STRUCTURE

STRUCTURE

The project is currently structured in two phases. In the first phase (starting in January 2024, lasting a minimum of 12 months), the contributors reflect and develop a common, principled understanding of essential concepts in the management of local authorities in financial distress. These concepts are: (i) financial distress; (ii) local authority; (iii) local stakeholders; (iv) local accountability; and (v) public interest. The contributors have been allocated to different working groups (WGs) based on their experience and research preferences. Each of the principal investigators in the project leads or co-leads one WG.

The second phase (January 2025 onwards) involves a more structured process designed at unpacking the specific issues faced by the management of financially distressed local authorities. The list of these issues will be published towards the end of 2024, and will be drafted in consultation with the contributors, the advisory board and the independent experts of this network. Provisional research questions include:

  1. What principles should inform local governance?
  2. What principles should inform the treatment of financially distressed local authorities?
  3. What is the medium-to-long term impact of budgetary decisions taken by local authorities on local citizens?
  4. What are the financial implications of the “insolvency” of a local entity?

WORKING GROUPS

RPAFD is organized in various working groups (WGs) dealing with specific topics that are relevant for developing a more informed understanding and a principled approach to the treatment of local authorities in financial distress. The WGs are comprised of team members / contributors involved in its projects, which are co-ordinated by one or more principal investigators.

Currently, RPAFD is structured in the following WGs:

  • WG1 – Financial Distress, co-led by Prof Emanuele Padovani and Dr Eugenio Vaccari. 
  • WG2 – Local Authority, led by Prof Laura N Coordes.
  • WG3 – Local Stakeholders, led by Prof Geo Quinot.
  • WG4 – Local Accountability, co-led by Dr André Lino and Prof Emanuele Padovani.
  • WG5 – Public Interest, co-led by Prof Yseult Marique and Prof Geo Quinot.