44 Local Councils have made 62 applications for devolution of government properties, Parliamentary Secretary Stefan Buontempo said today.

He was speaking during a visit at the old hospital in Mqabba, where the government has financed the restoration of the roof of a hall that is used by the public.

The Local Council had asked for help from the government after the building was declared derelict by architects.

The building was devolved to the local council in 2000 and has since been used as a community centre.

The building had previously fallen into disrepair and had been occupied illegally. In the past few years it has served as a place to hold computer courses, exhibitions and cultural activities.

The works carried out included the replacement of old wood beams and the laying of a new roof.

Dr Buontempo also spoke about the need for councils to be sustainable and said the government did not hand over public buildings to them unless the councils came up with a detailed business plan of how they intended to use the properties.