Local councillors should scrupulously follow the code of ethics and realise, when taking financial decisions, that they were entrusted with public money, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi told them yesterday.

He was speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of councillors elected in the March 10 elections held at Castille.

The government increased the financial allocation for local councils every year and it was the councillors’ duty to give the money they administered the best value on behalf of the residents, he said.

He also told councillors they were obliged to follow the law, particularly financial regulations.

The emphasis comes after two turbulent years for local councils, with a number of councillors being charged in court over their handling of council money and property.

Dr Gonzi said the Department of Local Councils had been strengthened with the setting up of a training unit to help councillors carry out their duties more effectively.

Local councils also had to take the initiative to make a difference for residents, including increasing their activity in education.

They were making changes for the better in people’s lives and the councillors had to continue along that path through their ideas, enthusiasm and energy, he said. Dr Gonzi said the government was committed to continue supporting local councils to hold cultural activities that generated commerce and business and improved the tourist product.

“Whichever way you look at it, the concept of local government was a success and that success will be even bigger when local councils act responsibly,” Dr Gonzi said. Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici called for better cooperation with the police, saying councils should forward copies of the minutes of their meetings to the Police Commissioner.

He said councils and residents should participate in the fireworks reform. He will, therefore, give all of them a copy of the report that has been drawn up.