Performance of Local Governments

Total Hours in Course81

Number of hours for lectures16

Number of hours for seminars and practical classes16

Independent study hours49

Date of course confirmation22.02.2023

Responsible UnitInstitute of Economics and Finance

Course developer

prof.

Modrīte Pelše

Dr. oec.

Prior knowledge

Ekon2119, Regional Economics

JurZ3050, Basics of Law

Course abstract

Studiju kursa apgūšanas mērķis ir sniegt studentiem vispārējas un sistēmiskas zināšanas par pašvaldību darbību un tās nozīmi teritoriju attīstībā. Studiju kurss palīdz izprast pašvaldību pārvaldības sistēmas nozīmi teritoriju veidošanā. Studenti tiek iepazīstināti ar starptautiskajiem un Latvijas pašvaldību tiesību dokumentiem un tajos iekļautajām normām, pašvaldību darbības pamatprincipiem. Studiju kurss veido izpratni par valsts un pašvaldību darbības jomām un atbildības sfērām. Studiju kursā studenti gūst zināšanas par pašvaldību ekonomiskās darbības pamatu un sabiedrības līdzdalības nozīmi teritoriju attīstībā.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Students will be able to demonstrate:
Knowledge of
1) The concepts of national and local governance and responsibility regarding territorial development - independent work, a case study.
2) Work organization in and the competence and functional specifics of a local government – an examination, a study trip, group work.
3) The economic base of municipalities - an examination, a presentation, discussion.
4) The role of the public and the ways of their involvement in the formation of sustainable territories in a municipality – discussion.
Skills to
1) Understand the concept of a municipality and the basic principles of municipal governance, as well as work organization in a municipal council - an examination, practical assignments.
2) Independently find and assess the availability and quality of municipal information, as well as use it¬- independent work, a presentation, a case study.
3) Analyse economic development in and the budget of a municipality - an examination, practical assignments, a presentation.
4) Build up social interaction, cooperative and organisational skills - discussion in classes, a study tour, group work.
5) Present the results of independent work - independent work, a presentation.
Competences to:
1) Independently define and critically analyse complicated and dynamic problems in the performance of local governments - practical assignments, a presentation, an examination;
2) Assess local resources in the context of sustainable territorial development - an examination, practical assignments, a presentation.

Course Content(Calendar)

Full-time studies:
Lectures:
1. Nature of local government. The concept and principles of local government. (1 hour)
2. Local government system. Levels of local government. Kinds of local government. Relations between the national and local governments (2 hours)
3. Municipal work organization and management. Administrative structure: decision-making and executive power. (1 hour)
4. Organizational forms of local government administration in the world. (1 hour)
5. Council elections and the status of a local government deputy. (1 hour)
6. Functions and competence of local governments. (2 hours)
7. Rights and obligations of a local government. (1 hour)
8. Economic base of a municipality. (1 hour)
9. Municipal budget. Municipal financial equalization system. (1 hour)
10. Preparation and adoption of a decision by the Council. (1 hour)
11. Territorial development planning. (1 hour)
12. Local government reforms in Latvia and abroad. (1 hour)
13. Residents of a municipality and their role in shaping and ensuring “self-government”. (1 hour)
14. Municipalities as business promoters. (1 hour)
Practicals:
1. Elements of a municipality and their significance. (1 hour)
2. Basic theories of local government: literature studies. (1 hour)
3. Legal framework for local government: legislation studies. (2 hours)
4. Performance of municipal functions. (5 hours)
5. Division of competences between the national and the local governments. (1 hour)
6. Analysis of the website of a municipality. (1 hour)
7. Municipal work organization: council meetings, committee meetings. (3 hours)
8. Economic base for sustainable development of a municipality: a presentation, discussion (2 hours)
Part-time extramural studies:
All the topics intended for full-time studies are covered, yet the number of contact hours is ½ of the specified number of hours.

Requirements for awarding credit points

The student must complete practical assignments, and if necessary present the results in practicals, participate in activities aimed at examining the functions of a local government and complete an assignment, do a case study on the performance of a local government in dealing with sustainability problems, and pass an oral examination at the end of the course.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

The student must independently study the concepts of governance and responsibility regarding national and local governments and give some examples. The student must do a piece of independent work representing a case study on sustainable problems in a municipality. The research results are summarized in a presentation of 10 to 12 PowerPoint slides in length. The student participates in person or remotely in making a local government decision and completes an assignment concerning the pace of decision-making. The student learns theoretical matters to take the final examination at the end of the course.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The course ends with a cumulative assessment involving the following pieces of assessment: a presentation of independent work results – 10%, an assignment completed concerning the functions and competencies of a municipality – 20%, an assignment completed concerning the local government council decision-making process – 20%, activity during practicals – 10%, an examination – 40%.

Compulsory reading

1. Pašvaldību likums: LR likums. [tiešsaiste] [skatīts 02.03.2023.] Pieejams: https://likumi.lv/ta/id/336956-pasvaldibu-likums
2. Pūķis M. Pašu valdība. Rīga: Latvijas Pašvaldību savienība, 2010,. 512 lpp.
3. Cities, local and regional governments and human rights. United Nations Human Rights. [tiešsaiste] [skatīts 02.03.2023.] Pieejams: https://www.ohchr.org/en/about-us/what-we-do/partnership/local-governments
4. Congress of Local and Regional Authorieties. Concil of Europe. [tiešsaiste] [skatīts 02.03.2023.] Pieejams: https://www.coe.int/en/web/congress/home
5. Eiropas vietējo pašvaldību harta: LR likums. [tiešsaiste] [skatīts 02.03.2023.] Pieejams: https://likumi.lv/ta/lv/starptautiskie-ligumi/id/1173
6. European Charter of Local Self-Government. 1985. [tiešsaiste] [skatīts 02.03.2023.] Pieejams: http://www.worldlii.org/int/other/treaties/COETSER/1985/5.html
7. Local and Regional Governments. New Urban Agenda. [tiešsaiste] [skatīts 02.03.2023.] Pieejams: https://www.urbanagendaplatform.org/about-platform
8. Par pašvaldību budžetiem: LR likums. [tiešsaiste] [skatīts 02.03.2023.] Pieejams: https://likumi.lv/doc.php?id=34703
9. Pašvaldības domes deputāta statusa likums: LR likums. [tiešsaiste] [skatīts 02.03.2023.] Pieejams: https://likumi.lv/doc.php?id=58052
10. Pašvaldību finanšu izlīdzināšanas likums: LR likums. [tiešsaiste] [skatīts 02.03.2023.] Pieejams: https://likumi.lv/doc.php?id=274742
11. Vanags E., Vilka I. Pašvaldību darbība un attīstība. Rīga: Latvijas Universitātes Akadēmiskais apgāds, 2005.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Viedās administrācijas un reģionālās attīstības ministrija. Pieejams: http://www.varam.gov.lv
2. Latvijas Pašvaldību savienība. Pieejams: http://www.lps.lv
3. Valsts digitālās attīstības aģentūra. Pieejams: https://www.vdaa.gov.lv/lv
4. Eiropas Reģionu komiteja. Pieejams: https://cor.europa.eu/lv

Notes

Restricted elective course for the ESAF academic bachelor programme Economics, specialization Sustainable Economy and Territorial Development

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