Latgale Planning Region is a derived public person that has been established in accordance with the Regional Development Law and its activity has been financed from the state principal budget. Latgale Planning Region has been founded in August 2006 with the aim to ensure the planning and co-ordination of regional development, and co-operation between local government and other state administrative institutions. In June 2006 Saeima of the Republic of Latvia has adopted the amendments to the „Regional Development Law” (in force from 01.08.2006) and granted a legal status to the planning regions. Latgale Planning Region is one of the five planning regions in Latvia. Latgale Planning Region acts under the supervision of the Ministry of Regional Development and Local Government in accordance with Regional Development Law, Territorial Development Planning Law, Latgale Planning Region Regulations and other laws and regulations in force.

The territory of Latgale Planning Region:

• 6 regions (Balvi, Daugavpils, Kraslava, Ludza, Preili and Rezekne);
• 2 cities of the republican significance (Daugavpils and Rezekne);
• Total 14 547 sq. km (or 22.52% of Latvia total territory) and includes 145 local governments.

Number of Latgale Planning Region inhabitants:

• 394 058 (or 16% of the total number of inhabitants in the state).

Latgale Planning Region Development Council (LPRDC):

• During the general assembly of the local government chairpersons there shall be elected a collegiate body, as well as the decision-making body of Latgale Planning Region, comprised by 16 Latgale local government chairpersons and deputies, represented by: 2 deputies from Rezekne and Daugavpils cities (nominated by city councils) and 2 deputies from each district (nominated by district councils).

Main functions of Latgale Planning Region Development Council (LPRDC):

• long-term development planning of the region;
• coordination of planning region development;
• elaboration and implementation of regional development programme and spatial plan of the region;
• evaluation of local government spatial planning and development programmes;
• promotion of the cooperation of local governments and planning region with the national level institutions.
• evaluation of national document conformity with the programme and spatial planning of the planning region;
• other functions determined by the laws and regulations.

Latgale Planning Region Development Council (LPRDC):

• represents the opinion and interests of Latgale local governments;
• organizes and manages the elaboration and implementation of the long-term development plan and strategy;
• Represents the interests of Latgale Planning Region on the political level.

Functions of Latgale Planning Region:

• Elaboration of Latgale Region Planning documents (spatial planning, development programmes, etc.);
• Coordination of planning documents on the regional and national level;
• Ensuring of cooperation between Latgale local governments and state institutions in the issues of regional development;
• Defence of Latgale region interests on the state level.

Latgale Planning Region organisational structure (see the chart “Latgale Planning Region organisational structure” attached)

• Latgale Planning Region Development Council - decision-making body;
• Latgale Planning Region Administration – executive body;
• Cooperation Committee – ensures the cooperation of the region with the Ministries;

Latgale Planning Region Management:

• Chairman of Latgale Planning Region Development Council - Andris Vaivods
• Deputy Chairman of Latgale Planning Region Development Council - Andris Baduns
• Administrative Manager of Latgale Planning Region - Iveta Malina-Tabune

Contact details of Latgale Planning Region:

• 95 Atbrīvošanas aleja, Rēzekne, LV – 4600, LATVIA, phone/fax +371 64624300
• 11 Tirgoņu Street, Rīga, LV – 1050, LATVIA, phone/fax +371 67224044
• 3 Domes Street, Līvāni, LV – 5316, LATVIA, phone/fax +371 65307808
• 15 Saules Street, Daugavpils, LV-5401, LATVIA, phone/fax: +371 65428111
• 1a Bērzpils Street, Balvi, LV-4500, LATVIA, phone/fax: +371 64522935

Home page in the Internet: www.latgale.lv

E-mail: latgale@latgale.lv