MLP's vision statement on local councils

Labour leader Alfred Sant yesterday launched a draft vision statement on local councils in which his party suggested the revision of the local enforcement system and the legal prohibition of tax collecting by the councils, among other things.

Speaking at a press conference at MLP headquarters in Hamrun, Dr Sant explained how currently between 60 and 75 per cent of profits from local enforcement went to private companies.

This had to be revised so that local councils, which often faced financial problems, would be apportioned a bigger share of the profits, he said.

The draft also hinted that these private companies should be monitored by the government, and Dr Sant suggested the introduction of compensation in certain cases where a citizen was wrongly booked.

He added that local wardens should no longer be perceived as tax collectors, but as the public's guardians.

Dr Sant went on to explain that nowadays local councils were taking on more and more responsibilities from the government, which was why the councils needed more human and financial resources.

The draft vision statement was proposing the setting up of a Co-ordination Board in the Ministry of Infrastructure, imposing a value for money audit in all councils, and that operations reviews be carried out by the Department of Local Councils.

The draft proposes the introduction of an amendment to the law that would ensure that the local council would not collect any form of taxes.

It also suggests the establishing of a national committee, consisting of experts, who would help councils access EU funds more efficiently.

The draft also mentions the importance of the environment and education, and puts forward several other initiatives - such as the opening of social and day care centres, and the implementation of regional plans to ensure that the specific needs of each locality would be addressed.

In a statement issued in reaction to the press conference, the College of Nationalist local councillors said the Labour document 'lacked vision' as it was merely copying ideas which were already being carried out.

The Nationalist Party had already expressed its dissatisfaction with the way the local warden system was operating, and indeed its proposals were more radical than those made by the MLP.

The college accused the Labour Party of carrying out a policy of discrimination at the local council level, which it would then carry out at a national level if elected.