By this evening, all the Local Council election results will be known. I congratulate all councillors who made it past the post, but I also thank all those candidates who offered their services to their local communities, who unfortunately were not elected.

After the results are digested, councillors and mayors are sworn in, and old and new representatives of the new local councils settle in, I augur all elected to work together to continue to better their respective localities.

During the years, this Government has strengthened the function of the Local Councils, and further improved on this by the current Local Government Reform as well measures announced in the 2019 budget. A reform built on decentralisation and greater autonomy for our local government with the aim of strengthening both local and regional councils.

The 2019 Budget for local government has seen an increase of almost €7 million. This is the highest increase ever given to local government and clearly shows the central government’s will to revitalise regional and local councils. When one incorporates the direct funding, funds for schemes and special programmes as well as funds for the restructuring of the Local Government Division, the total amount allocated to local government is of €53 million.

During this electoral campaign, we launched the manifesto for our Local Councils in which we listed our priorities in seven sectors: the creation of a better environment for residents, with an emphasis on the importance of cleanliness and the implementation of environmental projects. Among others, the manifesto refers to the reform on organic waste collection and the bottles refund scheme and also the commitment for more pedestrian roads in towns centres and open spaces.

Transport will be treated through discussions with the public transport operator for the introduction of new routes towards areas that are not being accessed, and with investment on bus shelters, the extension of free transport service to elderly persons and where possible electric cars are used. Infrastructure will be strengthened, more security with Police presence, while Local Councils will work towards a society mentality of caring for everyone, the strengthening of active communities and lively culture.

Our promises, where Local Councils have a Labour majority, will be implemented. Having listed our priorities does not mean that our work will not continue on what we have already achieved.

I quote Prime Minister Joseph Muscat commenting on the new Valletta Local Council – now with a first ever Labour majority and also with the first ever Labour Mayor in Local Council history: "We know how hard the Labour government worked in Valletta as it transformed from a dead city to a lively one, a city that is sought not just by tourists but by Maltese families as well."

I extend this to all local councillors – to do their utmost and take pride in changing their localities for the benefit of all.

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Wednesday was a proud day for 22 new notaries who obtained their warrant - 4 males and 18 females. Addressing the new notaries, I congratulated those present and wished them well in their career. I also highlighted the importance and responsibility this profession carries, so I encouraged them to conduct themselves in an ethical and serious manner especially since their profession and hard work helps to strengthen the economy.

This Government has made sure to better equip our country’s notaries, with the first ever Code of Ethics for Notaries introduced in our country.

This Code of Ethics for Notaries forms part of the various reforms which are currently being implemented by this Government in the legal and judicial sectors. It’s also good to note that the Notarial Archives are currently undergoing major restoration works as part of a €5 million, ERDF-funded project. External restoration works are nearing completion, with internal works to be completed by the end of 2020. This will see to the transformation of the Archives into a leading centre of excellence in historical research, conservation and scientific investigation. Not only will this aid in the preservation of the collection of over 20,000 notarial volumes of international prestige and rich historical and social value, but also used to enhance the accessibility of the Notarial Archives and its volumes.

Such facilities will pave the way for the Notarial Archives to become an international leader of archival research and of preservation and conservation of paper heritage, all for the benefit of visitors, but most importantly to notaries who make use of these facilities. It is thanks to this direct investment that we can improve this notable profession, whilst ensuring more accessibility to our heritage.

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Writing about heritage, this week I attended another event during which another restoration project was inaugurated. It was indeed a pleasure for me to inagurate the recently restored statue of St Joseph in Ħal Għaxaq.

Through these projects we are taking care of our heritage, not only safeguarding major buildings and sites, but also heritage dotting our island. 

I praise the continuous works which are being carried out by the Restoration Directorate to intervene and maintain our country’s monuments and buildings. This Directorate has up to now carried out works in 70% of our localities and has 71 ongoing projects at various stages.

We are committed to further strengthen our heritage and traditions, especially since these form an intrinsic part of our identity as a country. Through this intervention, we are ensuring that this landmark is available for generations to come.

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The Central Government has culture at heart. A scheme launched soon after I became responsible for Culture, was the Restoration Works Scheme for Local Councils, launched by this Government to assist Local Councils in the restoration of buildings and other immovable monuments of historic and/or artistic value located within their delineated boundaries.

Through this scheme we have already seen the restoration of countless sites – from buildings to street niches, from historic walls to corner statues.

I commend all local councils to watch out for this scheme, so that together we will continue to preserve our country’s heritage.

Owen Bonnici is Minister of Justice, Culture and Local Councils