From Not. J. L. Attard

The government has just announced the beginning of a consultation process that must end with a reform in our elected local councils. In the past years the Nationalist government introduced a new system of decision-making. Before any major decision is taken, the government carries out a consultation process with all the stakeholders and with the general public interested in the subject matter. In turn this process generally leads to new ideas being introduced in the reforms and subsequently helps in the implementation process.

In 1993 Malta saw, for the first time in its history, the establishment of local government.

The same cannot be said for Gozo, which in the 1960s and early 1970s already had the Gozo Civic Council, which was abolished through an Act of Parliament by the Socialist Government. After 15 years local councils are part and parcel of our political system and one can safely argue that they were a successful experiment.

These elected bodies managed to strengthen our democracy by bringing to a certain extent the decision-making process to the lowest possible level. The citizens are given the possibility to make their arguments regarding issues that would affect their life in general.

The policy that has always been adopted by every Nationalist government is to decentralize power. In my opinion the reform that is being proposed by the government already has a good base. The emphasis on having more coordination between the central and local government is fundamental to improve the quality of life of the residents of any particular locality. Sustainable development is another issue being proposed which in our contemporary times is one of the cardinal principles that must guide any decision maker at national or local level. One must remember that every decision we take today will affect future generations.

More coordination will mean less bureaucracy for the layperson. This is one of the frequent complaints ensuing from the actual system of administration. Local councils must be the means to help the government of the day and not a tool to reduce its effectiveness. Unfortunately sometimes, local councils led by a Labour majority try to abdicate their responsibilities by blaming the central government for any particular issue falling under their competence. I think the Labour Party must change its tactics if it wants to regain its lost credibility. The Labour Party must use local government to show us its ambitions for every locality they administer. I hope the Alfred Sant era is over once and for all, and no successor will try to follow his ambiguous style and method of leadership. Doom and gloom are the two words that can encapsulate the essence of Alfred Sant leadership of the Labour Party. Fortunately, our electorate has show a great sense of maturity by having once and forever rubber stamped Alfred Sant’s dismissal from the Maltese political scene for three consecutive times.

The proposed discussions on the reform will analyse a number of themes including the term of the local council, the financing issue, the role of the executive secretary, responsibilities and accountability in the administration. In my opinion the most fundamental theme that must always be kept at the centre of attention in the discussions is the involvement of the residents of the locality in the whole process. This can take place by creating more sub-committees composed of residents. Local council funds must assure that mayors are given the opportunity to create projects that can improve the locality. A mayor must be given the opportunity to create a vision for his/her locality and eventually must be assured this possibility through adequate funds to implement his/her vision. Several localities host thousands of tourists all year round, therefore the improvement of the locality is fundamental even to the national economy as a whole. Investing in local councils is an investment to improve our tourist product as well.

I am convinced that strengthening our local government will improve our quality of life. The reform as proposed by the Parliamentary Secretary responsible for local councils , Dr Chris Said, in the name of the government will revamp these elected bodies in every sector. Councils will be given the necessary power to improve and encourage more sports activities, education and training facilities at local level.

After joining the EU in 2004 Malta started a new experience in every sector of our society. Local councils are an integral part of our society and I am convinced that the reform as proposed will help local councils make a success story out of this new experience with the name of Europe. The government is encouraging local councils by providing them with the necessary tools to apply and obtain more funds from the EU. Projects co-financed by the European Union are in my opinion a key to improve our standard of living.

Finally, what I really hope is that both political parties will take the opportunity and use these discussions on local council reforms to show us that finally something has changed in our country. The policy of opposing everything at all costs has proved to be wrong in three consecutive general elections. Consensus on the fundamental things that affect our daily lives in the long and short term is fundamental to the beginning of a new era in a world that is proving tougher everyday.

Joseph L. Attard

XAGHRA