Sliema council objects to Qui-Si-Sana development

800m2 of pristine shoreline earmarked for sun-beds

James Debono, Malta Today 6 October 2013

The Sliema Local Council is objecting to a development of leisure facilities on 800 square meters of pristine rocky shoreline in Qui-Si-Sana just below the Qui-Si-Sana public garden.

The development is earmarked for “leisure development” which consists in lavatories, showers, an attendant’s area and rows of sun beds, which are set to cover the rocky shoreline.

The application was presented by hotelier Michael Stivala on 15 March, just three days after the general elections and was issued for public consultation on September 21.

“Such a project will deny full public access on to what is presently public land,” the council said in an official objection letter sent to the Malta Environment and Planning Authority.

The Sliema council described the site in question as a “stretch of pristine rocky coastline” made up of globerigina limestone and characterised by rocky pools, which are rich in marine flora and fauna.

The council also pints out that a World War II structure known as the coastal Artillery Search Light overlooks the site. Although the application does not impact on this recently restored historical monument, it would result in the destruction of its context.

The development is set to take place on public land but the application states that the owner of the site has already given consent to the proposed development.

“Sliema cannot afford to lose more of its coast for private development, something which contrasts with the Sliema local council’s efforts to make beaches “as clean and accessible as possible”, Green Party councillor Michael Briguglio said.

Sliema Public Library

The 'Margaret Mortimer' Sliema Public Library, in Blanche Huber Street, is, until further notice, open on the following days:

Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays between 0800am-1200pm

The library is fully accessible has free internet and WI-FI access.

Storytelling for Children

Every Saturday between 9am-10am, starting from Saturday 5 October. Public holidays excluded. At Sliema Local Library, Blanche Huber Street

Children aged between 5-7 are welcome to attend.
Sessions in English and Maltese.

Those interested are to send Name of Child, Age, Parent/guardian, Address and Mob/Tel to Sliema Local Council ( sliema.lc@gov.mt ) or to Sliema Local Library.

More courses at Sliema Local Council for the upcoming season

Following the summer courses, and in addition to the 13 courses as part of the upcoming Lifelong Learning Scheme in Sliema , Sliema Local Council is organizing a further batch of courses for the winter season. Maltese and non-Maltese residents are welcome to attend these courses. Course venues are fully accessible.

These include the following:

Breast Cancer Awareness

Friday 1st November at 600pm for the young persons
Tuesday 19th November at 930 am for elderly persons
At Sliema Local Council, Depiro Street, Sliema
Talks by Europa Donna Malta - The European Breast Cancer Coalition

Storytelling for Children

Every Saturday between 9am-10am, starting from Saturday 5 October. Public holidays excluded.
At Sliema Local Library, Blanche Huber Street

Children aged between 5-7 are welcome to attend.
Sessions in English and Maltese.

Those interested are to send Name of Child, Age, Parent/guardian, Address and Mob/Tel to Sliema Local Council ( sliema.lc@gov.mt ) or to Sliema Local Library.

Holistic Nutrition Course

Every Thursday between 10am and 11am
At Sliema Local Council, Depiro Street, Sliema
Starting date: 10th October
Course given by David Spiteri

In the coming weeks, Sliema Local Council will also announce further educational initiatives

Lifelong Learning Courses in Sliema 2013/4

Sliema Local Council will be participating in the Lifelong Learning scheme, in partnership with the Directorate for Lifelong Learning (Ministry for Education and Employment) for the coming year, 2013/4.

To date, Sliema Local Council is one of the two most popular local councils as regards lifelong learning courses.

From the coming year, all courses offered in Sliema will be fully accessible for persons with physical disability, and, as in previous years, will be fully accessible to non-Maltese residents, in line with the Local Council's drive for full accessibility and social inclusion.

Courses on offer at Sliema Local Council for the coming year, and their respective level, are:

Maltese as a Foreign Language (MQF Level 1)
English as a Foreign Language (MQF Level 1)
French (Level 2)
Spanish (MQF Level 1)
Health Wellbeing and Successful Ageing (MQF Level 1)
Understanding Children with Emotional and Behavioural Challenges (Certificate of Attendance)
Lace Making (VET level 1)
Drama for Personality Development (VPA level rating is in progress)
Maltese Cultural and Natural Heritage (MQF level rating is in progress) - this course includes on-site outings.
Zumba Fitness (Certificate of Attendance)
Yoga (Certificate of Attendance)
Keep Fit (Certificate of Attendance)
General Science (Core competences basic level)


One may obtain a free hard copy of the prospectus (which also includes courses at other local councils and centres) from the Sliema Local Council offices. More details can be found by clicking on this link: https://lifelonglearning.gov.mt/public/frmCoursesVenue.aspx?ven=43

One can apply online for the courses mentioned above between 19 August and 6 September through the following website:

http://lifelonglearning.gov.mt/

One may also access facebook page at

https://www.facebook.com/Lifelonglearningmalta

In the coming weeks Sliema Local Council will announce other new courses which will be held during winter 2013/4.

More information and assistance may be obtained from the Sliema Local Council

Dog Friendly Beach in Sliema

Sliema Local Council is one of the 5 local councils participating in the initiative for dog friendly beaches around Malta and Gozo.

The area in Sliema allocated for this purpose is at Tigne' Point (under The Point), which is accessible from the Strand.

Parking Scheme in Sliema remains suspended by Government

Sliema is still being denied a parking scheme by the Government. The scheme, which was in line with legal requirements, was abruptly suspended by the Government when it was in its trial period. In the meantime Sliema is being treated differently from other localities which had approved parking schemes in previous years.

More can be seen and read at


http://tvm.com.mt/news/2013/07/sliema-local-council-call-for-urgent-discussions-with-transport-minister/

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130727/local/sliema-council-wants-to-be-heard-on-parking-scheme.479714

http://www.maltarightnow.com/?module=news&at=Il-Kunsill+Lokali+ta%27+Tas-Sliema+injorat+mill-Gvern&t=a&aid=99849350&cid=19

Revision of Local Plans

The Malta Environment and Planning Authority is currently revising local plans. I will be speaking on the issue as Sliema Local Councillor, where I intend to emphasize issues such as overdevelopment, open spaces, traffic congestion, solar energy rights, building heights and commercialization.

Residents, NGOs and other stakeholders are invited to contact me at mbrig@hotmail.com with concrete suggestions in this regard.

In the meantime, newspaper Malta Today, referring to official figures of the National Statistics Office, has reported that Sliema, which saw 852 new applications in the past five years, registers the second-highest number of vacant properties in Malta: 4,061. Between 2005 and 2011, vacant properties in Sliema shot up by 1,394.