The interior ministry on Wednesday announced that a meeting was held the previous day between Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou and the executive committee of the union of Cyprus municipalities to discuss the implementation of local government reforms.

In a meeting attended by interior ministry officials and town planning department representatives, Ioannou briefed the committee on the developments regarding the gradual implementation of the reforms, and the two sides mulled any possible challenges that may impede a smooth transition to the new regime from July 1, 2024.

One of these is the preparation of the municipalities’ organisational charts and the transition to the new common licensing system called Evagoras.

“The two sides agreed to work together for the timely and effective resolution of any issues that arise, so that the grand project of local government reform can be successfully implemented,” the statement said.

It added that Ioannou presented a study prepared by the ministry regarding the distribution of the annual sponsorship granted to the new municipalities, amounting to €117 million, with effect from July 1.

He explained that the study was based on objective criteria determined by the central advisory committee and takes into account demographic data, geomorphological characteristics and economic criteria, to ensure that the grant will be distributed in a targeted way through a fiscal balancing mechanism.

The union is expected to return with comments and opinions on the study, the statement added.

The delegation was also informed on another study regarding the salary scales of higher-up posts in the new municipalities.

The meeting also addressed the issue of the five new self-government organisations becoming their own town planning authorities, as envisioned by the reforms, with the two sides discussing how a smooth transfer of responsibilities would be achieved for the licensing of developments from the existing town planning and building authorities.