He has been a constant thorn in the planning authority’s side but audit officer Joe Falzon’s job will come to an abrupt end on Tuesday.

He says he was only informed by the Ombudsman on Wednesday that his functions will be transferred to an environment commissioner in the Ombudsman’s office. He will not occupy the new post.

“I am irked because nobody had the decency to inform me in advance that the audit office will stop functioning next week.

“Had I known, I would have at least concluded the pending cases and not accepted any new appointments,” Mr Falzon said when contacted yesterday.

The change brings into effect Parliament’s decision to transfer the audit office – which acted as an Ombudsman of sorts at the Malta Environment and Planning Authority – under the Ombudsman’s wing.

The architect investigated numerous complaints related to Mepa’s operations and decisions over the past years, reaching some very critical conclusions.

Mr Falzon said the Ombudsman called him for a meeting at his office on Wednesday.

“He started the conversation by saying: ‘I don’t know if they told you but the audit office will stop functioning next week.’

“I was taken by surprise, not because I was not chosen for the post but because of how I was kept in the dark on when the change would happen.”

Under the previous arrangement, the Mepa board would propose a name for audit officer and the minister responsible for the environment would seek approval at a parliamentary committee on land use.

The new law states that the environment commissioner will be nominated by the Prime Minister after agreeing with the Opposition Leader.

But if the two do not agree within 15 days of the vacancy arising, the Ombudsman will nominate someone.

Sources said veteran architect David Pace, a court expert, will fill the new post.