Nationalist Party presents 80 proposals for local council reforms

● Community policing concept among proposals

The Nationalist Party yesterday presented 80 proposals to reform local council.

The document titled Local Councils that better serve you, is based on five principles: Social issues; security; cooperation between councils; public financial investment in localities; effective and efficient administration. PN MP Robert Cutajar stressed on the relevance of local councils, and urged government to take note of these proposals.

On the social aspect, he said that every locality should conduct a social impact assessment to identify the problems in their localities, social problems, housing problems, persons at risk of poverty, mental health etc. “We believe local councils should participate in all these points.”

The PN suggests that every council should have a person in charge of the social aspect, who would also chair a committee which includes members of local groups to work on the social aspect of their locality, including tackling housing issues, the elderly and carers, families at risk of poverty, youth issues etc. The PN also proposes that every council have a ring fenced budget for this sector, with clear guidelines as to how these funds can be used.

The PN also proposes that every locality create a one-stop-shop where all information and guidance on services offered by government and agencies will be made available.

They suggest that all councils, through government’s help, embark on a programme to establish day centres and night shelters, which will be administered by the councils with government ensuring that there is adequate funding.

On the issue of security Cutajar spoke of the need to seriously work on the introduction of community policing, which includes proposals for police officers to be stationed in the same locality (rather than changing every few months) in order to build a bridge with the locals. The proposals suggest that nobody from the community policing section be allowed to move from their assigned locality without a just reason.

The proposals recommend revising the policing districts. “It does not make sense to have localities divided into three policing district.”

He also spoke about wardens going back to the old system, under the regions.

The PN says that every locality should have a police station open 24/7. They also propose the introduction of tourism police in tourism zones.

In addition, the PN want local councils to, through government schemes, embark on a CCTV maintenance and installation project.

The PN has called for consultation as to whether mayors should be turned into full-time positions or not.

On the administration of local councils, the PN suggests that part of the council’s budget be administered by the Executive Secretary, through consultation with the mayor. They also call for the introduction of Assistant Executive Secretaries.

They also propose that every council have one employee who focusses on coordinating between the council and government departments and entities.

The PN also calls on government to consider making the Committee of Regions electable by the people. They suggest that Committee be allocated specific funds to be able to conduct their functions, and that the responsibility of arterial roads should be handed over to the regions. Among other things, they also suggest that the Committee of Regions create and implement regional strategies on tourism, to ensure that each region benefits from this sector. They propose that a sub-committee on environment also be formed.

Cutajar said that each region should also have someone to deal with EU funds.

As for government funding, the PN suggests that on an annual basis, during the last three months of each year government should issue a scheme with extra funds, over and above the regular amount allocated , so that councils with particular needs can apply and make use of those funds.

The PN also propose that a percentage of the VAT tax generated in a locality remain in the locality, that payments on permits in a locality remain in the locality, that 50% of tourism tax in a locality go back to the local council, that tax on land use (for example for tables and chairs) should pass to the local council in question.

These funds, the PN say, should be ring fenced and should only be spent on environmental, infrastructural, cultural initiatives, or on the promotion of consumer rights or the promotion of commerce and business in the locality.

Cutajar said that the proposals do not require any new taxes.

Along with PN MP Cutajar, Pierre Portelli - President of the PN College of Councillors, and Charles Bonello - PN Director of Local Councils also spoke.