The Gzira council has taken bad and illegal financial decisions which will have major repercussions to the detriment of residents, the government said.

In a statement, it said the council approved an additional €57,000 expenditure over that projected for works in Stuart and Ponsomby streets.

Works in Ponsomby  Street continued before the council was called to decide on the substantial variations in spite of the fact that the deputy mayor had been present for the works and all the meetings held to discuss the projects.

It was only following the insistence of some of the councillors that a report was sent to the Department of Local Government informing it of the variations.

Works on the two streets are being carried out under the public private partnership scheme for residential roads operated by the Parliamentary Secretariat responsible for councils.

Through the scheme, the government allocates a sum of money to a council to implement works.

The council is responsible for the permits, plans, call for tenders and general coordination of works.

While according to the tenders given by the council, the works had to cost €63,000 and €62,000, respectively, the mayor, his deputy and the two Labour councillors approved the continuation of the project including variations which cost an additional €57,000.

It was only after the works in Ponsomby Street were concluded and the higher bills were received that the four councillors requested the DLG's approval. They also ordered the continuation of works in Stuart Street with or without the DLG's approval in breach of the law, the government said.