Strengthening legislative oversight in Ozurgeti Municipality (GEOGT0005)

Commitment ID

GEOGT0005

Commitment Title

Strengthening legislative oversight in Ozurgeti Municipality

Problem

The Local Self-Government Code of Georgia defines mechanisms for Sakrebulo members to implement oversight of the local executive bodies and stay accountable to their constituents. Among various important elements, these mechanisms also envisage addressing questions to the mayor of the municipality, or any other official and receiving a reply; inviting members of the City Hall to testify in front of the legislators; initiating independent audits of City Hall activities, etc. Despite some positive developments overall the culture of legislative oversight in the local governance system of Georgia is still in the developing stage. It is notable that according to the Constitutional amendments and the Rules of Procedure of Parliament adopted in 2018, the Parliament of Georgia acquired important oversight powers and tools, including thematic inquiry, post-legislative scrutiny, as well as thematic rapporteur which enable legislators to effectively implement their oversight mandate. While the Parliament of Georgia is equipped with additional oversight mechanisms, Sakrebulos, neither possess new oversight tools nor do they properly use the oversight mechanisms at their disposal.

Status quo

Ozurgeti Sakrebulo insufficiently uses oversight mechanisms at its disposal to monitor and control the activities of the executive authority (City Hall). At the same time, the municipality has not introduced new oversight tools, that are used at the national level by the parliament.

Action

Ozurgeti Municipality Sakrebulo will:

- Carry out the study and develop a report on the state of implementation of oversight functions of Ozurgeti Sakrebulo together with specific recommendations for improvement (July 2023)
- Update and approve the Rules of procedures of Ozurgeti Municipality Sakrebulo as result of adding new oversight instruments (August 2023)
- Organize capacity building/coaching of the local legislators and staffers to effectively use existing oversight tools as well as to institutionalize new oversight mechanisms, including but not limited to thematic inquiry, thematic rapporteur, and post-legislative scrutiny (November 2023)
- Develop at least two oversight products as a result of the institutionalization of new oversight mechanisms (discussion of results and recommendations of two thematic inquiries; discussion of the reports and recommendations of two thematic speakers; discussion of results and recommendations of two post-legislativescrutinies) (May 2024)
- Develop and approve the oversight action plan of Ozurgeti Municipality Sakrebulo/Commissions (May 2024).

How will the commitment contribute to solving the public problem described above?

Oversight functions of Ozurgeti Municipality Sakrebulo will be strengthened by introducing new tools and mechanisms for oversight. At the same time Sakrebulo will ensure the awareness of the population by publicly releasing the products developed using the new oversight mechanisms.

What long-term goal as identified in your Open Government Strategy does this commitment relate to?

The Long-term goal of Ozurgeti Municipality is:
1. To institutionalize the corruption risk assessment system at the local level to ensure existing tool which allows identifying the weakness within a local municipality which may present the opportunity for corruption to occur.
2. To strengthen civic participation for more inclusive and active participation of the local community. This includes establishing the systems to allow participation but also increasing the awareness of already established mechanisms among the citizens to promote better participation at the local level.
3. To promote the open governance values and principles not only within the municipality but also beyond it through the promotion of the open government culture and sharing experiences across the country.
4. To enhance inclusive, citizen-centered, and transparent public service delivery and improve access to services for marginalized communities by providing the inclusive service delivery.

Enhanced oversight functions of Sakrebulo over executive branch will contribute in achieving the above-goals.

Primary Policy Area

Audits & Controls, Fiscal Openness, Legislative Openness

Primary Sector

Legislature

What OGP value is this commitment relevant to?