Local councils say their term is too short
Persistent calls are being made for the term of local councils to be extended to four years or five from the current three, the Parliamentary Secretary for Public Consultation, Chris Said, said today.
He was speaking at a press conference on the consultation process currently under way on the reform of local government.
He said all 19 local councils he has met so far had argued that three years was too short a term to plan and get things done. He said it was a view which he, as a former Mayor (of Nadur) shared.
Dr Said said several councils had also called for the funding formula to be reviewed, especially in the case of councils which have a heavy influx of non-residents during the day, such as Valletta.
It was also proposed that the government, through the Local Councils Department, should facilitate access by local councils to EU funds.
Dr Said said it was hoped that legislation on reforming local councils would be presented to Parliament late this year or in early 2009.
By that time he intends to meet all local councils, constituted bodies and NGOs and is also holding meetings with the public.
Dr Said said other suggestions included ways how neighbouring councils could work together on a regional basis. Some councils said they, not the government, should be responsible for the cleanliness of arterial roads which have residents. Others called for a special fund for major projects handled by the councils.
There were no calls for a reduction of the number of councils. Indeed, some calls were made for their number to be increased, since each locality had its own identity, Dr Said said.
Further information can be found www.kunsillilokali2015.gov.mt and suggestions can be made on kunsillilokali2015@gov.mt or freephone 80072340.
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marcel dingli
Jul 6th 2008, 04:15
even 25 local councils are too much.
Saviour Aquilina
Jul 5th 2008, 19:46
I would say that 5 years are about right. I would also add that the pitiful funds which are allocated to the Councils at present should be increased.
It would also make sense for some sort of Regional Authority that would oversee major work that entails the co-operation of more than one Council.
Also time that the question of Council Tax is brought into the open for discussion,no matter how unpalatable that might be to many (including yours truly).
One doesn't have to be a genius to realize that this idea has been on the cards since Councils were first brought about surely?
Alfred Camilleri
Jul 5th 2008, 18:52
Definitely, Local Councils should not be increased. I think for councils to work better, they should be reduced to 25/30 in the whole country.
Traffic matters, like one-way streets, road ramps (we have millions of them), etc. should be left in the hands of experts in the field, appointed to a centralized board, like ADT or the old Traffic Control Board. As matters stand now, we have elected councillors given charge of such jobs and other unrelated ones, on the strength of their popularity in the locality and not on their qualifications. I am sure that we have had councillors who have never driven a car, draw up plans for one-way streets, sprinkling their localities with 'sleeping policemen' wherever it took their fancy.
Incidentally, the Minister of Finance, Mr T. Fenech, for whom I have the greatest respect, was reported to observe that these road ramps are costing motorists and the taxpayer in general, a lot of unnecessary expenses. See to this matter, Mr Fenech and get these ramps removed from our roads. I am sure most motorists would be grateful if this measure is taken and we would stop from making ourselves the laughing stock of Europe.
J. Agius
Jul 5th 2008, 18:44
Irrespective of the life duration of a Council's term, accent should be made on the many irregularities committed by different Councils who use taxpayers money for propaganda rather than the common good. Why should money be spent on certain band clubs, with the excuse that the activity is jointly organised between them and the local council? Why are private entities or statues, or sport facilities being maintained by Councils when the public has more priorities to be look for, such as new surfaced to roads?
Mayors should not be allowed to chair a Council more than two consecutive terms. This would allow for fresh air and not dominance by one village sector over a minority in the community. No payment should be made to councillors as this would attract those who have in interest in Mammona rather than the common good.
Prior consent from the department should be sought every time money is being spent on matters which are not devolved to the Council in order to ascertain that money is being spent on matter for the common good.
A Grech
Jul 5th 2008, 18:03
Local councils used to be out of the political parties (where they???) - Today, even band clubs seem to have some association with one of the main political parties.
My wife doesn't buy Blue cheese and Edam cheese because its skin is Red, for fear of introducing politics during dinner :))
Maltese mix politics even with their minestra.
L Galea
Jul 5th 2008, 17:01
How about changing the funding so that at least a part of the Local Councils income would be bases on the amount of TAX, both income tax and VAT paid by the persons in the locality?
As regards iNCOME TAX it is easy to calculate how much is paid collectively by the residents in a particular locality.
As regards VAT it is rather easy though not 100% accurate due to the lack of issuing receipts by some outlets.
At least, this may lead to more enforcement on issuing VAT receipts as people start asking for them since the income of their locality would depend to a certain extent on the amount of VAT paid.
In my opinion, an influx of people during the day is no excuse to get more money, except through the amount of VAT paid by outlets in the locality which would automatically increase through more sales.
An income based on TAX payments would benefit those localities whose residents are more honest.
Silvan Spagnol
Jul 5th 2008, 16:52
What about increasing their term to 5 years and holding the local elections with the MEP elections? This would enable the local council to plan for long-term projects, prevent the country from getting into an electoral mood every single year, increase the turnout in both elections and possibly save money!
Charles Camilleri
Jul 5th 2008, 16:17
Chris Said should take more care about what the residents of the locality say than what the councils say. Reading the auditors' report should be an eye opener for Said to understand the magnitude of abuses by the councils especially the Mayor that have been allowed to go unchallenged. Councils' rules should be made rigid enough that would rule out any abuses. The Mayor who often acts as a Dictator even with councilors of his own party should be brought to book if he breaks the regulations. So far the local councils have served nothing except to squander our hard earned money. Anything worthy is always done through the central Government. Our local councils are just an additional to our local clubs. No more No less.
A Grech
Jul 5th 2008, 15:22
The term for local councils should be extended to 4 years and the term for the central government should be reduced to four years.
Perhaps the elections can be combined to save some money to the tax payers.
J. Borg
Jul 5th 2008, 15:13
Get political parties out of the Local Councils