The Government had every right to overrule Sliema’s controversial residents’ parking scheme, according to the new president of the Local Councils Association.

Lija’s Labour councillor Marc Sant said this was particularly so if the council failed to carry out the proper consultations.

We do not agree with the Government’s decision to suspend our scheme, particularly as we didn’t come up with anything new

However, Sliema mayor Anthony Chircop is insisting the council’s steps were all above board and in line with a legal notice issued years ago.

He also said that the council is looking at the possibility of challenging the Government’s decision to suspend its scheme without any consultation.

After introducing the scheme, the council came under pressure to re-draw its plans, particularly by the teachers’ union, which claimed a lack of consultation and inconvenience for teachers working in Sliema’s schools.

“We do not agree with the Government’s decision to suspend our scheme, particularly as we didn’t come up with anything new,” the Sliema mayor said.

“Although we are ready to discuss and reach a compromise, we are also looking at our legal position as we don’t agree with the way Sliema residents have been singled out,” Mr Chircop said.

The mayor said the scheme has been in the pipeline for years and was agreed by all councillors.

He argued that similar schemes were already in operation in many other localities, including Valletta, and despite the complaints from various quarters, the Government never felt the need to overrule them.

“So why us?” Mr Chircop asked.

The issue of the independence of local councils has been raised following the Cabinet’s decision to suspend the Sliema parking scheme.

Dr Sant said he took it for granted that local councils in Malta were not autonomous – even though he agrees that in principle they should be.

“We all know that local councils in Malta are not autonomous. We depend completely on the central government and our powers are very restricted,” he said.

“I agree that they should be more autonomous, but we are speaking here on a reform that will take years to discuss and agree about.”

Dr Sant said he agreed with the Government’s decision to impose its will on the Sliema council.

“Parking schemes are very delicate and should be thoroughly discussed,” Lija’s councillor said.