REPORTS AND ACTION PLANS OF CITYNET NATIONAL CHAPTER: SRI LANKA

Transcription

1 32nd Session of the Executive Committee 28 November 2014 Hue, Vietnam -PROVISIONAL AGENDA REPORTS AND ACTION PLANS OF CITYNET NATIONAL CHAPTER: SRI LANKA

2 2014 CITYNET Sri Lanka National Chapter Report 1. Introduction The CITYNET National Chapter of Mayors Sri Lanka was established in 1997 in Colombo with the prime objective to decentralize its operations and to be more responsive to its members. The Secretariat is located and hosted by the Colombo Municipal Council [CMC]. The CITYNET National Chapter of Mayors Sri Lanka is an umbrella organization of the Municipal Councils of Sri Lanka. All 23 Municipal Councils are members of the chapter. 2. Vision and Mission The vision of CITYNET National Chapter of Mayors Sri Lanka is to act as the focal point and facilitator to coordinate with CITYNET and other chapters. It also seeks to provide a platform for different stake-holders especially local agencies and non-government organizations to share their experiences and expertise. 3. Objectives The general objectives of the Chapter shall be: 1) To discuss common issues pertaining to cities and make representations to the Provincial and Central Governments as a team to find short and long term solutions (for eg: New Avenues for Revenue Enhancement of cities etc) 2) To discuss urban problems in the country and to bring up the urban agenda as a priority issue in discussions and formulation of National Development Plans. 3) To promote cooperation and facilitate the exchange of experience between CITYNET Members of the Country, thereby providing an opportunity for members to solve problems by themselves. 4) To enhance mutual understanding and establish technical co-operation, between and among member cities, and relevant non-governmental organizations, institutions and agencies. 5) To strengthen the institutional and technical capabilities of the member cities in effective urban management. 4. Organizational Structure President 2 Vice Presidents Treasurer Executive Committee Members All above posts are confined only to Mayors of Municipal Councils. Following Officials are working in the Chapter on Voluntary / Part time basis. Secretary General Consultant Auditor Assistant Secretary General 5. Memberships Full Members All Municipal Councils of Sri Lanka

3 1. Colombo Municipal Council 2. Dehiwala Mount Lavinia Municipal Council 3. Negombo Municipal Council 4. Moratuwa Municipal Council 5. Sri JayawardenapuraKotte Municipal Council 6. Kandy Municipal Council 7. Matale Municipal Council 8. NuwaraEliya Municipal Council 9. Galle Municipal Council 10. Kurunegala Municipal Council 11. Badulla Municipal Council 12. Ratnapura Municipal Council 13. Gampaha Municipal Council 14. Anuradhapura Municipal Council 15. Matara Municipal Council 16. Jaffna Municipal Council 17. Batticaloa Municipal Council 18. Kalmunai Municipal Council 19. Dambulla Municipal Council 20. Bandarawela Municipal Council 21. Akkerepattuwa Municipal Council 22. Hambanthota Municipal Council 23. Kaduwela Municipal Council Associate Members NGOs Sevanatha Help-O MaRGG (Management Resources for Good Governance) State Authorities - Sri Lanka Institutional of Local Governance (SLILG) - National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWS & DB) - Urban Development Authority (UDA) 6. Assessment of Past and Current Situation Past Situation Several Executive Committee Meetings were held. Main objective of these meetings was to discuss common issues pertaining to cities and make representations to the provincial and central governments as a team to find short and long term solutions. Several meetings were held with Hon. Ministers of Local Government and Provincial Councils and Urban Development to find solutions for transferring back some of the responsibilities previously enjoyed by the Municipal Councils. Several meetings were held with the Federation of Sri Lankan Local Government Authorities (FSLGA) to expedite the Process of drafting amendments to the Municipal council Ordinance and By Laws. Several meetings were held with the Hon. Minister of Power and Energy for effective utilization of street lamps.

4 Successfully completed Biogas projects in some cities with the assistance of CITYNET and Help-O. The School Environment Awareness Project was successfully completed under the guidance and financial support received from the CITYNET in Partnership with Sevanatha (NGO), Associate Member of CITYNET. Current Situation Actively Participated representing the National Chapter of Mayors Sri Lanka in the meetings held throughout the year 2014 regarding the Amendments to the Municipal Council s Ordinance at the Ministry of Local Governments and Provincial Councils. Similar Acts of other Local Authorities in Sri Lanka such as Urban Council s Act and Pradeshiya Sabha ( Village Councils) Act were also discussed in these meetings. It was a good opportunity to exchange ideas with Political leaders and senior officials of other Local Authorities to enhance revenue, identify new revenue sources, expand the power for providing more services to the public, update obsolete fines and license fees and to build a friendly environment to the public within Local Authorities. A Community Learning Centre (CLC) Project for urban underprivileged children in Colombo was commenced in October 2014 by the CITYNET National Chapter under the financial assistance of CITYNET. Projects partners are Sevanatha and the Community Development Council (CDC) of the Area. Expected outputs of the project will be; Refurbishing of 1500 sqft community Hall, Purchase and Installation of Computers, Training of 60 Children aged between years (School dropouts) from Low Income communities. Actively Participated in High Level Symposium Promoting Regional Cooperation and Local Economic Development (South Asia) to build up Economic Capacity of Cities to improve their Economic Future and the Quality of Life for all. The National Chapter of Mayors SL is an initiative of CITYNET and is comprised of 23 member cities. Regular meetings of the Chapter are held with the participation of Mayors, Municipal Commissioners, NGOs and officers of relevant ministries. These meetings are sponsored by Member Municipal Councils and held under the patronage of a Cabinet Minister or a Chief Minister. In addition, we are currently associated with the Ministry of Provincial Councils and Local Government to amend the Municipal Council Ordinance and By Laws. Maintain close relationship with the Federation of Sri Lankan Local Government Authorities (FSLGA) and our Vice President was selected as the President of the FSLGA in March 2013 for a term of 1 year. Subsequently he was appointed to the Board of Directors. SWOT ANALYSIS Strengths :.CITYNET Sri Lankan chapter of Mayors acts as a common forum to address issues in cities Weaknesses : Most non members of CITYNET do not understand the importance of CITYNET. Therefore some of them do not pay membership fees for the chapter. Opportunities : Majority of members of the chapter belongs to the governing party of the country. Hence easy to get the cooperation from the Central/Provincial government when the need arises. Threats :Taking over of some of the responsibilities of cities by the Central/Provincial government 7. Plan for Expansion To work closely with CITYNET on activities related to CITYNET clusters.

5 To promote City to City Cooperation, Networking and Euro Asian Partnerships through CITYNET. To initiate consultations with His Excellency the President of Sri Lanka and the Ministers concerned on common issues. To work closely with other Local Authorities through the Federation of Sri Lanka Local Government Authorities [FSLGA]. To allow Associate Members to join the Chapter. To amend Municipal Councils Ordinance and By Laws to meet current demands. Awards of Training and Study Tours to the members of the Chapter. Active participation in Skype conferences with other Chapters to exchange best practices & experiences. Obtain CITYNET assistance for training of non members of CITYNET through the Chapter. Provide assistance to cities to submit Project proposals to donors. 8. Issues and Challenges 1) Non receipt of CITYNET Annual Financial Contribution to manage the secretariat which was agreed about 5-6 years back. 2) Lack of permanent secretarial staff to assist the Secretary General. 3) Less commitment to pay annual membership fees from some members. 4) Most member cities lack funds to develop infrastructure facilities and seek CITYNET assistance to develop projects with donors. 5) Lack of funds for training of Staff and Municipal Councilors to benchmark Good Practices in the Local Authorities of the other parts of the World. 6) Limited Communication facilities such as / internet in member cities etc Sri Lanka National Chapter Plans Outline Planned National Chapter Meetings: o Dates - March, June, Sep o Locations - Nuwara Eliya, Matale, Colombo New Projects o Title Refurbishing of the first floor of the Existing Community Centre for establishing a Computer Training/ Learning Centre by using CITYNET funds. o Expected Results - Developed Computer skills in the Cities for low Income community. o Title - Local Economic Development for Cities Stage 2 o Description This project is to build up the economic capacity of cities to improve its economic future and the quality of life for all. It is a process by which Public, Business and Non Governmental Sector partners work collectively to create better conditions for economic growth and employment generation. Most cities lack funds to provide effective city services. In most cases, they need to depend on the central government. Prevailing by-laws need to be strengthened within an acceptable regulatory and legal framework. This project will be implemented with the assistance of the Federation of Local Authorities in Sri Lanka (FSLGA) o Expected Result Economically Developed Cities

6 o Title - Towards Green Bio Energy Cities Stage 2 Description Main objective of this project will be to use Bio Gas as an alternative to LP Gas to reduce the cost of living and creating an eco friendly environment by reducing air pollution. A Pilot Project has been successfully implemented with the assistance of HELP O (International NGO), an associate member of CITYNET. HELP- O will continue to assist to implement the project to other cities. o Expected Result Developed cities with Green Bio Energy Follow-up to Past Projects o Title - Local Economic Development for Cities Stage 1 o Description This project is to build up the economic capacity of cities to improve its economic future and the quality of life for all. It is a process by which Public, Business and Non Governmental Sector partners work collectively to create better conditions for economic growth and employment generation. Most cities lack funds to provide effective city services. In most cases, they need to depend on the central government. Prevailing by-laws need to be strengthened within an acceptable regulatory and legal framework. This project will be implemented with the assistance of the Federation of Local Authorities in Sri Lanka (FSLGA) o Reported Result Economically Developed Cities Member Communications o Method of Communication Telephone, Fax, , Skype o Expected Result - Efficient and Timely sharing of Information Other Some donor assistance will be required Sri Lanka National Chapter Plans Planned National Chapter Meetings: o Dates Feb, June, October o Locations - Galle, Kandy, Anuradhapura New Projects o Stage 3 of the same projects in 2015 will continue to cover all 23 Municipalities. Follow-up to Past Projects o To follow up Stage 1 of Projects initiated in 2015 Member Communications o Method of Communication - Telephone, Fax, , Skype o Expected Result - Efficient and Timely sharing of Information Other - Some donor assistance will be required.

7 Contact Details Eng. (Mrs) Thamara Mallawaarachchi Secretary General CITYNET National Chapter of Mayors Sri Lanka ID Centre, Colombo Municipal Council, Town Hall, Colombo 07, Sri Lanka. Telephone: Mobile: Fax: Web: His Worship A K Mohamed Hilmy Vice President CITYNET National Chapter of Mayors Sri Lanka Matale Municipal Council Matale, Sri Lanka. Telephone: Mobile: Fax: hilmy.mayor@yahoo.com