Local government institute today (according to the poll of heads of municipal entities in the Vologda oblast)

The local government institute in Russia is in the process of constant reforming. Starting January 1, 2009 (in the Vologda Oblast and in other territorial entities of the RF - starting January 1, 2006) the Federal Law №131-FZ “On general principles for the organization of local government in the Russian Federation” came into full force and effect on the whole territory of Russia. In 2007 the Institute of Socio-Economic Development of Territories of the RAS started the unique monitoring investigation for Russia - the poll of heads of municipal entities (municipal areas, urban districts, urban and rural settlements) of the Vologda Oblast on investigating conditions, results of reforming and problems concerning the local government performance in the region. In August, 2014 the Institute of Socio-Economic Development of Territories of the RAS received the results of the latest (eighth) poll of heads. The article presents the analysis of estimates done by the heads of municipal entities regarding the results of local government reform, the opportunities of local government bodies on administrating the relevant spheres of municipal development, the main factors (problems), restraining the effective administration of municipalities, etc. The author makes the analysis of estimates according to the level of socio-economic development of the municipality and due to the record of work of the respondent in the local government bodies. The article describes the main actions taken by the government authorities of the Vologda Oblast in order to develop municipalities and local government in 2012 - 2014, and their generalized estimate of the heads of municipal entities. In conclusion the author summarizes the changes in this sphere initiated by the federal authorities in 2014.