Local councils, Mepa clash over project funding

The Association of Local Councils has warned it would not accept "impositions" on what projects the Malta Environment and Planning Authority's Urban Improvement Fund (UIF) would finance.

But the authority in reply held that the fund was never set up to balance the bills of local councils and was designed to finance projects that could make a positive and significant difference to the urban environment.

Presenting a protest letter to Mepa chairman Austin Walker yesterday, the association said 10 local councils were hanging in the balance since new chairman Elena Borg Costanzi decided on a whim that their paving projects could not be funded by the UIF, in what was considered a sudden change of heart and policy.

Speaking outside the Mepa offices, association president Michael Cohen said things had proceeded smoothly under the previous chairman but "we have now reached the absurd situation where we have to vote for everything".

He claimed Ms Borg Costanzi's "omnipotence" was creating problems, which prevented him from defending the interests of the local councils.

Mr Cohen requested action to change her "unacceptable" attitude, warning there would be no further cooperation with Mepa before any serious intervention.

But in a statement, Mepa expressed its complete confidence in Ms Borg Costanzi and supported the principle of voting.

The authority pointed out the contradiction in the association's stand, which criticised the voting system while saying the chairman was taking decisions single-handedly.

Mr Cohen maintained that her unilateral decisions were undermining the local councils' autonomy and would have an impact on them.

Apart from refusing the paving projects, which he said conformed with established policies, under landscaping, Ms Borg Costanzi had not approved the buying of bins which, according to Mr Cohen, fell under street furniture and meant councils had the right to apply for funding.

Mr Cohen maintained that local councils' proposals were, after all, being funded by developments in their localities. Money for the fund came from the penalty paid for development in urban areas. It had been set up two years ago, and through it, local councils and ministries could carry out various embellishment works and improve facilities.

Around €4 million have been spent on 130 projects since, Mepa said, adding that it was committed to administering the money in a transparent and efficient manner.