The decentralisation reform is determined as one of the key reforms in the draft Government Priority Action Plan for 2016. In the document, we set out specific steps to be taken over the year toward the decentralisation. So said Vice Prime Minister - Minister of Regional Development, Construction, and Housing and Communal Services of Ukraine Hennadii Zubko.

"Assistance and maximum support to voluntarily amalgamated territorial communities and division of powers between the bodies of local self-government and executive authorities comprise an important set of issues included in the plan.  Also, we clearly determined that still in the first half year we have to transfer powers to local self-government bodies in terms of disposal of lands outside the boundaries of settlements. And to optimise the number of land administrators and introduce a land use supervision mechanism", Hennadii Zubko noted.

In addition, the Vice Prime Minister noted that, within the year, long-term plans for the establishment of sustainable communities in Oblasts (regions) would be updated and approved, the matter of amalgamations within boundaries of several rayons (districts), as well as the matter of elections and activities of headmen would be settled.

"We plan to ensure that the powers pertaining to administrative services are transferred to the Administrative Services Centres by the year end. The point at issue is the issuance of Ukrainian citizen's passports, driving licences, the state registration of vehicles, as well as, introduction of social security services at the suggestion of the Minister of Social Policy. In addition, we have to improve and work out at the local level a mechanism of public control over the disposal of budgetary funds, communal property, and land resources", Hennadii Zubko noted.

Also, the Vice Prime Minister informed that, within the framework of division of powers between the bodies of local self-government and executive authorities on the subsidiary principle, it is required to set out clear standards for the provision of services in the area of education, health care, as well as social security, protection of public order, establishment of fire safety through their own subdivisions. "It is required to do so to ensure accessible and high-quality services to the residents of communities.  In particular, the task that faces us is to improve the method for calculations of government subsidies in the area of education and health care.  We have to form maps of pivotal schools and probable medical circuits on the basis of adopted long-term plans and approve a detailed list of mandatory free-of-charge services in the area of health care at the primary level", Hennadii Zubko emphasised.