The Mellieha Local Council General Information Population: 9,000 Size of Territory: 22 sq. km Local Council: 7 Councilors including the Mayor and Deputy Mayor Group Photo of actual council Administrative Setup Secretariat (Executive Secretary & 4 Employees) Contracts Manager Services Contract Manager Capital Projects Authorized Officer Law Enforcement (1 Architect / 1 Engineer) Warden Agency Contractors Contractors (vehicular traffic, littering and Council Bye-Laws) Services Rendered The obligatory services are laid down in Section 33 of the Local Councils Act Road Repairs Traffic Signs & Markings Street Lighting Door-to-Door Organic and Recyclable Waste Collection Bulky Refuse Collection from Private Residences Servicing of Bring-In Sites Cleaning of Urban Streets and Rural Roads Cleaning and Maintenance of Public Conveniences Cleaning and Maintenance of Public Gardens and Playing Fields Other Services Monitoring of planning applications submitted to the Malta Environment & Planning Authority; Channeling of complaints received by the public according to their nature for possible remedial action, either by Council contractors or the public entities concerned. Delivery of Services and Implementation of Projects Local Councils Act restricts the ability to employ personnel. Mellieha Local Council only employs four persons on front office, organization of activities and normal office duties. The Act enables the contracting of services to the Central Government, or to private contractors, according to the legal framework laid down in the Financial Regulations and the Tendering Regulations. Sources of Finance Annual Government Allocation Financial Schemes introduced by Central Government obtainable through presentation of projects and initiatives Urban Improvement Fund administered by MEPA EU Funding Programmes Council Budget for 2010 – Eur 2,100,000 Local Councils are precluded from introducing taxes Annual Budget The Executive Secretary is responsible for the preparation of the Annual Budget and a Three Year Business Plan for discussion by the Council. Before the Budget is placed on the Council Agenda for final approval, a Locality Meeting has to be called so that residents will have the opportunity to air their views on matters affecting the locality. The Financial Regulations disallow Local Councils to approve budgets with a deficit. Loans can only be sought with the approval of the Minister of Finance for a specific purpose. Councils going in the red will be subjected to the direct scrutiny of the Department for Local Government. Financial Control Submission of Purchase and Payment Schedules to Council for approval. Submission of Quarterly Financial Reports. Submission of Annual Financial Statements to National Audit Office. Auditing of Council operations by private auditing firms engaged by Auditor General. Auditors report their findings in the Management Letter, highlighting any detected weaknesses, non-adherence to legislation and any other shortcomings. Local Council is expected to act upon the points raised in the Management Letter, or give reasons justifying its actions in its reply to the Management Letter. Educational Initiatives Courses Offered in: Maltese Language for Foreigners Computer Care for the Elderly First Aid Aerobics Dancing Children Summer Camp Recently Implemented Capital Projects Re-construction of Main Street Recently Implemented Capital Projects Embellishment of open space at Main Street Playing Field at Ta’ Pennellu Housing Estate Recently Implemented Capital Projects Playing Field at Manikata Traffic Management close to the School Area Capital Projects in Hand Public Garden and Playing Field at the Mellieha Heights Zone is being implemented by the Council with financial support from the Malta Environment Authority Urban Improvement Fund Capital Projects in Hand The Family Park Project involves mainly sports facilities and afforestation on a formerly degraded plot of land. The project is being implemented in conjunction with the Ministry for the Environment and Rural Affairs. Promotion the Locality Publications: Mellieha Through the Tides of Time Mellieha – A Destination for All Seasons Quest for Identity – The Mellieha Experience Participation in Fairs: Malta Book Fair European Destination of Excellence Award Convention in Brussels Fiera EMAIA in Vittoria Sicily Malta Week in Brussels Information Services: Opening of a Tourist Information Office END OF PRESENTATON