Changes are expected to be announced within the next few weeks on increased collaboration between WasteServ and local councils on waste collection, Local Government Minister Owen Bonnici said in Parliament this evening.

He was replying to questions by Opposition MPs Ċensu Galea, David Agius and Claudio Grech.

Dr Bonnici said it was well known that waste collection was a major priority for local councils and WasteServ and his ministry was getting involved in the issue.

Opposition Whip and local councils spokesman David Agius asked if the minister was aware that local councils did not even have enough funds for tipping fees. Valletta local council, for example, received €38,000 from the government but paid €66,000.

The minister acknowledged that the Valletta council had a bigger problem than others because it had to cater not only for the waste generated by residents but also by visitors to the capital. Whenever local councils asked for more funds he always asked if collective resources could be better utilised.

Asked if there were any other programmes in the pipeline, Dr Bonnici said he was suggesting that now that regional councils were to be relieved of local enforcement, they should concentrate on environmental policies at regional level. He would be saying as much at a planned meeting with all regional presidents.