Minister lambasts Labour councils over shortcomings

Resource Minister George Pullicino yesterday lambasted a number of Labour councils for failing to carry out works, not having bring-in sites in place and abusing the system under which government workers were seconded to the councils.

Speaking on the second reading of the Local Councils (Amendment) Bill, Mr Pullicino urged the councils to involve not only the residents of their locality but also of those who involve themselves in their locality such as businessmen.

He commended the clause in the Bill empowering the central authority to carry out those works which the council failed to implement even after receiving due notice and despite these works being part of the council's responsibility.

During the last year, the Public Cleansing Department had to intervene in 72 such cases. The councils of Paola, Marsa, St Paul's Bay and San Ġwann were among the localities where the department had to intervene most. Payment for such works was then charged to the councils who had failed in carrying out this work.

Minister Pullicino called for a detailed study in the use of government workers seconded with the councils, saying there have been instances where the system was abused. He said this system was at times politicised with such workers being sent to carry out works in private houses.

The aim of this system was to provide councils with workers who were to be used in providing a better service to the community. Consequently these workers were to have sufficient machinery for the implementation of their work while they are also to be encouraged to give better work. Local councils should not abuse these workers but ought also to ensure that these workers do not abuse of their position. Unfortunately, some councils do not monitor these workers and the 160 such workers are not being utilised well.

Despite noting that the amount of separated waste collected in 2008 was three times that collected in 2007, the minister criticised a number of councils who poorly implemented the bring-in sites scheme. Although Malta ought to have some 400 bring in sites, it only had 226 sites. Among the councils who have least managed to implement the scheme were that of Żurrieq, Żebbug (Malta), Rabat (Malta), Żabbar, Fgura, Tarxien, Qormi, Birkirkara, Gżira, San Ġwann and Sliema. On the other hand Senglea, Floriana, Pembroke, St Julians, Żejtun, Birzebbuġa, Marsaxlokk, Safi, Dingli, Mellieħa and St Paul's Bay were singled out as localities that had well implemented the scheme.

Mr Pullicino said there were local systems which provided councils with more funding. One such system is Mepa's Urban Improvement Fund which financed more than 160 projects costing about €5 million. He also referred to the agreement entered into between Mepa and eight councils for the financing of nine projects costing about €300,000, the upgrading of the garden named after Oreste Chircop in Ħamrun, and the works on Kennedy Square in Gozo.

He also commended those councils who had managed to tap into EU, saying that the Għarb council had managed to obtain €1.5 million in EU funds, and that 13 other councils would be benefiting from the Leader Plus Funds. He said local councils should become better empowered to participate in EU funds.

Concluding, Minister Pullicino said that guidelines establishing standards are to be issued to bring about consistency, uniformity, efficiency and a better service to the taxpayer who is funding the operation of the local councils.

Earlier, Charlo Bonnici (PN) said that the citizen was the focus of the reform, with councils becoming a one-stop shop. A quality service charter was to be adopted.

The reform envisaged that localities become more sustainable in infrastructural, environmental, cultural and education sectors. Councils would have additional responsibilities. One had to cater for human and financial resources although there were limitations. He called for assistance from the central government so that local councils could restore heritage sites.

It was right that school facilities be made available to the community after school hours. This would increase participation in lifelong learning programmes particularly in IT.

Local councils were being helped to organise more sporting activities. On enforcement, Mr Bonnici said that emphasis would be on the educational process. However the local warden system was not undergoing radical reform. Local wardens had to be trained properly and they had to earn the public's respect.

It was important that the executive secretary become the chief executive officer of the council and, if need be, confront the council. He wished that the Bill would contain more changes so that councils would function better in the interest of the citizen.