The mega-decree for simplification for local authorities has passed its first stage

The three texts comprising this mega-decree were examined on January 8, 2026, by the National Council for the Evaluation of Standards (CNEN), which issued a favorable opinion. Most of the observations from associations of elected officials will be taken into account. As a reminder, the CNEN is an advisory body composed primarily of representatives of local authorities.

A mega-decree to simplify local public action

The proposed mega-decree is actually composed of a decree issued by the Council of State, a simple decree, and an order containing various measures to simplify local public action and the standards applicable to local authorities and their groupings. It amends several codes, including the General Code of Local Authorities, the Town Planning Code, the Public Procurement Code, and the Environment Code. These measures stem from the "Simplification Initiative," launched in 2025 by the Ministry of Territorial Development and Decentralization, and from consultations with the prefectoral network and associations of local elected officials, who submitted more than 650 simplification proposals. These measures are largely applicable immediately and aim to facilitate the work of elected officials and local government departments.

Additional measures

Other simplification measures were also published at the end of 2025, including two decrees relating to public procurement, raising the thresholds for public contracts, simplifying certain procedures, and removing obstacles for public buyers. At the end of the year, the National Energy Efficiency Council (CNEN) was consulted on specific provisions concerning the elimination of the requirement to drain public swimming pools and the postponement by three years of the obligations to bring local authority buildings up to energy efficiency standards. These measures, representing nearly one billion euros in investments, were initially scheduled before 2027 due to France's over-implementation of a European directive. The Prime Minister's commitments to mayors have therefore been fulfilled.

Next steps

The mega-decree will now be submitted to the Council of State for review before its planned publication in February 2026. This step marks a new concrete advance in the project to simplify local public action led by the Government in service of local authorities and local project promoters.

Illustrative image of the article via Depositphotos.com.