PROVIDING UTILITY SERVICES AS PUBLIC SERVICES

The author analyses utility services from their first appearance in towns and cities to the activities considered to be utility services today. The importance of utility services as public services is compared with the importance of services of general interest in EC law. The performance of utility services in Croatia partially rests on the common principles of performing services of general interest in the EU equality of access, continuity, security, quality of services, efficiency, affordability, transparency, protection of users and consumers and the environment, and participation of citizens. The role of public authorities in the performance of services of general interest in EC law and utility services in Croatia has been analysed. The role includes general regulation (the principles of performing utility services, the conditions for their performance, obligatory utility services, the system of financing utility services and construction of utility facilities and communal infrastructure, responsibility for the performance of utility services); supervision of utility services; and monitoring and evaluation of effects in utility field. Certain amendments to the existing regulations in this important field have been suggested with the purpose of improving the system of utility services in the Republic of Croatia.