It is very common for people from various localities to say that their local council is not effective.

However, if one looks back at the last 12 years of local councils in Malta, it is a fact that they have done a lot in various sectors in the best interest of their localities and their respective residents. This is also the case in Valletta. Although some have the impression that nothing much has been done, the reality is completely different.

During the last three years, the Valletta local council, elected in March 2002, has carried out a number of works, consisting of new pavements, road re-surfacing and the installation of new water, electricity and telephone services.

The Valletta local council had a budget of Lm230,000 annually, and about Lm30,000 income from the local enforcement system. A total of Lm260,000. This amount is much less than that available to other localities which are considered as large localities. However, since the population in Valletta is not large, this affects the formula with which the budget is worked out every year, even though there was some improvement during the last few years.

From the amount of Lm260,000, the Valletta local council has an expenditure of Lm100,000 for environmental services, such as street cleaning, domestic refuse collection, the commercial centre, public conveniences and bulky refuse service. In addition to this, one has to take into account the employees’ salaries, administrative costs and regular maintenance works.

This means that from a total of Lm260,000, the council is left with some Lm100,000 for infrastructural projects.

There is no doubt that for the infrastructural needs of Valletta, the amount of Lm100,000 makes it difficult for the local council to do what needs to be done in a short period of time. However, one also has to mention that the central government invested in the infrastructure of Valletta – in fact, the embellishment projects of the Upper Barrakka and Lower Barrakka gardens was carried out and paid for by the central government. As a result of the projects which have been carried out, the Valletta residents and the general public can enjoy a much more beautiful environment.

At the moment another embellishment project is being carried out by the central government in Hastings Gardens, which for a long time was left to deteriorate. This project is being carried out in collaboration with the Valletta local council.

A Nationalist led council has carried out new pavements projects in seven different streets of Valletta. This means that some 5,000 square metres of new pavements were laid. Another nine streets had been re surfaced– this boils down to some 10,000 square metres of tarmac in various parts of the Capital City.

The Valletta local council – which is to be elected on Saturday – led by a Nationalist majority, must continue carrying out the embellishment projects of new pavements and road re-surfacing in order to create a better environment and make the City more accessible.

Without any doubt, one of the main problems Valletta faces is parking and traffic congestion during peak hours – although, the situation improved since the introduction of the local wardens. This problem has to be tackled holistically and on a national level.

In fact, a cabinet committee, led by Minister Austin Gatt, was set up and was actively working on the problem. This committee should soon provide a plan for the implementation of a park and ride project in Blata l-Bajda and a parking scheme for Valletta which will bring relief to Valletta residents without upsetting the necessary balance between commercial community needs and the administration.

In the last three years, the Valletta local council has also embarked on other important initiatives such as the “self-esteem” programme for schoolchildren and their parents. This programme was organised together with the foundation for tomorrow schools. Another programme was initiated at the Valletta FC football nursery, together with the club “My ability in Sport”.

The Valletta local council, led by a Nationalist majority, is also looking towards the opportunities which exist at the local government level within the European Union. At this point in time, the Valletta local council is participating in three different EU projects from which it can gain some E25,000 from EU funds.

It is definitely in our best interest to continue enhancing the general environment of our capital city, Valletta. We can only ensure the continuity of the embellishment projects for Valletta, with a new local council which will, once again be led by a Nationalist majority.

I am convinced that Valletta, in the coming years, can become a better place through a local council led by a Nationalist majority which will collaborate and cooperate with the central government.

Joe Spiteri is the deputy mayor of Valletta