Stefan Buontempo

It is an undisputed fact that local councils are here to stay, thus we should ask ourselves: how are they here to stay? The answer to this questionshould definitely tackle sustainablility, operations and relationship with the central government.

According to law, local councils have a set number of functions. I believe that, since councils are the closest layer of governance to our communities, they are best placed to make sure our communities are well serviced.

At the start of this legislature in 2013, the cumulative debt of local councils stood at an alarming €22.1 million. This massive shortfall was due to local councils’ participation in schemes launched by the previous government that had led to the increase in the collective debt by €8.3 million in the two years preceding the last general election.

This clearly shows that local councils were abused by the Nationalist Party when in government. Under its watch, local councils were encouraged to spend as if there was no tomorrow. So much so that the central government launched schemes that promised to help out local councils if they pitched in. However, there was no provision whatsoever for the system to stay in place. Thus, councils had to dig deeper in their pockets to sustain the system that was running at a huge loss as they were duped into pitching their funds into a scheme that was more akin to a Ponzi scheme.

I have placed the sustainability of local councils at the top of our priorities and insist that every council project should be accompanied by a feasibility and management study. I would rather have councils pay for a study on how to manage their projects according to realistic long-term plans than encouraging them to save on studies and hope that everything turns out for the best. That is why I am a strong supporter of accountability and good governance for, if councils are not accountable and transparent in their operations; their effectiveness will surely go amiss.

If local councils are not accountable and transparent in their operations, their effectiveness will surely go amiss

This government believes in councils. A cursory look at the electoral manifesto shows that many proposals could have very easily been implemented by central government. However, the Labour Party felt that our communities should benefit through the input of local councils. The parliamentary secretariat is committed to assist councils to embark on projects and initiatives that benefit directly the local citizens such as outreach programmes combating poverty, waste management, promoting the arts, culture, protection of the environment and healthy lifestyles.

As for powers, one might argue whether councils should be given more legislative or executive powers. As things stand, councils wield certain legislative powers, even though, at times, these might be limited or restricted.

We need to strike an optimum balance between the councils’ autonomy and their obligations at law. We also need to consider the issue of economies of scale given the size of the country.

On our part, in line with our commitment to assist and empower local government, we have increased local councils’ powers by granting them a vote on the Planning Authority’s board when permits for major developments are to be decided. We are going to grant further powers, such as giving councils a judicial standing to better represent their communities in court as representatives of their communities’ interests.

Central government is, therefore, committed to grant more powers to local councils for them to effectively be of service to their communities in the social, environment, cultural, sport fields as well as for the general well-being of the citizens living in the various communities.

Stefan Buontempo is the Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government.

David Agius

Local councils are still in their infancy. Notwithstanding almost 25 years of experience, this figure cannot even be compared to the legacy of other political bodies and services for the people. As a result, the factors which are tabled whenever a debate on the local councils surfaces every now and again have to be placed in this perspective.

Local councils are not a conglomeration of customer care offices of all the ministries and departments.

For local councils to start having an identity, they cannot be seen as a satellite office in the community for the different ministries or a glorified customer care service for central government.

They are not an extension or duplication of the government.

The services offered by the local councils should not be decided by a central authority in a ministry or government entity. Local councils cannot get to know what they need to do vis à vis their residents through a ministerial decree, a speech in Parliament or from the media.

Local councillors need to have a right to decide what to be part of and what not to be part of. In this way, they will then start to take ownership of the decisions they take. Thus local councils will start moving towards greater accountability towards their residents. They will stop blaming the government or passing the buck to ministerial bodies. If they take an initiative, it is taken of their own accord. It is not forced down their throat.

Local councils are surely not an extension of the party in government.

We will issue a document covering various aspects of local government for consultation with one and all

There is the risk of local councils becoming either loyal allies or convinced adversaries to the party in government. Therefore, the party in government uses certain local councils to pave the way for certain matters. On the other hand, when dealing with a majority coming from the opposing party, the national government bypasses, ignores or does not include this particular local council in certain schemes.

Some local councils have shown the way. I give credit to certain local councils who have shown to all and sundry that they can decide on their own accord, can go against the flow, especially the direction of the flow shown by the same party the majority stems from.

They are elected by the people to representthe people. The people get the government they deserve. This counts even at a local level. If the people elect a local councillor only on the basis of her/his allegiance to the party, then they have to shoulder their collective decision. Local councillors need to think of their role as being of service and accountable to the people of their locality primarily in the same way a member of the national parliament represents the people in general before representing her/his party.

What is the future for local councils?

In the coming weeks, as a party in opposition preparing ourselves to be an alternative government, we will issue a document covering various aspects of local government for consultation with one and all. It will be a document that will concretely show that local councils deserve to be given greater legislative powers.

This document will be the basis for discussion aimed to strengthen local councils in Malta and Gozo because, although we were the party which started off the concept of local government, we also want to be the party which takes this very important concept to a higher level. It is a concept that is the basis of an important principle such as subsidiarity but also because the concept of local government is enshrined in our Constitution.

David Agius is the PN spokesman for local government.

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