Kontakt:
Stig Wallerman Tfn: 033-35 70 67 Adress: Borås Stad 501 80 Borås Tfn: 033-35 70 00 E-post: Borås Stad |
Who does what?- A brief description of how the various local authority services and activities are organized in the City of Borås. Go directly to Municipalities in Sweden The highest decision-making authority in a municipality is the Municipal Council, whose members are elected in general elections. The council then appoints the members of the Municipal Board and other committees. A municipality has a wide responsibility for services to the public. Culture and leisure matters, for instance, are fully left to the municipality to decide. Other services and activities are largely regulated by special legislation, such as the Education Act and the Social Services Act. For education, social welfare, and child and youth welfare, for example, the various acts and laws determine a level of standard the municipality must offer its inhabitants. The practical implementation of services, and also what services to provide in addition to the minimum level, are, however, the full responsibility of the local authority. A local authority may not engage in activities which are part of another authority's area of responsibility, neither may it pursue any activity with the aim of making a profit. A local authority can choose to conduct activities in corporate form. Production and distribution of energy are examples of activities which in Borås are handled by local authority companies. All citizens of a municipality shall have equal opportunities and right to avail themselves of the various services and activities provided by the local authority. Financing Other public services Municipal organisation in Borås The Municipal Council Based on the decisions of the Municipal Council, guidelines for the activities in the municipality are drawn up. The budget is the most important document, and sets goals and limits for the activities. The council decides on all matters of principle or otherwise more important matters. The Municipal Board is liable to ensure that the decisions are carried out. For each area of municipal service and activity, there is a specialized committee of appointed representatives with its own administration and staff. The board and the committees make a lot of decisions about their own activities. (From now on, we will write committees in CAPITALS and administrations in bold text.) The Municipal Board The Municipal Board is responsible for the general development of the municipality, and must have an overview of municipal activities as well as the municipality's financial situation in both the long and short term. The board is also responsible for overall physical planning - how land is to be provided and allocated for housing, industry, outdoor activities, etc. Municipal commissioners Child care Town planning The Town Planning Department works on various plans required for populated areas. The department examines building permission matters and inspects buildings under construction. The Surveying Section is responsible for, among other things, site division and property registration. Central Administration The Local Authority Management Department assists the Municipal Board in overriding management tasks. These relate to the municipality's financial situation, overall planning, utilisation of land, personnel planning, information and marketing, industry and trade, and coordination of issues such as school and geriatric care. The Administrative Department performs services which are appropriate to assemble in one place to serve the entire municipal organisation. Examples of these services are administration of funds and finance, joint purchasing activities, insurances, and accounting. The department also offers services to the public, such as housing agency and consumer advisory services. The CONSUMER GUIDANCE COMMITTEE is responsible for consumer service policy. Energy supply services Borås Energy Net Ltd owns and runs the distribution net for electricity and district heating in the main town. Both companies are owned by the municipality and their boards are appointed by the municipal council. Leisure and tourism The department is also responsible for grants and property leases to associations and organisations. The Tourist Agency gives service to the inhabitants as well as to all visitors. The department also handles public health issues. The LEISURE AND TOURISM COMMITTEE is the political head of the department. Streets, water The Streets Department is responsible for water supply, and operates both water and purification plants. The Streets Department is also responsible for the transportation service for disabled persons. The STREETS COMMITTEE also acts as the TRAFFIC COMMITTEE, and makes decisions on local traffic regulations. Municipal districts The district committees organize the nine-year compulsory school including the nursery schools and special schools for mentally retarded children. The nursery schools offer child care and activities for children up to the age of 5. The compulsory school runs for 9 years and stretches to the age of 16. The districts handle geriatric care and provide service flats, day centres, nursing homes, group housing and home help service. The district committees also run youth centres and libraries. In addition to schools, day-care centres, and other institutions, the Municipal District Department also includes the staff for the municipal district committee. Cultural activities The Cultural Department embraces the Town Library, the Art Gallery, Borås Museum, the Textile Museum, the School of Culture, and the Municipal Theatre. The libraries in different parts of the municipality, though, are administered by the district departments. Buildings and premises The PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE is the political head of the department. Environment The Environmental Protection Department is responsible for inspection and control of food, chemicals, and housing hygiene. The department also performs services, such as controlling the quality of well water. Auditing Politically elected auditors are responsible for the auditing, the AUDIT BOARD. Unlike other committees, the Audit Board is responsible only to the Municipal Council, not to the Municipal Board. The Audit Department employs the officers who examine the local authority's activities by order of the elected auditors. Emergency rescue services In addition to fire-fighting and emergency rescue crews, the federation has personnel who work with preventive fire protection, and supervise all chimney-sweeping. Education The Education Department includes administrative personnel as well as teachers and other personnel at the upper secondary schools. Social services The activities of the Social Services Committee are managed by "the social unit" which is organized under the Central Municipal District. Here you also find the immigrant reception service, and officers acting for the CHIEF GUARDIAN COMMITTEE. Technical services Other departments can choose whether they want to place an order with the Services Department, or with a contractor outside the municipal organisation. The SERVICES COMMITTEE is politically responsible for the department. Elections The Nomination Drafting Body suggests names for committees and other political, municipal posts to the Municipal Council. This comes into function after general elections and when someone resigns from his post. Geriatric care The primary aim in care for the disabled is to achieve a situation where disabled people can lead a normal life. Service flats, day centres and personal assistance are among the measures. The SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE is responsible for all care for the disabled with the exception of the transportation service, which rests with the STREETS COMMITTEE. Municipal companies |
