With the local council elections steadily on the way, and the relevant electoral campaigns now having kicked off officially, as an outgoing councillor on the local council of Attard, and candidate on the same ticket, I feel duty-bound to dedicate an article to express my vision for the coming years, and how I feel our local councils can make a difference in our localities.

Local councils should take on more active roles in our communities. In Attard, we are blessed with an active local council which is close to the people and is proactive to take initiatives that improve the lives of residents and create a sense of community. In the past five years, we have striven to maintain this enthusiasm, and we are driven to continue for the upcoming legislature. Unfortunately, we are all aware that this is not the case in many other localities around Malta and Gozo, and more needs to be done.

For too long, local councils have been systematically stripped of all their actual powers, being rendered glorified call centres for disgruntled residents. While we are glad to fulfil this role as we are closest to the people who elect us, this is far from the vision Eddie Fenech Adami had for local governments and the value of decentralisation.

Local councils should have a greater degree of independence, allowing them to address the priorities of their localities without having to go to the many authorities that have been created in the past years. Local councils should truly be local governments, with their own resources that they would be able to invest in projects that are truly for the benefit of their town.

With the limited powers at hand, we still manage to do great things. We still engage with our communities; yet more can be done.

Access to clinic services, ensuring healthcare facilities in community centres, supporting the well-being of residents needs to be guaranteed. Similarly, night and day shelters for members of our community are needed more than ever. Together with my colleagues in the council, this will be our priority for the upcoming legislature.

I believe that local council can be the beating heart of our localities. They should take on a more active role in areas such as culture, sports, and the environment, through a series of programmes designed to enrich the lives of their residents. All our localities are rich with their own cultural heritage, some go back thousands of years some others more recent. They all have a great story to tell, and that needs to be front a centre.

Same for sports. We need to develop more accessible sports facilities to promote fitness and a community spirit. Whether it's football, basketball, or other recreational activities, we need to cater to diverse sporting interests, for all ages and abilities.

Education needs to remain a priority with expanded courses tailored for different age groups. Seniors will have opportunities like Learn IT classes, while children can explore robotics and other innovative subjects. This investment will further underscore our commitment to lifelong education.

The environment needs to remain in our focus too.  We need to invest in our gardens and open spaces and make sure they are protected for our future generations. More specifically, in Attard, our Tal-Fuklar and Palma Gardens are planned to undergo enhancements, including tree planting and modernisation of recreational areas, creating vibrant and eco-friendly spaces for relaxation for our families.

Leveraging European funding we need to look at investing in our rural heritage making our roads and pavements more accessible. Collaborative efforts with Infrastructure Malta will prioritise road construction, including the completion of new bus shelters to enhance public transportation and road safety.

A campaign promoting waste separation will be launched to raise awareness about responsible waste disposal practices, contributing to a cleaner and greener environment. Volunteer organisations in the animal sector, including those focused on neutering services, will receive increased support.

We can do so much together. We have already done quite a lot, but we are energised to continue working towards more vibrant, better communities.

Alexander Mangion is Deputy Mayor of Attard and candidate for the local council elections in the same locality.