The rate for warden services for events such as feasts, festivals or any otherevent has almost doubled since 1 August.
Emails sent to local councils around the country from the Local Enforcement System Agency (LESA) show that the normal rate for such services has increased from €7.92 to €15+VAT. The newsroom understands that in the previous system, the rate was €7.92 and was VAT-exempt.
For traffic management services (TMS) bookings, which includes services such as a community officer’s responsibility for cranes, the normal rate has increased from €7.92 to €11.50+VAT, and has increased from €8.85 to €15+VAT for Sundays and public holidays.
The change was implemented on 2 July, exactly two months after all local wardens were transferred to a closed department of LESA, as part of the Labour Party’s electoral pledge to reform the system.
With this reform, local wardens would also become known as Community Officers, while greater emphasis was to be put on training and an expansion of their duties to take on more environmental, educational, and community roles.
When contacted, the Parliamentary Secretariat for Local Government and Communities explained that the price is now outdated compared to the costs associated with such operations.
“Notwithstanding the adjustment in the rates, LESA still has the lowest rates when compared to other enforcement entities and these reflect LESA’s commitment for a better service.
Increased financial pressure on local councils - Robert Cutajar
Speaking to The Malta Independent on Sunday, PN Spokesperson for Local Government Robert Cutajar was dismayed by the changes, saying he did not believe that anything should have been done prior to the reform of local councils.
On 24 March, Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government Silvio Parnis said that final discussions were taking place so that a white paper on the reform of local councils would “soon be issued for public consultation”.So far, no white paper has been published.
“The white paper should have been published in April. Local councils need our help with the government offering to strengthen their finances without the introduction of new taxes,” Cutajar said, highlighting that the PN had submitted a document to the central administration with a number of proposals it believes should be implemented.
“Fees from the permits for tables and chairs, a percentage of the VAT on commercial services in the locality, and the 50c eco-tax should all go to local councils,” he continued, “all that is being introduced will only increase local council’s costs, not to mention the 18 per cent VAT now added to these services.”