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Latvia
Latvia is a unitary state composed of municipalities (novads) and cities (pilseta).
Data: 2016
Data: 2016

The local council (dome) is the local authority's legislative body. Its members are councillors elected by direct universal suffrage for a period of four years. The council elects the chairman of the local council and the members of the standing committees from among its councillors. Both the finance committee and social, education and culture committee are mandatory. However, local authorities are free to set up other standing committees, all of which are composed of politicians and local experts. Standing committees prepare draft decisions for the local council.
The chairperson of the council (priekšsēdētājs) is elected by and from within the council for a four-year term. He/she chairs the council and the Finance committee.
The competences of local authorities can either be autonomous (determined by law or voluntary) or delegated by the state or central government.
Competences
The competences listed below are autonomous, determined by law:
• Water and heating supply
• Waste management
• Public services and infrastructure
• Public management of forests and water
• Primary and secondary education
• Culture
• Public health
• Social services
• Child welfare
• Social housing
• Licencing for commercial activities
• Public order and civil protection
• Urban development
• Collection of statistical information
• Public transport
• On-going training for teachers
The chairperson of the council (priekšsēdētājs) is elected by and from within the council for a four-year term. He/she chairs the council and the Finance committee.
The competences of local authorities can either be autonomous (determined by law or voluntary) or delegated by the state or central government.
Competences
The competences listed below are autonomous, determined by law:
• Water and heating supply
• Waste management
• Public services and infrastructure
• Public management of forests and water
• Primary and secondary education
• Culture
• Public health
• Social services
• Child welfare
• Social housing
• Licencing for commercial activities
• Public order and civil protection
• Urban development
• Collection of statistical information
• Public transport
• On-going training for teachers

The regional development council (Plānošanas reģiona attīstības padome) is elected by representatives of all local governments, whose administrative territories compose the territory of the respective planning region. Its members are local councillors, who are involved directly. The regional development council elects the chair and executive director (head of the administration of the planning region). The administration of the planning region is responsible to the regional development council planning regions have their own property, legislative and administrative rights and responsibilities.
CEMR in Latvia
Latvian Association of Local and Regional GovernmentsSecretary General: Mudīte PRIEDE
Latvijas Pašvaldíbu Savieníba
1 Mazá Pils Str., 1050 Riga
Tel.: +371 6722 65 36
Fax: +371 6721 22 41
E-mail: lps@lps.lv
Web: www.lps.lv
Latvijas Pašvaldíbu Savieníba
1 Mazá Pils Str., 1050 Riga
Tel.: +371 6722 65 36
Fax: +371 6721 22 41
E-mail: lps@lps.lv
Web: www.lps.lv
Contact

Marta Gattini
Statutory Affairs Officer
Email :
Tel. : +32 2 213 8691
Skype : marta.gattini