Regional Association
Regional associations of Local Authorities in Iceland
Article 86 of the Local Government Act, No. 45/1998 contains a provision stating that local authorities may
establish regional associations of local authorities to work for the interests of the inhabitants in each region.
There are currently eight regional local authority associations in operation, to which all local authorities belong. In most cases, the regions covered by the associations correspond to the electoral constituencies. However, the Association of Local Authorities in the Metropolitan Area, SSH, covers both the City of Reykjavik and its neighbouring municipalities in the Reykjanes electoral constituency, while those municipalities that lie west of Hafnarfjoerdur are members of the Sudurnes Association of Local Authorities, SSS.
Many of the regional associations of local authorities were set up at the instigation of the Association of Local Authorities in Iceland.
The regional associations are free associations of the local authorities, each with a special manager and office. The Association of Local Authorities in Iceland and the regional associations have agreed on a specific division of labour so that the association handles relations with the government concerning legislation and matters concerning all local authorities, while the regional associations deal with regional issues. They co-operate closely: representatives of the association normally attend the annual general meetings of the regional associations, and under the association′s constitution the Regional Associations′ chairmen and managers have seats on the Association′s representative council and attend it′s congresses, where they have the right to address meetings and make proposals. Representatives of the Regional Associations and the committee of the Association hold regular meetings.