A lengthy debate on article 36 of the Development Planning Bill was concluded in Parliament last night, with newly independent Marlene Farrugia voting with the Opposition three times.

The debate about the establishment and scope of the Executive Council within the new Development Planning Authority lasted three sittings.

The Bill, being debated at committee stage, is one of the legislative instruments that together with the Environment Protection Bill and Planning Review Tribunal Bill, will lead to the demerger of Mepa into two separate authorities.

Parliamentary Secretary Michael Falzon explained that this ‘innovative’ approach sought to bring about a paradigm shift within the local development planning regime. As the policy-setting arm, the Executive Council would be distinct from the Planning Board, the decision-taking unit. However, together they will make up the new Planning Authority.

Dr Farrugia voted in favour of a proposal by the Opposition stipulating that two members of the council were to be chosen by the environmental NGOs.

This and other amendments proposed by the Opposition were rejected, however some amendments to the original clauses were taken up.

One of the main changes is that it will no longer be required that two board members be persons well versed in the construction industry.

The Opposition had earlier insisted that the presence of persons from the building industry would be beneficial, to be coupled with board members chosen by environmental NGOs.

It was also clarified that the nominees of the other authority – the Environment Authority – sitting on the board were to participate always in the Executive Council except in non-policy related matters.

Moreover, the Superintendent of Cultural Heritage was to be called upon when considering scheduling and conservation orders, as well as emergency conservation orders.

The Opposition voted against article 36 as amended, explaining that it did not consider the Executive Council, in the proposed format, to be transparent and independent as it was wholly appointed by the government.

In particular it lacked the NGOs’ nominees and, contrary to the current situation, there was no representative of the Opposition.

This led to the Opposition also voting against the provisions of article 5 which stipulates that the new Planning Authority is to be composed of the Executive Council and the Planning Board.

MP Marlene Farrugia voted again with the Opposition in both instances.