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Organization of Local Municipalities

Course developer

Course abstract

Local municipality is an important part of democracy, therefore it is essential to explore the essence and major principles of local municipality work. The course provides knowledge of various types of local municipalities, rise and development of local municipalities in Latvia, local municipality`s institutions, their competences, status and work of councilors and local municipality officers and decision making.

The aim of the study course is to find an understanding of the place and role of local municipalities in the political system of a democratic society, the organization of local municipalities in Latvia.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge
1. Understands the essence of the principle of separation of powers and the place of local municipalities in it. Discussion in the lesson.
2. Understanding of the concept and essence of local municipality. 1test.
3. Understanding of the work organization of the Municipality Council. 2test.
4. Able to demonstrate a reasonable understanding of: the organization of municipal work and
problems of socio-economic development and their possible solutions. 2 independent work.
5.Knows and understands the economic and financial bases of local municipalities activities. 3 independent work.

Professional skills
1. Is able to explain and discuss the division of power and the place of local municipalities in it with arguments. Discussion in the lesson.
2. Is able to model the decision-making process at the council meeting, develop alternatives and present them with arguments. Case study.
3. Is able to analyze the principle of separation of powers, the concept of local municipalities and the basic principles of operation. 1test.
4. Is able to analyze the work organization of the municipal council. 2test.
5. Is able to independently find and analyze the necessary information on the municipal website, assess the availability and quality of information. 1 independent work.

Soft skills
1. Able to perform tasks responsibly, on time. Independent works.
2. Able to engage and take responsibility for the results of group work and their analysis. Group work.
3. Is able to develop social interaction, cooperation and organizational skills. Discussions in classes.
4. Is able to present the results of group and independent work. Independent works, group works.

Competence
1. Is able to independently develop municipal development programs and draft normative documents. Seminars.
2. Is able to independently formulate and critically analyse complex and dynamic problems and challenges at the local level. Seminars.
3. Able to make decisions, if necessary, perform additional analysis and develop decision alternatives. Seminars.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. The concept of the state. The principle of the separation of state powers. The place of local municipalities in the system of the separation of state powers. (4 hours)
2. The concept and essence of local municipalities. (2 hours)
3. Normative base of local municipalities activities. (2 hours)
4. Formation and development of municipalities in Latvia. (2 hours)
5. Process of local municipalities reform in Latvia. Administrative - territorial reform. Future reform challenges. (4 hours)
6. State and local municipalities. Supervision of municipalities activities. Association of Local and Regional Governments of Latvia, its goals, tasks and structure. (2 hours)
7. Competence of local municipalities. (4 hours)
Test 1: The concept, formation and competence of local municipalities. (2 hours)
8. Work organization and decision making in the municipality. (8 hours)
9. Local municipalities administrative level. (8 hours)
10. Work ethics of deputies and employees. Ethical dilemmas. Codes of ethics. (4 hours)
11. Responsibility. Political responsibility. Administrative responsibility. Responsibility in the relations between the centre and the regions. (4 hours)
Test 2: Work organization of the local municipalities. (2 hours)
12. Involvement of the population in the work of local municipalities. Opportunities for public participation. Legal basis for public participation. Types of participation. (4 hours)
13. Municipal economy and budget. Place marketing as a means of development. Finance and budget. Municipal financial equalization mechanism. (10 hours)
14. Territorial development planning. Local planning. Detailed planning. Involvement of residents in development planning. (2 hours)

Part-time distance learning:
All topics specified for full-time studies are covered, but the number of contact hours is reduced to half of the number specified for full-time studies.

Requirements for awarding credit points

Written exam.
All tests and home works assigned to the course must be completed and successfully assessed.


Study process in part-time distance learning is organised in accordance with the Order of the Vice-Rector of Studies No. 2.4.-5/59 On distance learning procedures at LBTU. Study courses are scheduled for each semester according to the study plan. The students learn the topics included in the study course independently, using the materials created and placed by the lecturer in the e-studies (Moodle). Feedback on the learning of lecture and seminar topics in distance learning is organised in the form of self-assessment tests, discussion forums and independent work, as well as in face-to-face or online consultations, lectures and final examinations according to the timetable.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

1st independent work: Analysis of the local municipality`s website (presentation).
2nd independent work: Analysis of the problems of municipal work organization and socio-economic development and their possible solutions (presentation).

3rd independent work: Municipal budget analysis (presentation).

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The assessment of the study course exam depends on the assessment of the exam task and the cumulative assessment of the course tests and independent works (presentations) (exam 40%, each test 15%, each independent work 10%). A student can obtain a successful grade for the test or exam test if at least 50% of the test questions are answered correctly.
Independent works are assessed in accordance with the assessment procedure specified in the homework.

Compulsory reading

1. Pašvaldību likums. Rīga, 2022.
2. Administratīvo teritoriju un apdzīvoto vietu likums. Rīga, 2020.
3. European Charter of Local self - government. Strasborgh, 1985.
4. Pūķis M. Pašu valdība. Latvijas pašvaldību pieredze, idejas un nākotnes redzējums. Rīga: Latvijas Pašvaldību savienība, 2010. 512 lpp.
5. Bowman A. State and Local Government: the essentials. Boston, New York: Haughton Miffin Co, 2000. 329 p. Pieejams: https://books.google.com.gi/books?id=CenKAgAAQBAJ&printsec=
frontcover&hl=en&pli=1#v=onepage&q&f=false

6. Vanags E., Vilka I. Pašvaldību darbība un attīstība. Rīga: LU Akadēmiskais apgāds, 2005., 384 lpp.

Further reading

1. Šļara A. Latvijas pašvaldību teritorijas attīstības programmas kvalitātes izvērtēšanas sistēma. Promocijas darba kopsavilkums. Jelgava: LLU, 2005. 39 lpp.
2. Vanags E. Valsts pārvaldes reformas ārvalstīs un Latvijā. Rīga.: LSI, 2007. 103 lpp.
3. Caplan B. D. The myth of the rational voter : why democracies choose bad policies. Princeton, Oxford: Princeton University Press, 2006. 277 p. Pieejams: https://emilkirkegaard.dk/en/wp-content/uploads/Bryan_Caplan_The_Myth_of_the_Rational_Voter_WhyBookos.org_.pdf
4. Mocca E. Cities in search of freedom. European municipalities against the Leviathan. Bristol: University press, 2023. 145 p.

5. Ditshego K. Sustainable municipalities through real-time integrated technology. A guide for promoting collaboration and agility. Erfurt: Lambert Academic Publishing, 2023. 84 p.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Latvijas Pašvaldību savienības mājas lapa. Pieejama: http://www.lps.lv/lv

2. Viedās administrācijas un reģionālās attīstības ministrijas mājas lapa. Pieejama: http://www.varam.gov.lv

Notes

Compulsory study course for academic bachelor study program “Sociology of Organizations and Public Administration”