The Committee of Ministers has adopted a Recommendation on democratic accountability of elected representatives and elected bodies at local and regional level. Prepared by the European Committee on Democratic Governance (CDDG), the Recommendation aims at creating the conditions and culture for an effective accountability framework for elected representatives and elected bodies at the local and regional level, where:
- decision makers take responsibility for their decisions;
- those decisions are reported on, explained, examined and, where appropriate, questioned or sanctioned;
- there are effective and proportionate remedies for inappropriate decisions or omissions and any resulting actions or inactions.
It also sets out principles of accountability, provides guidelines on an effective accountability framework and also includes a section on consequences to be drawn by stakeholders and other bodies from the performance and/or conduct of those providing an account of their action. There is an increasing desire by citizens to have a say in the management and scrutiny of public affairs. A developed system and culture of accountability of elected representatives and elected bodies at local and regional level can bring many benefits, especially regarding the promotion of good governance, democracy, high standards of public ethics, trust in public institutions, and a healthy economic and social environment.
