PN Secretary General Clyde Puli launched the PN’s electoral manifestos for local councils today.

He said that the proposals are for the 68 local councils across the islands, and there is one manifesto for every locality.

“We are launching a large number of proposals in these localities. Cumulatively, there are over 2,000 proposals.”

Some of the proposals are for the majority of localities, while others are particular to their locality, Puli said.  He said that the PN wants local councils which are truly local governments. “We want councils to take the next step, and not just remain councils for lighting and pavements.

He accused the government of taking powers away from councils.

In the electoral programmes, which will be sent to Maltese and Gozitan homes, and which will be available online, he said that the PN speaks about strengthening communities and identity through integration, strengthening the environment, and plans for public order in localities. He said that the PN wants local enforcement, through wardens, go back into the hands of councils, while also introducing community policing to create safer communities, educating and communicating with the locals.

He spoke about the social sector, stressing that it is just as important as roads and lighting. He said that the PN wants social impact assessments in every locality, in order to know what the social challenges are, even due to the population increase as a result of the government’s decisions.  He said that in an aging society it cannot be that some privileged areas have night centres, and others don’t.

He spoke of the need to protect the environment, and protect the autonomy of local councils, “not take money from them like they did in St Julian’s and Sliema.” He accused the government of increasing bureaucracy for councils, making it harder for them to spend their funds.

The PN is presenting these proposals as the party believes in local councils, he said, arguing that the party had the vision to establish councils many years ago. “We believe in local councils as we believe in democracy. Local councils and the EU were always our favourites, and we always believed in them through conviction and not convenience.”

He said that whoever tries to weakens councils, are undemocratic.

PN Whip Robert Cutajar spoke of the 80 proposals which are general to all councils. He said that the PN also believes that in tourism zones, tourism policing should be introduced. On the social sector, he said that the PN wants community workers whereby, if there are problems arising through the social impact assessments, there will be human resources available in the councils to deal with them.

Turning to hamlets, he said that they should be strengthened, but argued that the government cancelled their election because the government is undemocratic.

Cutajar also wants to increase training for local council staff.