Law No. (10) of 2006
Concerning the Municipality and Municipal Council of the Western Region in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi
We, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler of Abu Dhabi,
- - Having reviewed Law No. (1) of 1974 on the Reorganization of the Governmental Apparatus in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and its amendments,
- - And Law No. (2) of 1971 Concerning the National Consultative Council and its amendments,
- - And Law No. (2) of 1990 Concerning Municipal Councils,
- - And Law No. (2) of 2000 Concerning Civil Pensions and Gratuities in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and its amendments,
- - And Law No. (6) of 2004 on the Reorganization of the Financial Audit Authority,
- - And Law No. (1) of 2006 Concerning Civil Service in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi,
- - And based on what was presented to the Executive Council and its approval,
Have issued the following Law:
Part One
On
Definitions
Article (1)
The following words and phrases shall have the meanings assigned to each of them, unless the context indicates otherwise:
| The Emirate |
: |
The Emirate of Abu Dhabi. |
| The Municipality |
: |
The Municipality of the Western Region in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. |
| The Council |
: |
The Municipal Council of the Western Region. |
| The Director-General |
: |
The Director-General of the Municipality. |
| The Region |
: |
The Western Region. |
Part Two
On
The Municipality of the Western Region
Article (2)
A special municipality shall be established in the Western Region of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, to be named (the Municipality of the Western Region), having an independent legal personality and full legal capacity within the limits of its purposes, and it shall be affiliated with the Department of Municipalities and Agriculture.
Article (3)
The main headquarters of the Municipality shall be in (Zayed City) in the Western Region of the Emirate, and it shall conduct its activities within the same region.
Article (4)
All assets, properties, and holdings of the Department of Municipalities and Agriculture designated for the Region shall be transferred to the Municipality, in accordance with a plan to be developed in cooperation and coordination with the Department of Municipalities and Agriculture. The said plan must be completed within three months from the effective date of this Law, and the assets subject to the plan shall be transferred to the Municipality within a period not exceeding twelve months from the date of the plan's completion.
Part Three
On
The Municipality's Resources and Administrative System
Article (5)
The resources of the Municipality shall consist of the following:
- Annual appropriations decided by the Government of Abu Dhabi.
- Real estate and movable properties that devolve to the Municipality by any means of acquiring ownership.
- Approved service and license fees, and any revenues from dispositions or from financially rewarding contracts it concludes.
- Revenues from the sale of its real or movable properties, or their disposal by any legal means, after the approval of the Executive Council with respect to real properties.
- Revenues from the management of its assets and holdings, either directly or through third parties.
- Donations, gifts, and bequests of all kinds approved by the Council.
Article (6)
The Municipality shall be managed by an administrative body composed of a number of specialized departments and sections according to the organizational structure approved by the Council, headed by the Director-General of the Municipality.
The body shall be responsible for providing the Municipality's services to the people of the Region, and for implementing the decisions of the Municipal Council and all internal regulations issued by it.
Article (7)
The appointment of the Director-General shall be made by a decision of the Council. The decision shall specify his powers and allowances, in accordance with the regulations and decisions issued by the Council pursuant to the provisions of this Law.
Article (8)
The Director-General shall submit to the Council the final accounts of the Municipality and the annual report on its activities within a maximum of two months from the end of the Municipality's fiscal year. He shall also submit all financial reports and data to the Council whenever requested.
Article (9)
The Director-General shall exercise his powers for a term of two years, renewable for a similar term or terms, with the approval of the Council.
Part Four
On
The Municipal Council
Article (10)
The Region shall have a Municipal Council composed of sixteen members, including the Chairman, who shall be selected from citizens of the Region known for their competence, experience, and good reputation. A decision for their appointment and the determination of their remuneration shall be issued by the Executive Council. They may not be reappointed for more than three consecutive terms.
In appointing the members of the Council, it shall be ensured that at least six of them are residents of the following cities/areas: Zayed City, Mirfa, Liwa, Sila, Ghayathi, and Dalma.
Article (11)
The term of membership in the Council shall be two calendar years, starting from the date of appointment. The Chairman of the Council shall call the members for the first constituent meeting within thirty days from the date of their appointment.
Article (12)
The Chairman and members of the Council, before assuming their duties, shall take the following oath before the Chairman of the Executive Council:
(I swear by Almighty God to respect the law, to protect the public interest, and to perform my duties with integrity and honesty).
Article (13)
The internal regulations of the Council shall specify the manner of its meetings and the method of voting on its decisions.
Article (14)
The Chairman of the Department of Municipalities and Agriculture shall receive the annual reports on the Council's work, in order to submit them to the Executive Council, accompanied by his assessment of the Chairman and members of the Council, and its achievements.
He shall also be responsible for presenting all its affairs and requirements to the Executive Council.
Article (15)
Membership of the Council shall be forfeited for one of the following reasons:
- Death.
- a- Resignation, from the date of its acceptance.
- b- Absence from meetings for consecutive or separate periods specified by the internal regulations of the Council.
- c- Conviction by a final judgment for a crime affecting honor or integrity, or a custodial sentence of not less than six months.
- d- Relief from his duties by a decision of the Executive Council.
- e- In all cases, if a membership becomes vacant for any reason, the Executive Council shall appoint someone to complete the membership until the end of the Council's term.
Part Five
On
The Council's Objectives and Powers
Article (16)
The Council shall be responsible for all matters that would raise the level of service provision in the Region, determining the method for the Municipality to carry out its work, and supporting it in that regard. It shall also work to activate the role of members of local civil society organizations in advancing the infrastructure and services of the Region. In particular, it shall have the following powers:
- Proposing draft laws related to its competencies.
- Approving plans, projects, and budgets submitted by the permanent committees.
- Appointing members of the permanent committees, defining their powers, and monitoring their work.
- Defining the competencies and tasks of administrative staff.
- Setting performance evaluation standards for the Municipality's tasks, and monitoring the level of implementation of plans and completion of projects.
- Representing the citizens of the Region, and activating their role in preparing public policies for the Region and making decisions concerning them.
- Any other tasks assigned to it by the Executive Council.
Article (17)
-
In order to implement and achieve its tasks and objectives, the Council may form the following specialized permanent committees:
- - The Executive Committee.
- - The Audit Committee.
- - The Committee for City and Suburban Services.
- - The Committee for Public Works and Infrastructure.
- - The Committee for Licensing and Urban Planning.
- Each committee shall be formed of four or five members of the Council, in accordance with the internal regulations of the Municipality. All members of the Council must participate in the committees, with a maximum of two committees per member.
- The internal regulations of the Council shall determine the powers, tasks, and mechanism for organizing the work of the permanent committees, holding their meetings, and appointing their members.
Part Six
On
Powers of the Chairman of the Municipal Council
Article (18)
The Chairman of the Council shall have the following powers:
- Chairing the meetings of the Council without the right to vote on its decisions, except in the case of a tie, in which case his opinion shall prevail.
- Chairing the meetings of the Executive Committee, participating in its work, and voting on its decisions in accordance with the provisions of the Council's internal regulations.
- Representing the Council at various official and private events.
Part Seven
On
Final Provisions
Article (19)
The Municipality shall have an independent budget, which the Council shall submit, along with its supporting documents, to the Chairman of the Department of Municipalities and Agriculture, to be presented to the Executive Council for approval.
Article (20)
The fiscal year of the Municipality shall begin on the first of January and end on the last of December of each year, except for the first fiscal year, which shall begin on the date this Law comes into force and end on the last of December of the following year.
Article (21)
The Council shall designate one or more national banks operating in the Emirate for depositing the Municipality's appropriations and funds. The financial and administrative regulations of the Municipality shall specify the rules for deposit and disbursement, and the system of advances, their types, and amounts.
Article (22)
The Council shall appoint one or more auditors to review and audit the accounts of the Municipality and shall determine their remuneration.
Article (23)
The employees and staff of the Municipality shall be subject to the Civil Service Law, and the Law on Civil Pensions and Gratuities for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi shall apply to citizen employees.
Article (24)
The Municipality and its affiliated or owned establishments shall be exempt from all local taxes and fees.
Article (25)
The Municipality shall be excluded from the scope of application of the provisions of Law No. (2) of 1990 Concerning Municipal Councils in the Emirate.
Article (26)
- The Council shall issue the internal regulations, bylaws, and decisions necessary for the implementation of the provisions of this Law.
- The Council shall propose a special system for tenders, auctions, and procurements for the Municipality, and shall present it to the Executive Council for approval.
Article (27)
This Law shall be published in the Official Gazette and shall come into force from the date of its issuance.
Issued by us in Abu Dhabi:
Date: 10 May 2006
Corresponding to: 12 Rabi' al-Thani 1427 H
Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Ruler of Abu Dhabi