The Ombudsman report on the role of the executive secretary in local councils runs diametrically opposite to what Labour has suggested in its pronouncements and documents.

The issue of the role of executive secretaries has been brewing for some time, but has come to the fore because of recent incidents that have taken place. Some councils on both sides of the spectrum have opted not to renew the executive secretaries’ contracts, citing non compatibility of character with the mayor in some cases.

I witnessed how the Labour majority in Pieta’ unashamedly tried to oust the executive secretary immediately after obtaining a majority. The Labour spokesman for local councils, Chris Cardona, said that the executive secretary is a political appointment.

Labour are of the opinion that the executive secretary is nothing more than the mayor’s personal assistant. Neither the law nor the spirit of the law at this time allows this.

The executive secretary has an important function within the workings of the council. The elected members are the political decision-makers and it is up to the executive secretary to implement those political decisions; however, all decisions must adhere to the laws and regulations that govern the local councils.

Therefore, the executive secretary is not just the person who takes down the minutes of council meetings, but also the person who advises the council whether or not their decisions will fit within the legal framework provided.

The obvious tension will arise when the council is dead-set on doing something which is not permissible in the opinion of the executive secretary. Undoubtedly a good executive secretary should find the best way how to diplomatically transform the council’s wishes into an acceptable form.

The Ombudsman is right in stating that the executive secretary should be a “watchdog of the council’s activities”. Labour clearly do not want this, they just want yes men, answerable to their board of vigilance.

What is interesting is whether or not Labour will back down from its position and bow its head to the Ombudsman’s findings and recommendations. It is only natural that they do this, since whenever the government has fallen out with the Ombudsman in the past, the opposition acted as though they were scandalised.

Now it is up to Labour to practice what it preaches and reconsider its position. The Ombudsman and the government are on the same wavelength on this matter. This was confirmed in Gozo by Dr Tonio Borg, minister responsible for local government, when he addressed the mayors of both islands.

The subject is not as unimportant as one may think. The experience of local government has shown that there were shocking incidents in local council administration, especially from a financial point of view.

Labour should get off their high horse and realise that if they really want to give a better service to the people, it is in the national interest that the executive secretary will not be hindered from ensuring that the checks and balances envisaged by law are adhered to. Labour have a clear majority in local councils, and they should lead by example before they lose it.

Dr Mifsud is the President of the College of Councillors of the Nationalist Party and a PN candidate