The bill amending the Local Councils Act is to be published on the Government Gazette this Friday, Deputy Prime Minister Tonio Borg said yesterday.

Although the part regulating local council elections will not apply to the coming local council elections on 12 March, government hopes that other parts of the bill, such as the procedure to be followed in electing the mayor will become law by the time elections are held.

Dr Borg told the House Business Committee that the government hoped the debate on the local councils bill will be over before 12 February, a month before the elections.

The House shall continue debating the bill incorporating budget measures this evening and throughout next week. After that the bill will go to committee stage, which will be held in the House.

Dr Borg said he hopes that members will not delay the debates beyond government’s deadlines.

Other debates coming up will deal with MMA and ADT as well as Heritage Malta.

MPs will be paying a visit to the Ombudsman’s office some time next week.