Funds which would have been used for local elections in 2017 will be handed to local councils instead through a special fund, the prime minister said this morning.

The elections due in 2017 have been postponed to 2019.

Dr Muscat was addressing a Cabinet meeting in Zebbug, for which mayors in the southern region were invited. During the meeting held at the Dun Mikiel Xerri Hall, mayors made short presentations highlighting the most pressing needs their localities are facing.

In his reply the Prime Minister noted that most of the issues involved infrastructural upgrading such as roads and open spaces.

"Although there are government priorities on which we are focusing, we will be also looking at problems such as those involving roads in residential areas," he said.

Dr Muscat also remarked that the government was considering what additional powers could be devolved so that councils had a bigger say in issues affecting their locality. He cited the case of the Mepa demerger, as this would mean that councils would have a vote on the planning board in major developments within their locality

Earlier Zebbug mayor Alfred Grixti called for a 10 per cent share from vehicle licence  fees, trading licenses including monti hawkers and encroachment permits issued in his locality. This would boost the council's revenue and allow it to implement its ambitious plans. These include the devolution of the Zebbug Rangers football pitch, as a home for the elderly. To compensate for this the council is proposing to build a new sports complex on a site in the outskirts of the village.

Siggiewi mayor, Karol Aquilina said that government revenue alone was not enough for councils to make ends meet. He proposed that councils should be refunded a share of the tax which they pay on essential services.

He also floated the idea to revise the budget allocation formula and that the financial allocation is given in advance for a number of years, to allow more long-term planning.

Dr Aquilina said that time was ripe to address to issue of local wardens and expressed his belief that these should be directly under the responsibility of councils rather than regional committees.

Qormi mayor Rosianne Cutajar urged the government to consider the re-introduction of timed parking, to free up more spaces for residents especially in industrial areas. She also called for tighter inspections of bakeries and possibly government schemes to encourage the installation of chimney filters to reduce pollution.

On his part the Prime Minister promised that Cabinet had taken note of all the issues raised and that councils would soon received feedback.

The meeting was part of a series for the government to be closer to the people. 

This was the fourth such meeting, with others having been held in Marsaxlokk, Marsa and Gozo.