A seminar entitled Local Councils’ 20th Anniversary – Their Role and Relevance Today was recently held at the Grand Hotel, Għajnsielem, to commemorate the anniversary.
The seminar was addressed by a number of speakers, including Għajnsielem mayor Francis Cauchi, who shared his experience over the past 20 years.
Mario Cassar, deputy mayor of Żebbuġ, gave a presentation on the importance of cultural and educational activities in the localities.
Another presentation introduced by Michael Cohen as chairman for the Vote 16 Committee, was delivered by Mario and Charise Cutajar, two ambassadors for the Vote 16 of Għasri and Fontana respectively. Their presentation gave an insight of youths’ perspective of the local councils in Gozo.
MP Robert Cutajar also addressed the audience in representation of the Natiopnalist Party.
Samuel Azzopardi, president of the Gozo Region, chaired the seminar. In his address he focused on the birth of another level of governance – that of the regions in Malta and Gozo. He stressed on the importance to further develop the regions.
Parliamentary Secretary José Herrera rounded up the seminar by focusing on three major reforms to be implemented in this legislature starting by reforming the local enforcement sytem, followed by the reform of the regions and then introducing shared revenue for local councils in order to make local government more autonomous.