REFORM OF LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT IN DENMARK

POVZETEK Danska je v letih 2004 in 2005 izvedla reformo lokalne samouprave, ki je začela veljati 1. januarja 2007. Z reformo je prišlo do precejšnjih sprememb na področju teritorialne in funkcionalne organiziranosti lokalne oziroma regionalne samouprave. Število občin se je z reformo zmanjšalo s 271 na 98. Okrožja so bila ukinjena, namesto tega je bilo ustanovljenih pet novih regij. Gre za največjo reformo javnega sektorja. Z reformo so se povečale tudi pristojnosti občin, prevzele so številne nove dejavnosti, med drugim s področja okolja, izobraževanja odraslih in s področja specializiranih socialnih storitev. Tudi nove regije so pridobile posamezne pristojnosti, in sicer so odgovorne za zdravstveno varstvo, pripravo načrtov za regionalni razvoj in reševanje določenih operativnih nalog za občine. Z reformo se je zmanjšalo tudi število lokalnih politikov. Imajo pa več nalog in večjo politično odgovornost. Občinski in regijski svetniki so voljeni neposredno po proporcionalnem sistemu. Reforma je prinesla spremembe tudi na področju financiranja lokalnih skupnosti. Primarni prihodki lokalnih skupnosti izvirajo iz dohodnine in davka od nepremičnin. Z reformo so lokalne skupnosti pridobile tudi dodatna sredstva za financiranje novih nalog. Nadzorno funkcijo v občinah opravljajo nadzorni organi regij, ki so postavljeni s strani pristojnega ministrstva in skrbijo za nadzor zakonitosti v občinah in regijah. Za varstvo lokalne samouprave in njenih interesov pa skrbi združenje danskih občin (LGDK). Kot cilj reforme so izpostavili ohranjanje oziroma razvoj demokratično vodenega javnega sektorja, ki predstavlja tudi dobro podlago za nadaljnji razvoj socialne države. Pri uresničevanju tega pa ima veliko vlogo lokalna demokracija.SUMMARY Denmark carried out a reform of local autonomy in the year 2004 and 2005. It came into force on 1st January 2007. With the reform considerable changes were made in the area of territorial and functional organisation of local and regional autonomy. The number of municipalities was reduced from 271 to 98. Counties were abolished and instead five new regions were established. It is the largest reform of the public sector. With the reform competences of municipalities increased. They overtook numerous new activities, among others from the area of environment, adult education and special social services. New regions also gain individual competences: they are responsible for health care, making plans for regional development and solving specific operative tasks for municipalities. With the reform number of local politicians was reduced. They have more tasks and greater political responsibility. Municipal and regional councillors are elected by proportional representation. Reform carried out changes in the area of financing local communities. Primary incomes of local communities derive from income taxes and real estate taxes. With the reform local communities gain additional funds for financing new tasks. Supervising function in the municipalities is carried out by supervising regional organs. They are appointed by the ministry and they are in charge for the supervision of legislation in municipalities and regions. Local Government Denmark (LGDK) to safeguard common interests of the municipalities. The purpose of the reform is to maintain and develop a democratically governed public sector with a sound basis for continued development of the Danish welfare state. For the realization of this local democracy has an important part