CHANGE OF THE COMPETENCE OF LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT BODIES AMIDST DECENTRALIZATION

Abstract

The scientific article establishes that the reform involves the establishment of a new model of territorial organization of power, decentralization of tasks, competencies and responsibilities, development of the system of local self-government and formation of full-fledged territorial communities, improvement of national regional policy, etc. At the same time, the successful implementation of decentralization reforms is closely related to the formation of a new generation of local politicians and municipal employees who will work in updated conditions and require new knowledge, skills, and competencies. This is caused, first of all, by the change in the status of communities and the prospective tasks faced by local authorities. It is substantiated that together with the transfer of a greater scope of competence to local self-government bodies, their responsibility has also increased. Strengthening the status of Ukrainian local self-government will increase the responsibility of citizens to ensure an adequate standard of living. It is noteworthy that communities united by law and a vision plan receive the same powers as cities of regional significance currently possess. The authors conclude that decentralization is understood as the process of redistributing powers and competence scope between central and local public authorities and shifting the focus to the local level in terms of the performance of predetermined and state-guaranteed functions. When considering the issue of decentralization, it is important to find a balance between centralization and decentralization, which is necessary to ensure the proper distribution of competences of local and central authorities. Increasing efficiency and accountability of local self-government bodies, better prospects for local development, and the introduction of participatory democracy and protection o f human rights were highlighted among the reasons leading to greater transfer of competence to local self-government bodies.