“According to Section 17 of the Law on Local Governments, the Chair of the City Council is the highest political official in the municipality, and accordingly he does not have a higher official who could perform the functions of the employer referred to in Cabinet Regulation No. 969, so the Chairman himself decides on the departure on work trips,” said the conclusions of the inspection.
The examination concludes that Rīga Mayor's work trips have taken place in accordance with the applicable regulatory enactments. Similarly, employees of local government authorities and departments who prepared and harmonized the documentation of these missions have acted in accordance with their competence and the legal framework in force.
The inspection was carried out on the proposal of opposition deputy Viesturs Zeps (For Latvia's Development), mainly regarding Staķis' self-approved work trip to Tampere while the hockey championship was taking place. Staķis said he'd gone to Tampere on the invitation of Tampere's mayor.
The inspection report states that the Mayor of Riga is representing the municipality at the local and international level in accordance with the Law on Local Governments, and therefore his or her travel activities are related to the performance of their duties.
