There has been no agreement on the use of over €55 million worth of funds collected by the Planning Authorities through schemes for localities, information tabled in parliament reveals.

Minister for Public Works and Planning Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi said that the funds came mainly from three sources, a percentage came from applications for regularisation, a percentage of the contribution for the lack of provision for parking spaces, and from cases regarding large projects.

"The funds from these sources remain tied to the locality from where applications for development are approved." He said that 80% of the funds are allocated directly for local council use, and 20% to groups with particular interest in the respective locality. The applications for the use of these funds are determined by a committee appointed by the Planning Authority's Executive, he said.

The minister was responding to a question posed by PN MP Graziella Galea, who asked for information regarding the funds collected by the authority in terms of CCPS payments, the Development Planning Fund and other schemes and other schemes in each locality. She also asked for information as to which amounts there is already agreement on in terms of how they will be used, and on which there isn't.

In total from the Development Planning Fund, €12,028,003 has been agreed upon in terms of how they will be used by localities, however a staggering €55,118,287 has not yet seen agreement in terms of how they will be used. Sliema and St Paul's Bay have the highest amounts of unused funds out of the localities, which both have €5.6 million each.

From the 'Sebbah Il-Lokal' fund, a total of €141,663 was agreed on, and €1,030,776 has not yet been agreed upon.