Strasbourg, 28th June, 1956
Sir,
T have the honour to inform you that the Deputies, at their 40th meeting, held from 8th to 16th June, 1956, examined point 5 of Recommendation 90 (1955) on the Budget of the Council of Europe, which is concerned with the European Prize.
For the current year, the Deputies decided to include in the Budget a supplementary estimate of 200,000 frs. to cover the incidental expenses already incurred. This estimate is the subject of the second paragraph of Resolution (56) 12 of the Committee of Ministers and is additional to t he sum of 250,000 frs. set aside for the actual prize, which already appears under Vote III, Sub-head 49 of the Budget for 1956.
The Deputies further decided that in succeeding years the value of the prize would be maintained at 250,000 frs. net. It was understood that the incidental expenses (travel and maintenance expenses for the mayor and mayoress, medal and diploma) would be borne by the Council but would be kept as low as possible.
I remain, Sir, Your obedient Servant,
Signed: Dunstan CURTIS Deputy Secretary-General
Strasbourg, 28th June, 1956
Sir,
I have the honour to inform you that the Deputies, at their 40th meeting, held from 8th to 16th June, 1956, approved in principle the holding of a conference at Strasbourg of representatives of national associations of the local authorities of member countries as proposed in Resolution 76 (1955) of the Consultative Assembly.
They decided to include for this purpose in the Budget for 1956 a supplement a r y estimate of 3,500,000 frs., to be appropriated by the Assembly as it may think fit. The decision to open this credit is made by point 1 of Resolution (56) 12 of the Committee of Ministers on the grant of supplement a r y credits in the 1956 budget. A copy of this Resolution is enclosed.
In the course of the discussion prior to the adoption of this Resolution, certain views were expressed which I was requested to bring to your notice :
The above-mentioned Resolution is concerned only with the holding of a single conference during the present year and is without prejudice to any decisions which may be taken in future when the problem as a whole is considered in the light of the results of this conference;
In view of their financial implications, i t would have been preferable for the provisions of Resolution 76 to have been presented by the Assembly in the form of a recommendation to the Committee of Ministers;
Certain delegations, while approving in principle the holding of such a conference, expressed the desire t h a t its agenda be confined to questions concerned with local and regional interests in t h e context of European construction.
I remain, Sir, Your obedient Servant,
Your obedient Servant, Signed : Dunstan CURTIS Deputy Secretary-General
The Committee of Ministers, Having regard to Resolution (55) 27 of 17th November, 1955, approving the Council Budget for the Financial Year 1956;
Having regard to Article 5, paragraph 2, of the Financial Regulations;
Considering that following the decisions taken on the questions under points 7 (d), 8 (a) and 33 of the Agenda of the 40th meeting of the Deputies (8th to 16th June, 1956), supplementary credits should be opened in the Budget for the Financial Year 1956,
Resolves :
That the Budget Estimates of the Financial Year 1956 be increased by the following amount :
1. Vote II — Expenditure relating to the Consultative Assembly
Head VI (a) (new) — Functional activities
Sub-Head 40 (b) (new) — Conference of representatives of the national associations of local authorities - 3,500,000
2. Vote III — Functional expenditure
Head X — Other functional expenditure.
Sub-Head 49 — European Prize - 200,000