Local government reform (Cyprus)

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In July 2024 there was a major reform of local government in Cyprus, consisting of three strands. A new elected level for the districts of Cyprus, the creation of 18 new municipalities brought about by mergers (plus two retained from before) and, thirdly, 30 new combined authorities to provide joint services for the communities (i.e., village authorities or civil parishes).

Contents

Pre-existing system

For a 100 years or more the system in Cyprus had been district administrations under the authority of a government appointed District Officer in each district, alongside a multiplicity of mostly small town and village authorities.

Map of the Cyprus local government system (Municipalities and Communities) prior to the 2014 local government reform Cyprus local government system (map).jpg
Map of the Cyprus local government system (Municipalities and Communities) prior to the 2014 local government reform

The table below shows the number of municipalities and communities in each district at various censuses, [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] plus the totals from the list of municipal and community codes issued by the Cyprus Statistical Service. The latter includes abandoned or occupied villages, which nevertheless retain their village boundaries. [6]

Number of Municipalities and Communities
DISTRICT18811946196019731992200120112021Codes
Nicosia187178173166105105111113174
Kyrenia4748484747
Famagusta116989898999998
Larnaca456060615254555659
Limassol109114115106112110110112112
Paphos140135132126108110116120125
TOTAL644633626604386388401410615

The local government system consisted of unitary (single tier) urban municipal councils and rural community councils. There were 30 municipalities in the major towns, plus a further 9 municipalities in the occupied area. Municipalities are led by mayors. In 2011, there were 350 functioning community councils, and a further 25 communities with a population of zero or less than 104, with a further 137 for communities whose territory was located in the occupied area of Cyprus. [7] The size of Cypriot local authorities was the fifth smallest in Europe, with only Turkey, France, Slovakia and the Czech Republic having smaller authorities in terms of population. [8]

In Cyprus, the municipality average population was 19,950 (in 2011), the community average was 645 and the overall average was 2,075.6. [7]

Because of their difference in size, communities had less power and resources than municipalities. Communities were generally responsible for waste disposal, water supply and public health. Municipalities were, in addition, responsible for social services, the issuing of building permits, and planning permission (in the case of large municipalities). However, many of these community services were provided by the district administration, where communities were unable to provide them themselves.

New system

Local government reform was enacted by the Cypriot Parliament passing three bills in March 2022 and came into force on 1 July 2024, immediately after the local government elections on 09 June. [9] [10] [11]

The local government reform is extended, with some limitations, to the British Sovereign Base Areas. [12]

Districts

District councils called District Local Government Organisations were created in each district by the "Law on District Organisations of Local Government" of 2022. These councils took over the water boards and the water supply powers of municipalities and communities. They also took over the sewerage boards and the boards responsible for municipal waste disposal and recovery sites. The power to issue planning and building permits was transferred to these district councils. This includes all permits and regulations concerning the construction of streets and new buildings and their alteration or demolition.

Each district council consists of a president and 16 members including the vice-president. The president is directly elected to a 5-year term, firstly on 9 June 2024. 10 members of the councils are elected by a vote of the assembly of municipalities of the district and 6 are be elected by a vote of the assembly of communities in the district, both assemblies convened for that purpose. The vice-president is elected by the members of the council after their election. [11] [13] [14] [15]

Municipalities

New Municipalities Municipalities in Cyprus.jpg
New Municipalities

The Municipalities Act of 2022 creates 18 new municipalities by amalgamating 28 municipalities and 63 communities, which become municipal districts of the new municipalities. The municipalities of Strovolos and Paphos remain unchanged. As a suburb of Nicosia, both mayors and some experts proposed that Strovolos be merged into Nicosia either as a single municipality or a federated metropolitan authority, but this was not adopted. [9]

These 20 new or retained municipalities gain powers over the establishment of a municipal police, road maintenance, and the responsibilities of school boards (by 2029). The power to issue planning and building permits is transferred away from municipalities to the new District Local Government Organisations.

The municipal elections took place on 09 June 2024. [11] [16]


The table below lists the new municipalities and the previous authorities from which they are composed, which now become municipal districts with deputy mayors. [17] [18]


DistrictNew MunicipalityMunicipal DistrictPop 2021 [19] Pre*No. Councillors
NicosiaLAKATAMEIATOTAL53,10530
NicosiaLakatameia Anthoupolis 1,690S3
NicosiaLakatameia Lakatameia 43,111M22
NicosiaLakatameia Tseri 8,304M5
NicosiaLATSIA-YERITOTAL28,29320
NicosiaLatsia-Yeri Latsia 18,587M13
NicosiaLatsia-Yeri Geri 9,706M7
NicosiaNICOSIATOTAL111,43330
NicosiaNicosia Aglandjia 21,544M6
NicosiaNicosia Agios Dhometios 12,906M5
NicosiaNicosia Engomi 20,504M5
NicosiaNicosia Nicosia 56,479M14
NicosiaSOUTH NICOSIA-DALITOTAL22,63720
NicosiaSouth Nicosia-Dali Alambra 1,655C2
NicosiaSouth Nicosia-Dali Dali 12,350M8
NicosiaSouth Nicosia-Dali Lympia 2,911C3
NicosiaSouth Nicosia-Dali Nisou 2,132C2
NicosiaSouth Nicosia-Dali Pera Chorio 3,002C3
NicosiaSouth Nicosia-Dali Potamia 587C2
NicosiaSTROVOLOSStrovolos70,823M30
FamagustaAGIA NAPATOTAL22,63620
FamagustaAgia Napa Achna 2,182C4
FamagustaAgia Napa Avgorou 4,925C4
FamagustaAgia Napa Agia Napa 4,716M4
FamagustaAgia Napa Liopetri 4,908C4
FamagustaAgia Napa Sotira 5,905M4
FamagustaPARALIMNI-DERYNEIATOTAL31,68224
FamagustaParalimni-Deryneia Acheritou 1,901C3
FamagustaParalimni-Deryneia Deryneia 6,229M6
FamagustaParalimni-Deryneia Frenaros 4,515C4
FamagustaParalimni-Deryneia Paralimni 19,037M11
LarnacaARADIPPOUTOTAL24,51020
LarnacaAradippou Aradippou 22,932M16
LarnacaAradippou Kellia 397C2
LarnacaAradippou Troulloi 1,181C2
LarnacaATHIENOUTOTAL5,46716
LarnacaAthienou Athienou 5,202M14
LarnacaAthienou Avdellero 265C2
LarnacaDROMOLAXIA-MENEOUTOTAL17,02620
LarnacaDromolaxia-Meneou Dromolaxia-Meneou 6,838M8
LarnacaDromolaxia-Meneou Kiti 5,136C6
LarnacaDromolaxia-Meneou Perivolia, Larnaca 3,292C3
LarnacaDromolaxia-Meneou Tersefanou 1,760C3
LarnacaLARNACATOTAL68,20230
LarnacaLarnaca Larnaca 52,046M23
LarnacaLarnaca Livadia 8,581M4
LarnacaLarnaca Oroklini 7,575C3
LarnacaLEFKARATOTAL3,60516
LarnacaLefkara Delikipos 36C1
LarnacaLefkara Kato Lefkara 119C1
LarnacaLefkara Kornos 2,081C6
LarnacaLefkara Lageia 36C1
LarnacaLefkara Pano Lefkara 870M4
LarnacaLefkara Skarinou 413C2
LarnacaLefkara Vavla 50C1
LimassolEAST LIMASSOLTOTAL42,97624
LimassolEast Limassol Akrounta 521C1
LimassolEast Limassol Armenochori 211C1
LimassolEast Limassol Agios Athanasios 16,520M8
LimassolEast Limassol Agios Tychonas 4,502C2
LimassolEast Limassol Foinikaria 461C1
LimassolEast Limassol Mathikoloni 202C1
LimassolEast Limassol Mouttagiaka 3,239C3
LimassolEast Limassol Germasogeia 17,329M7
LimassolLIMASSOLTOTAL123,94730
LimassolLimassol Limassol 107,970M24
LimassolLimassol Mesa Geitonia 15,925M5
LimassolLimassol Tserkezoi 52C1
LimassolPOLEMIDIATOTAL26,59320
LimassolPolemidia Kato Polemidia 23,174M16
LimassolPolemidia Pano Polemidia 3,419C4
LimassolWEST LIMASSOLTOTAL34,72920
LimassolWest Limassol Akrotiri 931C1
LimassolWest Limassol Asomatos, Limassol 895C1
LimassolWest Limassol Episkopi, Limassol 4,098C3
LimassolWest Limassol Erimi 3,159C2
LimassolWest Limassol Kantou 417C1
LimassolWest Limassol Kolossi 6,482C3
LimassolWest Limassol Sotira 232C1
LimassolWest Limassol Trachoni 4,549C3
LimassolWest Limassol Ypsonas 13,966M5
PaphosAKAMASTOTAL10,16216
PaphosAkamas Akoursos 36C1
PaphosAkamas Ineia 319C2
PaphosAkamas Kathikas 387C2
PaphosAkamas Kato Arodes 46C1
PaphosAkamas Kissonerga 2,292C3
PaphosAkamas Pano Arodes 137C1
PaphosAkamas Pegeia 6,945M6
PaphosEAST PAPHOSTOTAL12,95816
PaphosEast Paphos Acheleia 137C1
PaphosEast Paphos Agia Marinouda 425C1
PaphosEast Paphos Konia 2,754C3
PaphosEast Paphos Timi 1,063C2
PaphosEast Paphos Geroskipou 8,579M9
PaphosPAPHOSPaphos37,991M24
PaphosPOLIS CHRYSOCHOUSTOTAL6,27816
PaphosPolis Chrysochous Androlikou 28C1
PaphosPolis Chrysochous Argaka 1,081C2
PaphosPolis Chrysochous Agia Marina Chrysochous 591C1
PaphosPolis Chrysochous Chrysochou 116C1
PaphosPolis Chrysochous Drouseia 473C1
PaphosPolis Chrysochous Kritou Terra 68C1
PaphosPolis Chrysochous Makounta 71C1
PaphosPolis Chrysochous Nea Dimmata 55C1
PaphosPolis Chrysochous Neo Chorio, Pafos 522C1
PaphosPolis Chrysochous Pelathousa 53C1
PaphosPolis Chrysochous Polis Chrysochous 2,570M2
PaphosPolis Chrysochous Pomos 450C1
PaphosPolis Chrysochous Terra 18C1
PaphosPolis Chrysochous Gialia 182C1

*Note: Column "Pre" indicates previous status: M (municipality), C (community) or S (settlement)


Communities

Except for those amalgamated in the new municipalities, existing communities were preserved. 30 combined authorities called community complexes were created for the provision of common services to their participating communities, which are those listed in Schedule 6 of Communities (Amendment) (No. 2) Law of 2022. (See table below). Unlisted communities can be added by order of the Minister of the Interior.

Map of the Community Service Complexes established by the 2014 local government reform Community Service Complexes (Cyprus).jpg
Map of the Community Service Complexes established by the 2014 local government reform

Complexes have the following functions:

Each complex is governed by the Services Complex Council, whose members are the mukhtars of the communities participating in the complex. They elect its president and vice-president by secret ballot. The council can choose a name for the complex. [20]


The table below shows the member communities of each complex. The complexes are officially designated by their district name and a number using Greek Numerals (which are analogous to Roman Numerals). For clarity, normal Arabic numerals are used below. The list of complexes and their member communities is contained in the Schedule of the Communities (Amendment) (No. 2) Act of 2022. [21]


Comp idList of component Communities
Nic 1Analiontas ,Ayia Varvara,Kotsiatis,Lythrodontas ,Maryi,Mathiatis,Sia
Nic 2Anayeia,Episkopeio,Ergates,Kambia,Kapedes,Kato Deftera,Pano Deftera,Pera,Politiko ,Psimolofou
Nic 3Agrokipia,Arediou,Ayios Epifanios,Ayios Ioannis,Farmakas,Fikardou ,Gourri,Kalo Chorio,Kambi,Klirou,Lazanias ,Malounta,Mitsero
Nic 4Alithinou,Alona,Apliki,Askas,Fterikoudi,Lagoudera,Livadia,Palaichori Morphou,Palaichori Oreinis,Platanistasa,Polystypos,Saranti
Nic 5Akaki,Astromeritis,Ayia Eirini,Ayia Marina Xyliatou,Ayios Yeoryios Kafkallou,Kannavia ,Kato Koutrafas ,Kato Moni,Nikitari ,Orounta,Peristerona,Potami,Vyzakia,Xyliatos
Nic 6Ayioi Trimithias,Deneia ,Kokkinotrimithia,Mammari ,Meniko,Palaiometocho
Nic 7Ayios Theodoros Soleas,Evrychou,Flasou,Galata,Kakopetria ,Kaliana,Katydata,Korakou ,Linou,Sinaoros,Spilia,Temvria
Nic 8Kalopanayiotis ,Kambos,Moutoullas,Mylikouri,Oikos,Pedoulas,Tsakistra ,Yerakies
Nic 9Kato Pyrgos,Mosfili ,Pachyammos,Pano Pyrgos,Piyenia
Lar 1Ormideia,Xylofagou,Xylotymvou
Lar 2Alaminos,Alethriko,Anafotida,Anglisides,Kivisili,Klavdia,Kofinou,Mazotos,Menoyeia
Lar 3Ayia Anna,Kalo Chorio,Mosfiloti,Psevdas,Pyrga
Lar 4Ayioi Vavatsinias,Kato Drys,Melini,Odou,Ora ,Vavatsinia
Lar 5Ayios Theodoros,Choirokoitia,Kalavasos,Mari ,Maroni,Psematismenos,Tochni,Zyyi
(Pyla)Pyla (not in a Complex)
Lim 1Asgata ,Kellaki ,Monagroulli,Moni,Parekklisia,Pentakomo,Prastio Kellakiou,Pyrgos,Sanida,Vasa Kellakiou
Lim 2Akapnou,Arakapas,Ayios Konstantinos,Ayios Pavlos,Dierona,Eptagoneia,Kalo Chorio,Klonari,Louvaras,Sykopetra,Vikla,Zoopiyi
Lim 3Apsiou,Fasoula,Palodeia,Paramytha,Spitali,Yerasa
Lim 4Alassa,Apesia,Ayios Mamas,Ayios Yeoryios,Doros,Kapileio,Korfi,Laneia,Limnatis,Monagri,Silikou,Trimiklini
Lim 5Alektora,Anogyra,Avdimou,Ayios Thomas,Paramali,Pissouri,Platanisteia,Prastio Avdimou
Lim 6Arsos,Ayios Amvrosios,Ayios Therapon,Dora,Kissousa,Lofou,Malia,Omodos,Pachna,Pano Kivides,Potamiou,Souni-Zanakia,Vasa Koilaniou,Vouni,Yerovasa (Trozena)
Lim 7Ayios Dimitrios,Foini ,Kaminaria,Kato Platres (Tornarides),Koilani,Kouka,Lemithou,Mandria,Moniatis,Palaiomylos,Pano Platres ,Pera Pedi,Prodromos ,Treis Elies
Lim 8Agridia,Agros,Amiantos,Ayios Ioannis,Ayios Theodoros,Chandria,Dymes,Kato Mylos,Kyperounta,Pelendri ,Potamitissa
Pap 1Choli,Filousa Chrysochous,Goudi,Kynousa,Lysos,Peristerona,Skoulli,Steni
Pap 2Anadiou,Ayios Dimitrianos,Drinia,Drymou,Fyti,Kannaviou ,Kato Akourdaleia,Kritou Marottou,Lasa,Milia,Miliou ,Pano Akourdaleia,Polemi,Psathi,Simou,Stroumbi,Theletra,Yiolou
Pap 3Choulou,Episkopi,Kallepeia ,Kourdaka,Lemona,Letymvou,Tsada
Pap 4Amaryeti,Asproyia,Axylou,Ayia Marina Kelokedaron,Eledio,Galataria,Koilineia,Pano Panayia,Pentalia,Statos-Ayios Fotios
Pap 5Anarita,Ayia Varvara,Kouklia,Mandria,Mousere,Nata,Pano Archimandrita
Pap 6Armou,Koili,Marathounta,Mesa Chorio,Mesoyi,Tala ,Tremithousa
Pap 7Arminou,Ayios Ioannis,Ayios Nikolaos,Ayios Yeoryios,Choletria,Fasoula,Filousa Kelokedaron,Kedares,Kelokedara,Kidasi,Mamonia,Mesana,Nikokleia,Praitori,Prastio,Salamiou,Stavrokonnou,Trachypedoula
Pap 8Chlorakas,Emba

Details of each complex below. [22] Population in 2021. [5]

DistrictCompGk NoTot PopComplex NameSeatLargest commPop
Nicosia1Α8,385MacherasAyia VarvaraLythrodontas3,124
Nicosia2Β14,062TamasosDefteraPano Deftera3,007
Nicosia3Γ7,454OriniKlirouKlirou1,895
Nicosia4Δ1,682Madari – PapoutsaPalaichori MorphouPalaichori Morphou708
Nicosia5Ε10,544MorphouAyia MarinaAkaki3,109
Nicosia6ΣΤ14,755ExapolisKokkinotrimithiaKokkinotrimithia4,817
Nicosia7Ζ4,707SoleaEvrychouKakopetria1,255
Nicosia8Η916Northern MarathasaKalopanayiotisKalopanayiotis201
Nicosia9Θ1,096TillyriaKato PyrgosKato Pyrgos919
Larnaca1Α14,619DhekeliaOrmideaXylofagou6,623
Larnaca2Β7,211South StavrovouniMazotosAlethriko1,652
Larnaca3Γ5,576Tremithos RiverKalo ChorioKalo Chorio1,535
Larnaca4Δ766Mountainous LarnacaAyii VavatsiniasOdou202
Larnaca5Ε4,616Vasilikou – PentaschinosZiyiKalavasos880
LarnacaPyla3,869PylaPylaPyla3,869
Limassol1Α10,025East LimassolParekklisiaParekklisia3,489
Limassol2Β2,269AmathosArakapasKalo Chorio502
Limassol3Γ4,234Highland of LimassolPalodeiaPalodeia2,115
Limassol4Δ2,977Kouri & XylourikoKapileioApesia590
Limassol5Ε3,547West LimassolPissouriPissouri2,038
Limassol6ΣΤ4,706KrasochoriaPachnaSouni-Zanakia1,245
Limassol7Ζ1,712TroodosFoiniFoini347
Limassol8Η4,307Mountainous Pitsilia TroodosAgrosKyperounta1,372
Paphos1Α1,106Saint AristonGoudiPeristerona290
Paphos2Β3,466no namePolemiPolemi870
Paphos3Γ2,137EzousaTsadaTsada1,180
Paphos4Δ1,070Mountainous PaphosPentaliaPano Panayia392
Paphos5Ε3,694Aphrodite of PaphosAnaritaKouklia1,211
Paphos6ΣΤ8,542Ayios NeophytosTremithousaTala3,100
Paphos7Ζ1,245Diarizos and Xeros ValleysCholetriaCholetria256
Paphos8Η12,380West PaphosChlorakasChlorakas6,421

References

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  2. Census of Cyprus, printed by Eyre and Spottiswoode, London, 1884. Authority names sequence numbered, but deduct monasteries and chiftliks
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