The Director of Local Councils is to be asked to draw up a report on the process followed when San Gwann local council bought its premises in the year 2000, Parliamentary Secretary for local councils Jose' Herrera said today.

The decision follows an incident over the weekend when chunks fell off the roof of a room used for computer lessons and meetings.

Eighteen months ago another room in the premises was condemned when the floor started caving in, and supports were set up in the basement of the two storey building.

The former house was built in the late 1960s or early 1970s. It had been bought by the council 13 years ago for Lm90,000 (€207,000). It still has to pay €90.000.

Dr Herrera visited the premises this morning and was shown around by Mayor Etienne Bonello Dupuis. The premises are now not being used because of the danger. The council is providing some services from the porch while medical tests which the council used to provide are now being provided from the parish office.

Dr Herrera said he had issued instructions for the council to be temporarily allocated premises which had originally been built for use as a bocci club but are currently vacant.

Mr Bonello Dupuis said Infrastructure Minister Joe Mizzi had also assured the council that funds would be allocated in the budget for the completion of a project in Karin Grech Garden (opposite the church) which would include new council offices.