From Dr R. Blundell

Last weekend I went to a club in Ta’ Qali with some friends. We arrived at Ta’ Qali at about midnight. As I was about to park in a road leading to this club, my friend told me not to park there since the car park attendant would charge 50c for parking. This road seemed like government property to me. We drove on and found another parking space. Another car park attendant approached and asked for 75c for parking. At this point I asked him whether he had a permit; he told me he did not but the field was his. Although the road leading to his “field” (transformed into a moneymaking car park) seemed to be government property, we were still asked to pay for parking, which we did. Closer to the club, we found another parking area, this time managed by someone else, and a large sign saying Lm1.50 for parking. At this point I have a few questions to ask.

1. Is it legal for a car park attendant to ask for money especially in a government area?

2. What are the regulations for turning a piece of land into a car park?

3. What is by law defined as a car park and what safety features and requirements need to be adhered to?

4. Can everyone become a car park attendant and demand money?

5. Can everybody turn his land or field into a moneymaking car park?

6. Does a car park attendant have to give a receipt?

7. Does a car park attendant issue a VAT receipt and does he have to declare the money he earns as part of his income?

8. Who is responsible for controlling such activity and what are the local responsible authorities doing to control such abusive behaviour?

Renald Blundell

BIRKIRKARA