The chamber of architects has rapped the government for wanting to make changes to the industry’s warranting board without its agreement.

In a recent resolution approved during the Kamra tal-Periti’s annual general meeting, members invited Transport Minister Joe Mizzi to rethink his position.

Their problems with the Transport Ministry began in March, when members of the board – a technical body responsible for recommending warrants and setting exams for new architects – were asked to resign.

The board has not functioned since then, with many new graduates not being able to practise their profession as new warrants are put on hold.

In the meantime, in Parliament Mr Mizzi proposed amending the board’s composition to strengthen the government’s clout.

At present, the board includes three members appointed by the government, including the chairman, two appointed by the Chamber of Architects and another two elected from the profession.

However, the government wants to add two extra members appointed by the minister, effectively giving it a majority vote.

Although the Transport Ministry had told Times of Malta “there were no adverse remarks” when the issue was discussed with the Chamber of Architects, this does not appear to be the case.

We want things to be done properly

According to the chamber’s president Stephen Farrugia, Mr Mizzi was present during discussions held with the Prime Minister when it was agreed that any changes would be made by consensus, as part of a revamp of the law regulating their profession.

Mr Farrugia said that despite this agreement, the Transport Minister still proposed changes in Parliament.

“This is not on and we want things to be done properly,” he told this newspaper, adding that architects cannot under-stand why the government wants control over the board.

Times of Malta is informed that after it published a story on this issue on December 1, the Transport Ministry e-mailed the chamber requesting its position on the changes.