A helping hand to local councils
Since the birth of local councils in Malta and Gozo, the Nationalist government has always been very supportive towards local councils and has always put them at the top of its agenda. In spite of having the opposition not believing in local councils,...
Since the birth of local councils in Malta and Gozo, the Nationalist government has always been very supportive towards local councils and has always put them at the top of its agenda. In spite of having the opposition not believing in local councils, it is apparent today that local councils are indeed being effective and are actually obtaining results. Needless to say that, in general, it is also evident that local councils having a PN majority are performing better and are achieving more goals and results.
Nevertheless, in this legislature, the PN government immediately conveyed the message that it believes a lot in local councils and that it will strengthen them in order for citizens to get a better quality of life and service. Soon after its re-election, the PN government launched a consultation process, which has now come to an end, in order to formulate the best possible reform in the local councils, a reform that will strengthen the way in which local councils work and, thus, be more effective vis-à-vis the citizens.
However, in the budget presented in Parliament earlier this month, the government injected additional financial support to local councils in order to assure they can function better.
The government's belief in and support to local councils are evident.
The financial allocation has been increased to €4.2 million in order to give local councils more working potential.
The Local Council Green Challenge Award is surely a measure that will motivate all local councils to do their best to offer a better environment. The Local Council Enterprise Support Award scheme will surely boost the number of incentives taken by the local councils to motivate businesses in their locality.
The government has also recognised that all NGOs are very important in terms of the cultural contribution they can make to their locality. In this regard, the refund of 15.25 per cent of any expense incurred by the said NGOs will encourage them to hold more activities in their locality.
The €303,000 co-financing fund will also enable and encourage more local councils to apply for EU funding.
Through this measure, the government will not only be assisting local councils to apply for EU funds but it will also fork out part of the cost that local councils incur after being granted the EU funds. This incentive will ease the financial burden local councils face when seeking and securing EU funds for their locality.
In conclusion, one cannot but praise the government for its solid commitment towards local councils. The incentives listed will not only motivate more local councils to move ahead but will also have a positive impact on the citizens.
The citizens do believe in local councils and, furthermore, the government is determined to ensure that local councils are efficient and offer a good service to the residents of their localities. One must, however, point out that a local council would not be able to operate and offer a good service were it not for a PN government that is continuously strengthening the structure and funding all local councils.
Dr Castaldi Paris is mayor of Lija.