It is time to consider phasing out wardens and introducing local police which would fall under the responsibility of local councils, PN leadership hopeful Chris Said said today.

Local police could form a completely different branch of the existing force and would have powers which went far beyond those of local wardens, he said.

Dr Said argued that local police stations should fall under the remit of their respective council.

“These officers should be focused on the locality. You could have a system, for instance, where officers spend a certain amount of time in the local police before moving on to national police,” he said.

Dr Said was addressing a press conference in Pembroke, detailing his plans for the local councils if elected PN leader.

WATCH: Pembroke resident vents his anger at Chris Said

The PN leadership candidate suggested having full-time mayors, giving councils veto powers on certain issues and drastically increasing their funding to help them keep up with residents’ needs.

Party level proposals

The former parliamentary secretary for local councils made a series of reform proposals at party level.

First, he said, the PN needed a full-time director of local governance with an office to meet councillors.

“This person would coordinate council work with the party, to improve communication and policy direction,” he said.

Dr Said insisted the party needed to be in continuous contact with councillors, who could give it priceless insight into what the grassroots were feeling.

Regular meetings should be held between the party’s sectional committees and councillors in their respective locality to discussing pressing issues.

Dr Said, who once served as mayor of Nadur, said the issue of local councils was close to his heart and he wanted to see a forum for continuous debate with councillors. Regular training was also a must, he added. 

Dr Said said that once elected, councillors were often abandoned by the party.

“These councillors need to be guided by experts on council matters. Not only on complex legal issues but also on practicality and functionality,” he said.

Finally, he said he wanted to see councils given far more space on the party’s media.

“Councils are elected by the people. Steamrolling over them cannot go on,” Dr Said said.

National level proposals

Dr Said said he wants to facilitate councils’ work in helping families with disabilities, victims of domestic violence, and the elderly community.

He called for talks about introducing a neighbourhood watch system to fight crime and make residents feel safer in their towns and villages. 

The commitments councils had to meet often far outstretched their finances, and this could not be allowed to go on.

“I want a drastic increase in funding,” he said, adding that this was essential to tackle problems councils sometimes faced in keeping their localities clean.