Mepa reports efficiency improvement
Mepa has made a leap in efficiency this year, processing "the absolute majority" of each planning application within 12 weeks, as promised in the reform process, according to it chairman Austin Walker.
Giving the press an annual review of the authority's work, Mr Walker said this year was dedicated to the successful implementation of the reform.
Mepa is now planning to process even the most complex planning applications within 12 weeks, even though the reform's target was 26 weeks, Mr Walker added.
Comparing the authority to a referee in a football game, he said it was expected that contentious decisions were contested by those who they affected negatively. However, he was confident that even the most difficult decisions were taken diligently by Mepa.
Although fewer development applications were being filed, Mr Walker said the reasons behind this were complex and could not simply be pinned down to higher prices.
Applications now go through a screening process to ensure that all the necessary information is there before they are filed.
"There is none of the rubbish we used to see before clogging up the system," Mr Walker said.
CEO Ian Stafrace explained that Mepa has also changed the system by which it was financed by the government.
Instead of asking the government to make up its annual shortfall, Mepa is now costing the services it provides to government, and invoicing the services accordingly.
Mepa provides a number of services to the government in terms of environmental monitoring, enforcement and consultancy.
In this way, the government would allocate the funds it gives to Mepa based on what it would have to fork out if it did the work itself or outsources elsewhere. This also helped ensure accountability and transparency internally, Dr Stafrace said.
Dr Stafrace also pointed out that the Mepa enforcement directorate this year issued 600 enforcement letters and carried out more than 50 "direct actions".
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Hossam Helwani
Dec 18th 2011, 10:49
Where is mepa ? why is it not taking any notice in St Joseph street Birkirkara for the demolishing of a 17th century house? Why are we ignoring it conveniently? Why are we turning a blind eye to it ?
Where is Ms Astrid Vella now?
Joseph Camilleri
Dec 17th 2011, 18:04
Mepa is not serious, Many permits are left to break the law, for example in St Joseph Street Birkirkara permit destroying a very old 17th century house.
j brincat
Dec 17th 2011, 09:18
Self praise is no recommendation, Mr Walker.
Let the people judge you!
(jb)
Lawrence Fenech
Dec 17th 2011, 08:55
Mr. Walker, for MEPA efficiency ask the residents who have been surrounded by 5 storey buildings and have lost sight of the daylight and scenery to accomodate speculators who live under different situations.
Brian Fenech
Dec 16th 2011, 23:44
Considering there were 3x less applications to process... it's natural that applications can be processed in a shorter period of time... therefore it dosnt count as an improved efficiency Mr. Walker!!
Sharon Metcalf
Dec 16th 2011, 20:59
Dear Mr Walker - why when a suspension on a planning matter has a 6 month limit on it - after the 6 months the permit was supposed to be withdrawn - but no not happening is it - one rule for one and another rule for ANOTHER.
R. Lewis
Dec 16th 2011, 20:21
Mepa reports effeciency improvment. Therefor Mr Walker can you please reply to Mr Joe Falzon's letter dated 25th July regarding the building in Efesu Street, St.Paul's Bay, and which had a deadline of 5th August 2011. Today its the 16th December, i.e. deadline expired by four an a half months. I am quoting what I was told, if its the case I don't call that effeciency, I'm sorry.
pat muscat
Dec 16th 2011, 19:45
What happened to the 600 permits issued before the elections? That yes was efficiency at its best! Blowing bubbles in the air!
William Calleja
Dec 16th 2011, 17:32
"issued 600 enforcement letters and carried out more than 50 "direct actions".
Cute pair of big round numbers but with nothing to compare them to they're useless.
Darby Allen
Dec 16th 2011, 17:21
Instead of getting the job done quickly, MEPA, please get it done right!
charles tabone
Dec 16th 2011, 17:19
May we know by whom the audit was conducted for such accreditation? If it was conducted by in-house incumbents then we will believe the miracle when the reports are put on the table of the House!
charles tabone
Dec 16th 2011, 17:39
By the way, rather than boasting of efficiency, how about giving us an account of MEPA'S effectiveness and all the remaining ineffeiciencies?