Innovative practices in Bulgaria
Sharing innovations for improving local self-government
Preparation and implementation of a municipal plan in the sphere of maintenance and repair of municipal roads in Vratsa Municipality
Municpality of Vratsa
Background
In 1999 and 2000, the International Agency of the Association of Dutch Municipalities (VNG International) prepared a program called Support for Local Government Reform Strengthening in Bulgaria , with the support of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Bulgarian Ministry of Regional Development, the Foundation for Local Government Reform, and the National Association of Bulgarian Municipalities. The main goal was to improve the capacity of local and regional authorities to exercise their rights in the sphere of municipal development policies and the process of regional development. The municipalities of Montana and Vratsa were selected as pilot projects within the program.
The pilot project of Vratsa Municipality for the preparation and implementation of a municipal plan in the sphere of maintenance and repair of municipal roads was in close relation to one of the three sub-projects of this program: Strategy for preparation and implementation of municipal development plans as a main part of the national and regional development of Bulgaria . Practically this strategy demonstrated the importance and the general approach of municipal development plans from the point of view of both theory and practice.
In 1999 and 2000, the International Agency of the Association of Dutch Municipalities (VNG International) prepared a program called Support for Local Government Reform Strengthening in Bulgaria , with the support of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Bulgarian Ministry of Regional Development, the Foundation for Local Government Reform, and the National Association of Bulgarian Municipalities. The main goal was to improve the capacity of local and regional authorities to exercise their rights in the sphere of municipal development policies and the process of regional development. The municipalities of Montana and Vratsa were selected as pilot projects within the program.
The pilot project of Vratsa Municipality for the preparation and implementation of a municipal plan in the sphere of maintenance and repair of municipal roads was in close relation to one of the three sub-projects of this program: Strategy for preparation and implementation of municipal development plans as a main part of the national and regional development of Bulgaria . Practically this strategy demonstrated the importance and the general approach of municipal development plans from the point of view of both theory and practice.
Practice
The project started in February and ended in December 2001; final assessment is due one year after its end. The project had six inter-related goals:
Prepare a Municipal Development Plan (MDP) for the maintenance and repair of municipal road network, which would become a successful example and practical guide for the preparation and implementation of the MDPs of all 263 Bulgarian municipalities.
Present the key financial and investment aspects, allowing to calculate the real costs of maintenance and repair of municipal road network.
Provide material for discussions at the local, regional and national level, entitled Solving the problem with the insufficiency of funds for appropriate repair and maintenance of municipal road networks in the near future .
Stimulate the participation of local, regional and national government, civil organizations, institutions and all stakeholders in that important pilot project, and to create a working system and solid financial basis for the future maintenance and control of municipal roads in Bulgaria.
Demonstrate a more rational use of the available materials, staff and equipment of private road-construction companies, in order to obtain a bigger capacity for the maintenance and repair of roads at the municipal level. Create new jobs in the field of municipal roads maintenance and repair. The achievement of these six goals was the work of a team of international and local experts, with the support of the Deputy Mayor and the special working group in Vratsa Municipality. The ideas and opportunities in that sphere were explored at a number of constructive meetings and discussions with the involved institutions at the local, regional (Vratsa) and national (Bulgarian Ministry of Regional Development, Roads Executive Agency). Other participants were the National Association of Bulgarian Municipalities, the FLGR, interested citizens, companies and institutions. The Municipal Development Plan in the sphere of maintenance and repair of municipal roads in Vratsa Municipality includes general description of Vratsa Municipality and Vratsa District; legal framework and present the financial status of municipal roads; computer model of priority setting; long-term vision about the repair and maintenance of municipal roads for the next 15 years; a six-year Action Plan; financial and investment aspects; conclusions and recommendations. The process and procedure of MDP preparation and implementation, its contents, and the experience gained in the course of work, were collected in a special Guidebook for all the 263 Bulgarian municipalities, published and disseminated by the FLGR. The Guidebook was accompanied by a CD entitled System for priority setting in the sphere of maintenance and repair of municipal road networks (texts of both the Guidebook and the CD can be found in the LOGIN Library at the Web site of the FLGR). This Guidebook will serve as an example for the preparation and implementation of MDPs in the sphere of maintenance, control and repair of municipal roads in the whole of Bulgaria. The exemplary MDP has been conformed to the requirements of legislation in Bulgaria, as well as the expected development and necessary changes in repair and financial aspects during a period of six years (2002-2008).
The project started in February and ended in December 2001; final assessment is due one year after its end. The project had six inter-related goals:
Prepare a Municipal Development Plan (MDP) for the maintenance and repair of municipal road network, which would become a successful example and practical guide for the preparation and implementation of the MDPs of all 263 Bulgarian municipalities.
Present the key financial and investment aspects, allowing to calculate the real costs of maintenance and repair of municipal road network.
Provide material for discussions at the local, regional and national level, entitled Solving the problem with the insufficiency of funds for appropriate repair and maintenance of municipal road networks in the near future .
Stimulate the participation of local, regional and national government, civil organizations, institutions and all stakeholders in that important pilot project, and to create a working system and solid financial basis for the future maintenance and control of municipal roads in Bulgaria.
Demonstrate a more rational use of the available materials, staff and equipment of private road-construction companies, in order to obtain a bigger capacity for the maintenance and repair of roads at the municipal level. Create new jobs in the field of municipal roads maintenance and repair. The achievement of these six goals was the work of a team of international and local experts, with the support of the Deputy Mayor and the special working group in Vratsa Municipality. The ideas and opportunities in that sphere were explored at a number of constructive meetings and discussions with the involved institutions at the local, regional (Vratsa) and national (Bulgarian Ministry of Regional Development, Roads Executive Agency). Other participants were the National Association of Bulgarian Municipalities, the FLGR, interested citizens, companies and institutions. The Municipal Development Plan in the sphere of maintenance and repair of municipal roads in Vratsa Municipality includes general description of Vratsa Municipality and Vratsa District; legal framework and present the financial status of municipal roads; computer model of priority setting; long-term vision about the repair and maintenance of municipal roads for the next 15 years; a six-year Action Plan; financial and investment aspects; conclusions and recommendations. The process and procedure of MDP preparation and implementation, its contents, and the experience gained in the course of work, were collected in a special Guidebook for all the 263 Bulgarian municipalities, published and disseminated by the FLGR. The Guidebook was accompanied by a CD entitled System for priority setting in the sphere of maintenance and repair of municipal road networks (texts of both the Guidebook and the CD can be found in the LOGIN Library at the Web site of the FLGR). This Guidebook will serve as an example for the preparation and implementation of MDPs in the sphere of maintenance, control and repair of municipal roads in the whole of Bulgaria. The exemplary MDP has been conformed to the requirements of legislation in Bulgaria, as well as the expected development and necessary changes in repair and financial aspects during a period of six years (2002-2008).
Results
The presentation of results and the sharing of experience of Vratsa Municipality with all Bulgarian municipalities in the next few years will gradually raise the level of repairs and maintenance of municipal roads and urban streets up to the European Union standards. The MDP provides municipal councilors with the necessary information when they exercise their right to approve the annual budget and action. Each point of the Action Plan has been discussed and approved by the Municipal Council, taking into consideration the specific conditions (available financial resources, rate of unemployment, etc.) and the selected priorities, permissions, and others, regarding the corresponding activity or project. An annual report is expected to give the Municipal Council the opportunity to evaluate the results of last year and approve the priorities for the next one, depending on the available resources
The presentation of results and the sharing of experience of Vratsa Municipality with all Bulgarian municipalities in the next few years will gradually raise the level of repairs and maintenance of municipal roads and urban streets up to the European Union standards. The MDP provides municipal councilors with the necessary information when they exercise their right to approve the annual budget and action. Each point of the Action Plan has been discussed and approved by the Municipal Council, taking into consideration the specific conditions (available financial resources, rate of unemployment, etc.) and the selected priorities, permissions, and others, regarding the corresponding activity or project. An annual report is expected to give the Municipal Council the opportunity to evaluate the results of last year and approve the priorities for the next one, depending on the available resources
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