Objectives and Responsibilities

The Local Government Division was set up in January 2017 as part of the Local Government Reform. The divisional set-up incorporates an office of the Director General and three directorates: Finance & Procurement Compliance, Monitoring and Support, and Strategy &Policy Implementation.

The Local Government Division, through the Office of the Director General and the three directorates has the following objectives:

Advisory role to the Ministry

The Division has an advisory role to the Minister, the Parliamentary Secretary and the Permanent Secretary on all issues related to local government, including advice on legislation, policies and procedures. The Division also gives advice on issues of an EU or international dimension, including the areas related to the Committee of the Regions (EU), the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities (Council of Europe) and the Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF).

Guidance and Support

The Division, through its three directorates, provides guidance and support to local government, including through the issue of Directives and Circulars for the effective and efficient functioning and operations as well as to ensure uniformity of application and implementation of legislation and procedures. Guidance and support is also given to local authorities with respect to EU Programmes, including the provision of information seminars and project application stage.

Coordination

The Division also ensures that there is co-ordination of all initiatives by other ministries and departments that directly or indirectly affect the functions and operations of local authorities.

Training and Personal Development

Through the Department for Local Government, local authorities’ political and executive officials are given training and information seminars on a regular basis. This includes training to Executive Secretaries and staff on new legislation and procedures.

Strategic Direction

The Division senior management participate in the Minister’s and Parliamentary Secretary’s Strategic Meetings and therefore actively contribute towards the formulation of new local government legislative proposals and policies.

Monitoring

The Division, through the Monitoring and Support Directorate supervises the administrative functions and operations of the local authorities (Regional Committees and Local Councils), in particular with adherence to legislation.