Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1029140
maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 19 SEPTEMBER 2018 7 OPINION approve the db towers? to the project are minimal and have not changed the views of the Pembroke council. In- terviewed by MaltaToday on Sunday Adrian Delia refused to take a stance on this issue insisting that Opposition rep- resentative on the PA board Marthese Portelli will be vot- ing on policy grounds. One possibility is that the project will go back to the drawing board with the de- velopers being forced to make more substantial changes as happened in Sliema after the permit was revoked. Yet it might be still be difficult to fit the number of apartments foreseen in the deed in lower towers, especially when one considers the limitations posed by the presence of the underground cave on which mechanical excavation works cannot be allowed. How the board is likely to vote The only certainty so far is that Pembroke mayor Dean Hili and NGO representative Annick Bonello will be voting against. Although ERA was not objecting to the project, judging from his past votes on similar projects its representa- tive Victor Axiak may also vote against. Less predictable will be the vote of PA chair- man Vince Cassar. Cassar had voted in favour of the Mriehel towers but against the Town- square project in Sliema be- cause of its excessive scale and against the Mercury House project because this was ap- proved in the absence of a masterplan for the whole area. Although PN leader Adrian Delia has refrained from tak- ing a stance on the project, the Opposition representative Marthese Portelli will prob- ably vote against, having indi- cated in the past that the pro- ject is not in line with policy. Even if these five board members were to vote against the project, these can still be outnumbered by the remain- ing nine members sitting on the board. Yet this also de- pends on which members will be absent in tomorrow's hear- ing. Government representative Clayton Bartolo is expected to vote for the project, which comes as a result of a contro- versial deed approved by the present government trans- ferring public land to the db group. But one cannot exclude that Labour has a change of mind on a project which is being opposed by one of the few Labour-led councils in the tenth district. Deputy Chairman Elisabeth Ellul is considered to be pro- development. But she always grounds her vote on planning policies and considerations. She had also voted against Townsquare development on policy grounds. Unlike other board members archeologist Timothy Gambin is also a lively participant in debates. Although he voted for the townsquare and other high development, he also voted against the neighbouring low- rise Villa Rosa development, citing the potential negative impact on the underlying cave. More silent and more prone to vote for any major project are government appointees: De- siree Cassar, Matthew Pace, Simone Mousu', Jacqueline Gili, Ivan Tabone and Joseph Brincat. But even these votes cannot be taken for granted. Mousu' had also voted against the Townsquare project. The outcome may also be determined by who is absent in the vote. In the case of a draw, the chairman will hold the casting vote. It is also very possible that the decision will be postponed. For if the board indicates its intention to over- rule the case officer any de- cision on the project will be postponed to another sitting. jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt Duncan Barry LEADER is a local develop- ment method financed by the Rural Development Pro- gramme which has been used for 20 years to engage local ac- tors in the design and delivery of strategies, decision-making and resource allocation for the development of rural areas across the EU. In Malta, three Local Action Groups (LAGs) were established to deliver the LEADER objectives namely the Xlokk, Majjistral and Gozo Action Group Foundations. The Xlokk Action Group Foundation launched a call on September 18 for project proposals to improve the environmental landscape of the south-east region of Malta. The purpose is to support the development of green infrastructure within the territory through the development/creation of new green open spaces in rural areas and the installation of elements of green infrastructure within both built and rural areas. The call has been allocated a total budget of €694,440. The eligible beneficiaries for funding under this call are local councils operating in the south-east region of Malta and registered environmental voluntary organisations. Beneficiaries will be granted up to 80% financial assistance should the proposed investment be selected. The aim of the Gal Xlokk Foundation is to help improve the quality of life and economic prosperity in the 17 rural localities located in the south-east rural areas of Malta. As for the LEADER initiative, it uses a bottom- up approach to promote and encourage local participation and territorial inclusion, giving the local community the opportunity to develop and implement strategies that reflect the real needs of their respective local area. In this respect, it brings about a holistic vision to achieving sustainable design and planning. In this case, it seeks to green the grey in more ways than one to make rural life more vibrant and environmentally sustainable. The call closes on October 17, 2018 at noon. Those willing to apply for this call may contact MEUSAC for assistance in the EU funding application process on 2200 3300 for an appointment with the EU funding team. Alternatively, one can send an e-mail on funding.meusac@ gov.mt. The author is Media & Information officer at MEUSAC Gal Xlokk Foundation issues call for development of green infrastructure under LEADER "The LEADER initiative… brings about a holistic vision to achieving sustainable design and planning… seeking to green the grey in more ways than one to make rural life more vibrant and environmentally sustainable" MINISTRY FOR HEALTH PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARIAT FOR EUROPEAN FUNDS AND SOCIAL DIALOGUE PUBLIC HEALTH IS YOUR GUARANTEE. TAKE PART. NATIONAL SURVEY ON THE SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH PROJECT PART-FINANCED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION