I would like to mention two points I raised during the two-day meeting of mayors and vice-mayors organised by the Local Councils Association on 5 and 6 September. The main subject of this meeting was the current process of consultation for a reform in local councils.

The first point is about funds that are due to local councils but which are being pocketed by the central administration.

These are the road contributions that developers pay when they redevelop a site. First-time road contribution is paid to the central government. This is right because it is the duty of the central government to construct the road the first time. Any further road contributions on the same site should be given to the respective local council because, following first time construction, maintenance of roads falls under the remit of local councils.

The second point is about the duration of the term-in-office of local councils. Local councillors are politicians and like all politicians they are allergic to elections. This is also true for the central government, which gives priority to work in localities where local elections are due.

Thus, I am afraid that extending the term of office would mean that instead of giving the localities some attention once every three years, they will only be given this attention once every four or five years.

Edric Micallef

Vice-Mayor

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