The Parliamentary Secretary for Public Dialogue and Information, Chris Said, has begun a series of discussion with the local councils in Malta and Gozo, as part of consultation process to reform the councils by 2015.

His first meeting was with the local council of Zurrieq where he met the mayor, vice mayor, executive secretary and councillors.

Parliamentary Secretary Said said this is the start of a process to build on the positive experience of 15 years of local councils, and to ensure that the operation of the local councils ultimately provides exactly what the residents need.

During this process Parliamentary Secretary Said said he is going to meet with all of the 68 local councils around Malta and Gozo, to discuss what exactly needs to be changed, regarding the councils regulations and laws, to make them more effective and transparent.

Zurrieq local council presented a number of proposals for the local councils, including changes to the actual formation, changes to the financial allocations and the extension of the current local council period of 3 years. They also proposed that the local councils be given more responsibilities.

Next week Parliamentary Secretary Said will be continuing his consultation meetings with the local councils of Marsacala, Victoria, Fontana, Sannat, Hal Kirkop, Qrendi, Hal Safi, and Mqabba.