The state is preparing changes in the functioning of building authorities

Prague - The state is preparing changes in the functioning of building authorities. The Ministry for Regional Development (MMR) proposes to take the relevant officials away from municipalities and make them state employees. This was stated today by Czech Television (ČT). At the same time, the state wants to establish a new Supreme Building Authority. Municipalities are against this.
     The change is supposed to improve the decision-making of officials and eliminate their dependence on mayors, according to the MMR. The Ministry argues that the state will provide officials with unified and better management. Moreover, the conflict of interest is said to disappear. "They (the officials) issue decisions on matters in which the municipality they are employed in is directly involved," said MMR Deputy Miroslav Kalous to the television.
     Municipalities reject the plan, stating that it is an attempt to reduce the number of building authorities. Behind the establishment of the Supreme Building Authority, mayors see an effort to save costs at the expense of the smallest municipalities.
     Currently, there are 695 building authorities operating in the Czech Republic, employing 4,000 people. With the change of the system, the state aims to save up to hundreds of millions annually, ČT reported. The MMR will submit the proposed changes to the government and then they will be assessed by lawmakers, it added.