Update 2: Government confirms Sliema council is to be dissolved
The government confirmed this evening that it has started the process to dissolve Sliema council.
The development was first revealed by deputy mayor Cyrus Engerer, who wrote on his facebook wall that he had been informed that the council was being dissolved as of this evening, and an election would be held on March 10.
At the time, the mayor, Johanna Gonzi, said she had not been informed that her council had been dissolved.
Later, she said on television that she was not surprised by the government's decision, given what had happened within the council. She noted that several councillors had turned independent when people had voted for them on the party ticket. Furthermore, as the government's report showed earlier this month, the council was shown not to be functioning well.
Mr Engerer said the government was claiming there was disagreement among the councillors.
The truth was, Mr Engerer said, that the Nationalist Party had lost its majority in Sliema and could not do the 'favours' which it normally did before a general election.
Had it been true that the council was being dissolved because of disagreement among the councillors, why not also dissolve parliament, in view of the disagreements among Nationalist MPs? he asked.
Earlier this month, the government warned that it would dissolve Sliema local council unless it resolved long-standing issues.
The Director for Local Government in a report and a formal notice to the council mentioned investigations carried out by the Internal Audit and Investigations Directorate (IAID) on various irregularities and noted that most allegations had been confirmed.
The former mayor, the former executive secretary, the former deputy executive secretary and a number of council members were involved in the cases. The former mayor and other councillors were even taken to court.
The Local Government Department had said it had monitored council meetings and had concluded that the council was unable to function properly.
There were disagreements between the councillors and several efforts to improve the situation proved futile, it said.
Popular Stories
Update 3: Woman found dead in car,...
Updated: Woman dies in car crash
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Part of Dwejra 'Azure window' collapses
The end of the bar that ‘never closed’
Bundy does not know whether to...
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
This WAS the night - Kurt makes it...
'No need for early election if PM's...
In Discussion
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
Gozo tunnel could take 5-7 years to...
CABS remote controlled aircraft shot...
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Joseph Calleja condemns portrayal of...
Updated: Labour would give...
CABS drone shot down
Second group of migrants arrives
Adrian Vassallo in scathing...
54 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
Alfred Falzon
Jan 25th, 09:14
The people of Sliema deserve a much better, better Local Council, one that sets an example of integrity, harmony and above all adherence to sound principles!
Come next March, Sliema will decide what's hopefully best for the more pressing needs of its aging population and the town's urban sprawl!
Alfred A. Falzon
John F. Galea
Jan 25th, 09:12
Sliema residents deserve much much better than the prevailing situation. There are many senior residents who have the know-how and administrative experience to run such a Council.
A rapidly and accelerating complete change should be in motion. Managing change is not an easy task and requires effective management skills.Sliema residents should cast their vote to new, fresh prospective candidates with a clear and trustworthy vision. Residents should cast their vote to leaders who create a culture and a value system centered upon principles.
A crucial characteristic of a prospective Council member is that of setting examples, commitment, and of communicating through one's own behaviour more than words. Credibility is won by a person of integrity, trust, character, principles, values, transperancy and loyalty. The Council cannot remain the prerogrative of one single person, but has to become plural, team based, collegial.
Sliema is endowed with high calibre people, talented leaders, who should therefore put pen to paper as prospective candidates at the coming Local Council elections. Ask not what the council can do for you and your clique, but ask what you can do for the Sliema residents.
andre buhagiar
Jan 25th, 08:58
Min ha d-decizjoni lanqas lisSindku ma nfurmaw fuq dan kollu? Mela f'dan il-pajjiz kulhadd jahdem wara dahar kulhadd
J Craig
Jan 25th, 08:56
Mr. Engerer should just quit talking. He betrayed those who elected him and thus he is afraid of an election.
Jay Oatmon
Jan 25th, 08:47
The problem is a council run by amateurs - and then add in politics and selfishness plus power struggels - and you get a mess, and no one is accountable for any scandal.
Carmel Cilia
Jan 25th, 08:12
Dan huwa il-loghob bid demokrazija Dr.Demarco. Intkhom hadtu gurament ta lejalta ewlenija lejn il-kostituzjoni ta Malta u mhux lejn il-partit. Dan il-loghob politiku ghal poter ma jaghmilx gieh lil-min qieghed jaghmlu. Dr. Gonzi se jibqa isemmi fl-istorja ta pajjizna ghal mod gdid li kif kien qal se jibda jaghmel il-politika f'Malta. F'kelma wahda dittatura demokratika. Keep it on as long as you may.
M Saliba
Jan 25th, 06:04
F'din is-saga tal-Kunsill Lokali Sliema kien hemm ħafna ndħil zejjed, li issa laħaq il-quċċata tiegħu. Issa kull gvern li ma jogħġbux kunsill jibda jagħlqu.
Joe Morana
Jan 25th, 02:04
I am confident that many Sliema residents feel let down by the ' dissolved' Local Council in more than one aspect. I am confident that many Sliema residents are looking forward to vote for a 'new' Local Council which really represents their legitimate aspirations.
Joe Morana
Jan 25th, 02:01
I am confident that many Sliema residents feel let down by the ' dissolved' Local Council in more than one aspect. I am confident that many Sliema residents are looking forward to vote for a 'new' Local Council which really represents their legitimate aspirations.
Peter Bonnici
Jan 25th, 01:09
What? No more favours? Does this mean that I risk having nude pics of myself distributed all over the internet?
Pavlaki Pano Aroditis
Jan 24th, 23:48
It is ironic that Sliema which probably is the most socially educated part of the island appears to have the most corrupt Council of the island.
Jen Fenech
Jan 25th, 08:25
and who said that they are the most socially educated ?
A. Mizzi
Jan 24th, 22:16
Mhux Sindki Nazzjonalisti kellhom Tas-Sliema?
B'dan l-istess ragunament imissu JIRRIZENJA wkoll il-Gvern immexxi minn Gonzipm!
Joe Grech
Jan 24th, 21:45
The so called ''Department for Local Councils'' should have stepped in to stop the inefficiency much, much earlier than it did.
If this situation in this very important Local Council is anything to go by it certainly points the finger at gross inefficiency and laissez faire on the part of this government administration itself.
And P.N. M.P.s speaking in parliament today will have people believe that this P.N.government is really delivering! Oh come on...People are openly saying that you declare P.N. effectiveness simply to stay in government so that your payroll keep on going!
mario salnitro
Jan 24th, 20:46
Tal misthija veru mihtkom tisthu u veru prosit lil gvern li qieghed jappoggia nies bhall dawn.
Lanqas ghandna gvern sura ahseb u ara il kunsill.
Shame on you all for doing nothing. Sliema is in a mess thanks to all of you .
We need people in the Sliema council who will work from the heart not for there pockets.
Mr Marcel Dingli
Jan 24th, 22:10
It was your choice , wasnt it ? How does that saying go? The one about spilt milk. I m sure you know it.
mario salnitro
Jan 25th, 09:05
It was not my choice as i do know that local councils are unjustified' they are only wasting the taxpayers money.
Mario J Spiteri
Jan 24th, 20:00
Do we the Sliema residents have had any council?
Tks Mr. Engerer that you had informed us because now the indicency is reign in this country & councils!
SHAME ON YOU Hon. PM Dr. Gonzi & Gov & Madam Mayor Gonzi.
Mr Joseph Carmel Chetcuti
Jan 25th, 00:34
The two identical surnames say it all. Speak about an oligarchy!
MARIO ZERAFA
Jan 24th, 19:35
NO problem. Probable the goverment will be dissolved before the Sliema council. In this case everything will start over again. After all it is lead by another Gonzi. I think the this surname Gonzi is a problem for Malta because it was a problem when a leader of the church was Gonzi now a PM and a Major. All have on thing in common.
Angus Black
Jan 24th, 19:51
Mario, before you press 'submit' read what you wrote at least one more time.
GEORGE CUTAJAR
Jan 24th, 19:32
The truth was, Mr Engerer said, that the Nationalist Party had lost its majority in Sliema and could not do the 'favours' which it normally did before a general election - Cyrus Engerer
Anything to suck up to the LP. Were you not part of the PN prior to the last General Election?
Victor Vella
Jan 24th, 20:13
George , when a person betrays another person whom he /she loves and or admires he is a traitor, and traitors are used and then ignored.I would like to ask one question, Would the PL stop court proceedings against these people ?
David Bezzina
Jan 25th, 06:02
CYRUS ENGERER FELT UNCOMFORTABLE IN THE PN AND HAD EVERY RIGHT TO JOIN A PARTY THAT RESPECTED HIS VALUES MORE THAN THE PN EVER DID.
IN TRUTH,NO LIBERAL IS COMFORTABLE BEING PART OF A PARTY WHICH OPPOSES BASIC CIVIL RIGHTS TO ITS CITIZENS.
joseph azzopardi
Jan 24th, 19:26
Pajjiz tal-Mickey mouse....the highest authority in Council - the Mayor did not know, others did
Peter Murray
Jan 24th, 19:05
So contrary to the Minister responsible ( CBM) claims the government does get involved in Local Council affairs =except where corruption or fraud is alleged apparently!
Peter Murray
Jan 24th, 19:02
How does it feel Lady Mayoress to be kept in the dark and uninformed -welcome to the world of local residents.
michael southgate
Jan 24th, 19:00
HOPE THIS MEANS WE MAY GET THE COUNCIL BUS BACK, WHEN NEW COUNCIL FORMED, AS ELDERLY NOW TRAPPED IN THEIR HOMES. ARRIVA BUSES ARE NO GOOD FOR THE ELDERLY IN SLIEMA.
Victor Vella
Jan 24th, 20:14
Michael is it because the council bus is free and Arriva charges you money?
michael southgate
Jan 25th, 09:09
VICTOR YOU ARE OBVIOUSLY NOT "ELDERLY"
THE COUNCIL BUS KEPT TO A TIME-TABLE; DIDN'T ACCELERATE AND BRAKE TO THROW YOU ON THE FLOOR; DIDN'T TAKE YOU AROUND MALTA IN ORDER TO GET HOME, AND DIDN'T REACH SLIEMA ALREADY FULL, SO THAT THE ELDERLY HAVE TO STAND!
THE BUS WAS NO MORE "FREE" THAN YOUR STREET CLEANER.
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Jan 25th, 10:56
Michael, I think you misunderstood Victor. I believe he meant that you will not be getting the Council bus back as Govt would prefer that people pay Arriva rather than Govt having to pay for a free bus service. That way Arriva will continue to operate. Keeping Arriva going is more important for this Govt than the needs of the ederly in Sliema.
cesco di luigi
Jan 24th, 18:58
I am not at all surprised that the mayor did not know that the council had been dissolved!!! Apparently neither did she know that the promised Sliema resident parking scheme has not been introduced despite many promises!!! Let's see this time around, but I guess no one beleives anything anymore.
M Mamo
Jan 24th, 18:36
"Mr Engerer said the government was claiming there was disagreement among the councillors."
SOOO is he admitting that he, as part of the PN in the council used to accept favuors? Will the police investigate him for accepting favours and abusing of his power?
Carmel Xuereb
Jan 24th, 19:09
M Mamo nies bhal dan is-sur Engerer u Franco Debono kullma qeghdin jaghmlu huwa li jonxru l-hwejjeg il-mahmugin tal-Partit Nazzjonalista fejn jista jarahom kullhadd. Dawn nies ta' fibra u mhux imbecilli u yes men ghal kollox. X'tahseb li qabel l-elezzjoni ma jisrux favuri jew? Mela inti ma tghix hawn Malta? Hawn hekk inti ghandek ghajnek blu tiehu li trid imma jekk le l-anqas dak li hu bi dritt tieghek ma tiehdu qabel ma tithabat u tiggieled ghalih. Hallina M Mamo.
Carmel Farrugia
Jan 24th, 18:22
What a waste on money. Why do we have local councils in the first place when our national government controls a budget the same size as that of a foreign medium sized city and itself can be considered a local council.
Martin Busuttil
Jan 24th, 18:22
so it's not only the gonzipn gov that is having problems, even 'his' councils. sure that they cannot blame this on FD.
and well said cyrus, why not dissolve the gov, having disagreements much bigger than in the sliema council.
m. borg (slm)
Jan 24th, 18:18
If anything Cyrus is right, if government saw fit to dissolve Sliema's councill because of disagreements between councillors why is gonzi finding it so hard to dissolve parliament with the rampart disagreements within his party.?
Mr Joseph Carmel Chetcuti
Jan 25th, 00:36
Conservatives are all about double standards. They are without principles and scruples!
Mr J Xerri
Jan 24th, 18:06
Maybe she should check her SMS's!!!!!
Tonio Farrugia
Jan 24th, 18:05
Mr. Engerer bomba jider!.... prosit... i'm impressed!!!
Karl Consiglio
Jan 24th, 18:00
OK, what happens now?
John Zammit
Jan 24th, 17:59
Does Mr.Engerer have the right to make this public before an official statement is released?
Robert Agius
Jan 25th, 03:28
You have the right to remain silent, any thing you say will be used ( and abused) by.... media pitbulls, partisans etc. you know the drill!
priscilla ciangura
Jan 24th, 17:58
Gvern tal misthija . Lanqas hitler ma kien jaghmel hekk . Qed jippruvaw jaghmlu min kollox biex ma jitilfux il poter .Dawn x qed jahsbu li l poplu mhux jinduna bdan lghagir wisq irresponsabli . Dr Gonzi jekk ghandek nuqqas ta qbil fil kunsill lokali u ha xoljih mela ghamel listess fil gvern ghax hemm nuqqas ta qbil ukoll ghandek !!!
M Borg
Jan 24th, 17:48
Could Mr Engerer enlighten us Sliema residents in what way did the Sliema council ever awarded us with " favours " before a general election ?
Ms Maria Vella
Jan 24th, 17:45
Considering he was part of the Nationalist ticket for quite some time.......
Wally Vella-Zarb
Jan 24th, 21:04
...one can conclude that he knows what he is talking about, Ms Vella.
Rob Edwards
Jan 24th, 17:44
Sliema council dissolved?
But who will clear the rubbish from the streets, fix the roads, mend the potholes on the pavements, curb unlawful construction, improve road markings, minimise traffic congestion, prevent illegal parking, address drainage issues, reduce building noise and tidy the beaches?
Ah, on reflection, I'm perhaps starting to see why it was dissolved.
Mark Amaira
Jan 24th, 17:44
Issa għandi bżonn warden u permess biex nagħlaq it-triq, kif se nakkwistah cyrus? :)
Louis Craus
Jan 24th, 19:27
Wardens hawn hafna jigru fit-toroq biex jaraw lil min ser iwahhlu xi citazzjoni. Tghidx kemm huma "friendly" Jista forsi jaghmillek pjacir ,ghax dawn tghidx kemm ghandhom qalbhom tajba.
Malcolm Farrugia
Jan 24th, 17:42
By the same logic the "Prime Minister" should dissolve Parliament, because the Government does not enjoy the majority's trust!
raymond scicluna
Jan 24th, 17:42
Are you by any chance the same person who few days ago compared the Prime Minister to the Italian Captain of Costa Concordia !! Look whose talking!!!!!!!!!
Francis Coquelin
Jan 24th, 17:35
Presumably the fact that most of the councillors - including Engerer himself - have been under police investigation for various misdeeds is an irrelevance to Engerer.
Manuel Camilleri
Jan 24th, 17:34
Way to go Cyrus! Use Facebook for official announcements!! Pathetic!