AD calls for more training to local councilors

The Green Party said there is the need for better training of Councilors and Executive Secretaries, after St Paul’s Bay Local Council appointed one of its councilors as ‘Works Manager’ for the locality, only to be revoked by Parliamentary Secretary Josè Herrera.

While agreeing with Herrera’s decision, AD noted it was worrying that the Parliamentary Secretary was the last line of defense after others failed in carrying out their duty.

“"The councilors themselves failed to act as none of them was aware that a councilor was not even entitled to submit a tender. The adjudication process failed because it was at this stage that the tender submitted should have been declared inadmissible. The Local Council Executive Secretary also failed, as he did not have adequate knowledge of the rules and consequently failed to guide the Councilors as to how they should act. Even the Director of Local Councils failed in carrying out his duties as he should have acted without having to receive instructions from the Parliamentary Secretary,” AD said in a press statement.

Apart from calling for more training, AD also emphasizes the need that the process of adjudicating tenders is entrusted to competent persons, trained on adjudicating tenders in order that Local Councils can benefit from sound advice.

AD chairperson Arnold Cassola said that fortunately, the Local Councils that act in this way are very few.