Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1488480
4 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 18 DECEMBER 2022 NEWS The Minister responsible for Lands has requested the Planning Authority to prepare a report on the declassification from the Public Domain of three sites that are public property. The main purpose of this request is to proceed with projects which will serve both private and public interests. The sites are: (1) Chalet, Triq it-Torri, Sliema (2) Triq Dawret il-Qawra, Buġibba l/o St.Paul's Bay (Site A) (3) Triq Dawret il-Qawra, Buġibba l/o St.Paul's Bay (Site D) Maps of the respective site may be viewed on the PA's website www.pa.org.mt/consultation Submissions and comments may be sent directly to the Authority through email address: publicdomain@pa.org.mt or postal address: Planning Director (Public Domain), Planning Authority, St. Francis Ravelin, Floriana FRN1230. Submissions are to reach the Authority by Thursday 5th January 2023. www.pa.org.mt PLANNING AUTHORITY HAVE YOUR SAY OPEN PUBLIC CONSULTATION Declassification of Public Property from the Public Domain Public Consultation imreihel and marsa.indd 1 02/12/2022 15:08:27 MATTHEW VELLA MALTA'S Lands Authority has no readily available reports giv- ing the government a snapshot of the total number of govern- ment-owned properties, as well as those in use by third parties, and vacant properties. The finding, established in an audit by the National Audit Of- fice, shows that the only data available is the comprehensive micro-data in the Land and Es- tate Management Information System (LEMIS), but this re- stricts the Authority's ability to manage the lands effectively. Additionally, the NAO found that a significant number of for- mer Church properties, trans- ferred to government in terms of the Church-State agreement, were recorded with incorrect details and not being charged their rightful rents, resulting in loss of revenue to government. While the Lands Authority says that it has a master report showing the total number of government-owned properties, it cannot confirm that all this property is inputted in LEMIS since a reconciliation was never carried out between the physical files and LEMIS. "Government is not aware of the market value of all the land and property it holds... despite being the Government's most valuable fixed asset, the prop- erty is not recorded in the Au- thority's financial records, not- withstanding that the latter was granted the power to acquire, hold and dispose of any kind of property," the NAO said. In September 2021, the gov- ernment introduced a revision of commercial leases and recog- nition of lessee's heirs, replacing the revisions and recognitions previously based on market val- ue, by a 5% annual increase to June 2028, when all leases will automatically expire. This commercial rental value was estimated at €19 million in 2021, with €18.8 million being actually invoiced. But revenue collected came at just 69% of the budgeted amount – €13 million. The NAO said that a number of former Church properties had been recorded in LEMIS with incorrect details, such as wrong identity card numbers and ad- dresses, and so could not be in- voiced. The NAO said important doc- umentation relating to prop- erties are still kept in physical files at the Lands Authority, and although scanning is in process, the vast majority of records are still not digitalised. Copies of these documents, including con- tracts, are kept in separate files, referred to as white files. "How- ever, both the main files and white files were kept in the same location. Hence in the event of any possible damage to the property, such as in case of a fire or flooding, all records will still be lost," the NAO said. The NAO also said the Au- thority does not do regular mon- itoring to ensure that the com- mercial contracts' provisions are observed, "mainly that the tenants making use of property were the ones recognised with the Authority. Instances of abuse were either acted upon following reports from the public or in cer- tain cases triggered by actions occasionally undertaken by the Authority." As at end-December 2021, substantial amounts were owed to the Lands Authority from mainly private individuals, for a historic amount of €56.3 million. 48% had been outstanding for over a year. NAO audit finds government is not aware of the market value of all the land and property it holds Government unaware of market value of land and property it owns As at end-December 2021, substantial amounts were owed to the Lands Authority from mainly private individuals, for a historic amount of €56.3 million