Sliema council has described a meeting with Parliamentary Secretary Jose' Herrera over the proposed parking scheme as 'cordial and positive'.

The meeting was held yesterday, three weeks after the scheme was suspended by the government in reaction to protests from various quarters.

Mayor Anthony Chircop and Deputy Mayor Kris Busietta attended the meeting.

Dr Herrera is responsible for local councils.

The council said that a report which it had submitted to the government on holistic traffic management for Sliema, was also discussed and explained in detail.

The report details initiatives for the segmenting of Sliema into zones (Commercial, Residential and School Zones), where various traffic related issues shall be catered for according to the exigencies of the different zones. These traffic issues include speed management, parking, internal public transport and the controlled timed parking scheme.

Sliema Local Council reiterated its position that the introduction of the controlled timed parking scheme was totally legal since this was being implemented according to Legal Notice 200 of 2009, and therefore the government's decision to suspend its introduction was ultra vires.

The council explained said that it remained committed to introducing the controlled timed parking scheme in the locality and open for suggestions to improve the system.

The council is planning to hold a meeting with Transport Minister Joe Mizzi and Transport Malta.