Minister for Tourism Edward Zammit Lewis and Parliamentary Secretary for planning and simplification of administrative processes Michael Falzon launched the public consultation on the draft ‘Policy, Guidance and Standards for outdoor catering areas on public open space’. Primarily the draft will focus on a common policy for tables and chairs for outdoor catering areas.

Robert Vella, unit manager for the Business Unit at the Commerce Department, spoke of the need to strike a balance between the access of public space for citizens as well as access to public space for outside catering. He went on to say that the policy is being revamped because as it is, the way one would go about procuring a permit for outside dining furniture involves a number of different government entities and bureaucracy, making it difficult to get the necessary permit. There needs to be consistency and clarity between policies coming from various government entities, said Vella.

The policy document will include 23 policy statements as well as 10 good guidance notes. The policy topics include location criteria, public exit and safety, policy and standards regarding placement of catering furniture (including standards of outside catering equipment), enclosure and shading structure policies, policies indicating how different areas with public zones should be marked, maintenance of encroachment area policies and safeguarding of third-party rights.

The deadline for the consultation is Friday 23 October, and for more information one may send an e-mail to [email protected].

Dr Falzon spoke of this initiative being the vision of one administration. He added that all parties will be bound by the standards that emerge from the drafting of this harmonized policy. He gave special mention to Local Councils, stating that they too will have to adhere to these standards; certain councils are known to illegally take up public space outside their headquarters. He described this initiative as being an “innovative” one, due to the fact that all sectors were involved in the formulation of the relevant guidelines and regulations.

Dr Falzon added that there must be better management of the resources available, inclusive of public space. He said that there are certain individuals who believe that public space is available for them to “use and abuse” and this mentality must change. He believes that this initiative makes sense for all, as it strikes a balance between allowing access to the public, keeping up safety standards as well as the inclusion of third party rights.

Minister Zammit Lewis said that public space is an important resource that should be made available to everyone. He said that al fresco dining is a selling point for a Mediterranean country; therefore the best way to promote this selling point is through serious and organized politics. He went on to say that having harmonized rules will allow for a clear and transparent decision making process, more efficient use of public space and the hope is that more individuals will opt for al fresco dining.

The key words that Mr Zammit Lewis spoke of are consistency and clarity, the lack of harmonized rules between the various government entities involved discourages efficient use of public space. Mr Zammit Lewis outlined the need for a level playing field. On the issue of abuse of public space, he outlined certain measures that will be adopted in order to curb abuse, such as permanent markings on the ground for encroachment areas.

He said that MEPA will be the one-stop-shop where people will go through the process of getting permits. He stated that there will be clear terms for everyone, saying that all the relevant entities must work together for one set of guidelines, such entities include the Malta Tourism Authority, Transport Malta, the Ministry for Home Affairs and more.

Dr Zammit Lewis said that 2015 will be a record year for tourism, stating that we have never before seen this number of tourists visiting Malta.