BONGU M A L T A General Facts

BONGU! M A L T A

General Facts Population: 410 000 inhab. Area: 316 km² Government type: unicameral parliamentary system Capital city: Valetta Languages: Maltese and English Religion: 98% catholic 1964: Independence 1974: Declaration of the Republic 2004: Integration in the EU 2007: Entry into Schengen 2008: The adoption of the Euro

Legal basis Local councils act of 1993 Mainly modelled on the European Charter of Local Self. Government Amended several times, latest amendment 2009 Constitutional acknowledgment of local councils in 2001

Structure of the politicoadministrative system 68 localities which cover realities that are extremely different from each other No intermediary level between those localities and the central government Localities are grouped into 3 regions. Regions are solely used for the purpose of representation at Local Councils Association and international fora.

Local Councils

Structure of the politicoadministrative system In January 2010 it was announced that 16 localities are to get administrative committees directly elected and using part of the budgets of their respective councils. The localities areas which are cut off from the towns or villages of their councils or have particular needs.

Distribution of powers Central government’s spheres of activity Health Education Social policy Environment Police Rural development Youth Sports Employment and training Elderly Public transport

Local authorities’ competences Fields of activity Local authorities Share many competences with central state Have at their disposal exclusive competences - collection of household waste - upkeep and maintenance of roads - social action (crèches, daycare centers, pensions) - culture and leisure activities (public libraries, gardens, parks) - urban and school transport - public information in health and tourist matters

Local authorities’ prerogatives Any other function may be devolved to local authorities by the central government Local Councils may act in the name of the central administration Councils may make recommendations to any competent authority in national spatial planning matters

Local authorities’ prerogatives Councils may make, amend or revoke bye-laws Councils may engage the services of licensed local wardens services Councils have the right to challenge in court any decision which interferes with the free exercise of their powers Councils may conclude town-twinning arrangements Councils may participate European projects and co-finance some

Local government’s personnel Each Local Council consists of a number of Councillors from 5 to 13. Elections take place every 3 years and are held under the system of proportional representation using the single transferable vote. The Mayor is the political head of the Local Council. He is the Councillor obtaining the majority of first count votes and belonging to the political party obtaining the majority of votes. The Executive Secretary is the executive, administrative and financial head of the Council. He is appointed by Council.

Finances Local Councils depend mainly on central government for their financing. A Local Council can raise additional funds by means of any scheme provided that such schemes shall be instituted by bye-laws Fees can be charged for which additional services would be provided by the Council Necessity of getting written authorisation from the Minister responsible for local government and the Minister responsible for Finance in order to take a loan

Finances For the year 2007/2008, 4 408 911 Euros were awarded by government to localities so as to accompany the decentralization process, either 2. 3 times the budget alloted in 1993 (1 931 850 Euros).

Co-operation Local Councils may discharge any of their functions jointly Local Councils may form and/or belong to an association devoted to the promotion of their common interests Possibility of coming to arrangements on towntwinning between Local Councils and foreign localities

Conclusion The population feels highly concerned about the politicization of local politics Decentralization: a process far from won The supremacy of interpersonal relationships Yet: the locality has become a new reference for the population

There are ongoing discussions about increasing the budget granted to the Local Councils and the installation of full-time jobs for councillors Lack of professionalism is seen as an obstacle New challenges to take up