Council of Cities: Key decisions for Brandenburg's future!

Council of Cities: Key decisions for Brandenburg's future!

An exciting meeting took place on Monday in the town hall of the city of Brandenburg an der Havel Brandenburg Association of Cities and Municipalities (StGB). At this meeting, the Presidium and the State Committee came together to discuss various important issues affecting local self-government.

The Association of Cities and Municipalities is a voluntary association of Brandenburg cities, municipalities, offices and association municipalities. It currently brings together 138 district-free cities, 50 offices and four independent cities and plays a central role in the country's political landscape. Sits down loudly stadt-brandenburg.de is committed to promoting the idea of ​​self-government, the StGB also sees itself as a guardian of the right to local self-government. According to Article 97 paragraph 4 of the state constitution, the municipalities and municipal associations must be consulted before the adoption of laws or legal regulations that affect them.

Education and infrastructure issues in focus

A central topic of the conference was the discussion of a position paper that advocates the preservation of all-day schools. The StGB appealed to the state government to ensure legal certainty and the necessary financing for these schools. In particular, the importance of financial support for the education system was highlighted, which is essential for the future of children in Brandenburg.

In addition, the new state and local infrastructure financing law was discussed, which is intended to enable the renovation of schools, daycare centers and the modernization of transport routes and energy infrastructure. Around 250 million euros flow into the state of Brandenburg every year, with a large portion destined for the municipalities. This shows that the right investment in infrastructure is at the top of the agenda.

Environmental protection and asylum policy

But not only education and infrastructure were on the agenda: the old landscape protection areas were also discussed. Kerstin Hoppe, the first vice president of the StGB, called for a reassessment of the boundaries of these areas, which are now too close to residential areas to allow the construction of new houses.

Another important point was the state reception law. This involves expanding the initial reception facilities for refugees and extending the length of accommodation in the initial reception from the current 18 to 24 months. Refugees with no prospects of staying should be transferred from the initial reception to the state reception facility. The legislative process is already underway and a debate in the state parliament is expected after the summer break.

The founding of the StGB is in the historical context of local self-government, which began in Prussia in 1808 and has repeatedly come under pressure throughout history. Local self-government experienced various setbacks, especially after the National Socialist dictatorship and the GDR era. It was only the constitution for the state of Brandenburg from 1992 that officially secured self-government again, and the latest local constitution from 2007 ensures the necessary changes and adjustments to this day, as shown on political-education-brandenburg.de can be read.

The StGB therefore remains an important factor in securing rights and opportunities for municipalities, and the current discussions give hope for a committed future for Brandenburg's cities and communities.