New scheme means local councils to pay a maximum of €500 in rent for public property

A new scheme by the Lands Authority through which all local councils in Malta and Gozo will benefit from low rental rates for land or public property was launched last week. Whatever the land or property rented from the Lands Authority, the maximum rent that will be paid will amount to only €500, a government statement read.

The scheme was launched by the Minister for Lands and the Implementation of the Electoral programme Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi and the Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government Alison Zerafa Civelli.

Minister Zrinzo Azzopardi acknowledged that the operations of local councils brings with it different challenges according to the size and nature of the locality. "The scheme we are launching today, while it will offer peace of mind to local councils, is a clear demonstration of the government's commitment to provide support to local councils in carrying out their work in our communities."

He said that through this

scheme, the government is investing directly in the people because the local councils will be able to offer more services to their communities by spending less on rents. Through this scheme many local councils will save thousands of euros, a government statement read.

Parliamentary secretary Zerafa Civelli said that the local councils have several responsibilities and these require various resources in order to carry them out. She said that through this scheme the local councils will have more funds that they can use for the needs of their localities and residents, in a better and more effective way.