The code of ethics for local councillors – a booklet of 30 guidelines backed up by a legal notice – was yesterday launched as part of the ongoing local councils’ reform.

Addressing a press conference yesterday, the parliamentary secretary responsible for local councils, Chris Said, said that the code of ethics was a set of guidelines for the behaviour of elected representatives for local government. It also seeks to inform citizens on their rights and the behaviour that should be expected from councillors.

A board of governance, under chairman Tony Vella, a former permanent secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister was also set. This will treat cases of breach of ethics or abuse of power, breach of regulations and complaints from citizens. It will be able to listen to complaints from the public and counter arguments, after which it will make recommendations to the Director of Local Governance.

In case of repeated breach of ethics or misbehaviour by any councillor, the Department of Local Governance will be able to publish the names of councillors who would not be abiding by rules. The department may also take any other action it deems necessary. However it cannot resort to dismiss councillors, since they are elected. The councillors may decide to resign, or the public may decide not to elect them again in the next elections.

Dr Said noted that 85 per cent of the 122 proposals presented in the local councils reform last May had been successfully carried out.

He described the code of ethics and the board of governance as “necessary tools for the aggrieved to take action”. These will ensure the best service for residents, by which they would be assured that councillors work within the limits set by law and in a transparent, responsible and accountable manner, he said.

Another legal notice published yesterday will put in place the structure for the first eight small localities to elect administrative committees or mini-councils. In all, 16 localities will have their mini-councils set up by June – giving residents an opportunity to participate in decisions that affect them, Dr Said said.