News from the Independent and Liberal Democrat Group

C ONGRESS OF L O C A L A N D R E G I O N A L A UTHORITIES – C O U N C I L O F E UROPE M A Y 2019

INSIDE THIS D EMOCRACY HAS A PRICE ! ISSUE by Marc Cools, President of the ILDG

The turns 70. This anniversary is marked by an DEMOCRACY HAS unprecedented budgetary crisis. The crisis is partly – but not A PRICE! solely – related to the non-payment of its contribution by the Russian Federation. But the Council of Europe has been having financial difficulties for some time due to the decision by the 2019 ILDG Committee of Ministers to impose a zero nominal growth to the BUREAU Organisation‟s budget. In other words, the budget is not even ELECTIONS adjusted to the annual inflation rate. The Council of Europe‟s budget roughly represents ½ euro per year per inhabitant of the 47 member states. In this situation the Council of Europe is INTER-MUNICIPAL obliged to cut whole areas of work putting at risk its very raison AND INTER- d‟être and its capacity to defend our values for which it was created: democracy, the rule of law and REGIONAL human rights. COOPERATION: GREATER REGION The Congress‟s budgetary allocation has been decreasing for years and represents today not more AND GEPACO than 2.25% of the Council of Europe‟s budget. The budget of 7 million euros per year is totally insufficient to make function a pan-European assembly representing 200 000 local communities.

Successive budgetary cuts put at risk the work of the Congress whose quality is widely recognised. ILDG REPORTS The core business of the Congress is to monitor everywhere in Europe and on a regular basis the application and the respect of the European Charter of Local Self-Government. It is also to observe local elections, as those recently conducted in where the Congress was the only SMART CITIES international observer attending. The work of the Congress is all the more important that in many European countries there is a HUMAN RIGHTS tendency toward recentralisation to the detriment of the principle of subsidiarity according to which a HANDBOOK competence should be assumed by the level of authority closest to the citizen unless it is proven that this competence is better served at a higher level. In other, or the same, countries local authorities do not have sufficient financial or human resources to fulfil their responsibilities in full VENICE autonomy. COMMISSION Affirming that democracy is not a vertical, but a horizontal organisation of power is not enough. It is also important that an assembly of local and regional authorities like ours has the necessary financial and human resources for its functioning to promote local and regional democracy THEMATIC everywhere in Europe. It is up to us to defend this position with our respective governments SPOKESPERSONS

NEXT MEETINGS

INTER -MUNICIPAL AND INTER-REGIONAL COOPERATION

At out last group meeting we held a thematic exchange of views on the ways inter-municipal and inter-regional cooperation is organised in our different countries. Such cooperation is a necessity no matter how big or small our local entities and regions are. (p.3)

ILDG BUREAU ELECTIONS 2019

On 1 April 2019 the ILDG elected its President, Vice-Presidents and Treasurer. Congratulations to all elected members!

PRESIDENT: M ARC C O O L S (L, B ELGIUM )

Mr Cools, ILDG President since October 2014, is a municipal councillor in Uccle and President of the Association of the city and the municipalities of the Brussels-Capital Region.

In the Congress: member of the Monitoring Committee, associate member of the Bureau of the Congress and author of numerous reports.

V ICE -PRESIDENTS:

Thomas Andersson Liisa Ansala (R, ) (L, )

President and member of Member of the municipal the regional council of council of Rovaniemi since Jämtland et Härjedalen, 2005 ; chair of the town Centre Party executive since 2017, Centre Party

In the Congress : alternate In the Congress : Vice- member of the Current President of the Chamber of Affairs Committee, thematic Local Authorities, member of spokesperson on Youth the Bureau of the Congress, author of numerous reports

Stewart Dickson Gabriele Neff (L, ) (R, ) Member of the Northern Ireland Member of the city Council in Assembly, Alliance Party Munich since 2002 ; member of its European Affairs In the Congress : 1st Vice- Committee, FDP President of the Monitoring Committee, thematic In the Congress : President of spokesperson on local and the Current Affairs regional election observation, Committee, member of Congress representative in the Congress Bureau, alternate ‟s Council for Democratic Elections, member of the Governance author of numerous reports Committee

TREASURER : OTT KASURI (L, )

Municipal Councillor in Harku, president of the Association of Estonian Rural Municipalities, Reform Party

In the Congress : Vice-President of the Estonian delegation, member of the Monitoring Committee

REPORTS PRESENTED BY ILDG T HE G R E A T E R R EGION AND COMMUNAL MEMBERS AT THE 36TH SESSION PARTNERSHIP PROJECT GEPACO OF THE CONGRESS, 2-4 APRIL Martine Dieschburg-Nickels, Municipal council of Strassen, 2019: (Photo : DP, Luxembourg)

Liisa ANSALA (L, Finland) enterprises, economic  Social rights of young people: the questions, health and social role of local and regional questions, security and authorities (co-rapporteur) prevention, tourism, transport, and coordination Marc COOLS (L, ) of the territorial development. This  Local and regional democracy in cooperation has proven to the Republic of (co- be so fruitful that in 2007 the rapporteur) Greater Region became the European Capital of Culture. Stewart DICKSON (R, United In 2011 in the framework of this programmes for seniors, Kingdom) grouping a new form of communication between political  Report on the elections of the intercommunal partnership was office-holders and citizen participation, Cantonal Assemblies in the launched: cross-border network of cultural policies, etc. Federation of Bosnia and which my town Strassen is a part. GEPACO takes an innovative path, Herzegovina(7 October 2018) This innovative project was initiated away from the classic “sister cities” by the Forum EUROPE foundation. that propose social and cultural Wilma DELISSEN VAN TONGERLO The network was called GEPACO programmes for citizens from partner (L, ) (GEmeindePArtner-communal towns often situated quite far from  Fighting nepotism within local partners). It brings together the each other. and regional authorities communes of Strassen (Luxembourg), The regularly organised GEPACO Konz (Germany, Rhineland- days allow local officials and citizens

Palatinate), Losheim am See to take part in events and get to know The Greater Region is a European (Germany, Saarland), Habay the neighbouring regions, challenges grouping of territorial cooperation (Belgium) and Montigny-lès-Metz they have to face, their problems but (EGTC). The Summit of the Greater (). also touristic and cultural attractions. Region is supported by a Strassen (10.71 km2), neighbouring At its traditional « Stroossen wibbelt » secretariat founded by a Grand the city of Luxembourg, is a densely (Strassen moves) event, Strassen Ducal order of 30 July 2013 that populated and dynamic area, welcomes representatives from Konz, concludes an agreement between characterized by rapid development Losheim, Habay and Montigny-lès- the different regions and defines and cultural diversity. It counts today Metz. Since 2014 this is a cross- the statute of the grouping. around 10.000 inhabitants of which border festival. Our sports clubs and Geographically centered on over 60% are non-Luxembourgish associations, such as the football Luxembourg, the Greater Region citizens representing 120 different club, especially its youth section, the regroups German, Belgian and nationalities! marching band and the seniors club French territorial entities and is In 2010 Strassen supported the have already had the chance to meet delimited by the rivers of Rhine, project of the Forum EUROPA and counterparts from across the border Moselle, Saar and Meuse. To be more started developing simultaneous and reinforce the links between our precise it brings together Wallonia- contacts with four towns situated in towns. Brussels, Lorraine, Saarland, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, Certainly, much remains to be done to Rhineland-Palatinate, German- Lorraine and Wallonia. After a year of further develop this ambitious speaking Community of Belgium and preparatory contacts, cooperation was intercommunal project and fully the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. officially launched on 15 June 2011 in benefit from it. Nonetheless, GEPACO The Greater Region has been created presence of the Luxembourgish may be taken as a model for future to improve political and economic Minister of the Interior and for the cooperation between European cooperation and partnerships Greater Region and of officials from regions because it creates a feeling of between the participating regions. the five towns. belonging through very concrete Most of the work is done in working This cooperation allows systematic projects. It also helps the Greater groups that deal with quite exchange of views and “good Region to get stronger at local level heterogeneous subjects: forestry and practices” concerning the challenges and to become more coherent and agriculture, environment, energy, land local elected representatives have to visible in the different towns. register and cartography, education face: mobility and transport, and vocational training, youth, higher education, integration and inclusion, education and research, labour sports and associations, communal market, international promotion of

“S MARTC ITIES ” Martin Fodor, Bristol City Council, United Kingdom

But the benefits Smart cities bring more cameras, of the smart city sensors and connected devices to our technologies daily lives, which expose people to can be both government and corporate accompanied surveillance. As more and more by either the devices are built to track peoples‟ use of open, activities and to generate intelligence democratized for use by public and private actors, data or the this will have detrimental control of data consequences for our democracies. by others. And The „digital divide‟ of unequal access we need to to resources, technology, education create „smart and decision-making also exists - citizens‟ so unless we design systems to provide everyone is equal access to technologies and able to be resources, and to build in new engaged and empowered and the city freedoms and capabilities for remains inclusive for the whole I am the Rapporteur for a new piece everyone. The gender divide also community not just „early adopters‟ of work on Smart Cities by the requires attention, beginning with who and wealthier citizens. Data privacy Governance Committee. has power in the household. We and security also become should also question: is a system So why is Congress interested in considerations. Smart Cities, and what are they? New designed by a corporation seeking technologies are bringing us Use of this data can give local customers, or designed by local users driverless cars, drones, assistant governments the opportunity to with a problem they want solved? transform themselves into more robots, artificial intelligence, the The protection of rights on the internet transparent, democratic and effective „internet of things,‟ and virtual reality. also matters. Threats of violence; authorities. So a smart city can be a These will change the world and cities illegal data collection, racist and more democratic city if we use the must prepare. The technologies can separatist threats can go unchecked, technology well. raise the quality of life by using and protection of children is not information and communication Open data can allow new applications safeguarded. The informed consent of technologies - but there are risks, too. to find services, too. A community all affected persons is necessary Our services can be improved by group in Bristol has created its own before any project is implemented. A automation, enhancing the customer Refill App to enable people to access partnership approach should mean experience, or using data to drive maps that locate the nearest free better outcomes. refilling taps for drinking water, to better decision making. Smarter So, when talking about smart reduce plastic water bottle waste. technologies can change sustainable cities, we must not forget transportation, energy conservation, But subjecting citizens to the logic of about the protection of human rights monitoring environmental concerns algorithms can sometimes feel more and the promotion of democracy. such as climate change and air like a new form of authoritarianism Choosing a specific area and adding pollution, public safety, infrastructure, rather than freedom. Being controlled technology will not work; we have to urban manufacturing and farming. As - not being in control. The smart city involve everyone in the design to smart cities evolve, services and concept is more a political than a make it work, we have to be sure that infrastructure will be more integrated. technological challenge. We need to we are not leaving anyone behind. A Information can be collected in real reflect on how it can affect democracy smart city relying too heavily on just time by sensors, cameras, wearable and human rights: Smart cities can economic or technological models is gadgets and smart devices which create winners and losers. What not enough. Citizenship cannot be interconnect. We are already putting about those whose interests are not determined by algorithms. Think of some of these elements into place in protected by smart city policies? We our citizens and the next generation, the city of Bristol to try to deal with our need to ensure that Smart Cities are and work to keep people at the heart polluted and gridlocked city. Health cities for all. I strongly believe this as of smart cities, by keeping human and safety monitoring of vulnerable a Green politician. rights, social justice and equality as residents is being added into our city our priorities. control centre, too.

H U M A N R I G H T S H ANDBOOK: TAKE PART IN OUR SUR VEY Harald Bergmann, Middelburg, Netherlands

During the 36th session of the the Human Rights Congress in Strasburg, I had the Handbook honour to inform the members of specifically target the Monitoring Committee on the goal 11 progress of the second volume of „Sustainable cities the Human Rights Handbook. At its and communities‟. meeting in February, the Within this goal we Committee had decided to conduct find the rights of a survey among all 324 Congress vulnerable groups members to gather their proposals (the rights of of topics to be addressed in the children, people second volume. with disabilities, elderly people and The first volume addressed the topic women‟s rights), of non-discrimination and was access to social rights (housing, social before we decide on the topic of the devoted to the rights of migrants, security, fighting poverty) and second volume. During the refugees, IDPs, Roma and LGBTI sustainable development Strasbourg session more members people. The second volume, as I (environmental rights, energy saving filled in the questionnaire and I am suggested in the survey, could speak and safe environment). So, there is a confident that the decisive vote can about sustainable development with wide range of topics to choose from. be held at the meeting of Monitoring an emphasis on its environmental But members can also propose Committee in Oslo in June. dimension. I was inspired by the UN additional topics. Another question I 2030 Agenda for Sustainable ask in the survey is about human As I see it from here, writing these Development: a set of 17 goals are rights matters currently put on the lines at my desk in Middelburg, the adopted by the international local and regional agenda. It is second volume of the Handbook will community to guide all countries in important to know what human rights again be the result of team work of all areas of critical importance for issues we are coping with locally and our members. So we, as elected humanity and our planet. It is a regionally. representatives, must show solidarity shared global agenda that requires a and responsibility before our citizens collective response. The Council of As of March, only 14% of Congress in the application of human rights in Europe is already actively contributing members responded to the survey our towns, cities and regions. To to its implementation for the „people, giving large support to „sustainable accomplish this task, I endlessly need planet and prosperity‟. development‟, followed by „rights of your support and input and I invite you vulnerable groups‟ and „social rights‟. to respond to my survey. I believe that our Congress could join The Monitoring Committee decided these efforts and through our work on that we needed more responses

W HAT IS THE V E N I C E C OMMISSIONS AND WHY I S IT IMPORTANT ? W HAT ROLE DOES C ONGRESS HAVE AND WHO REPRESENTS US ?

Stewart Dickson, Congress representative on the Council for Democratic Elections, explains the work of the Venice Commission.

The European Commission for Democracy through Law – Venice Commission is a consultative body of the Council of Europe. Its action is based on the three ground principles of the European constitutional heritage: democracy, human rights and the rule of law. These principles find their expression in three key areas of action of the Commission:

• democratic institutions and fundamental rights; • constitutional justice and ordinary justice; • elections, referendums and political parties.

ILDG MEMBERS APPOINTED The Venice Commission‟s primary Venice Commission in the electoral task is to provide states (61 member field before their submission to the THEMATIC SPOKESPERSONS OF states) with legal advice in the form of plenary session. The aim of the CDE THE CONGRESS: “legal opinions” on draft legislation or is to ensure co-operation in the legislation already in force which is electoral field between the Venice submitted to it for examination. It also Commission and the Parliamentary Harald BERGMAN (Netherlands) produces studies and reports on Assembly and the Congress of Local  Human Rights at Local and topical issues. Opinions and studies and Regional Authorities of the are discussed and adopted at the Council of Europe as political bodies Regional Level Committee‟s plenary sessions. The in charge of election observation, in Congress of Local and Regional order to promote the international Stewart DICKSON (United Authorities is one of the bodies that common values in this field. Two Kingdom) can request an opinion. representatives of the Congress of  Local and Regional Eleciton Local and Regional Authorities and Observation their two substitutes take part in the The Council for Democratic work of the CDE, including two ILDG Thomas ANDERSSON (Sweden) Elections members Stewart Dickson (full  Youth member, Chamber of Regions) and The Council for Democratic Elections Rosaleen O‟Grady (substitute (CDE) is in charge of the analysis of member, Chamber of Regions). draft opinions and studies of the

NEXT MEETINGS : ILDG group and bureau: 28 October 2019

37th session of the Congress: 29-31 October 2019

ILDG CONTACT INFORMATION : Tel: +33388412682; Email: [email protected]