The Prime Minister has announced the details of a wide-ranging reform of local councils after an extensive consultation process.
He said the councils were a success story, and the purpose of the reform is to build on this success and make the councils more efficient in the interests of the people.
A document presented by Dr Gonzi lists122 reform decisions, which will be presented to parliament in the coming weeks.
One of the key changes is an extension of the term of the councils to four years instead of three. The councils are therefore being divided into two groups, with elections being held every two years.
Other salient points include a simplified funding formula - which also includes the allocation of funds which will be ring fenced for particular projects and more measures for greater accountability.
OTHER CHANGES
Other changes include more facilities so that the councils can become a one-stop shop for government services (such as the payment of bills), new financial regulations, the holding of local referenda when councils need to take long-term borrowing for major infrastructural works, the introduction of a quality service charter and a reform of local law enforcement so that its focus will be on education and on issues which annoy the people, such as littering, noise pollution and cruelty to animals.
Following the introduction of new ID cards, the cards would be used instead of voting documents at local elections, and vote counting would be held in the localities.
Allowances of €1,200 will be introduced for councillors and the honoraria for mayors will be adjusted in terms of the size of their councils. In localities with a population of more than 15,000, the honoraria will be two-thirds that of an MP. Where the population is between 5,000 and 15,000, the mayor will receive half the honorarium of an MP. In the case of the small councils, the honoraria will remain unchanged at one-third that of MPs.
The councils will be grouped in five regions enabling them to work together on certain services and projects.The regional committees will also replace the current Joint Committees.
In terms of the document, following the elections in a third of the councils this June, the next elections will be held in 2012 for half the councils. These will be: at Vittoriosa, Qormi, Siggiewi, Attard, Birzebbuga, Floriana, Gzira, Gharghur, Hamrun, Kercem, Luqa, Marsaxlokk, Mosta, Munxar, Paola, Qala, Safi, San Lawrenz, Sta Lucija, Swieqi, Xaghra, and Zebbug (Gozo) along with 12 localities where the elections should have been held in 2011. These are: Zebbug (Malta) St Paul's Bay, Balzan, Marsa, Ghajnsielem, Qrendi, St Julians, Kirkop, Zurrieq, Nadur, Iklin and Dingli. This group would go for new elections in 2015 before changing to a four-year term.
In 2013, elections for a four year term would be held at Xewkija, Senglea, Valletta, Zejtun, Fontana, Ghasri, Mellieha, Mqabba, Pembroke, Sta Venera, Ta' Xbiex. Elections would also be held at Cospcua, Mdina, Zabbar, Victoria, Birkirkara, Fgura, Gudja, Gharb, Ghaxaq, Kalkara, Lija, Marsascala, Mgarr, Msida, Naxxar, Pieta, Rabat, San Gwann, Snanat, Sliema, Tarxien, Xaghjra and Mtarfa.
The Local Councils reform decisions can be viewed at:
https://opm.gov.mt/riforma_kl?l=2