Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1500237
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 28 MAY 2023 THIS IS A PAID COLLABORATION In the last 30 years, Local Councils have done their utmost for the benefit of resi- dents. Despite challenges related to pro- gress, Local Councils served uncondition- ally to bring about the necessary changes for the embellishment and development of our localities. However, Local Councils still need to evolve to meet current trends. Therefore, a national strategic vision for local government was launched based on five main pillars. These were identified af- ter a series of consultation meetings with various stakeholders. These pillars will provide a clear vision as to where Local and Regional councils should progress in serving to remain the voice of residents. The 5 Main Pillars are; 1. Good and Effective Governance 2. Regional Resource for Local Coun- cils 3. Localities with Cleaner Environment 4. Local Councils closer to the people 5. Digital Priority in Local Government. Having transparent and responsible Local and Regional Councils in favour of residents, was one of the points identified during the consultation meetings. The strategic vision confirms that Local and Regional councils should aim at reaching higher levels of good governance. This will be possible by strengthening internal governance structures of Local and Re- gional Councils. Other measures include holistic training on governance provided to elected and administrative members. Additionally, concise guidelines will be identified, to enhance accountability. Local Councils reaching a high level of excellency will be encouraged and as- sisted in applying for a European label of Governance Excellence (ELoGE). Finally, good governance may also be strength- ened in the presence of mechanisms that encourage higher representation in Local Councils, including working to have eli- gible candidates exercising right of office before the age of 18 years. Regional councils, in collaboration with Local Councils, are pivotal stakeholders in streamlining local government closer to the residents. Indeed, services offered by the local councils have increased. This meant that another entity synergistically with Local Councils, was required to ad- dress challenges in an efficient manner. This strategic vision enhances Regional Councils as a point of reference within Local Government. Regional Councils re- main instrumental in the efficient distri- bution of resources, including the contin- uous professional collaboration between localities. This vision also seeks to dis- tribute good practices between regions, whilst creating mechanisms whereby they may be awarded for their effective contri- bution towards the community. Regional Councils are also pivotal in facilitating in- formation sharing between stakeholders to improve planning and communication. Lastly, the Regional Councils will sustain Local Councils' rights in the development of national policy. Nowadays, people are more conscious of the importance of cleaner environ- ments. Local government vision with re- gards to this pillar confirms that resources must be increased whilst enhancing effi- ciency towards a cleaner environment, resulting in an improved quality of life of our residents. As Parliamentary Secretari- at for Local Government, we streamlined Government's priority to invest in the en- vironment sector. Therefore, this vision will seek to provide clear guidelines to consolidate such ef- forts. A new system of waste collection is currently being implemented to observe the needs of localities from a regional standpoint whilst decreasing the admin- istrative burden on Local Councils. Local Government is working to introduce new incentives and measures to reduce emis- sions whilst implementing more efficient methods for the cleaning of roads result- ing in a better quality of life for our resi- dents. During the past 30 years, local govern- ments served their main function of be- ing representatives of local citizens. This means that it is imperative that functions of Local Government will serve the pur- pose of being closer to the people by analysing and fulfilling the challenges and expectations of the communities. The vision for Local Government com- mits that the services of government en- tities are more available to residents by facilitating accessibility from local council offices. Additionally, with the collaboration of Local and Regional Councils, projects that meet the needs of residents will be identi- fied. As Local Government, we commit to sustain initiatives and projects that bene- fit the quality of life of our residents while assuring that such projects are inclusive-f or-all. Local Government should continue to evolve to remain a relevant player. This strategic vision mastered a pillar that pro- poses measures so that Local and Region- al Councils enhance accessibility through digital technology to improve the quality and quantity of services offered to the community. The strategic vision points Local Councils to introduce a common online platform. There are also plans for a holistic mobile application whereby residents may access all services offered by the Local Councils. Priority to digitalisation may also facilitate virtually accessible activities and training for all. Recently, the National Association of Lo- cal and Regional Councils Executive Sec- retaries (ANSEK) in collaboration with the Secretariat for Local Government held an annual conference whereby this strategic vision was discussed. The importance of continuous dialogue between stakehold- ers was highlighted, especially during the upcoming 7 years of the implementation phase of the strategic vision. Hence, it is now the responsibility of all Local Government stakeholders to adapt to the present whilst remaining in opera- tion through rigorous structures and hav- ing the necessary resources to implement diverse incentives, projects and measures that improve the residents' quality of life. Subsequently, this vision is compliment- ing the Government's commitment to be closer to the people and to be there for the people. Consequently, this Strategic Vision should remain an essential instru- ment whereby all of us should work to im- prove the ideas identified and develop it. A new national strategic vision for Local Government launched