The Association of Palestinian Local Authorities (APLA) conducted a workshop through the Engineering and Planning Hub for discussing the draft study of the building bylaw and the rights of local authorities. In addition, the adoption of the final version, submitting recommendations for discussion with the Ministry of Local Government and other line governmental bodies, attended by 25 representatives from the engineering and planning departments at the local authorities.
APLA's Activities Coordinator, Shurouq Rabee' kicked off the workshop with a quick presentation of the agenda and next steps concerning the draft. Meanwhile, the Coordinator of Engineering and Planning Hub, Eng. Murad Al-Tamimi, representing Hebron Municipality welcomed the audience pointing out the importance of this Hub’s work, especially in the difficult circumstances the local authorities and organizations are suffering in general. He said, "This Hub achieved success from the moment of launching it, as it relies on exchange of expertise and experiences between different local authorities on technical aspects on one hand, and as it addresses issues related to the legislations regulating the work of local authorities on the other hand".
In return, APLA's Executive Director, Eng. Abdallah Anati, clarified APLA's role concerning the revision and amendment of regulations and laws related to the local governance sector in reference to the needs and priorities assessment of local authorities, in a way that guarantees enhancing their jurisdiction. He also elaborated that APLA contracted the Legal Advisor, Ashraf Abu Hayyah, in order to prepare the aforementioned draft and arrive to a group of results and recommendations that will help achieve a consensus that guarantees giving local authorities greater ability to implement the laws and regulations while protecting their rights.
Legal Advisor, Ashraf Abu Hayyah gave an introduction on the study draft, and its purpose, in addition to the main comments of municipalities that were consulted during the preparation phase. He also provided a summary of the building bylaw, as well as the authorities responsible for the organizations of cities and villages, and the incoming comments concerning the formation of various building committees and their jurisdictions.
Participants reviewed all their remarks on the study draft of building bylaw and the rights of local authorities. It was agreed to grant local authorities’ additional period to provide all their remarks in details and in writing for its adoption during the final phase, in addition to the recommendations and suggestions before arriving to the final version, submitting and discussing it with the Ministry of Local Government and the stakeholders.
It is worth mentioning that this workshop was conducted under the Technical Hub Program for local authorities, implemented in partnership between APLA and LGRP-GIZ, comprised of five Hubs: Engineering and Planning hub; Public Relations hub; Financial Management hub; Village Councils hub; Innovation hub.