Local council replies to contractor's claims

The Paola local council yesterday said it had terminated a contract with Leli & Son and decided not to consider any of its tenders in the future because the council did not wish to work with its director Emmanuel Spiteri.

The council said it had taken its decision in view of the defamatory, arrogant and violent behaviour by Spiteri vis-a-vis the council itself and its secretary over which criminal proceedings were pending.

The council filed a reply in the Civil Court in reaction to Spiteri's judicial protest in which he claimed the council had unjustly terminated a contract for the manufacture of labels and traffic signs.

The council declared it was not bound at law to select the cheapest offer and was entitled to refuse any tender document without specifying the reason.

A tender submitted by Spiteri had not satisfied the stipulated requisites, it added.

The council added it had terminated all the contracts that Spiteri had with it after giving a valid reason.

In terms of the general conditions applicable to contractual services, the council was entitled to terminate any contract provided it gave one month notice to the contractor.

The council said it had written to Spiteri a number of times requesting him to regularise his position insofar as bank guarantees went. But Spiteri had failed to comply with its request.

The council's decision to terminate Spiteri's contract had been taken unanimously as a result of Spiteri's behaviour.

The council had then unanimously decided not to consider any further tenders submitted by Spiteri on the grounds that the council had no desire to work with him again.

Dr Luciano Busuttil signed the reply.