Mayor 'denied access to documents'

Three councillors at the Gzira local council yesterday filed a judicial protest against the council's mayor and secretary claiming that they were in breach of the Local Councils Act Councillors Joseph Zammit, Anthony Abela and Anthony Grech said that mayor Albert Rizzo and secretary Rowena Camilleri were not allowing them complete access to council documents, as was their right.

The councillors took their complaint to the director within the Local Government Department, Natalino Attard, and in a letter dated July 6 Mr Attard notified the mayor and the secretary that their actions were in breach of the Act.

Although, the councillors said, they had taken all necessary action, Mr Rizzo and Ms Camilleri went on with their irregular and illegal actions.

The councillors added that during a council meeting held on August 12 several decisions were taken even though the quorum for the meeting was not fulfilled. This too was in breach of the Local Council Act.

Dr Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi signed the writ.