Danish Local Government Reform 2004-2007
In 2004 the Danish government decided on a structural reform defining new local and regional structures. The reform came into force on January 1, 2007
The purpose of the local governement reform was to create a strong and forward-looking sector solving tasks efficiently for the benefit of the citizens.
The reform shaped a new territorial structure; the fourteen counties were abolished and five regions were established. At local level 273 municipalities were reduced to 98.
The main guidelines for delimitation - in terms of geography and tasks - were provided for in the Agreement on a Structural Reform.
The number, the size and boundaries of the new regions were set up in the agreement and were not subject to negotiations. Concerning the municipality, the agreement required a minimum size of 20,000 inhabitants. Then, it was up to the municipalities to agree on mergers to create larger and sustainable units.
With the reform a number of tasks were transferred from the counties to the municipalities and the state.
A new financing system was set up in relation to the regions. Thus the regions were not entitled to impose taxes but were to be finance by subsidies from the state and the municipalities.
Read more about the Local and Regional Government Reform
Read more:
Senest opdateret
09-04-2010
Oprettet 01-03-2010
