In August 2013, sizeable chunks of the ceiling of a groundfloor room collapsed at San Gwann local council. No one was hurt. Immediately, an inquiry was set up by the parliamentary secretariat to inquire the process that led to the purchase the administrative building.

The board concluded that the representatives of council were not properly informed about the required specifications, and not all members of the council were involved in discussions prior to the purchase.

The decision was approved by the department of local government on the 8th March 2000, just before the local council elections, and the contract was signed on the same day.  

The inquiry also concluded that the executive secretary should have properly evaluated the specifications required before a decision was taken, given an Lm97,000 expense was involved.  

The board recommended that tests should be carried out to ensure the building poses no risks to employees, or any visitors. The council should also ensure that the second level of the building is accessible to all, and rooms being used as storage should be properly refurbished as a storage room.

In such property decisions, council members should set up sub committee of experts made up of an architect, a lawyer and an accountant.