MEPA Board Public Meetings that are of national interest or raise a considerable public reaction, will as from the 1st of October 2008, start being held at the Robert Sammut Hall in Floriana. This decision comes as the Authority said it seeks to improve and upgrade its levels of customer service.
MEPA Chairman Mr Austin Walker describes this decision as “another small step forward, that will reassure the public that we will continue to listen and take note of inconveniences in the way we operate. We are determined to ensure that this Authority will excel in the areas of participation, efficiency and transparency.”
Currently all MEPA board public meetings are held in the MEPA boardroom at the offices of the Authority. Although this venue comfortably accommodates the weekly operations of the MEPA board, the place only seats a maximum of 50 persons, making inconvenient and inadequate for public meetings that draw a sizeable number of persons.
Given that during the meeting the public may make representations on specific applications, the facilities may not be adequate when large numbers of people are present. The Authority through this decision will also ensure that the public present for meetings can suitably follow and view the entire presentation that is made by the Planning Directorate.