Kuldīga Municipality Official Discusses Rural Management, School Buses and Empty School Buildings

Agnese Buka, deputy chief executive of Kuldīga Municipality in Latvia's Kurzeme region, who oversees the economic affairs of the municipality's rural parishes and the town of Skrunda, spoke in a podcast by the newspaper Kurzemnieks about parish administration, school transport and the future of unused school buildings. The conversation took place on 14 October. It shows how a merged municipality seeks a balance between costs and access to services for residents.

One manager for several parishes

Buka explained that the duties of parish managers have changed: water supply and housing management now fall under municipal companies, while the social service has become more specialised. The manager serves as residents' trusted point of contact. Where one manager covers several parishes, he or she is present one day a week in a very small parish and two days in others, and can be reached by phone and email every day. She acknowledged that working in two parishes is harder than in one and that workload must be balanced with pay. A manager recently left his post in Alsunga and Gudenieki; Buka attributed this to a human factor rather than to the difficulty of the parishes.

Cultural workers

The cultural work model is not yet complete. Two parishes, Padure and Pelči, are looking for a cultural worker. Previously one employee covered Ēdole, Īvande and Padure, but said the load was too heavy, so it was redistributed.

School transport

The municipality runs 17 school buses on 34 routes, carrying 900 children in the mornings and evenings. It tries to bring children as close to home as possible so parents are not worried about gravel roads. According to Buka, the September pupil numbers pleased her, and she did not name any school as currently at risk of closure.

Closed school buildings

The former Kabile school building is leased long-term by an entrepreneur who is creating a senior home and social care centre; renovation is already under way. In Ēdole, talks are being held with the active residents' community so the premises can be used by athletes, associations and businesses; heating is the main issue, and funds for it have been found.

Before the end of the year

Buka named launching heating systems, grading roads before winter and drafting next year's budget as priorities. New residents' councils will be formed in Īvande and Vārme. The municipality has 18 parishes, and some operate without a residents' council.