The future of the Valletta and Floriana Rehabilitation Committee (VFRC), in particular its role as a consultative body to the Malta Environment and Planning Authority, is currently the subject of ongoing meetings between Resources Minister Ninu Zammit and Environment Minister George Pullicino, MaltaToday can confirm.
On April 3, the VFRC was informed by means of a letter, signed by MEPA chairman Andrew Calleja, that a decision had been taken to reclassify the committee from a “consultative” to a “notified” body.
The official reason was that one of its members – Dr Ray Bondin, who resigned this week – was already present on the Heritage Advisory Committee in another advisory capacity.
As a result, consultations with the VFRC on the often delicate subject of development in the capital city were abruptly terminated in mid-April. But VFRC objected, arguing that MEPA was obliged to consult the committee by law: in particular, the 1990 Structure Plan, which “sets the strategic context of the Valletta local plan, specifies the issues which must be analysed in detail, requires the careful consideration of the analyses, concepts and recommendations of the Valletta Rehabilitation Committee and its consultants.”
Discussions on this issue have been taking place for the past two weeks, ever since VFRC held a meeting with Minister Zammit in order to request an overturn of the controversial “demotion”.
In an encounter which has been described by both sides as “cordial” and “very positive”, Minister Zammit is reported to have acceded to VFRC’s request to personally intervene in the matter, and also to secure for VFRC a permanent position on the Heritage Advisory Committee.
A ministry spokesman has confirmed to MaltaToday that Zammit has since been in contact with his Cabinet colleague George Pullicino, the minister responsible for MEPA.
Two weeks later, however, no agreement has yet been reached. As a Resources and Infrastructure Ministry spokesman informally put it over the phone: “At this time of the year it is difficult to find the time even to meet with other Ministries, let alone reach quick decisions.”