‘Local Authorities at Breaking Point’ Day of Action –

We're in!

Cities, districts and local authorities highlight their dire financial situation

The town of Beckum is taking part in the ‘Local Authorities at Their Limit’ campaign day

On 22 June, the town of Beckum will be taking part in the nationwide day of action ‘Kommunen am Limit’ organised by towns, districts and local authorities to draw attention to the dire financial situation facing local authorities. Posters at municipal facilities are already publicising the day of action.

Mayor Michael Gerdhenrich and City Treasurer Thomas Wulf have announced further high-profile campaigns: “For years, we have been calling for adequate funding to cover the responsibilities imposed on us by the federal and state governments. It is therefore important to send a united message nationwide so that action is finally taken to address this issue.”

The three leading local government associations – the German Association of Cities, the German Association of Districts and the German Association of Towns and Municipalities – are jointly calling for this day of action and urging the federal and state governments to finally take decisive action and implement effective measures to address the financial crisis facing local authorities.

Virtually all towns and local authorities are facing a historic financial crisis, though they did not bring it upon themselves. The federal and state governments set out the responsibilities but do not ensure sufficient long-term funding. For local residents, the financial difficulties facing local authorities are directly felt, as they affect many services such as the maintenance of schools, libraries, swimming pools, cultural and sporting facilities, and economic development.

“The local government financial crisis is not an abstract concept. Its effects are very real and can be felt on the ground. The federal and state governments must take action to ensure that local authorities remain able to act on behalf of their citizens,” agree mayors and treasurers, together with the leading local government associations.

Local authorities at breaking point: council groups stand united behind the campaign

The town of Beckum is taking part in the nationwide day of action ‘Local Authorities at Breaking Point’. Across Germany, mayors, district administrators and councillors are drawing attention to a dramatic development: the financial capacity of local authorities to act is increasingly under threat.

In Beckum, too, all council groups support the campaign and are jointly calling on the federal and state governments to finally resolve the growing funding backlog. “The strained situation does not stop at Beckum’s borders. Our municipal budget is now also recording record deficits,” the council states. Whilst the responsibilities and expectations placed on local authorities are constantly increasing, funding is lagging significantly behind. “Whoever commissions a service must also pay for it” – on this point, all parties on the council, Mayor Michael Gerdhenrich and the leading local government associations are in agreement. The sharp rise in social expenditure, the scope and standards of which are dictated by the federal and state governments, is placing a particular strain on local authorities.

The German Association of Cities, the German Association of Districts and the German Association of Towns and Municipalities had jointly called for a day of action on 22 June. Numerous local authorities across the country are responding to this call with creative initiatives.

In Beckum, banners and posters at municipal buildings, as well as posts on social media, have been drawing attention to the campaign for several days. Just in time for the day of action, the town hall was symbolically closed for a few minutes shortly before 12 noon on Monday to highlight the precarious situation.

Further news:

The town of Beckum is also publicising the campaign through posts on its social media channels:

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