Evaluation of works carried out by St Paul’s Bay local council
The main aim behind the set-up of local councils is to provide an open and democratic local government, to secure good quality and cost effective services, to receive and forward all complaints related to government bodies on behalf of the residents while providing and maintaining leisure and community facilities. I believe the council has to have a strong leadership on environment issues, so that we maintain a healthy population.
Judging by the letters in the media it is quite clear that the people’s aspirations are not being met. Furthermore, the recent efficiency report commissioned by the Department for Local Government confirms this.
The list of complaints varied from the most common and basic street cleaning and refuse collection to the upkeep of our playgrounds and traffic signs. On the other hand, the public in general do not distinguish between the council’s and the government’s responsibilities in which the council has little or no say at all.
In my humble opinion there are four main reasons for this negative perception of our residents. Topping the list is the non-existing formula to assure that each complaint is dealt with promptly. In the past I had made it clear that our council needs to take the bull by the horns and address this issue urgently. By doing so, we ensure that residents and other service users have an entirely positive experience with the council. On the other hand, the previous lack of an inadequate amount of human resources facility has meant that our council could not provide a proper service. Over and above, I believe it did not help to have a new, relatively young and inexperienced mayor, under the above circumstances. Saying that, in no way do I mean any disrespect. Having worked closely with our Mayor for the past 22 months, it was a privilege for me as she is a person of integrity.
The third priority is based on vision. For any council to succeed, it needs to build on medium to long-term objectives. My concern is that our council lacks this fundamental principle. My vision is to have a compact and a dynamic team of councillors who are ready to do what it takes to maintain and sustain St Paul’s Bay and its surroundings, where the community as a whole and every person in it matters.
Last but not the least are the problems related to the authorities. It seems that there is a consensus among all councils that authorities such as MEPA, WSC, ADT and MMA cannot accept the fact that councils exist. The way they treat the council and roll over them is the biggest example of their arrogance. On the other hand, we have a government which says it believes in the councils, but in reality it accepts the above facts. I believe this kind of attitude has to stop if we seriously want to improve and move forward. Time will tell.
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