It was replying to a statement the council issued to condemn the government after the funds allocated to them were reduced for the second time in nine months.

A statement issued by the council said that the council regretted that the government had cut their funds again by Lm2,189. This measure goes against the Local Council law and against the European Local Government paper.

These cuts will have a negative effect on the citizen’s standard of living, the statement said, which is why the council was taking this stand and was condemning the government for this negative measure.

In reply, the Department of Information said it has been explained that the reduction in the budget allocation to local councils was made as a cost-cutting measure.

The government believes the country’s deficit is a national problem and everyone should contribute towards a solution.

To minimise the financial impact on local councils, the adjustment included the withholding of funds that were to be distributed for ‘other projects’. This means that effectively the budget cut was of 2.4 per cent.

The DOI said that in the 2004 financial year, the Vittoriosa local council had raised Lm4,325 from fines and Lm21,333 from other sources including contributions. Apart from this, the council had three workers who are directly paid for by the government.

The DOI added that the government had carried out several works in Vittoriosa, including the restoration of the Inquisitor’s Palace, the Maritime Museum, the Auberge d’Angleterre and the Auberge de France.