Starostwo

Starostwo is a term used in Poland to refer to a unit of local government. It is the basic administrative unit of a powiat, which is a county-level administrative division. The starostwo is headed by a starosta, who is the elected head of the powiat. The starostwo is responsible for carrying out the tasks assigned to the powiat by the law and the powiat council. These tasks often include public services such as education, healthcare, road maintenance, and public safety.

The structure of a starostwo typically includes a starosta, a deputy starosta, and a board of powiat. The powiat council, elected by the residents of the powiat, is the legislative body and oversees the work of the starostwo. The starostwo's administration is composed of various departments or offices, each responsible for a specific area of public administration. For example, there might be departments for education, social services, infrastructure, and environmental protection.

The authority and responsibilities of a starostwo are defined by Polish law, primarily the Act on Poviat Self-Government. It serves as the executive arm of the powiat, implementing the decisions of the powiat council and managing the day-to-day affairs of the county. Starostwos play a crucial role in providing public services at the local level, bridging the gap between national government policies and the needs of citizens within a specific geographical area. The administrative seat of the starostwo is usually located in the largest town or city within the powiat, known as the powiat capital.