Mayors want more funding

Council mayors yesterday made a unanimous call for additional government funding at the end of a two-day conference organised by the Local Councils Association

The approval of two motions - one dealing with finance and the other with social function - showed the need for a serious evaluation of local councils' responsibilities and finances, Association president Michael Cohen told a news conference.

The finance motion was presented by Hamrun mayor Luciano Busuttil and Zejtun mayor Joe Attard.

There was also agreement to a motion tabled by Siggiewi mayor Robert Musumeci calling for the setting up of a committee composed of local councils to draw up a technical report on councils' financial situation.

The mayors and deputy mayors present also called on Government to allocate finances and human resources to enable local councils and government agencies to assist people with social problems as well as those living in poverty.

The chairman of the Foundation for Social Services, Joe Gerada, was among those who addressed the mayors.

The participants also discussed the way local councils could be proactive in case of an outbreak of the influenza pandemic.