ACTIVITIES OF UNITED TERRITORIAL COMMUNITIES AS A BODY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN THE CONDITIONS OF POWER DECENTRALIZATION IN UKRAINE

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to study the system of united territorial communities (UTC) formation and to conduct the analysis of their activities effectiveness, in the conditions of decentralization of power. Methodology. The methodological basis for the study of decentralization and local government reforms, the strengthening of the political status of the local government body, and the decentralization of power are the Constitution of Ukraine, Laws of Ukraine, Presidential Decrees, as well as publications on these issues by domestic and foreign authors. Results. It was established that, in accordance with Article 140 of the Constitution of Ukraine, local government has the right of the territorial community to resolve issues of local importance independently. The Decree of the President of Ukraine “On Priority Measures for the Development of Local Government in Ukraine for 2017” identified the development of local government as one of the priority directions of the state’s development. In April 2017, the Government adopted the Order “On Approval of the Medium-Term Plan for Priority Actions of the Government by 2020 and the Government Priority Action Plan for 2017”, which provides for the 100% consolidation of local councils at the baseline level in capable territorial communities by 2020. As a result, according to the Law of Ukraine “On Voluntary Association of Territorial Communities”, the voluntary association of territorial communities of villages, settlements, cities is carried out while subjected to ensuring the quality and availability of public services. State programs for supporting the development of the territorial community and building the infrastructure of the village (towns, cities) have been developed. Practical implication. Proposal reform on voluntary association of communities enables them to acquire the status of the capable local community, in which local sources of budget revenues, infrastructure, and human resources are sufficient to meet the interests of residents. The territorial community independently manages the property that is in communal ownership; establishes local taxes and fees in accordance with the law; ensures the holding of local referendums and the realization of their results; establish, reorganize, and liquidate communal enterprises, organizations, and institutions, and also controls their activities; decides other issues of local importance, assigned by law to their competence. Value/originality. In carrying out any reforms, in terms of priority, systematic state intervention should be provided by legislative regulation and dissolution of the district councils in areas where all communities are united in UTC.