Local council still without executive secretary

The Birżebbuġa local council is continuing to work behind closed doors, although a secretary was provided to the council to enable it to issue cheques and pay its employees, mayor Joe Farrugia said yesterday.

The council closed its doors on Monday in protest over delays by the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) to authorise the engagement of a new executive secretary.

In a statement last Friday, the OPM said the Local Councils Department was still awaiting a letter of reference to confirm that a person nominated by the council was suitably qualified, in terms of the law.

The council insists it sent such a letter two months ago, and the department approved the nomination and passed it on to the OPM.

The council said it appeared that the appointment of the executive secretary would take some time because Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Parliamentary Secretary Chris Said are away, Mr Farrugia said.

Residents requiring the council's assistance should contact either the mayor or one of the councillors.