The Government would be reforming regional councils and launching schemes to enhance transparency in local councils, Parliamentary Secretary José Herrera said yesterday.

Some councils are already streaming their meetings online and the Government will launch a scheme in the coming weeks to help all local councils to follow suit.

Another scheme will provide local council staff with training on council law and its remit.

Dr Herrera and consultant Michael Cohen are having talks with the local councils’ association about ways to lighten the regional council’s enforcement burden.

Regional councils are responsible for local wardens but the Government is suggesting expanding their role to include administrative responsibilities, like tapping into EU funds and participating in tendering processes.

As it marked the 20th anniversary of local councils this year, the Government wanted to radically reform the way regions functioned, Dr Herrera said.

He was speaking in Żabbar where the local council replaced its sub-committees, normally made up of councillors, with action teams composed of residents.

Mayor Quinton Scerri said this open-governance system would encourage residents who wanted to provide feedback but did not want to commit themselves to a sub-committee.

One of the three action teams, dedicated to sports and education, will hold a HealthFest this Saturday, kicking off at 9am.

People will be able to attend fitness and zumba classes and have their blood pressure tested.

Sports events will be organised for children and football coaches and nurses from the locality will help out.

The other two action teams are focused on research and sustainable development and culture and historical heritage.

Dr Herrera said the Government wanted local councils to be closer to residents and urged councils to have their own Facebook and Twitter pages via which residents could interact, just like they did at local clubs.