At a meeting held by the Parliamentary Secretary for Public Dialogue and Information, Chris Said held with Mayors, Vice Mayors, Councillors, Executive Secretaries and the staff of fourteen Gozo Local Councils, he distributed a copy of the Law on Local Councils with amendments which came into force last month.

Also announced was a Gozo Council grant for planting olive trees in different localities around Gozo. This initiative was taken instead of greetings cards sent by the Secretariat for Christmas and New Yesr.

Dr Said said that the year 2009 was a pivotal year for local councils in Gozo because the consultation process was concluded on the reform of the Local Council, which saw amendments to the acts of the Local Coucnils. To date more than eighty percent of the proposals had come into force. Local Councils have also been given more financial resources, which has been increased 17% over the previous year.

The Parliamentary Secretary appealed to all Local Councils to follow the new regulations and to ensure that the correct proceedures are being followed by the hundreds of Councillors around Malta and Gozo.

Dr Said also looked at the year 2010 and said this coming year is one of great opportunities for Local Councils in Malta and Gozo. This is because in addition to the Local Councils being again able to be involved in the allocation 3 million euro (another increase of 12% over this year), the Local Councils will be able to benefit from several special funds that will be made in various schemes. There will be 20 schemes ranging from those activities, accessibility for all, support for libraries, social initiatives, restoration of historical sites, work on residential streets, initiatives of life-long learning, co-financing of EU projects, a scheme for energy amongst other .

The year 2010 will also see the establishment of five regional committees so that the Local Councils can work more closely with their neighbors, as well as 16 small localities that will be called to vote and elect a management committee with certain powers to manage those areas. The year 2010 will also see the changes needed in the local enforcement system which will provide another tool for the Local Councils, through which they can educate and bring order in their areas.

The Parliamentary Secretary thanked Councillors, Executive Secretaries and staff for their work within their councils. He also praised the work of Gozitan councils in general for being very active in their work and submitting applications for special funds and EU funds. In fact the Local Councils were pioneers in relation to EU funds and are being followed by many other councils, Dr Said concluded.

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