Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government Silvio Parnis stressed the need for markets to clean up after themselves after closing for the day.

Responding to a number of questions in Parliament, one of which was about rumours that the Paola market would move location, posed by PN MP Jason Azzopardi.

The Parliamentary Secretary said that the issues surrounding that particular market have been ongoing for many years, and while there has been no request for it to be moved, he did say that government is working on a white paper regarding markets, which would include regulations as to how they should leave a site once they pack up.

“There is a need for enforcement with regards to cleaning up when the market closes,” he said.

Answering further questions by the PN MP, as well as PL Whip Byron Camilleri, Parnis spoke about the proposed local council reform. He stressed that the white paper is not the conclusion of government’s proposals, adding that it is currently out for public consultation. He mentioned that the aim is to give certain powers to the six proposed regions, but would not take away from the powers of local councils.

He also said that government wants to ensure that, what is given to local councils in terms of funds, results in a change in their localities. He spoke about the need to ensure that the funds given to councils are being spent as they are meant to be spent, and said that councils should employ contract managers who would provide information regarding the results as to the work conducted in the locality.