Monday, April 27, 2015
Friday, April 17, 2015
Sliema included in SkolaSajf Summer School Programme
Registration is now open for Skolasajf programme, organised by the Foundation for Educational Services.
This summer programme caters for school-age children aged between 3-16 years attending State, Church and Independent Schools.
This programme is offered in 63 Skolasajf centres around Malta and Gozo to meet the demands of the families.
Skolasajf 2015 will run from 13th July to 4th September without a break.
A team of dedicated and professionally trained personnel runs each Skolasajf Centre. Each centre has a Coordinator, who is responsible for the overall running of the respective centre and playworkers who organise hands-on, fun activities such as arts and crafts, cooking, story-telling, musical activities, sports and an educational quiz.
The Core Programme for ALL centres is between 8.30 a.m. and 12.30 p.m.
Extended hours will be available in selected Skolasajf Centres, including Sliema, and this service will be offered between 7:00 a.m.- 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. – 5.30 p.m. (according to demand and to both working parents only).
The registration fee for Skolasajf Core Programme (8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.) is €25 for the whole programme (13Jul 2015 – 4 Sep 2015).
Parents/Guardians who opt for extended hours will be asked to make use of centres that offer extended hours against an additional payment of €0.80c to the hour.
For more information please call on 22586810/22586861 or send an email on: skolasajf.fes@gov.mt.
To register please click here
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
New Responsibilities as Councillor
In yesterday's Local Council meeting, Sliema Mayor Anthony Chircop re-assigned resposibilities to councillors. My responsibilities are as follows:
Chairperson Education;
Chairperson Committee for Accessibility and Disability;
Member - Committee for Public Gardens, Playing Fields and Promenade;
Member - Finance Committee;
Member - Tenders Committee;
Coastal Environment;
Environmental Pollution (Air, Traffic, Noise);
Member - EU Funding Committee
Those willing to assist in any of these areas are welcome to contact me at mbrig@hotmail.com
Chairperson Education;
Chairperson Committee for Accessibility and Disability;
Member - Committee for Public Gardens, Playing Fields and Promenade;
Member - Finance Committee;
Member - Tenders Committee;
Coastal Environment;
Environmental Pollution (Air, Traffic, Noise);
Member - EU Funding Committee
Those willing to assist in any of these areas are welcome to contact me at mbrig@hotmail.com
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
Monday, March 16, 2015
Sliema discriminated in residents' parking schemes
Sliema council insists locality should be allowed residents' parking scheme
Times of Malta
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20150314/local/sliema-council-insists-locality-should-be-allowed-residents-parking-scheme.559842
The Sliema council today expressed its "extreme disappointment" that 18 months of discussions for the introduction of a residents’ parking scheme had fallen through and appealed for something to be done about the situation.
Addressing a news conference this morning, mayor Anthony Chircop recalled that the council had attempted to introduce a residents’ parking scheme in 2012 but was stopped by the authorities following an outcry of complaints by the Malta Union of Teachers and shop owners.
The council, he said, insisted that said locality would benefit from such a scheme which was also implemented in other localities.
Now, he said, the parking problem has become worse, development had increased and more people were visiting the community.
He noted that, in June 2013, the council was surprised with a legal notice prohibiting such a scheme specifically in Sliema.
Following that, Mr Chircop said, the council embarked on discussions with the Transport Minister and Transport Malta and was told that the government was seeking to introduce a holistic scheme for the whole of Malta.
The council was informed last September that the study was concluded and was going to be presented to Cabinet.
But, a month ago, it was informed that scheme was to be put on hold to study the impact of public transport now that there was a new operator.
The council, Mr Chircop said, was are extremely disappointed that everything was being put on hold after 18 months of discussions and appealed for something to be done about the situation.
Since a similar scheme existed in other localities, he said, Sliema should not be an exception.
Times of Malta
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20150314/local/sliema-council-insists-locality-should-be-allowed-residents-parking-scheme.559842
The Sliema council today expressed its "extreme disappointment" that 18 months of discussions for the introduction of a residents’ parking scheme had fallen through and appealed for something to be done about the situation.
Addressing a news conference this morning, mayor Anthony Chircop recalled that the council had attempted to introduce a residents’ parking scheme in 2012 but was stopped by the authorities following an outcry of complaints by the Malta Union of Teachers and shop owners.
The council, he said, insisted that said locality would benefit from such a scheme which was also implemented in other localities.
Now, he said, the parking problem has become worse, development had increased and more people were visiting the community.
He noted that, in June 2013, the council was surprised with a legal notice prohibiting such a scheme specifically in Sliema.
Following that, Mr Chircop said, the council embarked on discussions with the Transport Minister and Transport Malta and was told that the government was seeking to introduce a holistic scheme for the whole of Malta.
The council was informed last September that the study was concluded and was going to be presented to Cabinet.
But, a month ago, it was informed that scheme was to be put on hold to study the impact of public transport now that there was a new operator.
The council, Mr Chircop said, was are extremely disappointed that everything was being put on hold after 18 months of discussions and appealed for something to be done about the situation.
Since a similar scheme existed in other localities, he said, Sliema should not be an exception.
Friday, March 13, 2015
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Money for Local Councils
Michael Briguglio
The Times, March 9 2015
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20150309/opinion/Money-for-local-councils.559069
A few weeks ago, the National Audit Office highlighted various financial shortcomings in local council governance. These ranged from lack of procurement procedures by some councils to budgetary deficits.
Such reports are of great value and it is important that local councils adhere to established procedures to ensure proper financial governance.
It is also important to note that, though some local councils appear to be experiencing immediate financial problems, others might not be in such a situation even though accounts report a deficit.
For example, a local council might use financial reserves to make up for one-off expenditure programmes dealing with infrastructure. Trouble crops up when local councils become increasingly dependent on such shrinking reserves, thus resulting in unsustainable expenditure programmes.
Here one should note that local councils are almost totally dependent on funding from the central government to cover their expenditure. Some councils have been successful in tapping EU funds but, other than that, they have almost inexistent fiscal autonomy.
This is problematic on two fronts.
In the first instance, it appears that government funding is not being realistically updated to meet councils’ needs. This is especially the case when the population of a locality grows or when a council is assigned the upkeep of a project carried out by the central government – such as a park – without being given adequate funding for the purpose. Such projects tend to crop up closer to elections, with little financial consideration to their upkeep and maintenance.
In the second instance, almost total reliance on government funding is rendering councils dependent on central authorities, with no room for initiatives that can generate revenue. Such top-down dependency runs contrary to the principles of subsidiarity and decentralisation as it keeps financial authority in the hands of ministers and their loyal bureaucracies.
Besides, as things stand, this system is already showing cracks, possibly leading to an increased number of councils with unsustainable financial situations in the years to come.
I think the time has come to revise legislation so local councils can generate funds for certain initiatives and services. Those who thrive on cheap partisan propaganda will say that this will result in ‘new taxes’ but, to the contrary, this can result in citizens being given their money’s worth through better infrastructure and services.
A basic example in this regard concerns public car parks currently administered by Transport Malta. It is an open secret that car park attendants – who are paid for their job by the State – expect a tip. If one calculates the amount of money generated through this ‘informal’ system, one can reach obvious conclusions. If such tips are formalised through a system run by local councils, the revenue generated can be used for public purposes, such as road maintenance.
The same holds for construction projects. Current legislation and proposals in the 2015 Budget are totally out of synch with the regular damage to roads and pavements caused by developers. Residents frequently complain about such damages and rightly so but councils can only do so much. Relative fiscal autonomy in this regard could ensure that councils use rigorous financial tools to ensure that those who damage the infrastructure pay for it.
Similar examples can be given with respect to sanctioning and enforcement in matters such as waste, pollution, usage of public space for commercial purposes and so forth.
Local councils can also ensure better financial governance through internal procedures. Trust and reciprocity among councillors and staff is a key aspect in this regard.
Sometimes, (petty) partisan bickering, even among councillors coming from the same political party, hinders councils from acting properly. The same holds for the assigning of responsibilities to councillors who do not have the necessary experience or expertise in the area concerned.
In this regard, the role of the mayor is of vital importance. While some can be too divisive, narcissistic or lacking in leadership skills, others can have more positive attributes.
An effective mayor should be inclusive, assigning responsibilities to councillors in line with their interests, experiences and skills and, as far as possible, beyond narrow partisan interests. Committees featuring councillors from different political parties can work well provided there is genuine trust among those sitting on it.
Such a mayor should also give utmost importance to the recommendations of the executive secretary, to councillors within the finance committee and to professionals giving services to the council in their respective fields. This would ensure that financial management is sustainable and according to procedures.
Still, the challenge of subsidiarity is key for sustainable financial management by local councils. As things stand, many councils simply cannot cope with demands related to infrastructure and local services. Limited government funding and almost inexistent fiscal autonomy are simply hindering councils for being as effective as they should be.
The Times, March 9 2015
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20150309/opinion/Money-for-local-councils.559069
A few weeks ago, the National Audit Office highlighted various financial shortcomings in local council governance. These ranged from lack of procurement procedures by some councils to budgetary deficits.
Such reports are of great value and it is important that local councils adhere to established procedures to ensure proper financial governance.
It is also important to note that, though some local councils appear to be experiencing immediate financial problems, others might not be in such a situation even though accounts report a deficit.
For example, a local council might use financial reserves to make up for one-off expenditure programmes dealing with infrastructure. Trouble crops up when local councils become increasingly dependent on such shrinking reserves, thus resulting in unsustainable expenditure programmes.
Here one should note that local councils are almost totally dependent on funding from the central government to cover their expenditure. Some councils have been successful in tapping EU funds but, other than that, they have almost inexistent fiscal autonomy.
This is problematic on two fronts.
In the first instance, it appears that government funding is not being realistically updated to meet councils’ needs. This is especially the case when the population of a locality grows or when a council is assigned the upkeep of a project carried out by the central government – such as a park – without being given adequate funding for the purpose. Such projects tend to crop up closer to elections, with little financial consideration to their upkeep and maintenance.
In the second instance, almost total reliance on government funding is rendering councils dependent on central authorities, with no room for initiatives that can generate revenue. Such top-down dependency runs contrary to the principles of subsidiarity and decentralisation as it keeps financial authority in the hands of ministers and their loyal bureaucracies.
Besides, as things stand, this system is already showing cracks, possibly leading to an increased number of councils with unsustainable financial situations in the years to come.
I think the time has come to revise legislation so local councils can generate funds for certain initiatives and services. Those who thrive on cheap partisan propaganda will say that this will result in ‘new taxes’ but, to the contrary, this can result in citizens being given their money’s worth through better infrastructure and services.
A basic example in this regard concerns public car parks currently administered by Transport Malta. It is an open secret that car park attendants – who are paid for their job by the State – expect a tip. If one calculates the amount of money generated through this ‘informal’ system, one can reach obvious conclusions. If such tips are formalised through a system run by local councils, the revenue generated can be used for public purposes, such as road maintenance.
The same holds for construction projects. Current legislation and proposals in the 2015 Budget are totally out of synch with the regular damage to roads and pavements caused by developers. Residents frequently complain about such damages and rightly so but councils can only do so much. Relative fiscal autonomy in this regard could ensure that councils use rigorous financial tools to ensure that those who damage the infrastructure pay for it.
Similar examples can be given with respect to sanctioning and enforcement in matters such as waste, pollution, usage of public space for commercial purposes and so forth.
Local councils can also ensure better financial governance through internal procedures. Trust and reciprocity among councillors and staff is a key aspect in this regard.
Sometimes, (petty) partisan bickering, even among councillors coming from the same political party, hinders councils from acting properly. The same holds for the assigning of responsibilities to councillors who do not have the necessary experience or expertise in the area concerned.
In this regard, the role of the mayor is of vital importance. While some can be too divisive, narcissistic or lacking in leadership skills, others can have more positive attributes.
An effective mayor should be inclusive, assigning responsibilities to councillors in line with their interests, experiences and skills and, as far as possible, beyond narrow partisan interests. Committees featuring councillors from different political parties can work well provided there is genuine trust among those sitting on it.
Such a mayor should also give utmost importance to the recommendations of the executive secretary, to councillors within the finance committee and to professionals giving services to the council in their respective fields. This would ensure that financial management is sustainable and according to procedures.
Still, the challenge of subsidiarity is key for sustainable financial management by local councils. As things stand, many councils simply cannot cope with demands related to infrastructure and local services. Limited government funding and almost inexistent fiscal autonomy are simply hindering councils for being as effective as they should be.
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