Updated: Birżebbuġa council to reopen its doors tomorrow

(Adds government statement)

Birżebbuġa council is to reopen its doors as from tomorrow following assurance from Parliamentary Secretary Chris Said that the issue about the appointment of the council’s new executive secretary will be resolved on Monday, mayor Joseph Farrugia said.

The council has been working behind closed doors since last Monday in protest over delays by the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) to authorise the engagement of a new executive secretary.

The council action meant residents could not receive desk services such as collecting or filling in various forms, or paying bills and fines.

Meanwhile, the government said in a statement this afternoon that the director of the Local Councils Department had told the mayor that the closure of the council offices was unlawful and unjustified. He called on him to open the doors so that the employees could serve the public.

The government also pointed out that theBirżebbuġa council submitted the name of a person to be appointed executive secretary on last June 12 but failed to provide documents to prove he was suitably qualified in terms of the law. The appointment, therefore, could not be approved.

It was only this week that the required reference letter was received.

The government said Birżebbuġa council enjoyed the required staff levels and had created unnecessary problems for the residents, while failing in its duties.