Valletta council's remit

Ray Bondin's letter Exploitation Of Valletta (February 6) was an open attack on the local council, hitting straight at the administration of the council that is under my direct responsibility as executive secretary.

Dr Bondin has made serious accusations that cannot go unanswered, claiming that a degeneration of Valletta is happening, all because of the council.

I cannot see under which pretext Dr Bondin is writing, as in other letters he prides himself as a paladin of regeneration taking place in the same city. Maybe his letters are simply acts of self-praise.

It is unfair, unwarranted and spiteful to say that the council and other authorities (which he chooses not to list, typically singling out the council) are contributing to the degeneration of Valletta. This comment belittles nobody other than Dr Bondin himself.

The regeneration of Valletta and the protection of World Heritage sites does not come about with prima donnas lashing out at the other singers in an opera. It comes with collective efforts and shared responsibilities, to protect, conserve and regenerate Valletta as a dynamic and historic city.

Dr Bondin seems to assign the responsibility for the additional floors approved by Mepa to the council, and attacks in this direction. This is incorrect and unwarranted, for as a DCC member within Mepa and as a coordinator of the VRC, Dr Bondin should have better knowledge of the elementary issue that the local councils are not the deciding authority on building applications.

Dr Bondin may also be reminded that he piloted similar policies in the past and buildings for social housing in the same street he lives in had two floors added (something more than a washroom). Today, as a sign of positive demand, the same properties, once for social needs, are fetching thousands of liri for their owners.

As to the matter of health and safety in works, the Valletta local council issues crane permits in accordance with the law, and the enforcement of such is held by other authorities.

As to the signs coming up at night, may I remind Dr Bondin that all signs put up in Valletta have the approval of the relevant authority and we work coherently with the ADT and with all other authorities. The council has no mercenaries doing the alleged sinister jobs at night.

On filming issues in St Ursola Street and the surroundings, it must be stated that Valletta is a good setting for the film industry, and all filming and logistics are carried out in line with the Malta Film Commission and with the government policy to attract foreign direct investment to Malta, including to his street.

For the filming in January 2007, on the request of the council, a letter was sent to inform all residents of the possible inconvenience one month before filming. Dr Bondin may eventually write that he did not receive it, but that will surely be seen as a puerile reply.

Dr Bondin may re-accuse the council of shifting the buck for replying to his unethical accusation. But it must always be stated that the council can operate only within its competences as established by law, and cannot take up issues that do not fall under its remit.