Latvia

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