When the thousands of Swieqi, Ta’ l-Ibraġ and Madliena residents go to vote on Saturday to elect their new local council they will take with them their expectations, their disappointments and, hopefully, also some satisfaction.

With their vote, they will be expressing their acknowledgement or lack of it when judging the outgoing council. This is the fifth time I am contesting the Swieqi local council elections. I served on the first council and on a total of four councils, including the present one.

I believe I am qualified to make an objective assessment of what has been achieved or not over these past three years. The electorate needs to consider the meagre financial means that were at our disposal.

I have served five different mayors. I can honestly say that every one of them, in their own particular way, did their best and even more. They all worked differently and, as expected, all had their disappointments and their satisfactions.

Every council built on the previous one. However, all councils had the same problem: a gross shortage of funds. Over the past 20 years, we had many dreams that went up in smoke because we did not have the financial means. We had many plans on how to improve the quality of life in our locality.

Our budgets were always limited. During the term of one council we had to save the money allocated for road repairs so we could enough funds to surface Triq Il Qasam.

The budget allocated to us by the government covers our contracts, tax and the salaries paid to staff. We are then left with practically nothing. If local councils are expected to improve the situation, they must be given funds. To resurface Triq il-Keffa alone it will cost us more than €450,000, a whole year’s Swieqi budget.

This council finally got its first decent office. We did not even have a hall where to hold our meetings. Where it not for our collaborative parish priest, Fr Tony Agius, we would have had to organise our meetings outside the locality since even the Halland Hotel closed down. Thankfully, we finally have our own premises.

In less than a year we have done miracles. The place is buzzing with activity such as dance, art, music lessons, keep fit. As time goes on, the council will do more.

We have 14 candidates from the two big political parties. All are bubbling with enthusiasm, dreams and hope. Our council has always had councillors from both parties who worked together in harmony, pursuing one common goal: the interest of the residents.

If we have disappointed anybody it was not because of lack of effort or commitment. The mayor has given his best shot.

Often, people expected miracles and this led to frustration.

The mayor, the deputy mayor and my fellow councillors have given their time and energy without hesitation. We are volunteers and dedicate our time for the benefit of the residents without expecting any thanks.

When I visit families in their homes I notice that the majority are interested in their immediate area only. They wrongly think that we have the same sort of powers as the central government.

The best is yet to come

Residents in Triq Il Keffa and Triq it-Tiben live in roads that are in an utterly disastrous state. However, it is neither the mayor nor the councillors who are responsible for the state of the roads.

Neither the previous government nor the present Administration have accepted that no local council can afford to carry out works on main roads unless they have adequate funding.

Our residents pay taxes. We are one of the leading localities that seek the lowest level of social services benefits. We are a contributor locality. Thus, we pay most but benefit the least. Somebody out there has to listen.

This council started functioning under a Nationalist government. Then we moved to a Labour government and, when the momentum started picking up, there was a Cabinet reshuffle that affected us a great deal. We had to start again under different ministers who had different priorities.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the very efficient council staff, including the executive secretary who has always given a sterling service.

I wish to thank all my fellow councillors, the deputy mayor and, of course, the mayor who, in his own inimitable way, has done all within his powers to move things on.

Finally, my biggest thanks to all the residents of all ages in Swieqi, Ta’ l-Ibraġ, Victoria Gardens and Madliena for bearing with us. We know that although they do not have time to thank us volunteers, deep in their hearts they know we do our best.

The new council will continue to do its best to cultivate a Swieqi identity, a sense of belonging. If residents join in our activities we will get there together.

My firm belief is that the best is yet to come.

Paul Fenech is Swieqi’s longest-serving council member.