Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government Stefan Buontempo said today that the allocated funds for the local councils in the Northern Region have now gone up to €8.5 million for 2017.
He met with the Northern Regional Committee during one of his monthly visits organised with the respective regional committees. Buontempo stated that this region had an additional financial allocation of 10% when compared to the year 2016.
Stefan Buontempo continued by stressing the fact that the Government was acknowledging the local councils' efforts by increasing their allocation, both directly and indirectly. Such an increase in funds is being translated into community projects which include town square regeneration projects, refurbishment of playing field areas and other open spaces, laying of artificial turf on football grounds, together with the organisation of social and cultural activities that are so popular among communities, he added.
The government statement read that these initiatives were enhanced by further projects committed to by the Central Government with the clear intention of improving the physical and social infrastructure of the area. "These projects that run into millions of euro include the building of new primary schools, a national centre for water conservation, the modernising of daycare centres for the elderly, together with the installation of CCTV cameras in identified zones. He insisted that being accountable to one's office, to the electorate and to the country imposed great responsibilty which in turn should lead towards a more transparent and financially sustainable future for local governance."
The Parliamentary Secretary said: "I am making it sterling clear that those local councils which have worked hard in tackling the council's deficit in a sustained and progressive way will see us support them in their future initiatives and projects in favour of their communities. This will be done within the parameters of keeping in line with the spirit of sustainabilty, in order not to ruin all the progress that is leading them toward financial stability. I believe that I need to award the efforts of those who have been receptive to the message I wanted to convey on behalf of my Government. Such a message is after all in their best interests."