More than €325 million were invested in councils in the past 15 years, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said.

Speaking during a visit to the Local Government Department, the Prime Minister said that what was an experiment 15 years ago had now become a way of life.

Dr Gonzi said that the government was strengthening the department for it to have all means at its disposal to regulate the operation of councils effectively.

Councils had to be sustained in their work through training for councillors, executive secretaries and employees.

He said that now that the consultation process on the councils’ reform had come to an end, it was time for decisions to be taken for the experience to be renewed.

An innovative idea submitted was for the setting up of a board within the department which would be responsible for councillors’ code of ethics. It would also analyse complaints on shortcomings there could be in councils, he said.