Christian Peregin
Anomalous political situation looming over Sliema council – PN
The Sliema local council, which has been plagued by in-fighting and police investigations, is under government and public scrutiny. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier
All three political parties have expressed concern about the imploding Sliema local council, which has seen five councillors resign from their parties, four of them being accused of various crimes.
Although the parties stopped short of calling for fresh elections, each gave their own interpretation of what was happening.
The Nationalist Party noted the “anomalous” political situation where, despite having obtained 68 per cent of the 2009 popular vote, its council seats have “whittled down” to four, including mayor Joanna Gonzi, out of 11 councillors.
“Candidates who run for office on a party ticket and on the basis of that ticket win the trust of the electorate should live up to that trust. It is disappointing to see such trust lost as a result of alleged criminal behaviour across the political spectrum even if this behaviour is not necessarily related to the operations of the council itself,” a PN spokesman said. He explained that since the Local Councils Act laid down clear parameters as to when a council could be dissolved, it would be “superfluous if not outright irresponsible” for any political party to interfere. However, he said the party would support and cooperate with any action taken by the authorities in the best interest of the Sliema community and “their democratic representation”.
The Labour Party spoke of the sense of “disenchantment” arising from the constant “stories” people are hearing.
One of the stories involved a Labour councillor, Martin Debono, who has now resigned from the party, over alleged laptop misuse. He has “strongly” denied any wrongdoing.
“While one must await the conclusion of the proceedings against Mr Debono, we believe that it is the PN that has imploded with an amazing series of fiascos,” a Labour spokesman said.
“We think there are lessons to be learnt from everyone and stricter criteria will be used in the selection process of candidates for local council elections due next year. The PL has already adopted stricter criteria in the choice of its councillors that have contested the last round of local council elections,” he added, stressing that “the PL has taken a conscious decision not to tamper with democracy” and would therefore not engage in power games to take advantage of the issues of majority. “The law on the dissolution of a council is clear and it is up to the Prime Minister to decide whether the rules are being respected.”
Alternattiva Demokratika’s chairman Michael Briguglio, who was a Sliema councillor until the last election, said that while it was not up to AD to decide whether fresh elections should be held, “the council is in a mess”. He said the council had not been functioning properly for quite a long time, first through internal conflicts within the PN and then with separate criminal charges being filed against individual candidates. “In the meantime the council has failed to take decisions on important issues (such as traffic management and the proposed development at Townsquare).”
“If one wants change, one should vote for it,” he added. Meanwhile, a spokesman for the parliamentary secretary responsible for local councils said the Sliema council was being monitored and the situation was “under scrutiny”.
“Should it transpire that the Sliema council is not functioning and that one of the provisions of article 22 gets activated, then there would be no other alternative but to dissolve the council and call fresh elections,” the spokesman added.
Timeline
August 12, 2010: The PN expels mayor Nikki Dimech after The Times reveals he admitted bribery allegations during police interrogation.
August 25, 2010: Mr Dimech submits his resignation letter to the PN (irrespective of expulsion) together with councillor Sandra Camilleri, who says she was “forced” to sign a vote of no confidence in Mr Dimech.
August 31, 2010: Mr Dimech charged in court over bribery.
September 2, 2010: Sliema local council approves a PN-led motion of no confidence in Mr Dimech; Joanna Gonzi becomes mayor and Cyrus Engerer deputy mayor.
January 15, 2011: The Times reports Mr Dimech, Patrick Pace (PN), Martin Debono (PL) and Yves “Bobby” Calì (PN) were arrested and questioned by the police.
July 15, 2011: Mr Engerer resigns from the PN, citing irreconcilable differences on the divorce issue; decides to stay on as independent councillor but joins Labour Party.
July 25, 2011: The police file charges against Mr Engerer accusing him of circulating pornographic images.
August 2, 2011: Mr Debono and Mr Calì resign from their respective parties after The Times reports they will be charged over laptop misuse.
Provisions
A councillor can be “disqualified” if serving a prison or suspended sentence exceeding 12 months.
A council can be dissolved upon:
• A report by the Auditor General on persistent breach of financial responsibilities.
• Persistent non-regard to the provisions of the Local Councils Act after formal notice has been given by the minister.
• Lack of agreement in electing the mayor.
• Lack of agreement by the council in approving its annual estimates.
• A recommendation to that effect in a report by a board appointed under the Inquiries Act.
Source: Local Councils Act, article 22
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Mr Henry Mifsud
Aug 7th 2011, 09:13
Sliema deserves better!
Let us not kid ourselves any more. It is the cosmopolitan city of Malta and it has the most concentration of tourists visiting our shores. This besides the fact that it is Malta's premier shopping destination even for the locals. So the bickering within the council is effecting not only the Sliema residents but Malta's cultural fabric. Immediate action is a must. Government cannot possibly continue with its wait-and-see attitude not to harm its untenable position. The message which the Sliema council is clearly sending out is a reflection of the signs of the times in Malta as a whole. Irrespective of eloquent speeches by the PM and his colleagues, the people are no longer impressed and are longing for a change; the sooner the better. As a Sliema resident, I rub shoulders on a daily basis with people from all walks of life in the locality but certainly most of whom are of a certain political hue Sliema being a PN stronghold; though one must here state that this is no longer reflected on the Sliema local council. The great majority are simply fed up of living in an ever decaying Sliema which over the years have become a paradise only to a small breed of people; the developers. They are fed up of not having their garbage collected for days on end. They are fed up of filthy surroundings because of lack of upkeep. They are fed up of having to weather noise pollution by works which should not be carried out during the summer months. They are fed up of an insensitive government which keeps on pushing the utility prices up not because of external factors (which at times are understandable) but to increase its own tax revenue to make up for its inefficiencies and mismanagement. They are fed up in going round in circles to find a parking space after work. They are fed up of decisions taken without consultation with them and complete disregard to their pleas for the betterment of the whole of the Sliema area. They are fed up of lack of law enforcement.
Yes Sliema deserves better from a nationalist government!
Franco Farrugia
Aug 8th 2011, 05:56
And why should 'Sliema deserve better'. Haven't you ever heard the dictum? That you reap what you sow?
Mr Joe Anastasi
Aug 6th 2011, 22:26
All this is proving how wrong the PNs decision to politicise the councils was.
At least at this rate Sliema's council will soon be totally independent.
brian compton
Aug 6th 2011, 21:44
i am sorry to say but you need a council to fight for rights in government i agree that politics should stay out of it but in malta you are one or the other party and its a life long membership.
i dont see any way around it.
Carmel Xuereb
Aug 6th 2011, 21:01
Il-KUnsilli qeghdin hemm bhala parabendu ghal GVERN u xejn izjed. Ghandhom bzonn jizzarmaw u noqghoud biss fuq il-Gvern Centrali.
Chris J Vassallo
Aug 6th 2011, 20:48
How can a councillor face criminal charges for misuse of council laptop? It was reported that the misuse is related to a hard disk worth some 50 euros which the councillor bought himself.
A few months ago a Gozotan councillor faced similar criminal charges because his daughter went on facebook using a council laptop.
This is serious because something does not add up.
Mr Joseph E Briffa
Aug 6th 2011, 19:32
@Mr A Caruana....could it be the case that there is a majority of Labour councillors at Marsascala and therefore the Council would not lift a finger to help the residents so the central government appears in bad light? Some years ago friends from Zurrieq used to say that their council - which had a Labour majority was hibernating.
Mrs Carmen Borg
Aug 6th 2011, 19:31
Sack the lot of them!!! Get rid of local councils. They are a wast e of space and money.
Ralph Cassar
Aug 6th 2011, 20:42
you get what you vote for Mrs Borg.
K. Vella
Aug 6th 2011, 18:56
New blood needs to come in......
Ms Maria Abela
Aug 6th 2011, 17:46
Apparently the Mayoress is a doctor of medicine.My son is a doctor and I can assure you he has no time to spend on anything except looking after his patients. So first things first, get rid of the existing mayor and elect someone who can dedicate time to running one of the busiest towns on the island.
Mr M Farrugia
Aug 6th 2011, 20:33
sour grapes
Oliver Grech
Aug 6th 2011, 16:29
I strongly believe that new elections should be held. The council failed miserably...from all political parties. The only way to try gain back some trust is by having everyone resigning.
Mr Evarist Saliba
Aug 6th 2011, 16:26
Would the councillors involved in all this confusion have behaved differently had they been elected representing no particular political party? How many individuals would come forward, or be able to do so, for election without the backing, overt or covert, of some group or another?
Political parties could play a useful role by being very careful in the choice of candidates they put forward, and by not interfering too much in local issues by treating them as an appendix to national ones.
Speaking from experience, my locality, Ta' l-Ibrag, part of Swieqi, improved overnight following the introduction of local councils, irrespective of which political party held the majority.
A Caruana
Aug 6th 2011, 16:21
Now take a look at Marsascala Local Counceil, it is deaf, blind and dumb to the massive complaints by marsascala Residents over the total shambles caused by Arriva changed routes in our village. Whilst other Councils are at least making even token sounds of protest, our Local Council is strangely very silent - WHY?? We hope that the Council didn't agree on the routes as proposed by Transport Malta for our village which are causing so much hardship and aggravation to us and which we want them changed back to a regular direct Bus service.
Mr J Xerri
Aug 6th 2011, 15:51
" A spokesman for the parliamentary secretary responsible for local councils said the Sliema council was being monitored and the situation was “under scrutiny”.... and of course this ministry is also taking into consideration what would be the likely result if fresh elections are held, the political effect they would have on the local scene, before actually deciding whether or not dissolving the Sliema Council.
Mr Manuel Zammit
Aug 6th 2011, 15:22
I would suggest that we do away with the present system of a local council for every nook and cranny of the Maltese Islands. Lets have 13 Councils representing the 13 electoral districts with an election taking place on the same day as the General Election. We should make it a condition to every candidate that once one contests as a candidate for the Council, one may not contest the General Election. This will save money, stop the L.C.'s from becoming a springboard for aspiring pseudo politicans and hopefully stop the bickering and grandstanding among these nobodies who suddenly find themselves in a position of "importance".
Mr francis darmanin
Aug 6th 2011, 18:43
A very good idea.. and I would further suggest that instead of having council election the council be formed by elected MP from the district so that at least they will have something to do in return for their pay packets instead of just occasionally meeting for drinks at the parlaiment bar!!!!
Mr John Azzopoardi
Aug 6th 2011, 15:21
Does it really matter what this local council does or for that matter any other local council. Local councils have become a farce. In the beginning, there was much eagerness and some things were done, but it was with state money. Now, not much is being done. I speak on behalf of what I see at the Nadur Council. Many things use to be done in the past, but not much new things are being done now. ALso, the government has run from it's responsibility of fixing our streets so then it can shift the blame on the local councils. We people of Nadur why live on Ramla Road, leading to Ramla bay have been promised a tarmacked road since the 60's. Every year they say it's going to start soon. It's arready 2011..........and you know what, they tarmaked the non residential area of Ramla road, but the road where the peoploe live is still unfixed and looks like a third world country road, especially in the winter.
Mr Ernest Vella
Aug 6th 2011, 15:16
Il-Politika irvinat lill-pajjizna
David Caruana
Aug 6th 2011, 17:12
Għandek raġun mija fil-mija! Il-ħasra hi li fil-verita', il-politika għandha tibni u ssaħħaħ pajjiż.
Naħseb iktar inkunu korretti jekk ngħidu li l-partiġjaniżmu irvina lil pajjiżna. Fuq kollox, kull pajjiż jirċievi l-gvern (u l-oppożizzjoni) li ħaqqu.
Għalhekk naqbel mas-Sur Brigulio u bħalu ngħid, jekk trid il-bidla, vvota għaliha.
U l-veru bidla tiġi biss mill-poplu, jekk b'saħħa, juri liż-żewġ partiti li l-poplu tassew għandhu l-kontroll.
Daħħlulhom kulur ieħor fil-kabinett u taraw kif ibaxxu rashom għal poplu. Gvern ta' koalizzjoni joffri kontroll li gvern ta' partit wieħed qatt ma jista' joffri.
Mr marco caruana
Aug 6th 2011, 15:12
mur gibu ghamel froga hekk xi kunsill mis south ta Malta...kemm kienu jajruna hamalli , hallelin , injoranti u elf haga ohra.....ghall giehna tal pepe dawn !!
STAY WITH IT !
Joseph Sammut
Aug 6th 2011, 15:11
Besides the political melodrama, citizens have to endure one of the worst customer care attitudes - Lija.
A Dimech
Aug 6th 2011, 14:40
as time goes by, we are realising that what Alfred Sant said was true on a number of fronts - he was very much against Local COuncils being lead by political parties.... now we have the result.
I hope, after news on the Euro, he was not right also that Malta should ahve kept out of this.... It seems the EU economic engine and monetary stability is sinking fast and we can go down with it....
Mr Carmel (Nenu) Aquilina
Aug 6th 2011, 16:21
Xi triedu l-kumitati tal-ġirien li kien semma Mintof fis-sebgħinijiet?
Il-kunsill Lokali fil-maġġior parti ħadmu tajjeb ġafna u għamlu ħafna ġid lill poplu Malti u Għawdxi.
Li hu importanti, li l-partiti politiċi jarblu sewwa lill minn jaċċettaw bħala rappreżentant tagħhom bħala kunsiliera, u mhux bħal ma qiegħed jgħamel il-PL illum, jaċċetta lill kulħad, basta jgħid li kullħad għal miegħu, u jirbaħ il-poter.
Ħsiebek hemm poplu Malta u Għawdxi, tħallix lill minn jiġbidlek il-karettun tal-progrss lura, għal-skopijiet ta' moħħu, għax jiddispjaċik bil-kbir din id-darba, għax taf tkun għar minn ta' l-aħħar darba tas-sebgħinijiet u t-tmenijiet!
A Zammit
Aug 6th 2011, 13:11
Pack your things and head home. All local councils are crap!
Simon Cutajar
Aug 6th 2011, 14:27
Mr . Zammit ! you are 100 % right !
Mark Jones
Aug 6th 2011, 13:04
This council has been completely dysfunctional for some time. The minister must step in and dissolve the present council. Then, perhaps, the good residents of Sliema will think twice before electing the likes of Nikki Dimech and Cyrus Engerer, whose chief interest seems to have been their owm self-aggrandisement.
Any chance of this lot doing something useful like fixing the collapsed roads along ix-Xatt and Tower Road?
Mr William Pierce
Aug 6th 2011, 13:53
Only the Council been completely dysfunctional? Have a walk around the Island, the whole country is dysfunctional.
Franco Farrugia
Aug 6th 2011, 14:19
I understand what Mr William Pierce is trying to say but if the 'whole country is dysfunctional', there would be high unemployment rates for starters. I admit that there are many serious problems; buy hey, don't throw the baby along with the water, otherwise, people will take you and your comments for what they are.
E. Azzopardi
Aug 6th 2011, 12:55
You should be worried about the Sliema residents and the state of Sliema! I have no doubt whatsoever, that the Sliema council, or any other council for that matter, wants to do its best for the residents to have a better life. No doubt whatsoever. But a council in disarray like this, cannot concentrate on the real job. It is only natural with all these problems. There is no time to waste as we have wasted more than enough. Therefore, the only way out now, and immediately, is for fresh elections. And only those who can REALLY keep to their commitment need apply please. Or else people will not care.
The biggest mistake has always been that politics was made part and parcel of the council. I suppose that now we have realized that mistake, or have we? We can always correct this grave mistake.
Nazzareno Cortis
Aug 6th 2011, 12:54
Fully agree with Mr.Tony Camilleri-----the sooner the better.
Anthony Grech
Aug 6th 2011, 12:51
50years ago there was a Gozo Civic Council. It only served as a 'Paravendu' for the government and it was abolished.
Today we have Local Councils. They only serve to push the party agenda and have a fight now and then. Its high time to abolish them too. They did not work.
Franco Farrugia
Aug 6th 2011, 12:34
Indeed, PN? And who started the ball rolling, to come to this situation within the Sliema Local Council? Who used Cyrus Engerer (and the idiot allowed himself to be used!), for the party's own ends? You reap what you sow and the chickens are now coming home to roost.
Mr Michael Debono
Aug 6th 2011, 12:24
The fact that Cali and Debono were asked to undress in front of an officer, a story is recalled in a foreign country where prison inmates were told to undress for no purpose at all. Investigations later showed that certain memembers of the prison or police were adiccted to people undressed. Lets hope there is no repetition in Malta of such scandalous behaviour.
When it appears there is no scope for a person to undress, such stories come to mind.
It does not mean that in the case of Malta such behaviour is noticed but prudence must apply to avert such suspicions.
Franco Farrugia
Aug 6th 2011, 13:44
Agreed. The general public simply cannot understand why either of these two people were forced to undress, one whom, completely! This behaviour, coming from the Police, reminds one of things that are best forgotten! There are accusations and accusations - and so, there are accused and accused!
Mr francis darmanin
Aug 6th 2011, 12:20
what happened to the residents parking scheme promised by the council? how come this never came in? what is the mayor doing about this? do residents actually count in sliema anymore? not only have we been neglected but it appears that shops and other forms of business have more rights here than the residents.
Kenneth Williams
Aug 6th 2011, 12:06
Sewwa kien jghid Dr Alfred Sant li il kunsilli m ghandomx jaghmlu parti mill partiti politici. Is soltu spin doctors tal PN dawwruha kif riedu u llum iz zmien taghna parir kemm fuq il kunsilli u kemm fuq hafna affarijiet ohra ( fosthom l UE u l Euro ) li kien jipprova ifiehem Dr Sant u kien hawn minn kien ikun lest biex jirredikolah
Ms Maria Abela
Aug 6th 2011, 12:03
Get rid of the lot and give us the chance to elect people who are able to act on behalf of the Sliema residents.There are plenty of capable,honest people in Sliema who should put themselves forward.I have observed one particular gentleman at the few council meetings I attended who is articulate both in English and Maltese and who actually makes sense when he talks. I think his name is Mr Joe Morana.
Denise Vella
Aug 6th 2011, 16:39
Correct , Ms Abela. The only poblem is that the capable honest people you mention won't come forward whilst they have to get themselves elected on a party ticket. This is excluding a lot of excellent citizens from sitting on Local Councils. Labour was right in its reluctance to get involved in the Councils.
Mr Steve Sant
Aug 6th 2011, 11:56
political interference, even though Alfred Sant's policies were not ideal, he was right to insist that local Council's should not be party run. Another point, the Sliema area is dirty, run by corrupt people and becoming a slum. While the local councils fight amongst themselves the place degenerates. What a shambles.
Mr W Cassar
Aug 6th 2011, 12:55
Yes I agree, Alfred Sant was right about council's not being run by political parties...well to me its common sense in such a small island.
Joseph Sammut
Aug 6th 2011, 15:25
I have yet to see a politician's ideal set of policies. I am not any pary follower, but for my penny, Dr. Alfred Sant was a very intelligent person/politician and his demise was Malta's loss. I keep remembering one issue - 50 cents on prescriptions: he was cruxified by no other than Mr. Mintoff himself, whose birthday is today - Happy Birthday Sir - called anti-social and what not. Dr. Sant's 50 cents are insignificant to what we have been going through since. For me Dr. Sant gets the credit for the first time use in Malta's history for the use of the word - accountability. If ever there was an abortion in Malta, Dr. Sant's downfall was it: never given a chance. We have and are still giving a chance to persons with much less substance.
john gauci
Aug 6th 2011, 11:49
And to add to the disgruntlement of the sliena residents, the council has reduced refuse collection to a mere 3 times a week. Instead of wasting time with their internal and political bikering the council should be more concerned with the requirements of the residents.
Daniel Goggi
Aug 6th 2011, 12:09
very true indeed!
Mr M Borg
Aug 6th 2011, 14:08
Get rid of all councils. Malta does not need them. Waste of time, energy and money !!
Mr Tony Camilleri
Aug 6th 2011, 11:36
SCRAP ALL LOCAL COUNCILS.
Colin Stanley
Aug 6th 2011, 12:18
agree with you, I think we Sliema residents should stop voting for the local councils.
Stephen Koludrovic
Aug 6th 2011, 12:24
What? then we would be overworking our already hard pressed ministers!!!
JOSEPH VELLA
Aug 6th 2011, 12:32
Fl-aħħar ħrieġt b'waħda tajba Ton. Hawn naqbel mieġħek mija fil-mija
Steve Zammit
Aug 6th 2011, 13:10
Instead I would say:
Scrap all Political Parties from Local Councils