Transcript Local government in Iceland Vilhjalmur Th. Vilhjalmsson chairman The Association of Local Authorities in Iceland.

Local government in Iceland
Vilhjalmur Th. Vilhjalmsson
chairman
The Association of Local Authorities in Iceland
Some historical facts
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The history of local authorities in Iceland
dates back to the beginning of the tenth
century - soon after the settlement of
Iceland in 874.
In the beginning the local authorities had
certain social responsibilities.
They enjoyed a right of self-government
and had independent source of income.
Under foreign rule, from 1262, the power
of local authorities was greatly reduced.
At the beginning of the 19th century, the
ancient form of local self-government no
longer existed.
Samband íslenskra sveitarfélaga – The Association of Local Authorities in Iceland
Some historical facts
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Local government restored in 1872 by
the Royal Danish Decree on Local
Government Act.
The municipal boundaries established by
law was based on the ancient communes
and did not change much for the next
120 years.
Samband íslenskra sveitarfélaga – The Association of Local Authorities in Iceland
Nordic structure of local government
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The structure of local government in
Iceland is of Nordic origin and in many
fundamental ways similiar to the present
structure in the other Nordic countries.
The main difference is that in Iceland there
is only one level of local government and
due to that and to the number of many
small municipalities the local government in
Iceland are responsible for lesser
percentage of the public sector than in the
other Nordic countries.
Samband íslenskra sveitarfélaga – The Association of Local Authorities in Iceland
Part in public expenditure
80%
70%
75%
69%
60%
61%
50%
56%
40%
35%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Denmark
Sweden
Norway
Finland
Iceland
Samband íslenskra sveitarfélaga – The Association of Local Authorities in Iceland
The responsibilities of local government
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Social services
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Basic social and financial assistance.
Daycare for children.
Child welfare.
Education, culture, sports and recreation
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Primary schools (6-15 years)
Music-schools
Sportfacilities, culture centers, museums
and libraries
Support to arts, theatre groups,
sportclubs, volunteer groups etc.
Samband íslenskra sveitarfélaga – The Association of Local Authorities in Iceland
The responsibilities of local government
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Infrastructure
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Building, maintenance, and operation of
streets, sewage, water and electricity
works, as well as district heatings.
Municipal planning and building inspection.
Public parks and open areas.
Surveillance of public and enviromental
health.
Fire services.
Public transport.
Waste management and collection.
Harbours.
Samband íslenskra sveitarfélaga – The Association of Local Authorities in Iceland
Municipal Finances
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The tax base is defined as taxes and
payments from The Local Government
Equalizations fund.
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63%
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17%
11%
8%
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1%
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of municipal revenues are from
the local income tax
are from service income
taxes on real properties
is from The Municipal
Equalizations Fund.
others
Samband íslenskra sveitarfélaga – The Association of Local Authorities in Iceland
Operating Costs
0%
10%
20%
Education
40%
50%
47%
14%
Infrastructure
Social services
12%
Mutual Costs
11%
Youth leisure and
sports
11%
Culture
Other
30%
4%
1%
Samband íslenskra sveitarfélaga – The Association of Local Authorities in Iceland
The number of municipalities
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In 1990 Iceland was divided into 204
municipalities.
In 2005 Iceland is divides into 101
municipalities.
The municipalities are in the midst of an
amalgamation process.
Samband íslenskra sveitarfélaga – The Association of Local Authorities in Iceland
The number of municipalities
204
223
226
228
229
172
150
203
200
212
250
101
100
2005
1990
1981
1971
1961
1950
1931
1911
0
1872
50
Samband íslenskra sveitarfélaga – The Association of Local Authorities in Iceland
104 municipalities in 2004
Samband íslenskra sveitarfélaga – The Association of Local Authorities in Iceland
46 municipalities in 2006 ??
Samband íslenskra sveitarfélaga – The Association of Local Authorities in Iceland
The Association of Local Authorities
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The Association of Local Authorities in
Iceland is the forum for co-operation
between the local authorities.
It was established in 1945 by 52 local
authorities.
Since 1973 all local authorities in Iceland
have been members of the association.
The Association provides various services
and information to the local authorities.
The Association takes responsibility for
common tasks such as collective
bargaining with unions of municipal
employees.
Samband íslenskra sveitarfélaga – The Association of Local Authorities in Iceland
The Association of Local Authorities
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According to the Local Government Act
The Association of Local Authorities in
Iceland is responsible for safeguarding
the common interest of the Icelandic
local governments.
The Association has colloboration
contract with the State and the
Government of Iceland.
The State is obliged by law to consult the
Association on the affairs of the local
governments.
Samband íslenskra sveitarfélaga – The Association of Local Authorities in Iceland
The organisation of the Association
General
assembly
Municipality
Credit Iceland
BOARD
Emergency Relief
Fund
Executive
director
The Municipal
Harbour Association
Secretaritat
and
publishing
11 employees
Development
and
international
affairs
1 employee
EU Committee
Finance and
statistic
Legal
affairs
Negotiation
with trade
unions
2 employees
2 employees
4 employees
Wage Commission
Development Committee
Samband íslenskra sveitarfélaga – The Association of Local Authorities in Iceland