Kirkop council's agenda

I assure Mr Francis Zammit (The Sunday Times, February 4) that I was not offended by his letter. On the contrary, I was pleased to supply him with some information about the good works carried out by Kirkop council.

Here is some more information.

The staff at the council offer their services from Monday to Friday (7.15 a.m. to 5 p.m.), Saturdays (7 a.m. to noon). The staff are open to meet Mr Zammit and look forward to explain their duties to him. However, if he finds no time to call at our office, he can contact us so that we may mail him the work we carry out at the office (this list was distributed at the last general public meeting).

The council considered and discussed the St Leonard Square project from every angle and thanks to the assistance of different experts from the Water Services Corporation, Enemalta, the Drainage Works Division and the Ministry of Infrastructure, we managed to replace the broken sewers and the water main pipes, which rusted and were losing precious water. Moreover, St Leonard Square became accessible and took on a rustic look that blends in the core of the village.

Kirkop council has been using the services and manpower of the Ministry of Infrastructure since 1999. Last year, the council was consistent in using the government workers, whose handiwork cost the council just 30 per cent. It is a symbiotic relationship which has worked very well in our locality. In fact, we are discussing other works with the department.

Mr Zammit was wrong to write "that the council seemed not to care that even the local police station was always closed". He must understand that security falls squarely on the Commissioner of Police. I can assure him that the council has excellent relations with the Commissioner and he backs our community.

Over the past 10 months, we have seen a stronger presence of police patrolling our streets both during the day and night by the CID, the mobile unit, the ALE section and the Vice Squad. The council is very grateful to the police. It is unfair to state that the police station is always closed. I have seen police, who even while they are on leave have come to meet residents to discuss their concerns.

Also, thanks to the experience, generosity and dedication of the highly qualified librarian, the number of residents using the library has risen. The librarian guides both pupils and parents in academic fields. The majority of Koppin using the library are very happy with the services.

Thanks to the council the volume of books has increased as we truly believe that books are an investment. This is one of the values that we treasure.

Mr Zammit also wrote that he does not have time to attend the council's meetings. He is very welcome to visit our office whenever he likes to obtain whatever information he requires. I will be happy to meet him and to discuss with him anything about the functions of Kirkop council.