Training Needs Analysis of Local Government in Greece
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TRAINING NEEDS ANALYSIS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN GREECE Report by: Cezary Trutkowski Nikolaos-Komninos Hlepas Council of Europe Experts CENTRE OF EXPERTISEFOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT REFORM © 2018 Training Needs Analysis of Local Government in Greece, 2017 Table of contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.............................................................................................................................3 About this report.....................................................................................................................................3 Report’s highlights...................................................................................................................................3 1. Introductory comments.......................................................................................................................8 1.1. Methodology ................................................................................................................................9 Survey fieldwork..............................................................................................................................9 In-depth interviews with local government leaders......................................................................12 2. Local government system in Greece .................................................................................................14 2.1. Local government reforms .........................................................................................................14 2.2. Basic legal framework for local government..............................................................................17 2.3. Competence, powers and services of local authorities..............................................................19 2.4. Municipal authorities .................................................................................................................20 2.5. Human Resources.......................................................................................................................22 2.6. Local finances .............................................................................................................................23 3. Assessment of local government reforms.........................................................................................25 3.1. Constraints of the autonomy of local government units............................................................25 Lack of adequate financing for the tasks entrusted in local governments....................................26 Extensive bureaucracy and overwhelming controls over the activities of local government institutions.....................................................................................................................................27 Limited freedom of local governments in shaping their own human resources policies..............28 3.2. No consideration for the special needs of local communities in the amalgamation process ....29 3.3. Blurred responsibilities and problems in the relations between LGUs and the central government.......................................................................................................................................30 3.4. Weaknesses in the law-making process concerning the local government ...............................33 4. Local living conditions and development priorities...........................................................................35 4.1. Social expectations towards local government..........................................................................35 4.2. Operations of local government in times of crisis......................................................................36 4.3. Developmental priorities at local government units and their implementation........................38 4.4. Strategic management at the local level ....................................................................................43 4.5. Collaboration between local governments, significant stakeholders.........................................45 5. Local management and the operations of local government offices................................................48 5.1. Assessment of the performance of local administration ...........................................................48 5.2. Provision of public services by local governments .....................................................................50 5.3. Problems in managing local government units ..........................................................................53 5.4. Staffs’ competence shortages and HR management practices ..................................................56 5.5. Evaluation of the quality of officials’ work .................................................................................60 Page 1 of 116 Training Needs Analysis of Local Government in Greece, 2017 5.6. The attractiveness of employment and officials’ motivation to work in the local administration ...........................................................................................................................................................63 6. Training experience and needs......................................................................................................75 6.1. Participation in training..............................................................................................................79 6.2 Training needs and postulates.....................................................................................................86 Training requests...........................................................................................................................86 Training needs ...............................................................................................................................90 7. Recommendations.............................................................................................................................94 List of References ..................................................................................................................................96 Appendixes............................................................................................................................................97 Appendix 1: Survey questionnaire (CAWI) ........................................................................................98 Appendix 2: Survey questionnaire (short – paper version for conferences)...................................112 Appendix 3: Interview guidelines ....................................................................................................115 Page 2 of 116 Training Needs Analysis of Local Government in Greece, 2017 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY About this report The Training Needs Analysis of Local Government in Greece was conducted by the Centre of Expertise for Local Government Reform of the Council of Europe in the framework of the European Union – Council of Europe Technical Assistance Project on Institutional Enhancement for Local Governance in Greece. This report utilises the standard methodology described in Chapter 1and provides a concise analysis of interviews and collected material from permanent and political staff. The content of the report however, does not necessarily reflect the opinions held by the Ministry of the Interior. Furthermore, the policy recommendations proposed by the experts could facilitate the policy options but they do not necessarily coincide with those of the Ministry. In conclusion, the proposed set of actions could be considered within the framework of a possible long-term National Training Strategy which the Ministry could utilise in the formulation and implementation of public policy. Report’s highlights The study participants were unanimous in saying that the Kallikratis reform fundamentally shaped the activities and the role of local government in Greece. However, the assessment of the outcomes of the reform by the participants of the study was not unequivocal: while some of the interviewees prised the achieved positive results, others pointed out more negative outcomes. Research results indicate that three broadly understood constraints on local governance are particularly onerous for local government officials: a) Lack of adequate financing for the tasks entrusted in local governments - the Kallikratis reform coincided with the financial crisis and, as a result, local governments were deprived of a large part of their revenues; b) Excessive inspection procedures applicable to the operations of local government institutions: constraints imposed as a result of the crisis significantly undermined the freedom of local government units1. The unclear division of powers between different levels of local government and between the local government and central institutions is a factor that contributes to bureaucratisation; c) Reduced decision-making powers in the management of human resources. The newly created units have to face new challenges created by the reform. In addition, some employees’ competences overlap in the new circumstances. 1Local Government Units refers to "ΟργανισμοίΤοπικήςΑυτοδιοίκησης" ("bodies of local self-administration") covering both tiers of local government (municipalities and regions). Page 3 of 116 Training Needs Analysis of Local Government in Greece, 2017 Some respondents also pointed out that when the structure of the new administrative division was being defined; excessive importance was attached to the reduction of