations. . .

.··. · CHAPTERJ .

REGIONAL COUNCIL ··

., ,_Composition of the RegionaiCoù~cif · . . . . . . .

Section 275: (1) The RegionalC?uncil shaU beth~ cieli~erative org<:1n ofthe region.

. . (2) lt shall be composed . of 90 (ninety) regional cour1cillors wh ose term of office shélllbe fi\Je years .

. ·.·. . _· .. . ···· .. ... . · ·. ·. . . ·· .

{$) :TheRegional Coüncilshall comprise: .. · . . . . . . . . . . . . . . : .

divisional representatives eiE)cted byindi~ect univers(;ll suff~age;

- · r~presentatives of traditional rul~rs elect~d.bytheir peers ..

. . Section 276: (1) ;The . Regional Council shaH reflect thë various sociologiCé:il ·· · ··.· , coniponerits ·of thë region. ltshall, inter aliai ensure representation of the region's

. indigenouspeople,- minorities and gender. . . ' ..

· . .. ·

~ . . . . .

. . (2)Parliamentarians and mayors of the region shall attend its meetings iri ari aqvisorycapacity. · · · ·

n- Du~ies of the Regional Council . ·. . . . . . .· : . . · ' . .· . .

.S.ection277: .(1) The Regional Council shaH settle rêgional ·rnatters by·déliberatiOn, · .. · .. . . . . . . . . . . . '

. ·.· ·· . {2) lt . shall ·. express .. an . opinion 'Whenever . it · isrequired by the Jaws ·and . regulations or atlhe requ.est of the repr~sentafive ofthe State. . · ·

. . .· (3) lt may express wishe$ through deliberations on ali '!'latters of reg anal · ·interest. · ·

66

··-

; '· ' _ (4) lfshall be informed ofthe progress of works and activities financed bythe _ region.. _ -

. .. . . . .

_ ·. (5) lt shaH mandatorily be consulted for the implementation, i11 the territory of ·the. région, of any development or equipment project by the State, councils or any public, semi~pUbHc or private body.. ·

. {6) lt shalllay down. its standing orders.

Secticm 278: T~~ Regional Cou~ cil shall deliberate; in particular, on:

1'" development plans and programmes; -.

· 2"' budget$ and administr?.tiveand managèmen~ accourit~; · ·

--- 3- the creation and management of public amemities of régional interest in the · -- areas ofsecondary .educàtion, health, public hygiel1e and sanitation, road and

communications infr~structure classified Und er the regional dornain, -public ·. tre~nsport and road traffic plans, water and eriergy; fairs and markets; youth,

. . . _· -· _. ··. sports,arts· ând culture, and artisc:mal mining activities in ttiê region; .

. 4-. the management of . ~reas . of regional intèrest; . e.specially the fight against _ pollution and nuisances, the organization of agricultural ano animal health . aCtivitiès,-_· land · management, - the acquisition -_ and disposai of heritage . properties, th~ management of forest, wjldlife and fishery resourcés;

5- the creation and rrianagernellt of regional public services; _·

. 6'" the organiÙltiCm ofeconomic activities; .

7- the drganizattonof ~ràft and ·tou rist activities; _ _ · .. ·

.. a~ the organization ·of socialpromotionaridprotection activities; ..

9.; th~ fixing ~f region~! tax rates in accordance with the brackets s·et by law;

.··11 ~ lea~es and othe,r agreements; .

·_- 12-. loans ·and .-loanguarantees or endorsements; -.

· 13.;. grÇint of subsidies; _

.--: 14'" shareholding; -

-15- twinning projects and _ coop~ration with other domëstic or foreign ·regional . authorities; .

·.. . . .. . . .

1 _6~ petsoiiri~l ni~h~gèment ~~rangements; _

. 17.;. the st~nding orde.rsprovidirig, . inter alia, conditior~s for the functioning of regional committees;

+a-me syst~m . and conditions of access to and use. of ali types of water points ..

· •-• Seètion 279: (1) The Regi9nal Cou neil may delegate some, of its powers to the bureau; save for th ose sp~cified in section 278 ab ove. The corresponding decision .111ust be the subject of a deliberation to determine the extent and du ration of the -

67

. · .• · .

. delegation. At the expiry of the delegation, an account shall be . remdered to the .·council. . · · · ·

. •··. ' . (2} ltshall designate :delegates from alllong its rnemoers to sit withirl external bodies, in accorda nee with the instruments governing .· those bodies. ·The determination of the. dur'cltion of the duties assigned to su ch mE:mibers br delegates shall not prevent the Regional Cou neil from replacing them at any time, and for the .

· remainder of that period. · · · ·

ni .;.. Functioning of the Regional Council . ·· . . _.· .

. Section .280;· (1} Thé Regional Gouncil shall meet in ordinary: session once evel)l · quarterwhen corivened by its President who shall establish the agenda ~hereof. The .· ·. dùration of eàch ses$ion may not exceed 8 (eight)dàys, save for the budget session, whichnîay last 15 (fifteen) days. . · · ·

.· (2) During the election of new regional councillors ·and duriqg the. initi~l. · establishment of Régional Councils,. the first s.ession shall be convened as ofright on

· th~ sèCorid tuésday follàwing the proclamation of resl,Jits. · ln this case, the session ·. sbàll be cônveried by thé representative. oftheState~ ' ·· · · ·

. . . . .

. . '(3) · ln . fhe· case . of election of ·· n~w . regional touncillors pursuc:mt t o the provisions of Sub-sedion 2above, the powers of the oütgoing Regional Cou neil shall expire at the openîng 6fthe.ses,sion held as of right. · · ·

.·.· Section281:. The Regional Co~ncilshal;be convened in extraordinary session on .a·. specifie ç:tgend(l atthe requést of: . ·.· ·.. . .. · ' ·. . . ·. ·.. .· .

· . . . : . ·.· .· . . ·· . . . .

. itsPresident; .·· . . .

at least.2./3 (two-thirds) of its members, for a period not exceeding 3· (three) .· days; · · · · ·

. . .

- therepresehtative of the Statë .

. . · ·. séction 282: (1) The Regional · Cou neil shail . have the . following four cornmittées,. · · eàch head éd b)' a committee member: · · · · · · ·· ·

,.· . : . .

Committee on ;dministrative and Legal Affairs, and Standing Orders;

. Committee on Education, Health, Populati~n, ·•·· Soëial and Gulturàl Affairs, Youth and Sports; .· .· · · ·

·.· GommiHee on Finance; tnfrastructure, Planning and Etonorrlic D~vélopment; ·

·. tC>mrnittee' on Environ ment, Regional D.eveldpment, ·state . Propèrty, Town .. Planning ~nd Housif1g. ·

. •. (2) Notwithstariding the provisions of Sub-section 1 above, the Regional · Coùncil may: · · · · _._ . ~1"'"7'

68

. ..

' .·

.. . =··

set Up or dissolve any ether committee by deliberation, atth13 request. of its f'residént or 2/3 (two;.thirds)_ of its members; . .

.. invite anyperson in an advisory oapacity, on aècoünt of their competence on a ·_session agenda item or on the agenda of the committee meeting;

. . . . . : . .

setup or dissolve any ad /wc.committee.

Section 283: The personsinvited in an advisory capéicity, _as weil as members ether · · than elected officiais in ad hoc commîttees, shall reéeive an allowance, ·

Secti~n 284:{1) The budget allocation serving __ as basis for the fixing of the · allowiuïces a _ nd expenses _-_ provided for · in Section 283 -a.bove shall be the' overan ·· .

. · mass: of actüat revenue · coilected, · featuring in the Jast approved administrative · .. account. . . . . . . . . . ·.

· (2) For the initial establishment of Regional _ Councils, the budget .provided-for in Sub-section 1 aboye shall be pëggëd on the Commori Qeceritralizàtion Fund. ·. .

_ .. (3)The amounts, the terms of payment ofallowancesto r.egional .co(.mcillors and pérs6ns invited ln an advisory capacity, as weil as the reimbursement of the expenses referred to in Sub.,sectiOn 1 àbove, s_hall be fixed byregulation. ·

. . . : . '. . .

· .Section 285: · (1) ·The Regional _ Cou neil -may deliberate only in th13 presence of an . · absoiUte majority _of its mérnbers in office. H6wever, where the Regional Coun.dl

does not meet on the day . fixed by the convening lettèr ;Il: süffîcient nùmber to deliberat~. the meeting sha_ll be · êonvent?d as 'at right 8 (éight) daYs later and the deliberations shaH then be valid if af least 114 {one-quarter) of. the members of the Council is present · · · · · · · -· · ·

_ _ • (2) . Deliberations shaH be adopted by simple .majority of members .present and · voting. ln ca~e of atie, the . President shall have the casting vote; except in secret

. _ .. pal:lot: ln this case; voting shall be repeated by publié vote at the request of at least. -.. one..,third of thè members. l'he full nam es · of the voters, together .with the ir vo.tés;

shall be recorded in ,the minutes; · -· ·

_-_-Section 286: Regional Cou neil 'Sessions shaH _be p~bHc, unless otherwise decided by .-. anabsolute majority ohhe mernbers present or represented . .

·Section 287: · (1) A regional councillorwho is unavoidably absent may give awritten ' proxyto another regional coi.J.ncillor to represemt hinîjn the s_ession he is unable to ' attend:· . . . . . .. .. . .. . .

. · ·_ (2) Aregion~l councillormay'.hold onlyoneproxy per session .

. . . (3) The Regional . Council may cancei any proxy 'ifit considers th at the absence . ofthe proxy giver is not jpstifi~d: · · -· · · · · · · ·

_, Section 288: (1:) The c6nveni.ng notice provided for und er Section 280 above must. ·. -·be sent in writing to the elected members of the Regional Council at least 15 {fifteen) _ ciear days prior tothe meeting. · ·

69

. . ,,

·, ... :·

, (2) lt shall include working documents relating to each of the agenda items. Wher~ necesse3ry, the Pre~ ide nt of the Regional Gouncil shall draft a report on each -of suèh items. ·

. . . . . . .. .

, . ,Section 289: ( 1) Where the Regional Co une il sits and ru les outside its legal sessions . or on toplcs· outside its jurisdiction, the representative of the State shall take ali appr9priatè measures t6 im.mediately put an end to thé meeting. · · ·

(2) ln this case, the · Regional Cou ricH shall be prohibited . from issuing statements andaddresses, issuing political staténients threatenirig territorial integrity or ·national unity, or communic~ùing with one or more regional deliberative organs outSidèthe cases providecHor; by the laws in force. •-

. . . . . {3) ln the case· provided forin Süb~section 2 above, legal proceedings shall be · .. institüted againstthe members of the Regional Council who _expressJhe said vvishes, addresses~~ stateménts or communications, at the behést otthe representàtivè ofthe

· State •. · · · · · · · · ·

. ·· .. '(4) ln the event of a conviction, participants in the rneetirig shall be expelled . . from the Regional Countil and shall be. ineligible-for 5 (five) years following the

· conviction . .. · · · · · · · · ·

. . Secti~n 290: (1) Thè Pre$ ide nt shall inform the Regional Cou neil through a special .. rep'Ort presèritep in January fo~lowirig thé end of the financialyear, on the situation of .

the regioh, the devoiVed powers, activitièS and functionjng of VélriOUS .services- and bodies of the region as weil as appropriations . . ·. · ·. ·

.· •.. (2) ·· The report •. re~erred to · in Sub~section . 1 above shaH specify ·the , _· . . _.·implementation status of Regional Cou neil delib~rations and the firiancial situation of

-·· the region: ltshall pe discussed, forwarded to th~ representative of the State and the S~nate fofinform~tlori, and published. . . ,

Section 291: The . Secreta ries · of the Regional Bureau shall · provide secreta rial · ' services du ring Regional Cou neil session sittings. ln case of impedimerit or absence, . . the Presiden(ofthe Regional CounCil or; as appropriate, the sitting chairpersoh, Shall .. designate another régi~nalcouncillorto provide secreta rial sèrvices. · · ·

. . .· . ' . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .

Section 292: (1) At the end of each ses.siqn, the sitting.secretary shall submit to the ... ···Region-al · CoUnèil,· for ~ppr6val, a written staternent . of the-resolutions made during

thatsession: · · · · · · · · · · ·

.. · · (2) The statern~nt referred toin SUb;.section 1 above Shall be signed by allthe . membèrs present and voting~ lt shaH serve as a basis for prèparing draft decisions. . . .. .· . · . .... . . :.. _··. . . . . . . · . .

Se~ti~n .293:. (1) The . sitting . secretary shall prepare minutes cô~sigried by the President of the Regional CounciL . . .

. ' . . ~ . . . . : . : ·

Councillors 15 (fifteen} dpys ~rior to the nextsession and then submitted for adoption at the .opening of the said session.

. .

. Section 2.94: The deliberatjons of the RegionaL Council shall be recorded in · chronological · order. in a register numberëd and initia lied by the representative · of the Statê. · · · ·

.·.Section 295: Regional Couricillors shall enjoy the protection provided for in Section 129 above wh en they are entrusted wîth the performance of a special tas k.

IV ;. Suspension, Dissolution .of the Regional Cou neil. Deputizing, · · · Cessation ofDuties and Substitution · ·

Seètion 296: (J) The Regional ' Council n~'ay be sus~ended by decree of the President of thé Repubncj on the proposai Qf the Minist~r in charge of regional and

.. local authorities, where it: · · · · · · · · · · · · · · . . . . ·: : .

a'cts unconstitùtionany;

- . undermines ihe security ofthe State or law and orde

tt,lreatens the cC>unt~'st~rritoriâl integrity;

is un able to perform its dutiesperrnanemtly . . .

(2) The suspension referred to Linder Sub-section 1 above may not exceed 2 · (tvvo) months. ·

.··· .·· (3) Suspension may be .· preceded by .· a ·• formai · notice served ta the . coundl ·. :eoncerned bythe Minister in charge of regional and local aùthorities . . .. · . ' .. . .. . .. . . . '• .

. . Section 297: The President of the Rep1Jblic may dissolye the Regional Council by decree, onthe recommendation ôf the Constitutional Council : ·

. . in· any of the cases referred to in Section 296 above; .

whereJhere is a per~istentbreakdown orin~bility to restore normalcyafter the ... · •·. pëdod set out i!'l Section 296 à~ove . . · · . . . . .

. Section 298: (t) . Whère ·a Regional Couricil · is dissolved~ the President ·Of the · Rep~blic shaU, by decree, set up a speçial delegation comprising a .president and a

. yice-president, on the recômmëndation of the Minister in charge of regional and local · aL!thorities.. · · · · · · · ·

. . . . . . .

. . · <(2)'The powers of the speçial delegation laid down under S!Jb,.sectiori 1 above shaH be limited to handHrig routine matters, pràtective measûres and the· search for S()li.Jtions to the ~rg'ent is~ues at stake, · · · · ·

{3)The speçial delegation shall Ur)der no circurnstanc(3S: . . . .· ·.. . ·. .. . ·. . . .

. . · ·committhe region's finànces above. thé ceiling laid downby règulation ; · ·. Jransferor exchange the property of the region ; · ·

. :.

- modify the staff strength of the region; - vote loans . .

(4) A by-electibn of regional councillors shàll be conducted within a maximum period of 6 (sb<) months. The powers of the special delegation laid dovvn under Su b-

.. section 1 above s.hall be terminated forthwith on the installation of the new Regional Council. · · · · ·

Section 299: A special delegation shall equally be set up under the sa me conditions . in case of resignation of ali the members of a Regional Cou neil or of a final court

· decision on th~ c~nceUàtion ofthe election, · · · · · · · · ·

Section 300.: The composition of any special delegation shaH . be .laid down . by the · · decree ::setting itup . . ·· · · · · · · · ·. · ·

. ·.Section 301: . Budgetary · sùbstitGtiori s~all · bè ·conducted in açcordance with the· provisions of this -law. · · · · ·. · · · ·

·. Section 302: (1) ·Any merilber of the Regional CouncHwho has duly been sent a convenirig notice and vvho, without valid grounds, does riot attend 3 (three)

. successive sessions may, after having . been requested by the President of the ·. ·. RegionaJ CounCii to ·· provide. an explanation, be deemed as . having · resign'ed by

·· deciskin of the Minister in charge of regionaland local authorities, after consulting thè ··. Regional : Cou neiL The deCision, which shall: be copied to such mèmber and the · représentative of the State; may be appealed againstbefore ·a competent court. · ··

. . . · · . . . . .

. (2) The councillor · de~med to have resigned under Sub-section ·1.above shaH not be eligible for election t6 the regionalcouncil dÙringthe by- or general elections . held immediately after his r~signation. . · ' · ·

.... ···Section 303:(1) .·Any mernber of thé Regional Council . who, without valid .· reason, · · refuses to perforrn his duties devolved by the Üiws and regt;~lations, me1y be declaréd ·

to have< resigned by · decision . of thé Minister in . charge of r~gional and local : authorities, upobthe recomniendatioli of the Regional Cou neiL

. .. . (2): Suc·h refusai shaH be based on a written notification addressed to the ·' competent authority or made pUblic by su ch member, or persistent absence, after

. ~ formai notice se nied by th.e Minister in .chargê of regional andlocal authoritles, within · ·.· ·· à fixed périod of Üme he ~hall determine. . · · ·· · ·.· · · · ·

.Section 304: Voluhtary r~signation lëtters shall .be sent by registered letter.to .the · President of the. Regional Council; with a copy to the representative of the $tat~. · .. Th~y shall be final · from the daté· of receipt by the · President of the Regional Cmmcil

or 1 Jailing su ch acknbwlèdgment of receipt, within ( 1J one mon th from the date of a .second 'mailing of the resignation letter byregistèred letter. .

· . . · Sectioi1 J05: .(1} ln timesofwar and. in cas~o.fconnivance with theenemy,· individual regional .·· coundiJors . may; ·for .. rea sons · of · public . order or . ~general interest, be suspended b . · he President of the Republic unti.l ée$sation ôf ho~tilities .

. PRESIDENCE DE LA REPUBLIQUE . , PRESIDENCY OF THE REPU .. . · . SECRETARIAT GENE REG LEM

SERVICE OU FICHIER lf.GISL fAIRSCARDIND 72. ·· LEGISlATtiJEAND STATUTTIHEE CONFOR~E . .

·. · .· ·. : COPR . fDTRVECOPY .. . . .. ~~. r~---•-•-•---. ---~;.~ ... --- . ·.·

. · The members . ofthê Regional _ Cou neil thus suspen~ed may nOt be numerically ·. replaced du ring the remainder of the termof office of the sa id co un cil. · . . . . .

. • (2) However, where such measure redüces the number of coÜncil members by · at leéist half, the sanie decree shaH set up a speCial delegation empoweredto replace

. the Regional CounciL · ·

.. ··.. CHAPTER Il . . . PRESIDENT OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL ..

. Se<:tion 306: The PresidenLof the Reg.ional . Council shall be the executive of the · region. He shall be assisted by a regionaL bureau .electëd at thè sa me tiine as him .. withirt the council. The regional bureau mw~t reflect the sodological compo~ition of 'he region. .· ·· •. :' · · .. · . . · · · . . ·. · .. ·· .·· · .. · .··· . · •· . _: . ·. ·.. ; ·· .·· . .

· 1 . .;. Election of the President à nd the Regional Bureau . . . . . .. .

. Sèction 307: (t) During its 'ma1den session; the Regional Çouncil shall elect from .· · among. its mernbèrs a Preside nf assisted by a bure~u comprising a senior vice-: · · presi~ent, . a vice~president, two questors and two secretafies ~ · ·

(2) The President of the Regional Cou~cil shall be a nâtive personality of the region elected frorn among members ·of the Cou neil for the du ration of. the .term of the · Co un ciL · ·· · · · · ·

·· · · • .· (3) · Doring. the . session referrèd ·. to _in Sub-section · 1 above, the Regional .·· .. CouilCilshall ~be . chai red by its èldest meÎ'tlber, wh ile the youhgest . member shall sit

as session secretary .. · · ·

:. (~) Election. shaH be by secret ballot and by an àbsôlute majority ·otmembers ·, ·· of the Regional Cou neil present and voting. · .·

. . {5) Where; after 2 .· (two) ballots no candidate · has . obtained an absolute · m~jority; a. third ·· ballot shall b6 held and the election shaH be won by. a relative · · maj9rity. ln the èvèrit of atie, the oldes~ candid~te shall be declared winl1er. .

. . . . . -· . .

.. .• (6)The Regional Council may conduct business iu the case ref~rred to in Sub- .. · secti.on 5. àbôve . only •whére two~thirds ofthe .. memb~rs are present.· Where .that • · condition is not fÙifilled, the meeting shall be convenédas of right .8 ( eight) da ys later. ·. ln this case, the meeting may hold wlthout the quorum being met . .

. .. ·· . ·:·.... . ' . . . . .. . ·. .

. · ·.(7) JmmE?diately after the election ofthe President, the Regional Cou neil shall, · · · ·. under his chairm~nship, complete its bureau by electirig the Senior Vice-President

uhderthe s(:lrne conditions asthe President. The Vice-President, the two questors and· the two secretaries 'shaH be elècted on a list basi.s by â single-round majority vote . . ··· · · · · · · · · · · · · ·

. .· . ~ . ;

Section309: (1) The Regional Bu~eau Présidemt and members shcill be elected for the du ration of the term ·of the cou neil . · · · · · · · · ·

· .. (2) The .election of regional bureau members shaH be establi~hed by order c>f .. the Minister in charge ofrégi~nal and local authodties. · ·

(3) lt may b~ the subjecf ~f anappeal for cancellation, in accord ance with the · ru les provided for by the laws in force for the cancellation of the election of regional co Lin ci llors. . . · · · ·

.. . · .. (4} Where the election is. cancelled orwhere, for any other reason, one or · . . · · ·· ·. • more regional bUreau rriembers cease fro111 performing their duties, the Regional .

. . Ç6uncU shaU be cmwened to replace them witf:ün 1 (one) month. . . . .

• Section 310: .(1) The Regional Cou neil President shall take an oath before the . . competenlcb'urt. of ,~ppeal; priorto assuming office. .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . .. · ·. (2) The oath . shaH be · ~s follo~s; "l swear on. honour andplédgé to serve · the · .Jnterests of the _r~gion and . to loyal/y and faithfully discharge (Oy dulies without . ·

discrimination 9r favoUritism,)n · compliance with the law and ih accorda nee with the ·· ·. ·values ofdèrnoqracy, •. and th~ princip/es oi unity and integrityof the f3epubl/c." .. ·

. ,·· .

. · . Section 311: .The duties ·. of Regional Council President shall .be .. incompatible with . · tho$~ of: · · ·

··· .. . .

.· memt;>er of govèmment an.d persans ranking as sÙch;

... ; .•.. .. mémberofthe National Assembly or senator; . _ ·-~~~~rOt"LAi~~~==-1 ·. admini~tr~tive authofity: ..

rriayor; ·

ambassador or official in a diplomatie mission; ~~===-.:=::.==:e====j:=;;;.;-president of courts an·d tribunals;

- director-general of directorat a public establishmenfor public company;

- · .. se~retâry~general of mfnistry andperson's ranking as sùch;

·. ··'""""· Central adrilinist~ation director; · · ··

rnember of the fo~ces oflaw and order; .

. . · . . · . . ·

. - e.mployee or staff·ofthe region c~ncerned; . . . . .• . . .· .. .

. fihanëial administration staff who has to hahcÜethe finances ora:ccounts ofthe region .. concented ~.· ·

· .· H ;. Duties of the Regional Cou neil Presidènt

SeCtion 312: (1)The Regional Gouncil President sh~ll .be th~ executive organ of the . regiort · · · · · · · ·

· · As sUch, he ~hall:

74

··,. · ....

- be the interlocutor of the representative of the State; --------~---

- . ieprésent the regi6rl in àU civil matters ~nd beforethe law courts;

· ~ - prepare and implement Regional Coun.èil deliberations;

· · · ~uthorize the· revenue and expenditure of the region, subject to séparate · · provisions laid down by the laws in force;

. manage the propérty of the region and monitor such management, particularly · with regard tb movement ôn sucti. property, subject to thé ·duties devolving on the repre§e:ntative of the'State and mayors . . · ·

. . (2) He may, under his superVision and . responsibility, . grant delegation of ·· ... signatur~ to purëau members. He ·may, und er th~ same conditions, delegate his··

signature to the secretary.,general of the region as weil as officiais of régional .. services: .. . . . . . .

. .

Section . 313: J1i To prepare and .implement Regional Gow1cil délibération;· the · • President mayj as and whC:m necessary; use deconcentrated ser\(ices of the State· . under an, agreemént signed with the representative of the State, laying down the

.. conditionsofdefrayment ofsuch services by theregion; · . : . . · . . . . . . ·.

. . · (2) The Regional CounciiPresidentmay, under his control and resporisibility, · · ... grant delegation ofsignÇ~ture to the heads of the said ser\Ïices for the discharge ôf

duties assignec:tthem, pursua,ntto Sub-sectioh 1. above; · · ·

. • ~ {3} Standard ~greements relating . to the üse of the. deconcentrated services of . . · the State by theregionshall be laid down byregulation; · · · ·

. . . . .· . : . . .

· . Ill ~ Suspension. Cessation of Duties and Substitution

. Section 314: The Presidenfand.the Regional Bureau may be suspended by decree ·.· · ()f .the President of the Rèpublic;Jn the cases provided for in Section296 ofthis law.

·. Section 315: The Prèsident of the RepubUc may, aft~{consulting the Constitution~! .·. . · : . GouricH, . disrniss the Prêsiqenf and the Regional Bùreâu;' . in ac'cordance . with the

provisions of Section 297of this law. · · · ·

·.Section 316: {1) The Regional Council Presjdentwho, for reasons subsequent to .his · election, no longer fuJfils the conditions required to be president or who finds hiniself

·. in. one of the cas~s ofineligibility provided .forby the laws ih force, shall .immediately . çease .from. performing his duties. The Minister in charge of local authorities shâll

enjoin him ta . immediately stop ·performirig his dtJties, without waiting for the . instaJiatiOri of his successor, · . . . . . . . . . . .

. (2) Where the Regional Council President r~fusés to ,resign, the . Minister in . charge of local · authorities sha!l notify him of the imniediate . cess~tion of duties and · propose the establishment of his forfeiture tothe President oftheRepublic.

Section . 317: (1) The Regional · Council President appointed to a positiqn incompatible with his officé shall be bquhd to makè an option statem~nt within 30

75

• • 0 • • •

· . · . (thirty)daysJrom the date of his appointment. Afterthis period, he shall be requested by the Miriister in.chargè of localauthorities to give up oneofhis duties. . .

.. . . . ·. . . . . . .

(2) 1 n casè of refusai to lllake an . option statement or ·after 15. (fÎfteèn) days, the· Regional :Cou neil President shall be declared as having · resigned, · by .decree· of · th~ President of the Republic, on~ the . reconimendatiori of the Minister in charge of regional and local authorities. · - · · · · ·

· ·.Section 318: The resignatiorrof the Regional Coun.cil Prèsidentshall be forwarded to . the Minisfer in charge of local authorities by registered letterwith acknowledgnientof · receipt. lt shall be final with . effect from the date of acceptante by -the Minister ·in chàrge of lqcal authodties or, in the absence of acknowlèdgrnent of receipt thèr~of, within a period of no lessthan 1 (orie) month after the c:Hspcitch of another registered . letter. · ·· · · · · · · ··

. · . .

Section · .... J19: .Any --Regional · CouncH President .who deliberâtely tenders his r~sign~ltion so as to obstruet or interruptthe administration of justice, or the provision ·. of ·any serviëe -whatsoever, shall be pLinished iÎ'l accord ance . with thé crimfnal legislation in force. · · · · · · · · · ·· ·

• ' ·. . . . . .. · ·. ~ . . .. . .

section-320: (1) .ln case ofdeath, . resignation, . dismissal, · suspe-nsion, absence or . unavailçbiHty oft!Je President duly eslablished ·by the representative-of the State; upori the recprnmehdation .of the · Buréau, hé shati be . temporarily replaced by the , SeniorVice~ President or, where the latter is unavailable, bY the Vice;,President orby · ariy __ other -bureau ·mernber. ln order of ·precedence pr; f~illn'g . that, by a regional •

.· councillor in arder of precedencie. . : .. · . . . . . . .

·· (2) At the next ordinary session, the President wbo is permane~tly unavailable ·. :shan be replaced and the bureau filled.accordingly, where necessary. . . . . . .. . . .

. Section 321: {1}- ln · case of death, resignation or dismissal of a president, his · . _re pl ac~ ment shaH tully discharge his duties .. . ·

• {2}1n case of suspension or unavailability of the Presid~nt duly established· by . the representative .of the State; upon the recornméndation of the .bureau, his •

. _ . · _ replacement shall bé r~sponsible solely Jor handling rolltine matters. He may neither · replace the _Presldentin the· general management of the affairs of the region,. nor .

. mOdify its decisions. · · · ·

·. Section 322:(1)Whèrethe Hegi.onal Cou ri cil President ,refuses .or fa ils to take one of , ·. the actions pr~scribed by the laws · or ·regulations. in torce, which are absoluteiY · . necessarY in the interest of thé region, the Ministerirï èharge of l~cal aûthori.ties may, ..

aftér forrnal notice, èrder its immediate executidil ~ · ·

· .. . ·

· . . • .

·.·' .·

IV- Régional Administration

·.· · Section 3·23: (1}The 'President .ofthe Republic shall appoint.the _ Sècretary~General ·· of the Region, upon the recommandation of the Minister iri charge of regional and loçal authorities. He shall terminate s~;~cti appointment. · · · · ·

. . . . ~ . .

_ · (2) As _ a • senior -. officer · with . a ; rich expérience ._ in · local . development management, ·.- the - Secretary-General · shall coordinats -- regional . administrative sérvit:;es. 'He shall, ùnderthe aüthority of the Regional CouncH President, and as his çlosest:aide, hancjie the business of the region and iinplen1eht the deCisions of the

· Prësident.To t~is end; he shall · have delegation of signature to discharge his duties . .

·-.(3)He s.hall attend the Bureau and the Regional 'Council meetings.forwhichhe . shall provide seêretarial serVices. . . .

. . . . . · ~

.. ~ec~ion 324: (1)The Regional Council President shall; by order, appoint to thé positions prpvided for by the instrument organizin~ thé regional administration. · - ·

(2) The ·order appointing >officiais · to the rank of director shaH be. submitted _for .endorsement bythe representative of the State; who shall have 8 (èight) days within Which to approve or teject the . appointment proposais. Beyond this period, the

.. endorsement of the representative of the State shall be deemed grantec:f. ·

. · .. . . -PARTIV .. __ ._ . , RELATI-ONS BETWEEN ORGANS OF THE REGION AND THE

-. -• REPRESENTATIVE OF THE STATE .· . · . . ' . .. . . . . . '• - .

. Se.ction 325: (1) The representative of the Stàte or his dulymandated delegate shall; as of right, ·.take part in Hegiopàl _ G6urïcil meetings. -__ Whenever he so requests, the

. representatiye of the State or his delègate shall .take the floor; but shall not vote or chairthe R~gional Council meeting, . His statements shall be reçordéd in the-minutes

. ~fprocee.djngs ;- . . · · · . . .

. . - (2) At the first session of the year following .thé en.d of the JinariCial year,_ the ·-. rëpres~ntative of the State shaH present a special reporLon the activities of State -se[Vicès in the region to the Regional Council. ~he special report shaH be discussed -in his preser,rée; · · · · · · · · · · ·

(3) Th~ · __ representative .· of . the State who is unable to attend . the ses~ ion prôvided for iri Sub-seçtion-2 above may request the postponement of the. session under,the conditions laid down by regulation. · - - ·

. , Section 326: Thé representative ofthe State shallhold , a harmonization conference at least twice a year ori the irwe.stmerit programmes of the State . and the_ region; The

-- Hègional Council President and Bureau members shall attend the meeting. - - .

77

. .. . ~ .

· . . ,.

. .

. ·. CHAPTERI GENERAL PROVISIONS ..

Section 327:.· (1) . The :North-West and South-West Regions _shall have a speCial status in accordancewith the provisions of Article62of the Constitution. · . - . .. . . . . . . . . . ..

· __ ·. _ -·• (2) The speçial status referred to in Sub-section (1) above shaU confer cm the North-West and • South'"We.st Regions, . a specifie organizational ·· and . open:ltional

· regime, based 'on the historical, socialahd cultural values of fhesë: regrons ,with due respectfor.the pdmacy of the State and national unity an·d solidarity; · . .

·· Sectio~ 328: {1) ln açtdition to the powers devolved oh regions by this law, the North., West and South:"Wesf Regions shaH exercise the following powers: · · · · · . . ~- . . . . . . ·' . . .

. . . . ' • . . . . .

partidpating in the formulation -· of national public poUcies relatïrtg to the. ·-·. Anglophone education sub~sùbsystem; . . . ..

setting up and m~naging regional developmenta.Uthorities;

__ · participatihg in clefinîng th~ status oftraditional chiefdoms . . . -~ ' . . . .. . . . . . ·. : :

. . · . .

· -· (2) . Thé North-West and South~ West Regions may be consulted on issues · -relating to the_ formulation of justice public poHcies .iri thé Conimon Law subsystem, .-

. (3) They may b~ i_nvolved -iri thé management ofpublic.seryièes established in ·. the ir respective terrltories. · · · · · · · ·

• .. . · · ... · . · .· · ·- CHAPTERU - - · .· . - . ··OR GANS OF-. THE NORTH-WEST AND SOUTH-WE-ST REGIONS .

Section 3'29: The North-Westând South-West Regi~ns s~all be administered freeJy by el_ected organ~. under the conditionslaid d()WA in this .law. ·

. . '.

Section 330: The organs of the North~West a~d South~West Regions shaH be: · . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

.. ··- théR~gionâiAssembly; · .· - _ the RE!gional ExecUtive Cou neiL·

. . . . . . . . . ·. ~ . .

1 :.. _Regional Assèmblv

. Section 331: (t)The:Hegional Assembly shall be the deliberative organ in the North- · West and Soùth-West Regions. · ·. · · ·.

. : . . . .

.. --·. (2) ltshâB exercise ,all the p.owers devolved upçn regionalcouncils by the iaws. _ inforce. · ·

SectiOn 332: (1) Th~ Regional Ass~mbly shaH be composed of 90 {ninety) Regional Coundllorselected.for a five-yearterm of office. · · ·

. 78

·,. : . .

(2J.Itshall comprise two. houses: .

the Hou se of Divisional Representatives;

the House Chiefs.

· 1~1- Ho use of Divisiorial Representatives ·. . .

· Section >333: .(1) The · House of Division al Representatives shall ·comprise 70 (seventy) m~mbers élected by the municipal councillors of the region by a one.-round · mixed lfst . vote comprising ·. a . majority system . and · a proportional . representation

.· . system. ·.· . . ' . - . - . - . .

(2) - Th~ -. House or' Dlvisio~al • R~presentatives shall reflecfthe sbciological components ofthe region as W€111as gender: .-.. ·

Seetion 334: ·. 0)_ The House of DivisionalHe_presentatives shall rule on âll ma_tters · falling within the powers of the regional a.ssembly. - · · ·-

(2) lt shaiLcompri~e .5 (fivè) 2ommittees, nc;~mely:

· the CommiÙee on Administrative and Legal ~ffairs and Standing Orders; -

·the CommitteeonEducatiori; .- - . . . .

~ . · . the Collltnittee on Health, Population , Social ind Cultural Aff~irs; Youth and _ Sports; . . • _ • . ·. . . . · -.· · . _

the .Committee on .·. - Fi~~nce , Infrastructure.-·. ·Planning -and -. Economie .·. -oevelopmemt; .· - · · · · · ·. - · · · · - - ·· ·

·the Comrrüttee onEnvironrnent, Regionai .Pevelopnient, State . Pr~perty,Tàw.n Planning and Ho!,Jsing. · · -· · .· - ·

-. (3) Parliameritari~ns c>fthe region may-take part in the proceedings ot the Ho use· of Divisional Representatives in àn advisory 'capacity. ·· ·· · · · · · ·

.. . . . .

. _ - (4) TheP~esident of the House {)f DivisionatRepresentatives may also involve · members of civil society in proceedings on specifie issùes, without votlng right. These

_ .. p~:irs6nalities ·may com~ frorn the Economie and Soèiâl Cou neil, · professioilal bodies . ()r social groups·. interested in the issues und er review. •· .· · · · · ·· ·

. ·. · . ' : . . . . . .

- Section 3·35: {1) Th~ Hoyse of Ôivisional Representatives shall be cha.ired by the · · ·. President ·oftheHegiorial t::xecutlve CounciL · · · · · · .· · - · · · · ·

.· .. - ·. . (2) When chai ring the Ho use of D _ivisional Reptèsentatives, the President of · the -Regional Executive Coy neil s.hall be assisted by a Regional Executive . Cou neil ·

Secretary, . the -Secretary-General of the Region and~ members of. the Regional . Executive who ar? not mèmbers ofthe Hous:e ofChiefs. . .. .

. (3) • Where the Regional · Exècutive: Coundl Presldéntis absent or unavailable, the· eldest regional COL.Jrlcillor shaH chair Hoüse proceedings.. · · · ·

79

· .. ·. ~ ..

. '• .- . ..

I- 2 .;... House of Chiefs . . . . . . Il- . . .

· · SéctiC>n 336.: Ttïe House ofChiêfs shall comprise·20(tWenty) member~from among traditional rulers elected in accorda nee with the laws ih fàrce. · · .· . . · ·

' Section 337: (1) The House of Chiefs shall ~ule on ali . matters falling within the · powers oftheRegional Assembly. · · --· __.;__...~~· 7.·~· ~miillitü"Ë----:-1

l . . . . .

(2) lt shall give its opinion on the following issues:

,... - thesfatus of the trâditional chiefdom; ..

the ni~nagement and conservation of historL,c=· ;:=;;3!é:::::==z:::==r~~7 · v~stiges; · · · · · · · · · ·

· ..

the organization ofcultwal and traditiohal events· in the region;

- the colleCtion and translati~n ofelements of oral tradition .

. ··. Section 3~8:The House of Ghiefs .shall comprise2(two) co~mittees; . n~~niely': ' . . .. . · . . . . . .

-th~ ·. CommitteE:1 on . Apministrative .. and ·. U~gal 1,\ffairs and · Standing . Ord~rs; . Education, Health, P.optllation, Social and Cultural Affairs, Youth and Sports;

the Committee ·on Finance, Infrastructure. · Planning, Economie Develop~ent , · Environment, Re.gional Development, State Property, Town Pla_rining and

· ·. : HotJsing·. · · · · · · · · ·

~ection 339:: ·(1) The ~ouse of Chi~fs shaH be chaired ·by the RegiOnal Executive . · Couridl Vice~President, assiste~ · by a Regional ExecUtive C~U'ncil SeCretâry. · ·

(2) Wh'ere the President of the Ho use of Chiefs is abseqt or unavailable; the eldestmember shall chair House proceedings~ · · · · ·

. . · ._· ·(3) Parliamentarians of the ··region may take. part in · the proceedings .of the . . f-iou~_é ofQt)iefs in cm advi,sor)i ·papacity; . . . . . .. . . . .

. · .. 1- 3 ~ Functioning . of the Regional A~sembly . · . . . . .

.. ·· ····Section 340: House~oftheRegionàl ~ssembly shaH be convened by .thePresident .. . · ofthe .Regional Executive CounciLunder thë --conditions laid down in Sections 280

·. and 281 of this law. · · .· · · · · · · ·

· .....• Section341: {1)The tv_,o hou~ess.hall mèets~parately. on the sème dates. . .

.· . · .. · (2) They shall hold a joint meeting :

·. · . . (a) at ~hëopeni~g andGiosing of the session; _·.·.·

(b)'whenthe agenda items relate. to:

. · • ~ .. the _approval of the Regional Executive Coùndt action· programme;

80

, • . · . .

·, ._

.· (c) yvhen drcum,stances so reqüire . : . . ·.·

· Seêtion 342: · ( 1J . The twd_ hou ses of the Regional Ass~mbly shall a Iso hold a joint meeting to initiate impeachment ._ -- . . .

. . . . ' .. . . . . . . .· ·.

·. (2) The standing- orde.rs of ·the Regional Assenibly . shall lay dawn the procequr(3ahdscope ofinipeaçhment. - - · · -

- · -- - .S~ction 343: Questions. to be- sqbmitted to t_he Regional Assenibly shaH be initiated ·_ · .. concurrèntly bythe Re.gionai ExeclltiveCouncHPrèsidentand by tWo thirds of the m_eml)ers of each how~eofthe .Regional Assèmbly. -

Section 344:(1) The Regional Assembly shailbe chaired -by the RegiOnal -ExecutiVe • Council President. · - .· · · · · - ·

-.. ' (2) VVhère the Regional Exécutive Couhcil President is absent or unavailable, the .. · Vice-President shall chai( the Regional Assembly and, where the . latter is uriavailable, the Com-missioner for Economie Developrnent shall deputize for him.

·. sè~tion 345: (1} Whe.re the regional qeliheration is ~d-opted by the Ho~se of .· Divisîonal Hepresent~tives, itshaH be forwarded within 24 (twenty-foùr) hOurs to the

·- ._ House of Chiefs, which may make amendments and return it fo'ra second reading to · -.· thé House of Division al Représentatives, togethër with the reasons for its rejection. _

. . . . ·. . . : . . . ~ . . . . . ' . . : ..

. . _, •.. (2)The rejectionofaiLor part ota deliberation by the HouseofGhiefs shall be val id only where itis decided by an absolutemajotity· ofHouse members~ .· -

.... ··. (3)Where the disagteemeritpersists·,the Ho~se of Djvisionai:Representativ_es shall adopt the deliberation by à simplè majority ofits membe.rs and for'Nard it to the Regional Executive Council President for implenieiltation. .· ·· · · ·

.. . _ (4) Ali dé liberations ad_qpted by the Regional Assembly shan be forwarded to the .representative of the State. .··. · · ·

-. Section 346; (1 fThe Regional Assembly shall adppt ~he standing ordersof the _entire .· House~ - · · · · · · · · · · · · · · .. _ . · ·

. (2) The Hou se . of QiVlsional Representatives . and fhe ·Ho use ·c>t Chiefs shall · · ·· . adopt theirrespective standing orders séparately; . - . .

· Section '347: · Parliamentarians andniayms -of the region shallt~ke part, as of right;. in thè . procèedings of . ttie joint meetings of the Régional Asseinbly in an advisory capâcity~ · · ·

Section 348: The participatior\ of the repr~sentati\/e , of the State or his 'duly .. authorü:ed re-presentative at Regional Assembly meetings · shaH.· be as of right · · · Whenevér he s.o requests, the representative ofthe State or his duly authorized

81

_-representative shall be heard, qut may neither vote rior chair the Regional Assembly. His st~tements shall bè record~d iri the minutes of the proçéed.Jngs.

Section 349: (1) ln January fpllowing the énd ofthe financial year, the representative of· the State shall present .a special re.port on the activities of State services in the

- region Jo the Regiohal Asse.mbly. The special report shall be discussed in his presence:-

. . . . · . . . . .

(2) During the said ' session, the Regional Executive 'council President shall ... present to the Regional Assembly, a special report 01} thè situation ' in the region, the .

devolved powers, the activities and functiohing of various services and bodies ofthe ·- -. region - as weil . as appropriations . . The report shall _ specify -the statüs -of thé

deliberations of the Regional Assembly and. the firiancial situâtlon of the region. ·1t _- - shaU be: discussèd, forwarded to the representative of the State and the Senate for

----- information purposes 8ndn1?de. public. · · , . _ - -____ -• -- · . .

-__ Section 350: _The delibe-râtions · of the Regional Ass·embly shall be · recorde_d in -chronoiogical order in a register numbered and initialled by thereprèsentativè ofthe ~~ . -· . . . ·- -

- · . - Section 351: Sqbject to the specifie provisions of this · Part; the opèratingprocedures _ of thé . Regional .Counqil shall apply to the Regional Assenîblies -of _ the North-West -.

--- _-and South-West Regions. -- · - ·- · - - - · · ' . · '. . . . · .. . .

·~ . .

: U_- Region~~ Executive Council --

- _- Section 35;: -(1) The:Reg(onal ~xecutive - Council shall be the executive organ of the - ·region. · ·

(2} lt shall comprise: -.. ·· ·.

. . . . · . ~

-- : 1 (one) President; ·

-· 1--(oo~)Vice.;Pfës,ident;

1 (one) Commissionerfo onomicDevelopment;

1 (o,ne) Colllmissionerfor Health and Social ()èvelopment;

1 (one} Commi~sioner for Ed~cational, Sp()rts and Cultural Development;

- ._--. 2 (two) s~cretaries; .-_ .·. • ..

. . .

1 (one) Questor. .

.· . . . .

Ill:- 1 ~ Election of Regional Executive Council Members

-.-_ Section . 353: - (1} Regional Executive Council members -shall -be elected du ring thé _-as of right session from among the regional councillors of the reg-!on and for the dÛ ration of the term.of the Cou neil-.·

. -·

82

· . . ,··

~ ...

· (2) The . President andVice"-President of the North;. West Regional Exec-utive Council shaH be native pérsonalities elected from ,arnong members of the Regional

. __ Assernbly for theduration oftheirterm of office . . · · · . . . . : . . . . ' . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) The President and Vicé~President of the South-West Regional Executive Council . shall be native personalities elected from among · members of the Regional .

. Assembly for the du ration of theirterm of office. .. ·· · ·

·· Section 354: (1) The distributionof positions in the Regional Executive Council shall, as far as possible, reflectthe configuration of the Regional Assembly. ·.

· ·. · (?)ln any case, three members of the Regional Executive Council may not ha il from the sanie division. · · · · ·· ·· ·

. Section 355:(1} [)üri~gthe sessionp'rovided for inSecti~n 353 àbove; the Regional Àssenibly shaJI be chai red by its eldest member; with the youngest member acting as · se<;retaryofthe sitting. __ · · · · · · · · · ·

•_ (2) Vptl~g shaH be by a list system, secret ballot .and absolute majority of the · Regional Assernbly members preséntand voting ~ . . .

. . . (3) Where, after 'two rounds of vqting, no list obtains an absolute majority, a third _round shall be héld and winning shaH be by relative niajqrity. ln the éventof.à tie, t _he list with the highest average age shal.l be ~eclared winner. ·. . . . . . .

. - . · {4) Thè Regional Asserhb!y:. may deliberate only in the case prpvided for üi St.ib~seêtion 1 above where two thirds of its members are present Whère th~:tt

. condition is hotfulfilled,the meeting shall be convened as of righf8 (eight) days later. ltmay be conducted withoi.Jt taking into accounta guorum. . .

· Section356: . (1) .The ele.ction of .Regionai'-Executive Councn . members .·_sh'atl be establis.hed by order ofth$ Mlnister in charge of regional and local authorities~ .

. . . ·. . . . (2) lt may be the subject of an appeal for cancellation, in. àccordance v.jith the. ···rules provided.for bythe .laws in .force for the cancellation ofthè election of region~! -. couricHiors. • . . . . . . . .

.... · · (3)Where the eiecti<m is éancelled or, ·. for élnY other réasOri, one or mor~ .• ·. -· roembèrs .. of the Regional Executive ·council cease to perform . _his duti~s. the . .

· R~glcinàl Assembly shall bé convened to replacethem within a period not exceeding · · · 1 (one) month. . . ·· ·· · · ·

.. ·· ·- · Section 357: The list of el~cted ïnembers of the Regional Executive Council shaH .be made public throughposting at the regional headquarters by the Chairperson of the -· meeting within aperiod not exceeqing ~4 hours.after publi<;aticm of the results~ The list shaH, within the same period, be nqtified to therepresentàtive·ofthè State. · · . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~ . .

. Section 358: Members of the Regional ExecutiveCouriëil ·shall take_oath before the ·. · · compétent · Court of Appeal before ass(Ûning their dùties.- The oath; pronounced in ·

Eriglish, shall rèad as follows: "lswear on hot1ourand fJit1dge to serve the interests of the. region and to loyal/y and faithflill discharge my duties without discrimination Or

83

.· ·.··

· ' .

fàvouritism, . in campliance with the law and in accordance With thé values of democracy, a !Jet (he pfinciples of unityand integrity of the Republic."

11 .. 2 .: PresidentandVicè-Ptesident of the Regional Executive Council

· Section359: (1) ThéPresid~nt ofthe Regional Executive Council shall be the Chief Executive.OftheRegion,As such, hé shaU: · · · · · ·

. . . . .

:-: be t,he interle>cutorofthe representative oftheState; ·

. .. ' - ' represehtthe region' Ül ali Civilmatters ~nd beforé the .law couqs;'

·.chair thE3 ~essions of the Regional As§embly; . ·. ·

- .. Chair the sessions of the House C>t Division~! · Representatives when it sits . . separatély f(orn the House ofChiefs; · · · · ·· ·

.. prepare and implement thed~liberations oftheRegional Assembly;

- apthorize 'the reve.hue ahd expepditu're of. the r~gion, subject to separate . provisions laid down by the laws in forcë; . • · · · · ·

· J1lanag~ thé propèrty of the reg ibn anq monitor such management; partiçuJarly with regard to môvemenf on su ch propertw sùbject to the duties devolvirig to th.e representative oftheState and mayors~ · · · ·

·. . . . . . . . .

. (2)The President of the Regional Executive Çouncil shall corné from the category ofqivisiOnal repres~htatives. . . . . · ·

.. · Section 360: (1} The Vice'"Pre~ident ofthe Regional ·Executive Couricil shàll come · ·• Jrom the ëategory oftraditlonalrulers. . · · · ·

. . . . ~·: . . .

. · (Z) He sh~ll assist the Presidentin the discharge of hisdüties and benefit from . .. a delegation ofsignature for the discharge ofthe dûties entrusted to him.

Section 361.:· The provisions of Chapter 2 of- Part 3 of this book relating to the · Pre~idènf ofthe Regional ·· Council shall apply to the President .of the · R.êgiorl.àl . .. Exécutive Cou neil, subject tothe separa te · provisions laid down in this Part. · . . · .. ·. . . .· . . . .· .• .. :. . .

.. . . · : .. . . ·.· • · •· tï.: 3 ··~ Regional Commissioners

. Section 362; The Conimissioner for Economie P~velopmemt shàll .be re~pbnsible for · · · .. · impiem1enting the pô licy of the region on. the exercise of .devolved powers iri the fi~lds . · .

. of econornic actidl1; emiironmerïtal ànd : naturi:il resources ·management; planning; . · tetritofiaî dèvelopmerit; public works. town plarming imd housirig. · · · · ...

. . . . . . · . . . . ' · . ... .

·.· · s~cÎion 363: · The Commissioner for Heaith and Social Development shall ' .. be •.. responsiblë for ·implementirig the policy of the region on thë exerclse of devolved .. . ·

-_ powerà in the fields ofhecilth. and social action. · · · ·

··. Secdon 3s4: The Gommissioher for Education al, Sports c;md Cultural Developm~nt . . sliàU be responsible for irnplemen ing the po licy of the .· region · cm th~ exercise . of .· ·

84

.. ·

'·

devolved powers in the fields of education, literacy, vocational training, youth; sports; · leisure, . culture and the: promotion of national languages.

Il- 4 - Secretariesand Questor

Section 365: (1) Secretaries shall perform secretarial duties within each of the ... houses of the Regional ,A.&sembly.

(2) The duties of secretary and questor shall be laid down>by the standing · orders of the Regional Assembly of the North-West and $outh~Wes.t Regions.

·':: 11,. 5 ;.;.•·Regional Administration : ···:. .. . ·. . . : . . . . ·. . ,· .

Section 366:.The ru les relating to regional administration, . in accordance with the .· . provisions . ofSections 323 and 324 ab ove, shall apply to the North.,West and SoUth;.; . VVë&t Regions., · ·· · · ·· ·. ·

. . . , . .. CHAPTER 111 . . . ,PUBLIC INDEPENDENT CONCILIA TOR

1 .,. Status and DUties of the Püblic lridèpendentConciliator

Section ·367: • (1) A public independënt conçiliator is hereby established in the · special statuspfthe North-West and South~West Regions. . .

. , .· . , •. . ·· (2)As an independentregional authority, the Public lndependel1LCoriciliator · · . ·. shall be a highly experienced persbnality with reputed integrity and proven objectivity,

. ' -. •·.

. (3) T~e .· Public l ndependent Condliator . in ·. the ·North-West and . South~ West ·. · Regions shaU.be responsible for: · ·· ··

examining and arniçably settling disputes .between users . and regional and ·.·. counciladministrations; ·

~·· def~ndin·g ·and ~rot~cting rights and freedom~ Withrègardto the relationship -hetweendtizensarïd the region orthe councils thereof; · ·· · ·· · .. ·_ .· ·.· ·

- designing and i~plementing measùres.to.prevent and combat dire:ctor indirect · . discrirriinatiol) that may affect usersofregional orcouncil serVices;

· .~ ensuring thatpersOns se~ing · in the region~l orco.u~cil adrYlini~tration compiy ·. · · with their ethicat obligations;, · · · ·

conducting . any investigation on the functicming of regional and cou neil public services;· at the request of 5 (five) parliamentarians· or 5 (five) regional counciHors; . ·

;_·-~::~~~~~~~~=~3ning of regional and counèH services . ..

.. : . · ~

. Section 368: (1) The Public lndependent Concili~tor shaH be cippointedby decree of . the Presid~ntof1be Republic for a six year non.:renewable term, upon the concerted · proposai of the · represemtative of the State and the President of the Regional

· Executive Coüncil. ··. . . · ·._ . . ·. · · . .· ·, . . . .·· .·. · . . . . .

· (2) .The dutiesof the Public Independant Condliator shaH be incompatibÎe with . . · the holding of a public office oremployrnent, or the exercise ()f ar1y paid professional · activity. Any elected représentative who · a cee pts ·his appointment as Regional Public

. lndependent Conciliator shall, as of right, forfeit his office. ·• · .

. .• (3) Th~ Public lndepêndèntConciliator shaHn~t receive ·or seek instructions 'withinth_e limitsofhispowers; ·.·.· · ·

·(4) professionéil . se crecy sh~ll not be · enforceable against hi m. .· · .. · (5} He.sha.ll take ~noath hefore the cbmpeterit coJrt -~f Appeal béfore .·

· assuming offièe, · · · · · · ·

•···. U- Referrills t~ the Pub;icJndependent Conciliator •

. Section· 369: (1) A corn plaint may be subrnitted to the Pubiic lndependènt Concjliator ·. ·. by any natÜralor legal person Who considers that,hisrights andfreedoms hav~ been ... · . infringèd · ~y the fünctioning · of the regional or council administration or regional or

cou neil public institu.tions. · ·· · · . . , . · · ·

.. .. · · .·. (2). :A cotnplaint may a Iso be su.bmitted to the Pub ne lndëpendent Conciliator · · · by any pers6n who corisiders himself to be avictim ofdirecfor indirect discrimination

· · . . prohibitèd · by law or by ~ri international comniitrnent · duly · ratified or ·approved · by .·_ ··. Cameroon;. · · · · · · ·

· .... · (3): Thé P~blic ·.lnqependent Conciliator may interve~e only where the Jollowfng conditionS' élre fÛJfilled: · · ·. ·· · · · · · ·· · · · ·

jhe dispute must be between a natural or légal person or a public employee and a regional and coùncil public service;

. thé appllcant must have flled a prior ·appéal with the body involvéd in the ·_ · dispute; .· · · · · .· · · ·· · · . . · . · . ·

. .. · ho competent court must have ruled on the matter;

.·Section 370: (~} Whe~e a dispute is referred t6 the· Public lndependent· Concilia~or, . · he $hall hav~ the power to m·ake recommendations with a vievif to énsuring respect

·.for the rights and 'treedqms of the aggrieved party and settling the dispute submitted .. to him or pre_venting it from reoccurring. . . . . . . .

. : ·. · . .

. · ,:

(3) Where his injunction is ·riot heeded, the · Public lndependent Conciliator . shall prepare a special report which shall be communicated tb the defendant arid the representative ·of the State in the local authority concerned. The report and the respondent's resporise, as appropriate, may be published ~

· (4) The Public lndependent Conciliatormay proposelegisl~tive and regulatory amendtnerits to the President ofthe Republic. · · · · ·

·Section 371: A de.cree of the President of the Republic shalllay doWri the terrns ~md conditions for dischârging the. duties ofthe. Public lndependent Qonciliator. · ·

·. ' • . . ---~·--------r-..;...,______ ~,...-.· ,•· ..

. : . ~ . .... _ .. ·. ·

..

· .. :

. , ·.·

. · ,·

.. . ·. ; .

..

87

· . . BOOKFIVE .. . . FI NAN CIAL REGIME OF REGIONAL AND LOCAL AUTHORft.IE.S . . - . . . . . .

. PART 1 . . GENERAL PROVISIONS

. · . .· .· . _...;;;.,.;.._~------------ . .· . CHAPTER 1 . . --------- · PURPOSE AND SC OPE OF APPLICATION .·

· .. _ · . . ··

.· .· .

: .. · ·

.. ·, . ··

.. . .

. · ... · Sectlon 372: ( 1) The finanèial regime of. regional and local .authorities shall .lay d.own . · .. aiiJhe rules relating to the nature, content, presentation, ,preparation; adoption, · .. execution and control of th~ . execution of budgets of régions; co un cils, . city coùllcils,

êour,~cii unions; regional and cou neil public . establishments and any ·. ether · local auttiority. séfupby law ... ·. · · · ·· .·

. • (2) The provisions of the Law to lay dovm the .cameroon Code of Trarisparenpy and . Good Governarice in public finance management and th ose. ofthè Law .relating to the fiscal regime of the State and other public entities shall apply to .

· loc;al auth9rities, subjectto the spêcificities providedJ()rin this law. · · ·

.. CHAPTER Il .·.· •· BUDGET FRAMEWORK

·Section 373: · (1) Eaëh year, the deliberative · organ of the ·local authority shall establish a · m~qium~term budget framework defining, based· on reallstic economie ·

· .·.·. àsslJmptions,th.etrends overaminimum period of 3 (three}yéars, in: · · ·

.·. : : ..

. ~ : . ali : expemditure and revenue of . the locar .authority and its ' public . establishments, · including fun ding ·from the State, ·national and intètnational . . donol's, decentralized cooperation and ail other partners; . . .

• . the ·.·. financlng neéd or capa city .··of th~ local :~uthority and i,ts public establishments~ · · · · · ·

• : t.hè financi~g cornponents, as weil as the pyefall level offinanciai debt of the . · local àuthority andits pubJic est~biishments: · ··

(2) On the . basis of this medium-term budget frame\liork ~nd within the limits it · .. set~ . . the deliberative organ of the local authority shaH establish the mediuiTI-term . expynditure framework (MTEF), · breaking down the main categories of local public :expenditure over a minimum periodof $ (three) years . . ·' . . .

· .. : (3) The m~diuni-tèrm expenditure framey.~ork refe~red to undet Sub:-section 2 , .. .. .. :· ab()ve . $hall be establish~d ·t élkirig intp ·~ccoun(the dévelopment plan of the local .

·· authorify conce'i~ned, ' adopted beforehand by t he d4èlibératîve orgari. ·· .,. .

· · (4-)These medium-tefm fr(;lm~work documents shall be madep_ublic by ailmeans . .

88

· .. .

. . . . . .

.. · Section 374: {1} Each year, beforè 1 August, the executive organ of the local ·. authority .shaUforward · to the deliberative organ, the medium-term framework

documents r~fened to . und er Section 37"3 above, · alongside a . report on the regional ~or local economie situation and level of the execution of the budget for the cu trent

·· financial year. · · · . . . .

. . .•.. • · (2) On the basis bfthese documents and reports, the deliberative organ shall · hold a budgetpolicy debate in public session, but without a vote. ·

· (3)·The budget of the local authority adopted and approved shaJI be in line with . . .. the firstyear 9fthe mediumAerm · framëwork, as adopted .during the budget · . .

• • • •• • • • H orientafui~d~af . · . · . · · · · · . . · . · . . REPUBU~~ · .

- . . · . PRESIOENCE~fl~HE REPUB ~ . . . pRESIDE~~~ARio\1' GENERALGLEM EN l'. I.P:f . . . . PARTII

. . . . fl~~IER tE(iiSlf(llf E CARO INDE:!. R\'M

sli~~s'LcA~t~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~s~:~~R~~E . --- . · BUDGET PRINCIPLES ·.• .. .

L==-~C~E~R~~~~~~--~-~-~·~· . . .· . . . .. . . . · e finahcial year shall cover one . Galeridar. y~ar. However; . ~ · supplert1entary . period rûnning from .1 to 31 . January, of .the .· following year· shé,lll be ·.

' '.

• granted to local authodties ·for the settlemerit 'of command op·~rations at the çlose Of ·· the finandal yeàr. • · · · · · · · · .· · · · · ·· · · · .·.·

. · Section 376: (1JThe full a mount of exp~cted revenue and expenditüre to be incûrred . · .. sl:lall be indicatèd· in the budget. · · ·

·• ··•· .{2)Anycontraction betwèenJevenue and .expenditure shaiLbe .foroidden . (3) No speCifie revenue may be allocated to a barticular expenditure, except for sorne

· revenuerallocated as su ch. ·· · · · ·. · ·

. . . (4) .Au rev~nue ' and expenditureshan. bepresented in ~ single document entitled. blïdgE3t ot..Jollowed by the name of th.ê local authority. However, upon a décision apprçved by the representative oft he State, a local authority may vote annex budgets under conditionsspecified in Section 433 bei()W. · · ··

·(5.) A d$Cree · o(the· Prime Minister shaH lay down the nomenclature of. the · bu.dgétoflocalàuthorities. ' · · ·. · · · · · ·

. . . . - : . .

.·. Section 377: Jhe bud~et voted shall be bal~nced in rev~nue and experiditure.

Sectiorl, 378: (1) Any appropriation voted for a specifie expenditure .and suqject to a ~pecific budgetai)' ch;;;~rge' may be used . only for needs correspondin9 to th;;;~t cliarge ..

. · ... ·. (2) . Notwithsti:mding the ,provisions of, Sub-section ·1. above, votes may be · transferred .. from · .. ·one .·· pmgramme ··. to another, ··.by deCision .. âpproved · by the ·

representative ofthe St;ate. · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · . . . ·. . . ' .

(3)Fund~ shall be transferred Within a programme by. decision of the ·Chief exeGutive, in accord ance with the tli.reshold provided for ir:i Section 416 below.

· ·· Section 379: The budget of a local authority shaH be voted and approved before the · . ·beginning of the finahcial yemr. ·

. ; : :-

89

. ·· ..

.. , .

. .

· . Section 380: No revenue . may . be issued anq collected, or any expenditure · committêd · orordered for local . authority without hàving ·. been provided for ·. and authorized by thé budget ofthe local authority. · · · ·

Seétion a81: (1) Thé popùlation shf]fl be ihformed of the main stages of the budget -proced.ur$ and their economie, social and financial issues. ·

(2)The informatio~ providecj for un der' Sub-section 1 al:>ove shall beorganized in àmanner as ta ensure trarisparency and objectivity. · · ·

Section 382: A local authority may only coHect a tax or duty ifitis proVided for by Jaw andadopted by the dëliber(ltive. organ. · ·

·_ Secti~il - 38~:;-The èohditions .for~ssessing, is~uihg, cÔIIecting~nd tra~sferring .taxes .. . . arid ·duties intended for local authorities shali be laid dowri bylaw:

·_ .. ·Section 384: (1) Local (luthôrities, their establishments and inte;riational donors shaH · i:nf()r'ITi the Ministers respectively in charge of local authorities and finance of ali funds

._-providedthem, including those ensùing fromdecentralized cooperation~ . · ·

(2) The provision -of these funds shall be .subjed to prior a,pprov:al · by the ·.·· Minister _ln _charge of finance. Such funds shall b_e·. included· as revenue and

· expenditure in thé budget of local authorities. · · · · · ·· · ·

_ . PART Ill . UDGEJ.OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES _:·_ .. ·

SectiÔn 386: (1) The büdgei shall present aiL thé programmes thatçontributê to. the ._· : ·· ·. . . . economie; sociaL hèalth, educational. cultural and sports development of· the loca.l .

authority; _ . · · · . · . . · . · . ·

· (2) Thé budget and programmes qf the local authority shall be consistent with -·· .. the economie and finaneïcilobjectives of the State. . . . .

· -. · . . ... .. '

. -· (3) The oudget . and programmes of the cou neil shall · bè consistent: with the _-. · ·. --· _ progrçunrries of the region of attachment · · · ·

. '• · .. . .. : ..

(4) The· bÙdgetshall be pr~pared and controlledin a pàrtici·patory mariner to . _ tàke into account the rieeds_ expressedand suggestions made by the population. ·

· (5) The relevant State services-shall be' boùnd to provide local àuthorities with -·_ ·.·· info"rmati911 required ta prepare their budgets. . .

. . . 90

L:::::::=;:z===c.:::--:,:~;.:--=~-_.._,-~~~~-- - ·.. ·. •· . CHAPTER J ·. ·... ·. . .. . .· INITIAL AND AMEN DING BUDGETS

Section 387: (1} The initial budget shall be voted by the deliberative organ and implemented atthe beginning ofthe financical year. · · · ·

. . (2) The • amending budget shall, where appropriate, be · voted by the ... · .. ·.·deliberative organ du ring the ·financial year.

· .. Sectio~ 388; .(1) The purpôse ot'the arn~nding budget shallbe to adjustthe Initial · .. ·. budget fcxecasts. lt shall . include extra appropriations réquired du ring the finaricial year_, new revenue not provided for in the . initial budget, revenue and éxpenditLJre

. • trcmsactions brought forwardfrbmthe previqusfinancial year . . · . . .· . . . .: . .. · .• . .

.. · · ... . · ·. (2)The amending budge.t shall · be prepared, voted and âpproved in .the sanie manner as the initia.! bqdget, in accord ance with the provisions of thi~ law,

. ·, . . ·· . . .. · .. · .....

. • · CHAPTERU · --.• . BUDGET CONTENT

Section 389:_ (1) The bu~get shall comprise : 2(tw6) parts: the first part shall be deyotedtorevenue and the second part to expe!)diture. ·

. . . . . .

. ·•· (2)AU: reyenue shall be used to execute aH· expen~iture. (3) Op~rations under the ''operating" · sectionshall be :an nuai andrecurrent

Operations · und er th'e '' i nv~stment" sec~ion shall bè th ose th at have an . impact on the ·.· propérty ofthe local auihority and can be multi-yeâr~ ·

. . (4) The Finance . Law . may lay down ~onditions for distributing among regional · •-and local authorities, the common decei1tralization fu nd instituted by Section 23 of .. · this. law. · · .· · · ·· - · · · · · · · · · ·

: . . .-: · ... . . . .· . . . . · . . ,.·

r ~-· Revenue .. ·

.··.· Secti~n 390: T here.venue otlocal ~ut~oritie~. described a~cordirig tq their type, shaH • :comprise tax reverü.1è, proceeds from 'the use of property a11d provision of services, . allocations and subsidiès, and ·cash and financing resources, · · · · ·· . . .. . . . •' . . .

--. •1.1 7 Tax r~venue ·

· · .· Secti~n J91: The tax revehûé of_ local authorities shaU consist of ân t~~ tèxes le\tied by St~te tax services orJhe relevant services orthe local authority for the latter. Ali .

.. ··· these leviès shall be referred-to as "local taxeS11• . . . . .

··_,

91

. :-

. . . ·. . . . . .

. Section 39~: Local taxes shall comprise:

• cou ricH taxés;

· • · addit.ional éou~()iltax. on. Stat~ taxes andduties; .

· .. · ~ · coLincillevies;

• .·. re9ional t~xes and duties;

• · any ether levy providedfor by the law.

. . .

L 2- Proceeds from the Use ofProperty and Provision ofSe..Vices

Section 393: Pro.Çeeds frorn t.he use of regional or cou neil property. and s~rvices .· ·. ···shall comprise: · · · · · · ·

. .

.. •.. - rev~nüe from regiom:1l or cou neil public property; · ... · ..

revenue from regional or ~ouncil privaté property; .

· . "' .:revenue from theprC>vision of services;. · .

·· 1.3 ~ Allocatiohs·and Sub~idies ·· ·

· Section 394: Local authorities shall receive .allocation~ and· subsidiesfrom the State · for the discharge oftheirdutiès. ·.·

· . . · Section 39S: A gerier~i operating allocation ·shall be · granted to sub:.divisiorial · côuncils by the ir: City cou neil ofattachment.

. Section .396: (1) The general operating allocation referred to in Sectio~· 395 ab6ve . shall be p~ggèd ta certain items of the city coûncil. . . . .

.. . .· .. • (2) The çonditfonsof payment of the general opérating allocation referred ta · .· · under SeCtion ;395 above aswell as the pegging stipulated under Sub,.section 1 above shaiLbë ·fixed ' by arder of the Minister in charge of regional and local .auttioritfes. · · · · · · ·. · · · ·

.. •. Section 397: Local · authorities mayreceive allocation~ and ·subsidies .for' investmen{ . capital inv~stmént à nd operation. · · · · · · ·· ·· · ·. · · · . · , ·. ·

14 - Other Revenue

S.ecÙon 398: Othér revenue shall comprise: . . .

. · . . : _ . . · . ·. • · ope·rating :reserves; .·

• ·.· bonus~s qnd royalties granted by the · State; ·

• fihanqial proceeds;

. • ·· . t.ransfers received ; .

92

. -: .

· • other proceeds and sun dry profits;

• . . trade-iri. of depredation;

• medium- and long::term lo~ms; .

• .. . assista ne~ funds;. ·

· • donàtions and legacies within\lestments costs;

• proceeds from the salé of property and the transfer of fixed assets;.

• . · proceeds from the sale of irnpounded animais or équipment not.claimed withiti thenegûlatory tirne li mit; · · · · · ··

. . . .

• . capital gains on _the tran~fér offixed·assets; • · ·· inve~tmènfrèserves; .· .. · .

. ·· • . other . revenue brought forward . the pre\tious finanCial . year deemed . . . recoverable; .

. • . reserves not~llo~ated, bulmaintained as quasi-money onthe assets side; .· ..

. . . · ~ · ·. prod~:~ction of fixed a~s~t~ by th~ local autho~ity for itself or capital investment; . .. ' ' · . .

• . dividends and other proceeds from rètumon investment;

• any resolirce from International or decentralized cooperation ..

. Section 399: (1) Domestic loa~s shàH be. authorized by d~cision of the deliberative . organ, sübject to the ~pproval of toe repre·sentative . of the .Stat~. They· shc;!U t:>e

intended primarily for the financing ofinvestments. The related deç;ision shall fix the amoùntof the.loan; .· · · · · ·. · ·

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . .. ·· .·· (2) Loans contracted from natural perso~s or corporate bodies having a direct • . or indirect Hnk with the local authority shaH be forbiddE:m, · ·

. . . .· ·· .•. (3) External .loans, auth~rized by decision of the de;iber~~ive organ, subject to . .•. the àpproval of.the ·r§presentative of th~_ State; shall be guaranteed .by the State.

· Section 400: (1) ·. Donations and legacies shall be accepted upon deliberation .· approv~d by the representative of the State.

. . . ··.· (2) Notwithstanding th~ . provisions of Sub-secti~n 1 . above, t~e Executive Organ .may, or( él .precautionàry basis, accept donations and ·legacies. The decision rël~tlng to sueh acceptânce indicating the use of the donations and legacies shall be s.Libmitted .to the deliberative organ at its next meeting . . ·.· · · · . _ .. ·

. .

. . (3) .The reasoned refusai of the deliberative organ to approve the donations ·and legacies accepted as a precautionary ·measure by .the chief executive shall reslilt . int~eir retUrn to the ir o~mer within 15 (fifteen) da ys from the date of deliberation.

Il - Expenditure Section 401 : The expenditure of · local authorities shaH comprise operating expenditure and ihvestment expenditure~ .

93

. :: .

.IL 1 - Operating expenditure

. Section 402; Operating expenditure shall be those linked to the functioning of services and which are recurrent. They shàll enable the local authority to meet its

· . day-to..,day C()Sts and obligations. They shall be cornpulsqry 6r optië>nal. ·

Section 403: Compulsory expenditure shall be th at imposed by the· law. lt shall be necessary for the optimum functioning of the local authority by virtue of the special interest it represents . As such, it must be included in the budget. ·

.. _· .. Sectior1404: {1) Thefollowing expenditure shall be compulsory: ..

· • · Salaries and wages; ·. .. .

• Allowa~cès and other benefits p('ovided for by the instruments in force; . · ·

· ~ Social security contributions; . .

• Taxesançtdutiest obe.paid; . . . ·. .

. . • . Jrreducibl~ expense.s linked to the fl,mctioning of services; · .

• Debtsd:ue; .

• . Contributions to !~cal authority support bodies provided for by the laws and .. regu.lations in force ~ . · ·

• . Expenses :resulting from th.e enforcement of final courtjudgements; . .

. • · Contributionsto groups or.associations inwhich the local authority is member: . . . ' . . . . - . . ·. . . . .. · . . _• . : ' . .

• Expendltur~relating to the hlairitenânceand upke.ep of-roads, public lightning; · hèalth facilities, schools and ali other facilities; · · · ·

• Expenses re-lat~d té:>'counterpart contributions; ..

·· ·. • Dev~lution expenditure. · . .

. (2) The gen~ral oper~ting alldtation granted to sub~divisional pour1Cils shall be · con1pulsoryfor city councils. . · · ·. · · ·

Section · 405: Optional expenditure ·shall be th at not listed among the compulsory _expenditure provided for inSection 404 ·above. Tbey may be momel1tarily susp_ended whenthe fil1ancial resources Of the local"authority a ré insufficient. . · · ·

Section 406: (1) Forbidderi exp~nditure shall be thatformally prohibited by the law~ . . · . ·and r~gulations ln forçe; · · · · · ·

· · · :·(2) The following, in partiçular, shâllbe forbidden: . ·.: . . . · . . . - · -·_,. . · . -·. . . ·. _ . . . . . . ·

· • loans granted by a local àuthorityto a private indiVidual; . . . . • subsidies to undedared 'associations and othe( entities th at are not approved ; • subsidies to religious associations and congr~gations ; . . • . sUbsidies ta pOiitical parties.

· . . .

94

·-:

· .. . ·· .

(3) Funds spent in ·violation .ofSub:-sections 1 and 2 above shall be charged to the ir Authorizing Officer. •. ·. .

· '· .·. . .. ....

11.2 -'"lnvestlnent expeoditure . . .

·Section' 407: (1) .·lnvestment expenditureshall be that earmarked for the construction . oLfacilities, buildings and infrastructure, as weil as the procurement of the matérials neede~ for such works in the economie; social, health, educational, cultural and spor:t~ domains; · .· · · · ·

.· . (2) As sU~h. investme.nt éxpenditure shaU coritribute·notably tb:

· .. '. ·

• thè construçtion and eqiiipping of markets, parks and slaUghterhouses;

.. • . ·the improveni~nt 'of the ~uality .. of the environ~ent, âccess to drinking water · supply <:mel the management of flatural resources; .. · · · · ·

• .. the implementation of development operations; ·. ,

• the creation of col.ll1cil roads . as. ~ell as _thè rehabilitation divisional and regional roads;

• · dt3velopment ofpublîc lighting arid the electrification of né.edy ateas; ·

• · the creation of unclasslfied roads;· · .. ·. · . ~

• the equipplng ofhealthfaCiliti~s; ·. .· ·. .. .

.• . the . construction of sports and . educationâl facilities • at . the . r~gional or local leyeJ; ·. ·. · · · . . . · · · ·

• thé procurementofequipment for the itnprovèrnent oflocal basic services;

· • • . thé.~ implementation ·. of jnvestmef!t programmes and proJecis adopted by the .. ·. · deliberative organ . . · · · · ·

.(3) lnvestmènt expenditure shan · have an impact . on the assets ·of the local · authority ...

. · .. . • . . · .. CHAPTERH . ' .· .·· .. ·

.. SCOPEOF BUDGETARY AUTHORIZATIONS .

Section 408: (1) A budg~t allocation shall b~ the maxim~mamount of expendifüre · • t~at:the · d~liberative orgari authoi:izes theexecutive·_· organto .commit and pay, for a ··

speCifie ptii"pos~. du ring tlie financial year. . ·• · -

. .··_·· ·. (2) Budget appropriatio~s shall . bê included in th~ adopted . arid appr9véd budget · · .· ·

· Section4o9: (1) Appropriations inthebudget ofthe •locàlauthority shaH be grouped by prpgrammè ... · · · · · · ·

. . . . .

(2) The . prôgramm~ shali inch.Jde appropriations · intended ta irtiplement an action or a coherent _set of actions with_ specifie objectives, defined in terms of

'95

. ..

. general interest objectives arid expected results. Outcomei ndièators shall be defined forthe objectives of each programme. · · · · · · ·

. · . .. . · (3) C6uncil ~prograrml1es sh~ll be part of the nationéll developmentstrategyand . sector stratégies defined at the national reveL They shaU a Iso . be consistent with the programmes ofthe regi oh of attachment; as Weil as with the mèdium-tEimn framework documents referred to iri $ettion 373 of this. law. . . . .

. . .. (4) The programmes of regions shaH be part .of the national development stràtegy ànd sector strategies defined at the national IËwel and shaH be consistent with)he programmes· of the couhcils Jalling under their territorial jLirisdiction, as weil as with the medium::.tefm framework documents referred to in Sectiorr373 ofthis law. ·

·. ·. · . , . (5)An arder of the Minister in charge of. local authorities shall lay down the . · . nomenclature of programmes which shall be broken dowh into .açtioris and activities 'by the said aûth6rities. : ··. . . . . . . . .

(6) The·p togramrnes and document$ referred to inthesubsections above shalt . be made public. ·. ·.. . . . . . . .

· Sé~tidn 410: (1} Loan.s shall bespecifiE?d by programme . ..

. ·· · · {2) Within each programme, . appropriations shall be fungible in the proportions · ·providéd -fo( ùnder Section 414 belowand the ir presentation by part shall only be indicative and shall not bè binding oh authorizihg officers or accouhting officers in budget implementation operations, . . .

(3) However, within a programme, appropriations uhc;Jer·: .

. • ·. staff costs may notbe increased; . ·.·· . ·

· ' • ·. investment·expenditure ni~Y notbe reduced. . . . . . . . . . .

. , .... . .. Section · 411: The appropriations · for . staff costs shall have ceilings for the

• • j

· authdrization of. jobs paicj by the local authority. The humber and di~tribution of pa id jobs ·maybe.rnodified onlyby delibetati6n ... · · ·

Sectiori 412: (1) the apprqpriatioris opened .in the pudget of the local authority to . covèr each of'its expenditu re sh~ll comprise commitrnent authorizatio.ns. and payrrient . · appropriatloris. · · · · · · · ·· · ·

. . . . . ' . . . . . . , · . ·. . . . .

.. (2) Comrriitment aùthorizations shalfconstitute the upper limit of expemditure. that may be. committed âuring a fin.ancial yeai' and ~hose payment may, where $ppropriate; ~ bespreadoverseveral yearswithin the medi~m~term budgetframework.·

· . (~) · Payment appropria.tions. shall constitute the upper 'limit of expenditure that may be · paid during the year to covër commitmenfs · made · under commitment ·

.•. authorizatioris . ..

.. ".: .·

_;.. ...... ------ Regarding operating expenditure, · the -- amount of : commitmeht · · authodzation~ opened shall be equal to the amount of payment appropriations

opened: _-_

_ _ (5) For investment expenditui"e committed dùring a finàncial yéat, th~ amount oLcomm_itment · authorizations open éd _ ~hall be equal to the amou nt of _ payment

. appropriâtions opened, · · · · · . . ; . . .. . . .

Section:413: (1) Approp~iatiori transfers may, during the financial yeàr, modify thé · dis!rlbution· of budget appropriations between programmes. · · ·

.· .. ·' . : . (2} ihe cumulati~~ .amoünt . of appropriation. transfers . mad~ ... du ring .the samè financial yéar may not exceèd 2% of the appropriÇltioris bpened for èach of the programmes cbricerned: Payment appropriation transfers to investr:nent éxpendih.irè may riot lead to a ri incrèase in commitment authorizations. They shall be carried out

._ by order of the ChièfExecutiVeofthe Joèal authori~y.

- ·__ {3) Transfer · orders -shall irnmedlately be notified to the deliberative org~n for : information. · · · · · ·

Section . 414: (1) Subfect to _. thè provisions cbricernipg · 60mmitrnerit authorizations, . .. appropri~ltions operied and. ceilings on authorizations for usefixed for one year>shalf

. not éreate any entitlernent for subsequent years. _ . . . . . . . .. .

__ . -. · . .. (2) Gommitment authorizàtions not used at the emdofthe year in~y not be · carri~d over. . . -- · .

--- -_._ (3) Thé· .• p.ayment :appropriations available for a programme atth~ ·end of the - year ·._may be carried forward -_ to the same -programme; -within -the Jirnit of · the -cOmmifrnênt aüthorizations actuâlly used .but .not yét pa id~ -· -· . . -· . . -

. . . --- _-_ _- · --. (4) .su ch carry forward shall be done by order of the Chief E~écutive a ft er -·_ . obtaining the app.roval of the conimittee responsible for financial issues.

_ _ _ . . . _ _ , - PAR! IV _ _ . _ _ .• _- _ _ __ __ _ .PREPARATION. ADOPTION AND APPROVALOF THE BUDGET.OF - .

. . LOèAL AUTHORITIES . · •. '·

··-·- Section 415: (1}The budget of loc~l authorities ·shall be .prepared, adopted and . approved according to _a schedule and uhder the conditions laid down by a joint order

of the Minist~r in Chargé ofregional and local authorities and the Minister in charge of · · finance. · · · ·· · ·

· . · :_ ....

·. · •-· · _.---_ (2) The scheqüle shall be consistentwith the. budget sched(Jief ofthe Statè. _

. __ CHAPTERI _ _

. BUDGET PREPARATION

Section416: (1)The chi~fexecutive shall prepare the budget of local authorities. -

97 .·

: _._ .·

ç • '

· (2) The budget estimates referred to in sub-section 1 above shaH be prepared based on the following: · · · ·· · ·

. . . . .

. • .·. the joint circular letter of the fy1inister in charge of loca~ authorities and .the . Minister in charge finance; ··

• . the results of citizen. consultations; .

• · thé medium-terril framework adopted following the budget orientation det;>ate.

Section 417: (1) The budgets of councils and city councils shall be prepared with due respect fôr the foHoWing ratios: . . . . . . . . .

.• ·. irwestment expencmure ·. ptojeêtions should • not exceed 40% 'of ·. total ex·pendituré; · ·

• operatlrig éxpenditureprojections.should . note~ceed 60% of total expenditure; .

• staff cost~ should not exc~ed 35% of operating e~penditure. . . .

. · (2) The budget ofthe region shàll be prepared with due respect for·the foUowirlg · ··.~~ · .. . ·. .. .. . . ..

. . ' .

• inv(3stment · · expenditure . projection . should · not exceed · 60% of total experiditure; . ·. . . . . .

· · . • . o.perating expenditùre esti.tnates should not exceed 40% of total expenditure; • . stàff.cosi should riot exce.ed 30% of operating expenditure. . .

. . . . . .· . ' . . . ·. .. : .

. Section .· 418: · ( 1) . A report on the . e~onomic, social and financial situation ·and · · · ptospt?cts of the loçal aüthority shàll be attached to the budget ~stlmates . .. ··

' . . . . . . . . . . .

· ·· " · · · (2} Thé rep'ort ·referred·to in Sub~section 1 above shaH i~Ciude: .· ·. .· . . . . . . . .

. • · a'ssumptions (ind projèction resljlts underpinning thé draft budget; ·

• mediu~,.term budget tramework documents provided .for .under section 373 of · this law; · · · · · ·

· · ·· • .· an analysis ofthe J)udgettré~ds compared with the pre~iouslinancial yeàr; · ; .. . ·: . . . "/ . . . . . . . . . . .

· • an analysis.of the bUdget .r$v~nue projections for:the ye.ar: un der con$iderati.ori . . . . and, as ah iildiçation; .the ~m0u11ts expected for the next 2 (two) fin an cial

years; . . . . . .

. . • . the debt situationtogether ~!tH the de.bt strategy; .·.

• . ~ •. table of the fil!anci;:llàperatîons of the lOcal authority;

./ · • .· art an nuai cash ffo.w plan presented on a monthly ba~is; . · .• . explanator}/ annexes . indicating, by programme, the amountofappropriatiôns ·•

presented per pàrt for the account of the year un der consideration! and as an .. indication, for the next 2 (two) financiaJ years. These ànnexes shall bè aqcbmpanied by the an nuai. erformance p~oject of the local authority;

.ga

1. · .

. · . : . . . .

• . . ·a .. summary of ali external financing · planned for the coming financial year, specifying its .am·ount, purpos~ and method of integration. Gqpies . of the .

· financingagreements concerned shall be attachedto this summary; ·

• an annex ··· prese!lting . the Jinancial assistance of the local . authority to ··· its · ·•· .. : · .. · co111panies, public establishments, u11ions imd other groups; .···. · · · · · ·

. . . ~ · .. a reportidentifying and assessing the mainbudget;isks; .· ..

• . ·. a description of tlie main expenditure and revenue measures specifying the ir . contribution to the objectives of thé poliëies of the local authority and their consistency with major national public policies, as weil as with thé policies of

· . oth.er local .aüthorities; · · · ··

an anne){presenting .the .trends in . the· nia in investment projects. ·. •' . . ." • . ... : : . . , · . . . . ..

. Section .41,9:{1)The draft .annual perfonmuice ;eportofthe local.·authority an~exed · to · the · budget e~timates s~all present the objectives pursued and the expected resülts foreach programme, evaltlated using activity and result indicators. · · ··

. .. (2) ltshalt be prepared by the programme managers appointed in·accordance . with the provisions of Section 435. of' this law, urider the authority of the chief · · executive. · · · ' · · · · · ·

· Section 420: ln addition to the documents referred to 1n Section 418above, the .· · folloY..,ing documents m1,1st beappended to the budget estimates: · · · ·

. . .

• • staff list; . ·

: • .. . i.nventory of vehides and machines; .

- ~ · · . i~ventory of owned 0~ l'eased -buildings;.

. . . • . draft deliberation to vote the budget; . .

·• . deliberations of a financial nature; · . . .

• . results ofthe last approved ~dministrative accè;>unt;· .

• ·. statement of revenue and exp~nditure of the current finaricicil yèar as at the . · d.a~e -ofhôldihg ofthemeeting; · · - . . · · .· ·

. · : ·. .. '

. • ah~other üseful document . · . .

. .. .. ·. ·

Section421: (1) Vvhere .the chief executive fa ils to present the budget bèfore 30 December, hernay besusperided for a period notexceeding 3 (three) months .

. . .· .·· (2) Whére the .ch!ef executive is suspended, h.is replacement, · in arder of .. . · .. ·' precedence; $hall fully exercise his functions, -He shall be bound to present the

. ·. hudget within 15 (fiftèèt)) days; . . . . . . . . . . . . . . '

.. ~ .

gg _

·.·· ..

. . :: . ..

. . . . . . ~

CHAPTER Il . BUDGET VOTE ··

.· .· : . . . . .

· · • Section 422: (1) The deliberative organ shall adopt thebudgetof the local authority no l~tër than 15 Decemb~r of each year, subjectto the provisions of Section 423. (2)

•· b~low. .. · · · · · . . . . .· .

(2) Thedeliberative organ .shall be convened at least 15 (fifteen) days prior to the holding ofthe Qudgétary session during which the budget shall bé adopted. This

. pericid may be reduced to 3 (three) days in case of emergency .

. · .· {3) The draft budget ta bled •·. for vote·· shall be appended to documents and ' · instruments referred to Linder Section~ 419• and 421 ofthis law. · ·

(4)The budget shall be adopted by deliberation . . · . . . :

. . . . : . (5)Where the chiëfexeclJtive of the local authority fail~ to convene the session ·. · within the presçribed deadlihè, the. representativ~ .of thé Statè shall immediately arder

thé convenirig ofthé session. - · · · · · . . . . . . . . . .· . . . . . . . . . .

Section 423: (1} Where the deliberative organ refusêsto vote the budget; the chief · .·executive. shall refer the matter to thé ·representative of the State for arbittation. W~erè arbitration is fa ils, the delib_erative organ may, on the r~aso_ned proposai of the représentati-ve .ofthe State, be suspended for a perio.d nofexceedirig 2 (two) months>

. · .· - (2)Atth.e ~nd ofthe ~uspension, a newdeadline .of 15(fifteen) days shall be · granted the deliberative organ to vote the budget. ·

\ ·, .· .. · (3) hi cà se ofpérs!stenfrefusal, the deliberatiVe org~m may be Çissolved.

·- ·. {4) DUri~g th~ susp~nsion or the period of dj~solution, as the case may be;the repreàéntative, of the Stâte . shall extend the budg~t by provisional twelfths. The budget. ·thUs . extended shall be exeëuted by . a .·· spécial delegation until a . new

. dêliberativ~ organ is put in place. . . . . ~ . . . . . . , . . . ,.

. . Section 424: The deliberative organ may amend the draft budget tabled by tht3 . ···-·executive in qompliancewith th.e lavvs a.nd regUlations ln forcë~ .

. . ·.: . ·

Section425: The Cbiefexetutive shall have 7 (seve.n) oays within Whichto forward .· to the repre.sentative of thé State the adopted budget, its annexes and the minutes of . the meeting. . . . ·. . . .. .

. · .. ' ·· · . .

CHAPTERUI BUDGET APPROVAL .

• Section 426: The budge(of the. local authodty shail bè •approved by arder ofthe representative dtthe Stâte wlthin 15 (fifteen) da ys following its receipt by the .latter. Beyon~ thisp~riod , the budget shallbe deemed to h~v~ been approved.

100

. : ~ · . .

. . ~ .

' . ·

Section 427: ·(1) The .reprêsentative of the State .. who approvés··the budg~t · of the. local aüthodty rriay, aftef a formai notice remains unheeded, ame nd . it as of right where: ·· ·

_: _.. : . . . : . . . ~ . : : . . · .. -. ·. ; . .

the budget voteci Is not balanced;

appropriations allocated to caver çompulsoryéxpenditure are irisüfficlent;

~~pendit!Jre is forbidderi a~ perthe provisions ~fSection 406 ofthis law;

· . th~ ratiosprovided for in' Section 417 above are not observed: · . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . ·. (2) The r(;;}pres~ntativè of the State Who ~mends the budget of the. local authÇ>rlty ~s of right may · riot increas~ or in elude new expenditure except it is con;pulsq,ry; ' ' . . .

Section '428: (1) When the budgét is. notvoted. beforé the beginning of the financial . year, the . representative ofthe State shall immediately serve a notice on the local ·

· · authority conëerned by any means in writirlg to remedy the sitUation within 15 (fifteen) days. · · · · ·

. . . .· (2). The . repres~ntative of the. St~te shaiL extend the budget of the preceding finànéial year'by p~ovislonal twelfths ·until the budget is voted and approved .

S~ction 429: .Th~ approyèd budgetshall be published on · the website ·of the local authority and through p6$ting by any means, and deposited atthe seat of the local · authority where · it ·may be cohsulted; A copy shall · be · forwarded to the .· ministries . · respectively in <:;l'large of lpcal authorities. and finance; .· · .·

·Section 430: SpeCial · re.venue and . expenditure authorizations shan be voted . and . appro\/ed undfk the same ëpnditions for the budget . . . .

CHAPTER IV . . ·· . . . . .. . · , ·.. ANNEX BUDGET · · .·

.. : _ '':-. . . AND COUNCIL·UNION BUDGET

, 1 ....; Annex BUdg~tof Regionàl or Council Public Estàblish,ments . ·. · . ' .. ' .

·· · Section ~31: (t) An annex budget shan · be prep~redfor region~! · or councH public. ··· .·establishments endowed with flnancial autonomy, butwithoùt leg~l pers6nality, ·· ·

·• ·(2) AnnexbUdgets shall ~resent trarisactionsreSI)Itin~ from goods proô~Ction or service provision acthlities requiring the payment of a fee~ ' .. ·

·. , , (3) Anne~ 'budgets ~haH be voted. un~er the $ame. çond,itions ~.~for the budget . oflocçl aüthorities.and .approved ·bythe representative ofthe State. · . .

. • ' • ' . . . . . . , . . ·. '

· ·(4) An6éx budget operation$ shall be provided for; .aüthorizéd and executed underthe. same conditicms as for the b!;Jdg'et of local authorities. . .

101 ' . ...................... --- ______ ... ____ _

U- Cou neil Union Budget

. Section 432.: The budget of çou~cil unions shall be prepared, votëd and approved in accord ance with the establishment agreement ahd und er the same conditions as for the·coùncil budget. · · · . .

· . PART.V .· · .. . · .. ·.·.· EXECUTION OF THE BÜDGET OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES

Section 433: ( 1) Authorizing officers, finance controllers and accounting officers shall bè 'responsible for budget . execution operations under the conditions laid dowh by . . regulati'()os in force, · ·· · · · · · · · ·

. . .

.• ·. . .·· ·.· (2) .fhe. duties bf 'authorizihg officer and . accoùnting offic.er· aré and shall .· rerriairi separate and incompatible with . regard to . the execution . of rev~nue : and . expençliture. ·

. . . -

•·· (3) · However, the authorizing officer and the accounting officer shaH discharge ·. their respective duties in dosè collaboration. · ·

· ·. · CHAPTER 1 . . · • AÜTHORIZtNG ·OFFICER .. · .. ··

. · . . .

· .. ·Section ·434: {1) The·· president· ofthe regional .coUncil and .• the preside~t .. ·of the · · regional executive · cou neil shall . respectivély be the autho~izing officer ·of the budget

.· of the region and theauthorizirig officer of the budget of the special status region~ ·

.·· . . · .• . • · · (2)The mayor shaH be the authorizing officer ofthe budgets ofthè council, city ·. · ·. ·• · .. cou neil and sub .. diVisional co uri ciL

··.

.. . .. .. · .. {3) The president of the council union shall be the authorizing officer of the . . budget of the COUfiCil Union.. . .

. .

. . . .

-(4) The authorities rèferred to in sub~sections 1, 2 . êimd 3 shall be senior authorizing officer~ . · ·

. Section 4J5: (1) The programme manager shall be desighated by decisiOI'J of the · chief executivè of the local authôrity. The deSignation instrùment .shâll[ay down th(3

conditions und er which the :powers of the authorizing officer shaiL be. délegatéd . to .. ·· him; as weil asthe proçèduresfor mariaging the prograrilme. The instrument shaHbe . ·copied, · for information, to the representative of the.· State, the audit court of · attachment, the ministry in chargè, of local authorities aQd the minister in charge o'f finance. ·. · · · · · · · · · · · ·

. (2) Bélséd dn the ove rail opjectiyes· defined in the manàgement chart~r. the ·· programme manager sn ali determine the specifie • objeCtives, allocélte re~ources and · monitor . the results of the · bodies responsible, ünder his .responsibility, for · · irnpler:nemting the programme . .He shaH ènsure compliance with management control

mechanisms. · · · · · · ·

102

. ' . .

CHAPTERII FINANCE CONTROLLER

. . . . . :

ection :436:' (1} A finance controller shall be_ appointed to the main authorizing · officerof the locaLauthority by the minister in charge offinancè. · ·

. .

_ (2) The. finance controllë_r shall be responsiblefor controlling t:>Udget execution . Operations, under the conditions laid do\Nn by . dècree of t~ê ·President .of the

·Republic. ·· · ·

(3) The finance controller -shall give an opinion on the accuracy - ·and ·- . · sustainabllity of èxpenditure commitmentplans; . · · · ·

. . (4) . Un der no èircumstances may l~~ . finance -_- cohtrolle(s endOrsement be subject to his appraisal of the opportun6.ness of decision~ taken by the authorizing officer. · · · · · · · ·- · · ·

(S) He shall bêbound to reason hisrejections, where approp.riate . • . . . . . . . .

· CHAPTER Ill · PUBLIC ACCOÜNTANT ·_

· · · Section 437: (1) Localauthorities shall· have an autonomous àcc~unting - C>ffice Which shall be ëxclusively · resporisibie for its,. financiaf transaction. The accountihg ·office ..

. s_hall be creatéd. by ordèr of the ·.Minister in charge of finance. A · regulatory Jnstrurnent .. shan lay dowr:t its organizatiori and functionirig . ..

. {2) lhè àccounting office shall be un der thé authority of a public (;\CCounting · officer. He shallbe a senior accounting officer. . · · ·

Section 438: Revenue collection and locai expenditure payment shall be Carried out · .·.· · .

'; . .-. ..

· by the public acê6ùnting offic~r of local authority cplled "régional ·'trèasuret:' or · . "coUncii treasurer~· . · ·

_···Section 439: (1) -The·regional ·treasurer and .the council treàsurèr in a city council ··. - • shall-be appointed from amcing the st(lff of the civil and financial services of the

State, by joint arder of the minister in _ charge of local authorities ·and the -minister in · · ·-· charge·of finance. · · · · ·

. . '· . .· . '· .

. . ·-·--- ~---· (Î} The otherofficialsoft~e regional accouriti-~g offiçe and the ether offidal~qf •. . ·. the . city council ' accounting -office shall be chosen . from ·. âmorig the staff of local authorities or, · where applicable, from staff of the civil · and fi nan cial services of the ··

· · State, and :appointed by joint arder of thé Minister in. çharge of local authorities and _ :the Mihister in . charge of finance. -- . . . . .

. .. . . . . .

. (3) Jhe other council treasurers Shall . be appointed from among s.taff of the lbc~t a~thorities or., Where applicable, from af:nong the civilianstaff of the State, .by

~ · · order of tre. Minister in charge _ofregipr1al and local authorities. . . .

103

. . . ;

. · : .

. . ·

. . . ·:

... ...

· ( 4} The ether offid~ls of _council accounting . offices .· shalfbe appointed ·from among staff of local authorities by order of the chief executive of the organ of local

· authority. ·· · · · · · ·

. . · (5} The organi;zation orthe accounting function of local authodties shall be laid down l:>Y r~gulation. · · · · · · · ·

. .• ; (6) The status and powers of locaL ë3Uthority accounting officers :shall be laid .-dawn b.Y a regulatory instrument. · · · · · ·

. . . . .·

.. _ ... .. _ (7) .Where a · regional o'r local · authority doesnoth~ve a fînance conttoller, this · füriction ·shall be perfornî~d by the public accounting officer -of thé said l.ocal authority.

: Section 440: Régionalc~uncillors, members.of regional exe~utiveorgans, .municipal _ coühciHors, cou neil executive organs, regional and council treasures ·as weil às the ir .

. spôuses: andnext _ofkiri shall be forbiddefl to supply goods or provid~ serv.ièes t o the locàlauthoritywhere they work orto which they belong: . .. . . . . . ... . .

· · CHAPTER IV ·. · REVENUE OPERATIONS .

•-· __ S~ctio~ 44fThe · revenue _e~ecution procedure shan . compris~ the :phaseinvolving ·· • .. thé issüing. of an enforceable deéd th~t falls within .the competence ofthe ·authoriiing . . · offiéer and ·t~e colledion ph(lSe which falls Withil"lthe competenCe of the aCcoÙnting _.· .

officer. ln the qélsè of revenue collected directly by the accountin·g _officer,· deeds shall ,: ·. be îssued for n3gularization. · ·· · · ·

, . Section 442: At the initiative of th~ accounting officer, the authorizing officer may, 1,1pon the approved decision · of the representative of the _ State, write . off financiàl _

.. claims de~med _urirecoverable, in compliànce with the regulations in force .

, S~ctï<)n 443: The clclirns·; Write-offs and legal proceed!hgs r~lati!19 to the debts of _ .• _ .. -_··.roêal authorities shallbe governed -·by .the -same· ru les· and procedUres·as -those·cf the ~~~- . . . . .

. ·. _. CHAPTERV . _. · . .. . ËXPENOITURE OPERA Tl ONS .

· _· Section 444:. Thè authorizing officer of a local authority shall>not executë an . expen~iture;Without ën~_uringthat . . . . . . , . • _

_ • ·· it çorresponds to the right budgètary head and its amou nt faHs within the limit •· of the voted appropriations; ·

- Yit can be cover~d bythe available funds;

. ·the $üpp6rtirig·dbcuments .are complete; . . . .. .

• .. ·.·. the serviçe or supply bas bee ri provided or oelivereq; • .·

·. thè formalities required by the-laws and reg1,1lations ih force have been fUJfilled

. 1: . . .. .. .

. . . . . . . . . . ..--\ · . . ·. • .· ' . . . . ; .

04.

•· . ..

. . . . . . . . .

. -_ - Section<445: T~e experiditure execution procedure shan compris~ 2•(two) phases: . . . . ' . . . .

. - _ the administrÇitive phase falling within the powérs of the àuthorizirig officer and ·- includes commitrr1ent,· validation and ordering; ··. '

· the accounting phase fa !ling within the powers ofthe accounting officer of the . local ~ut~()rity and consists: in paying expénditure ~ . .

· · -.- _ Section 44G:· Expenditure e~ecution shalr co.mply with the provisions applicable to . the pu,blic procuremènt of beai aùthorities. . . .

Section _ 447: •· (1) ·. · Notwithstanding the provisions of -_ Section 446 above, . the · authorizihg office( may; basèd on a décision approved by the representative of the _State; open an i":Jpr~st f~hd for the payment-of récurrent expanses; in accordance ·

·with the regÜI~:lti()n5inforcè, . - - . .

Section 448: 'Ther accounting officer of the local authority shaU control the regulàrity > ... -

of éxpehditure~ ÜndernO circumst:inces may payments· by the ·accoûnÜng officerbe. • s.ubject to his appraisal of the ôpportuneness of the decisions ()f the authorizing ·

._ officer. He shaU be bou nd• to reason payment susp~nsiqn or refusai within seventy- _ two: (72)hours following receiptofthe file. _ · ·

Section 4~9 : ·Lôcai . expenditùre shall be. pa id through payvpuc~er, transfer, chaque · _ or' regularization operation; in accordance With the conditions 'laid down by .the · regUlations in. force. -

.. . ',: " .

Section 450: The chief executive shall not campel the treasurerbfthe localauthqrity · to endorse or pay ~xpenditüre.in violation of instructions. prôvidedfor by law. ·

Section 451: -_ ( 1) Commit~Ttent , operations . çm the budget of the ·loc_al a.vthority for the financial yearshaH be closed hy ?O November. -- - .

. (2) Payment : order operations for a finanCiai year shall be closed by 31 ~œm~~ · · · .

. .- · • .

. : Section -452: (1) Opéràting appropriations riot committ~d by the close ofthe fi na n'cial . - year shall be côrisidered to have beeh caricelled. lnvestment appropriations shaH pe t$rried forward to the nextbudget. · . · · ·

: (2) The · aLJthorizing officer shàÏitransmit expenditurè validated but not · ~cheduledJor payme.rit to the_ accounting ·officer for s.eftlelllen(

. . . . . :· . .· ·. . ~ . . . : . . . · . . . . . . . .

· . .. (3) The payrrient - ~ppropriations opened for a programme ·and ·avâilat>le C:lt the: .. -_end of the year shaU be carried forward forthe saméprogramrnè or failing this, for a prograrnm.e with the same opjective. Accordklgly, the -amou nt of the vote shall be tran~fèrreq_ to an appropriation sêt up for th at purpose in the budget. ·

105

CHAPTERVI . CASH OPERATIONS

___ -- _·. (3) E~pensës 'and ·· proceeds resÙiting from the execution of ca.sh transactions · shall be charged to bUdget ·accounts. · · · · ·

Section· 454: (1) Tl)efunds of local authoritie~ shall be deposited at the revenue · · Office ôftl)e rE3gjon, thé cou.ncilievenlje offic'é or public trust office . ..

. . (2) · Centralized or eqt,Jalization funds, ·as _weil as loali funds ·entrusted · for management to the bodies referred to inSection 497 of this law, may be depositedin a -SUb-a,CCOL-!ntof the single' treasury aooqullt openéd at the _ central pank Or é;lt the ·public trust offic$ · · · · .·· · · · · ' · · .· · · · · · ·

Sec~ion 455:: (1) The counciLor regional treasurer Shall collect; kéep and handle the: funds ând qssetsofthe local aUthority _con6erned · .·· ·· · · · · . . . . . ' .. . ~ . - . . . . . ,. . . .

· · · . ·· {2) Any person who, 'without legal authorization, interfer~s · with the ha nd ling · of public funds shall be considere_d .c:t de facto accounting officer ... · ·

· · (3) The fur1ds oflocal authorities ~hall b~ public fu nos ·· .

Sectîon 456: (l) Afthe en.d of éach day,thetreasurer shall be required to present -· his cash · statefnent to thé authorizirg officer .. _·. ·. · ·

. . ..(2) ln the l~al authotity where 'th~ . duty of treasurer is performed by a treaSury . accciunting offioer, the funds of thé r~glomilor local authority shall be u~ed solely to ..

pover its expenses. : . · · · ·· ·-· · · ·. · · · · · ·

• ·· Section 457: At their request, the State may grant cash · advance on expeded · reveriüe to local. àuthmities, upon the reasoned recorrimenda.tion of the minister in -·

· _· è.harge of regional and.loèa1 authoritieS. .· · · · · · · ·

· ·._ Section 45à: Unclaimed debts shall be deemed time'"'barn:~d withiriA (four) yeafs with éffect from the financial year to which ·they relate and permariently extinguished to .·_ ·-. tbe benefit of the_ locaL authorlty. · · · · ·

. ··._:.. . .·. . . _... . . . ·. . . . . . . . .

. Sectio.ri 459: · (1) An annual ·commitrnent · plan produced by the ·authorizing s>fficer; and a ca~h fiow plan • produced · by the accounting officer, shàll be attached, as cümexe$ _to the budget of tt)e local authority.

106 -

·.· · .· ·. . "• .· . . . .·

(2)They shall. b~ Updated and present the cash flow and budget execution · · s:ituatiqn _evèry 3 (three) nionths. · ·

. .·· . . . . . . . . . CHAPTER VIl . . . . .· · · · FUNDS MANAGEMENT MEJHODS OF DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS

. . Section 460: (1) Resources frorndeèe·ntralizedcooperation, those provided to local . ·authorities •· by lnte·rn~hional institutions · and ·. otganizations, _as . welf as by foreign · States, shall comply with thé execution; accounting, treasury manag_enient arid · · control ru les provided for in thislaw. ··· · · · · ·

. . .

. · . . . (2) Th~ _ financing agreements negoti~tèd with developm·ent partners , ?nd . -. attachèd às annexes 'to the budget of the lo.cal aüth6rity 'shalllay: dowri the detailed

rules for implementing the ru les and _regimes provided for Jn sub-section 1 above:: - --

AIRE ; --_· _ -_. -_ PARTVI '· _- - - ---- .. ---- -U:NlfiNG SYSTI:M OF'LOCAL AUTHORITIES ----

. _ CHA~TERI . l.=;==;?ft.=::::%=:::_ · .. ;::;B~U~D::G:::ETARY. GENERAL AND COST ACCOUNTING

. --

. --_:

. : .

·section 461: L()cal authodtie~ shall have 3 (three): types C>faccounting systems:

---_ budg'etary accounÙng (revenue and _èxpenditure); -- -

- · · general aèc6untirig; _.-.

· - . CO$t aC~OÜf1tihg ~

.·.· section 462: (t) Budgetary -~ccounting shallshowthe budget execution : opera~ions inrevenue and expenditure. it shall be a single entry accounting by the authorizing

. . . officer and -the accounting officer each in his own sphërè, according tothe seçtoral budgefnqmenclciture O.flocalauthoritieS, · . -... . .•. - . ·· · · ·· .. ·_. -

· · ·_ · (2). l3i.Jdgetary _· accounting · shall .. be · intended . to . ·. verity • ·. the executive · -. · · body's.compliaàcewiththe deliberative organ's.auihorization. · ·

. · .;

. . .(3) The accouQting foi"' budgetary rev~riuë and expenditure shall cornply with the foH6wing pririciples: · · · · ·

..... . .

. . .'' ·. . ' ' . . . . · . . . . . . . . ... .

the revenuè is recorded inthë budget of the ~ear in which itls collectecl by ~ public accounting officer;, · · · · · - ·. · ·· ·

· -- ;. · ex pend iture shaH be recordëd, suçcessively at the ti me ofits commitm~nf à nd 'thën' payr:nent, ih the budget of the . year in which it . is committed by the . a0thorîzing officer and then · paid by the public accounting officer; ·

aiL expanses · must be. charged against the appropriations for thé year in · .. question~ re_gardless of the date ofthe clai_m. ·

.. · . . . . 107

. . . . : .

. . (4} Th~ authorizing officer shall keep auxHiary budgetary ~ccourits for revenue validation and issu ance and auxiliary budgetary accounts for expenditure validation .. . and authofization,. . . . ·. .

. ·. (5) The public accountihg officer shall keep an auxilieiry budgètaiy accounting . system . .whiçh' .shall provide infor!llatkm on receipts for revenue transactions arid ..

.. payment of expenses. Suèh system shall show the local .authority's outstanding · receivables and payable$. ·· · · · · ·

. .. ' . .

. .

.· .. (P} However, budgetary expenditure committed and validated during the fina11cial year may be paid afterthe end ofthe financial ·year, during a supplerriemtary period, the duration ofwhich may riot exceed 30 (thirty) days. · · . .. . . ·. . . . . . . .

Sèction . 463: ( 1) Genèral · accC>1,Jnting · shaU . sho~ .· blJdge~ary transactions, cash tra~sactions, transactions with third parties, flows of operating assets and values . ..

. . (2) Thè general accounting of 1C>cal authqrities; shaH be based on the prinCiplé · . · . of . recognition of rights and obligations. Transactions shall · be takEm · into accoLÏnt ·

·undet their' · .. related ·financial year; · notwithstandlng· the · .date of _payme_rit • or êncashment. · ·

{3} Ge~eral accounts shall be kept according .Jo the. double entry ·syst~m. Accounting · principlès shall · be defin~d by the sector~based accounting system of

. local àuthorities, laid down by regulation. · · · · ·· · . . .

. · (4) The • rulesapplicabl~ to the general aècouriting oflocal authorities shaH be . b.ased oh State açcounting standards. Theyshall be intendeô to . produc~: .. · . .

;, the net . position or balance sheet table, or a staternent summarizing the . ·. • financial assets and iiabilities of local ai.Jthority; · . . · ·

. - . .the cash· flow statèment; . . .

- ·. th~ tablé qffinan~ial tran~actic:ms of the local authority~ · èection.464: The :accounts of the local aut~ority shan i~clude the .-results o(the .· .···.· ..

budgètary aêcoù;nts • and tti6se of the . general . account~:: they must . be regular, .· .. transparent and give â true and fair viéw of budget execution·: trends in the local · authority's· ass·e~s and its fin?nCial situation. · · · · · ·

.·, Section 465: ·· Cos~ .. acco1,mting, instituted for authorizing . officers, shàll' mak~ · it .. · possibl~ to· analyze . the . detailed costs of .services provided. or varioùs progr<;~mrnès

· ~nd projects .committed yvithinthè framework ofthe local ~ùth()rity's budget. · · • '

. . . . CHAPTER 11 . . ACCOUNTS OF AUTHORIZING OFFICERS

Section 466: Authorizing· offic'ers shélll be poUnd to report o.n the impiE~mentation of programmes · and projècts. They shall · 'order thei execution of the bUdget. lh ·th at ~apàC~ty~ ~hey Sb-ali: -.· - · . ,---~~ · ._, · · ·

. ·.. . . . PRESIDENCE DE LA REPUSLIU.Ut . . .

. · . ·. PRESIDE NO' OF THE RE L . ~ •.. . • · .. SECRETARIAT(; I ~fTR~GUM NJAI P.. '. SERVICE OU FICHIER LEG l AFFA IRSCARD INDE SER VICE

. LEGISLATIVE~NOSTA llfiEECONFORME 10 . ERTIFIEO TRUE COPY

. . . . .. _:.., __ .... ~-~--------... -~ ---~------ .·

· .·· .....

. . . ·.·

- certify expênditure and validate revenue; . .. . . . . .

. commit, validatè and authorize ,expenditure. . . . . . .

.·sèction 467: (1) Authorizing officers shall be bound to produce an administrative ·· accoLirit sho~ing the ir mcmag~ment actions and . an annual performance report on programmes.

· · . . (2) For each programme, the an nuai performance report shall indicate the . results obtained compared with the set object.ives, the actions · undertaken arid the ·.

· re sources used, ~ccon)panied by activity and result indicatots, as weiL~s an estinïaté .. of the cast~ ofthe activities and service$ provide~ ·. .. . . . .. . . .

. (3) The . an nuai perfo~mance report shaU · b~ . • proctuced by programme . . m.anagers und er the authority of the chief executive of the local authority. · ·

. · - S~ction4S8: (1}The administl"âtive .account shall be .. adopted by the . d~liberativè · organ no la ter th a ri 31 -March . of the . year folloWing ·the · financial year concérned. lt ·

· shall be approved~ on30April atthe iàtest. • · · .· · · ·· · ·

... (2) The administrativ~ . account and the budget may not be v~ted du ring the . . same. session,

· .. (3) The draft budget may not be discussed by a deliberative organbefore thé . latter adopts the l:ldi:ninistrâtive account for the year precëding that ln. which the draft budgetis discussed. · ·. · · · · ·· · · ·

. . . . ' . . . .

·._. {4)The fçrmatofthe administrative ·accoünt referrsd·to insuti~section 1 above shall ~-~ laid down •by lav/. · · ·

.Section 469: {1} During the: session devoted to the adoptionofthe admini~trative .. ac:count, the deliberative organ shall elect a pro-tem cl"lairp~rson:. Mémberl:) of the . éxequtive shall tc;tke part in the deliberatiof'ls, butshall withdraw at thetirne ofvoting . .

.. . (2} AnY decision 'to adoptthe · administrâtive acqbunt t~ken in violati'o~ .Ôf the provisi,ons ofàub~séction 1 above shall be nu li and void: ·· ·

Section 470: The deliberativ~ org!3n ~ay not change the figures ofthe administrative · accounL ln case of ëstablished. impropriety in management, the administrative . account shaH be rejected~ · The. prô~tem chair shall Jor#ard . a detailèd :rê port ta the .

.·. supèrvisory ~uthority; . - to be · referred to .the·· appropriaté State services vitithih 72 · · ·. (seventy~two} hpurs. · · · · · · · · · ·

, Section 471: (1) The administrative account adopted by thë deliberativ~ qrgari shall _ be backed:by the followir:lg relat~d documents: . · · · · · ·~ · · ·

. .. annual performa.ncerèport;

minptes of the sitting; . . . . . · . . . . · . .· . . . .· . . .

. ·. proceedings on the (3doption of the administrative account; . . . ' '

.. . ..

109

. :/

. . . . ' . . . .

• statenient ofoutstanding receivables and payables, accompanied by a report · ·indicating the measuré:S envisaged to control such outstanding receivables . and payables;

. situation ~f expénditure comtnitted but notvalidated; . .

table of financial operations of the local authority;

:. r~port 6n . the execution of învestment projécts supporting the discrepandes obsérved d~ringtheyear rioncerned between projections and actual results ; .

statement df equipment and buildings acquired during the execution of the related budget; · · · ··

.. ·. 'accrual~based acc~ullf ofthe stores accourifing ~fficer . . ·.· · .. '·· · ..

(2) . lt shall be approved · by the comp~tent State · supervisory auth~rity and · · . . . dep.ositE3d atthe se at of the local au.thority: · · · ·

· (3) The .approved admini~trative account shaH bè published on the local . authorlty's website .and de:posited al its seatwhere it .may be co.nsulted. A copy shall

. be sent t6 the minister in .charge of finance and the minister in Çh:arge of local · authorities:. · · · · · ·

(4) Any residemt or taxpayer of the local · authority concetnéd may, at his expense, req!Jest. disclosure ·or obtain aH . or· pàrt of copies of ·. the administrative

· · · · account and its related dotUmêrits.· · · ·

. . ·.

.· (5) \J\{here th~re is no response within 10 (t'eh) days, the person ma king the . ·•· request may.contact the State su.peryisory authority which mUst respond witliin 72

(seventy-two) hours. · · · · · · · ·

.. S.eëtioit 472: Authdrizing officers of local · authorities shall be bound by the , same liability regime às authorizhig 'offiëersof the State budget. · ·

.. . . . ~ . . . . . ' .. . .

. CHAPTER 1.11 . . ACCOUNTS OF THE ACCOUNTING OFFICER

· .· · .. · .

Section ·. 473: : (1) The ::~ccountil1g ~fficer~ oflocar authoriti~s shall be Stàte . . . employees duly assigned as such and/or responsible for collecting, .keeping and

· h~mcHing funds~n'dvalué$ , · · · · ·

.· · ·· (2) Each year the.y shall repbrt on their management actions fn accorçlance with. ih~ r(:lgulatioris' in f6rdi~. · · · · ·

. . . . . . . .

· . (3) The accounting forrnatreferred to . in ~ub-sedion ( 1) above and related sûpporting docümentsshall be oéflned by regulation. · · · · ··· · · · ·

. . . . . · .. . . . . .

· Section 474: (1) The accounting o.fficers . of local . authorities shall be public · ac~6untants, bou nd to submit managementac.counts . . ·· .. · . • " ' ·. ·.. · ·. . . ' . .

(2) The he9d ofthè accounting post; a senior àccouiltant shall be re · ... prOduce·a managementaccount. .

110

. . •. ,

. .. : .

: ·.·

. ... . .. (3) The management account shall be submitted to the deliberative organ . at thesame time as the administrative.account The .2·(two) accounts must agree.

SectÙm 475: (1) The accoÜnting officersof local authoritiës shallbèp~rsonally and · finan'cially lié3ble for: · · · . · .. · · · · . · . . . ·. · .·· · · · .. · . . ·· · .

. . . . . .

·.·funds .and .assets in .their care;

. :. pièking up collection order~; effective payme~ts; .

'" ·.·· accuracy of theirentries ~ .. · .·

.. '(2) • The accounts of public accountirig officers of local . authorities shall be · exarninèdbythe audit bench. · · ·· . . . . . .

· Section 476: The ~aUdit ben ch · shall rule on the account of persans · it cons id ers de . . JàctÇ> accountir)g ·officers. " . . . . . .. . .

· . ·Section 477: ·ln case of transfër dudrtg the· year; thè outgoirig treasurer shall produce the accot.ihts covering .his period of management. · · · .· · ·

. . .. · ·.· CHAPTER IV · .. ·. . . . STORES ACCOUNTING ·

' .. · .• Section 478: (1). The chief executive shall· b~ the .$tores authori~i11g officer of the · · loc~Lauthority. . . . . .· · .·· · .· . . · · .

. . . (2)He may be assisted by a State ~mployeev~ith the required qualifications.

Se~tioh ··• 479: (1) .··· The stores. au~hqrizing officer shall bé responsible for the consistency ofrecords. · · · · · · ·

.··· (2) He shall ,ensu~e the safekèèping and conservation of the mm/ableproperty . . , .... . ·and equipment ofthelocal authority. . . . . .

. . .

. . . '

. (3) He shallkeep · the stores accounts, under ccmditions • defined · by the ·. n~gulations in .torce. ·

·· · Section · 480: The rules and rëgul~tion~ gove~ning State storës accounting shall . ... apply tothe stores ~ccoùnting · of loc~l authorities. ·. ··

: . .

PARTVII ·.·· . CONTROL OF tHE BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT OF LOCAL

.· AUTHORITIES

, ·. S'ectlon48t: (1) Operations·relating to the execution 6rthe budget shallbe subject . . tojudicialcontrol, administrativ~ control, control by the deJi.berative organ and audits.

111

., 1•

. ~' . .

(~)The control operations referred . to in sub;.sectiori 1 ·above shàll co ver the regularity of management actions and performance in the execution of programmes .

. · J3) ln the performance of their duties, . the above-mentionéd control . bodies • shall bé independent of the loc~l authority und er the ir .. ëontrol and shall have

· .. . investigative ·power$ in accordance with the · ru les · and reglllatiohs in force> and with

... ; .·· . ' . .

• . . :

· professloriàl stand~rds. · ·· · · ·

. èHAPTER 1 · . . · . . ·: .

JUOICIAL CONTROL

.· Section 4~2 : The ' j~Çiiciaf control of . th~ accounts of local authorities shaU be .••. condûèted by the audit bench in accordctrlCèWÎth the làws and 'regÙiations in force . ... · .. .. ' .. · . . . . . . .' . . . . . . ·. . '., .. . . . . . . : .

· ·• (3) The conditions forjhe organization of sl.ich control's shalf be laid down by regulation. · · · . . .

.·,

. ..·· .. . CHAPTERIII . . .. .. CONTROLBY THË DELIBERATIVE ORGAN

. · . . :

Section 484: DÙring the review of th~ draft budget Or the ad;,inistrative account, the .. deliberative. orgari shall . control .the execution of the budget, as . weH as the related ·programmes and projècts. ··· · · · ·

. .· . . . .

. . . · Seétion 485: (1) The deliberative organ may: set up ad hoc committees on matters ·· · relating)O the Jihanciai management of the local authority: The repqrts ofthese

·. · : committee~ shall be subrnitted tothe delib~rative ·organ for consideratipn. . .

. .. . . ·· :(2). The deliber~tivé .organ may refer any established· misconduct to the superyisory a:uthorîty or àny ôther competent authprity. · · ··

112 .

.· , ·

(3) The deliberativ~ organ may. rely on the audit be rich for the exercise of its poWer of controL To this end, the finance committee may requestthe audit hench to carry out any inquiry into .the management of the services or institutions it contréls .

CHAPTERV . AUDITS

Section 486: A.udits may be carried 6ütat the request of the · r~presentative of the · · State, the deliberative organ or the executive, . . . .· .

··:··.· .

· . .' ·· . ' · ' ·

... . ·

.- .. :

·· .·· . · .. ··

113

'• .

.· :,

.. .. · . . . ·eOOKSIX ·. TRANSITIONAL, MISCELLANEOUS AND FINAL PROVISIONS

Section 487: As from 1January2023,. thefollowing .prqvi~ions shallbe ma.ndatory: ·. ·· . · ·.·. . . ·. . . ' · .

~ ·mi:magemenfof external financing;

,. ·bùdgeting ofitems; ·

,. cost anqlysis açcounting;

· ·· · ~ accrÙaJ~ba~ed açcounting; .·

~revenue. ..

·. · .. Section 488: (1) Whenthe mayor, the pr entofthe regional cou neil, the members · ofthe regioncH bureau, the members oftheregionétl executives, the chairpersorrof a

. council union or any ether regional or municipal councillor is convicted of a felonry, . ·•· his forfaiture shall be aûtomatic: · .· ·.

. .. ' . . . . . . . ~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . •. . . .·.. . . . . . .. . . ·. . . .

. ·.· . · (.2) Where he has been convicted of a misdemean·our orwhere his cqriduct · .·· · seriously jeopardize$ the Jnterests of the· council, city êoüncif, region ·. orcouncil . un ion,·

on the ba sis of specifie tacts described as su ch . by the cou neil or assembiY and after .. ·.·• having been heard or requested by the representative of the State to provide written.

explanations on the facts all~ged against him, he may be dismissed by ord$r of the miriister in charge oflocàl authoritie.s. ·. · · .·

.... (3) As_ a safeguard measure .• ·and in urgent cc:tses, the representative ofthe .·· ·· .. · · · . . : State may hotify the. suspe.cted official or ëounciJiqr, by ·any means in .wrltirig; pft~e

immediate termination of his duties. ln this case, the order provided for in sub:-section 2 above shall be published within a ma)(imum period of one month from the date of

· .. notification. ·· · · ·

······Section · 489: · · D'ismissal shall immediately .. · entail ineligibility · for · executive .or · .. . ··deliberative functiortsfpr a pefiod .of 10(ter))years.

· · · : .· .·· .· . · Section '490: Without the list being exhaustive,. the provisions . of Section . 489 of the · · sa id l~w may apply to: · · ·

a) acts provided ·for and punü~hed . bythe law establishing .budgetary and financial disciplinary bodies; .. .·. · ·. . . . .

.. ·. .b) the · us~ of publicfunds of a cou neil, city coühcil, region or ·council .· . union for p~rsonal or private purposes; · ' · · ·

·. c). forgery in auth.entic. public accounting, as provided.fofin çriminallaw; . . . d} misappropriation or corruption; . .. . . . . . .. .

·~ ..

114

. ,_,

. · . .

.. e) specü·lation on the àllocation 'or use of public land andother movable .· and immovable prope,rty of the council; city co un cil, region or cou neil unions, ·

·building , parcelling or demolition permits, as the case ·may· be.

· S~ction 491: ln the absence ota sep a rate instrument, emy employmeilt of an agent . by a councH, city co un cil, . region or co un cil · uniOn shalf be carried out in accordance ··. 'with the recrüitment, remuneration and câreer developmef1t procedürés>applicable to ' .equivalent jobs ünder the State: · · · ·· ··

Section 492: Councils, ·city cÔuncils and sub,.divisioilal councils with a council policé service shall have one yeartocomply with the provisions of this law.

Section 493: M()dèl specificatio'ns and regulations for local public services shan be · ·. rriade enforcèablebyregulation. · · · · · ·

.· · ·.·. Section 494: (1} Deviations from the standard specifiçations and model regulations may only be· 111ade :py order of the . minister concerned 'and in the évent of proven

· spécial cirçumstarices. · · · · · · · · · · · ·

. , · ·

. (2} The (xder referred to 'in sub-séction 1 above shall be · issued on the proposai of the minister in charge oflocal authorities. .·

· · · Section 496~ For the establishment ofregions: ·

.. · cl decree of the Prime Minister shall .define the standard organization chart of .

.. ·· regional administration, afterconsulting the présid~nts of regional councils and the presidents of regional executive councils; . · . · .. . .. .

· - .· the minister ih cha~ge of local authorities ·shaH, by ordër, set standard rules of .. ' procedure fo( the functioning . of :the r~gional cou neil and. the regional .

.. · · . assembly, Whiéh ·shall be applicabl~ .until the adoption of the standing · orqers byeach.delibêrative.organ. · · · · .: ·· ·· · · · · · ·

· ... ·.· ._;:.··.

,Section.497: (1) [)evolved Staté serviè~s, initially undërthe authbrity .ofthe ,regional .. ·. governor, and whose powers are entirely transferred to the régions, shall be •.

· transfèrred to the president of the regional council ·or the president o(the re.gional · · exeCutive COUhèil: . . . . . . . . . .

. .

. .. · · .. · ·(2) . Sub-divisiohal . State · services, ·wh ose powers · are · entirely transferred . to · .. · . . counéils,<shaU be transferred to the council mayor or the sub-,divisional çouncil, as

. the casemay ~be. . . . . . ' .

_ .. ----~~--~-

1 and 2 above shall be made available to the region , council or sub-divisional council, as the case may be.

(4) The staff referred to in sub-section 3 above shall remain govèrned by the rules and regulations applicable to them at the entry into force of this law.

(5) A decree of the President of the Republic shall set out the terms and conditions for transfer, assignment or provision under this Section, depending on whether the devolution of powers is complete or partial.

Section 498: Before the effective transfer of services and the establishment of the local public service, the conditions for the use of each State service by local authorities and the procedures for managing staff shall be governed by the regulations in force.

Section 499: Where Book Four, Part V is silent, the common provisions relatilig to the organization and functioning of regions as provided for under Book Four, Parts 1 to Ill shall apply.

Section 500: Ali previous provisions repugnant hereto are hereby repealed , notably:

Law No. 2004/17 of 22 July 2004 on the orientation of décentralizàtion;

Law No. 2004/18 of 22 July 2004 to lay down rules applicable to councils;

Law No. 2004/19 of 22 July 2004 to lay down rules applicable to regions;

Law No. 2009/11 of 10 July 2009 on the financial regime of regional and local authorities.

Section 501: This law shall be registered, published according to the procedure of urgency, and inserted in the Official Gazette in English and French./-

2 4 DEC 2019

116

law_no_2019_024_24122019.pdf - Cameroon High ...

Documents

Transcript of law_no_2019_024_24122019.pdf - Cameroon High ...