Residents of the Vitebsk region will be asked about the planned consolidation of rural councils

In many districts of the region, public opinion is currently being surveyed regarding the planned consolidation of rural Soviets. As reported by the organizational and personnel management department of the regional executive committee, this concerns almost 20 administrative-territorial units that are intended to be merged with neighboring ones. For example, in the Miory district, there are plans to consolidate the Turkovsky rural Soviet by attaching the Nikolaevsky Soviet to it. Residents' opinions on this matter are accepted in writing at the rural executive committees and via email on the district executive committee's website until September 10. In Ushachy, they intend to reduce one of the currently existing seven administrative-territorial units. Until August 25, the Dubrovno district accepted proposals from villagers regarding the merger of the Klenovsky and Zarubsky rural Soviets with the center in Zaruby. In the Gorodok district, they are considering attaching the Gurkinsky rural Soviet to the Bychikha Soviet.

As explained, the prerequisites for the next reform of the administrative-territorial structure (the previous one was carried out in the Vitebsk region in 2004 and included the reduction of 55 rural Soviets) have developed over the past few years in connection with the improvement of management in various spheres of public life support. The proposed merger with the concentration of material and financial resources will allow for more prompt, targeted, and comprehensive resolution of issues related to the socio-economic development of territories. When forming these proposals, the forecast of population changes and the formation of the social service system were taken into account.

But before making a decision, the authorities want to know people's opinions.

Vera MURASHKINA, "Vitbichi"