There are two main points which seem to be common in Labour's manifesto for the upcoming local council elections for all localities: environmental initiatives and "transparency and openness".
"Dr Muscat said the councils would promote environmental initiatives and, wherever possible, council offices would be made energy self-sufficient through the installation of renewable energy systems."
The government already introduced several schemes to encourage councils to install renewable energy systems on their buildings. Most have already done so. The ones that didn't, are the ones that chose not to. And mostly are yes, Labour-led. It seems they've realized it's about time they catch up. Praise the Lord!
"Dr Muscat said a Labour-led council which still has to be selected would launch a pilot project where a number of people from the locality would be invited to sit in at council meetings when tender submissions were considered before contracts were awarded. The people would be selected after a public call which the council would issue."
No it's not a joke. He's actually promising to start doing something that is already in place. ALL local council meetings are already open to the public. ALL local councils are already obliged to inform the public beforehand the agenda, date and time of the next meeting. And they are also obliged to upload the minutes of every meeting after it is held.
So whenever on your local council's agenda, you see that it will be discussing a tender submission, you can already attend that meeting. You don't need for papa Joseph to invite you, and you don't need to be selected through his public call. It is already your right to attend and ensure that your representatives are doing their duty. (Local Council Act (Chapter 363), Article 44 (1): "Every meeting of a Local Council shall be open to the public.") The whole village can be present during a meeting when the local council is considering tender submissions, subject to the space limitations of the council's office. Unless Labour intends closing the public's access to local council meetings, why are they suggesting limiting it to the select few they choose?
Moreover, following the successful reform implemented by Dr. Chris Said a few years ago, which included provisions to make local council meetings more accessible to the public, meetings cannot last more than 3 hours and have to start between 5.30pm and 7.30pm, unless otherwise determined by a unanimous decision of the Council (Article 43 (3)).
The logical conclusion is this: tender submissions are discussed and considered during local council meetings. Local council meetings are already open to the public. Why is Joseph Muscat spreading lies and misinformation, and trying to make you believe that tender submissions are being considered behind your back? Why is he abusing of his supporters' lack of knowledge at what their rights are? Why is he suggesting allowing only a limited number of people, selected by the local council after a public call, instead of allowing anyone who wishes to attend to do so as is done now?
Masked under a promise of transparency and openness, it seems that Labour's proposal actually means more control and less public access and scrutiny. And that is worrying.
One final thing: whether you vote or not, next Saturday your representatives will be elected. Inform yourself, judge wisely, then have your say. You won't make any change by staying at home.
You can find the PN's electoral manifesto for local council elections here.
"Dr Muscat said the councils would promote environmental initiatives and, wherever possible, council offices would be made energy self-sufficient through the installation of renewable energy systems."
The government already introduced several schemes to encourage councils to install renewable energy systems on their buildings. Most have already done so. The ones that didn't, are the ones that chose not to. And mostly are yes, Labour-led. It seems they've realized it's about time they catch up. Praise the Lord!
"Dr Muscat said a Labour-led council which still has to be selected would launch a pilot project where a number of people from the locality would be invited to sit in at council meetings when tender submissions were considered before contracts were awarded. The people would be selected after a public call which the council would issue."
No it's not a joke. He's actually promising to start doing something that is already in place. ALL local council meetings are already open to the public. ALL local councils are already obliged to inform the public beforehand the agenda, date and time of the next meeting. And they are also obliged to upload the minutes of every meeting after it is held.
So whenever on your local council's agenda, you see that it will be discussing a tender submission, you can already attend that meeting. You don't need for papa Joseph to invite you, and you don't need to be selected through his public call. It is already your right to attend and ensure that your representatives are doing their duty. (Local Council Act (Chapter 363), Article 44 (1): "Every meeting of a Local Council shall be open to the public.") The whole village can be present during a meeting when the local council is considering tender submissions, subject to the space limitations of the council's office. Unless Labour intends closing the public's access to local council meetings, why are they suggesting limiting it to the select few they choose?
Moreover, following the successful reform implemented by Dr. Chris Said a few years ago, which included provisions to make local council meetings more accessible to the public, meetings cannot last more than 3 hours and have to start between 5.30pm and 7.30pm, unless otherwise determined by a unanimous decision of the Council (Article 43 (3)).
The logical conclusion is this: tender submissions are discussed and considered during local council meetings. Local council meetings are already open to the public. Why is Joseph Muscat spreading lies and misinformation, and trying to make you believe that tender submissions are being considered behind your back? Why is he abusing of his supporters' lack of knowledge at what their rights are? Why is he suggesting allowing only a limited number of people, selected by the local council after a public call, instead of allowing anyone who wishes to attend to do so as is done now?
Masked under a promise of transparency and openness, it seems that Labour's proposal actually means more control and less public access and scrutiny. And that is worrying.
One final thing: whether you vote or not, next Saturday your representatives will be elected. Inform yourself, judge wisely, then have your say. You won't make any change by staying at home.
You can find the PN's electoral manifesto for local council elections here.
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