Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/278185
4 News DANIEL MIZZI THE envisaged white paper on the local enforcement system intends to give wardens the necessary tools and skills to act as a "deterrent" to con- traventions and not issue "ruthless" citations, Parliamentary Secretary for Local Governance Jose Herrera announced yesterday. Addressing a public consultation meeting at Floriana, Herrera under- lined that wardens should no longer "pounce" on the unsuspecting public and issue fines, but instead should act as the public's "friend". "Wardens should not be arro- gant or ruthless when issuing the citations, but conversely, citations should only be issued as a last resort and after the warden sought to de- ter the contravention from occur- ring," Herrera argued while calling on wardens to start differentiating between first-time and repeat of- fenders. Fourteen years after it was first introduced, Malta's local warden system is earmarked for a complete overhaul aimed at implementing greater education and training, while also seeking to reduce costs by 20%. Herrera, the government's main sponsor of the envisaged reform, insisted that wardens must priori- tise "education over sanctioning" – a stand echoed by the South and Xlokk Regional committees which insisted that the system can no longer be profit-driven. Nevertheless, Herrera insisted that this would not lead to a lack of disci- pline on the roads. Amongst its proposed measures, the white paper envisages that local wardens no longer be employed by private companies but by a central- ised unit. The unit would enforce laws delegated to the five regional committees, effectively meaning that it would transfer the admin- istration of local wardens from the private company to an "independ- ent" unit. In addition, Herrera explained that a larger share of money deriv- ing from the citations issued be allocated to local councils and re- gional committees – as opposed to the current system whereby money is mostly absorbed by private com- panies. Notwithstanding the govern- ment's proposal to allocate more money to local councils, David Ag- ius, the Opposition's spokesperson for local councils, said the money deriving from the citations issued would serve to offset the financial discrepancies that other ministers imposed on local councils. "After budget measures saw the lo- cal councils' budget cut by €1.7 mil- lion, it is a step in the right direction for the government to propose that local councils would benefit from the system. This would serve to al- leviate the financial shortcomings being currently experienced by the local councils," Agius argued while criticising the "lack of synergy" be- tween ministerial departments. The Opposition whip also ex- plained that the Nationalist Party would be submitting its proposals in the near future, and highlighted the party's main battle cry: that of appointing an Ombudsman Com- missioner with the responsibility of overseeing the issues faced by local councils. Meanwhile, turning his attention on the unpaid fines, Herrera hint- ed at the possibility of making it a criminal offence not to pay fines is- sued by local wardens. In addition, perpetrators would risk being liable to an additional penalty and to link the fines to the person, and not the vehicle. The bulk of unpaid fines – which during 2010 and 2013 amounted to approximately €18 million – had amassed because they would have been given to foreigners who would leave the country before paying them. However, the government's plans to hold back foreigners from leav- ing Malta until paying their fines was scrapped by Herrera, as this would be in breach of the Schengen Treaty. Reassuring wardens of their jobs, Herrera explained that wardens would have to undergo training programmes similar to those under- gone by police officials. "The new warden system would give wardens greater respect and better working conditions. War- dens would be treated on a par with police officials, while officials could have promotions." dmizzi@mediatoday.com.mt maltatoday, SUNDAY, 16 MARCH 2014 'No more ruthless wardens' in upcoming reform, says Herrera Parliamentary Secretary for Local Councils Jose Herrera (centre): "Wardens should only issue citations as a last resort"