The government would take “all legal measures” to ensure that local councils operate in accordance with the law, Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government Stefan Buontempo warned.

He also stressed that councils’ executive secretaries had a role in ensuring that things were done in accordance with the law. However, the association representing executive secretaries claimed mayors often acted behind their backs and went beyond their legal remit.

During a conference organised for council executive secretaries yesterday, Dr Buontempo said the results of a report by the National Audit Office on the workings of councils were “unacceptable” and should not be repeated.

The auditor’s report noted various shortcomings in council’s operations, many prevailing from previous years. Among several other issues, 31 councils were unable to provide fiscal receipts to cover €389,804 worth of payments made during 2014.

“The situation is very worrying,” Dr Buontempo said.

“I cannot accept the various shortcomings identified by the auditor. Today, I chided executive secretaries; as from next year we will bring the law to bear on councils’ operations.”

The situation is very worrying. I cannot accept the shortcomings identified by the auditor

The Parliamentary Secretary highlighted issues such as the lack of audited accounts, works carried out on expired contracts and the issuing of direct orders above the legal threshold.

These issues, he said, indicated serious shortcomings in terms of administration and accountability in the councils’ work.

In his remarks to executive secretaries, Dr Buontempo stressed the importance of their role, as set out by law, in ensuring that councils act legally and transparently.

“The quality of good governance in local councils rests on you, and you have to be ready to shoulder that responsibility,” he warned conference attendees.

However, in a reaction, the executive secretaries association (ANSEK) said that the Parliamentary Secretary had taken the easy way out in cautioning executive secretaries when problems ran much deeper.

Association president Paul Gatt said secretaries required additional training, and proposed that new appointees spend six months in an established council before taking up their posts.

Mr Gatt also highlighted issues beyond the control of executive secretaries, including several instances of mayors going behind their backs in authorising projects for which the council did not have sufficient funds.

He said mayors were not held to account in cases of such abuse.