Private work allowed for new MEPA chairman

Vince Cassar, the new chairman appointed by the Labour government to the Malta Environment and Planning Authority, will be receiving an annual salary of €17,999 - €76,205 less than his predecessor, Austin Walker.

But unlike Walker, Cassar will be able to supplement his income with private work, as long as it does not conflict with his MEPA duties.

"The chairman is allowed to do private work which is not in conflict with his duties as chairman of MEPA", a spokesperson for the parliamentary secretary Michael Farrugia has told MaltaToday.

Perit Cassar immediately resigned from his post as president of the Kamra tal-Periti as this position "might have been perceived, in certain instances, to create a conflict of interest".

The €18,000 was established following discussions with Cassar.

When asked about Cassar's list of duties, the government spokesperson emphasised the new chairman's role in implementing government policy.

As a non-executive chairman, Cassar is expected "to lead the board of MEPA in order to implement government policy on planning and environment and to advise the government accordingly".

Cassar is also expected "to assist and advise on the reform of the authority, and report directly to the parliamentary secretary in this respect."

Cassar could also be assigned "other duties as might be decided upon by the parliamentary secretary and as might be necessary".

According to Farrugia's spokesperson, apart from the salary change, Vince Cassar will enjoy the same working conditions and autonomy as Walker.

But the present government thinks that it does not make sense to have a non-executive chairman, working side-by-side with a CEO, paid the same salary as an executive chairman.

"This was only unique for MEPA. As in every organization which has a similar setup, the day to day running of the organisation is the CEO's responsibility, and this has to be carried out in accordance with the directions given by the chairman and the board".

Austin Walker, who once described himself as "an expensive car" was initially appointed executive chairman, shouldering both the role of chief executive and MEPA chairman, but two years down the line Ian Stafrace was appointed CEO with a 65K salary. Walker continued to receive the same salary.

In April 2011, a spokesperson for the Office of the Prime Minister told MaltaToday that Walker's salary would be revised "once the transition is over and the roles of the chairman and the CEO are settled".

Replying to a parliamentary question by Labour MP Leo Brincat in May 2011, Prime Minister Gonzi refused to give a timeframe for this transition, which he described as "a process which takes months, not days." Two years later, Walker was still receiving the same salary.

When questioned about his job, Walker described the workload as "a heavy one". He described his normal working day as starting at 8:30 am and finishing sometime between 7:30 and 8:30 pm.

When asked to justify his "expensive car" gaffe Walker replied, "I was employed with Mizzi's organisation for 30 years. The salary I received there was higher than the one I have now. This counts for other persons who previously worked in the private sector".