Council laments funding cuts

The government's decision to reduce the financial allocation to local councils would mean a reduction of Lm16,000 a year in the Marsa council's coffers, mayor Frans Debono complained yesterday.

Speaking at a news conference, Mr Debono said the council discovered the reduction in allocation after verifying its bank accounts recently.

Though the council wrote to the Local Councils Department about the matter a week ago demanding an explanation, it had received no reply. Mr Debono said the cut in funds would leave a negative impact on the work of the council to the detriment of residents.

He said the government was targeting small entities like the local councils to solve its financial problems, "a mistaken decision" considering that the responsibilities of the councils were increasing.