There should be no “white spots” – territories, not included in the perspective plans for the formation of hromadas’ territories – on the map of each oblast of Ukraine. Oblast state administrations should deal with this issue in a responsible way, since they are in charge of implementation of the tasks of the reform of local self-government and territorial organisation of powers in the regions, said Vyacheslav Nehoda, First Deputy Minister of Regional Development, Construction, Housing and Communal Services, at the meeting with the representatives of the Cherkasy and Sumy Oblast State Administrations, MPs of Ukraine, LGDCs and certain local self-government bodies from these oblasts.

The purpose is to discuss problematic issues in the preparation of perspective plans for the formation of hromadas’ territories. The Cherkasy and Sumy Oblasts remain among those oblasts, that have not yet approved these documents as the ones, covering the whole territory of the oblast.

During the meetings, the participants discussed all possible variants of configurations of the future AHs, regarding which the oblast state administrations have not yet found a solution.

“Every proposed option for the establishment of an amalgamated hromada deserves attention. However, only a feasible one should enter the perspective plan, that is, one that proves that the future hromada will truly be able to address local issues. Oblast state administrations should hold additional consultations on these territories with the public, local authorities, explain the risks of formation of AHs, which calculations show their incapability in future. The principle of voluntary amalgamation into one hromada has not been canceled – hromadas will do as they want. However, local administrations are responsible for proposing real, economically feasible amalgamation options, and submitting them for consideration at sessions of oblast councils. There can be no reason for delays in the preparation of perspective plans, covering 100% of the region’s territory. And this applies to all oblasts that have not yet done this,” said Vyacheslav Nehoda.