Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/695268
8 maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 22 JUNE 2016 News IN ALL LEADING BOOK SHOPS HISTORY OF ORNITHOLOGY IN MALTA Call for police CEO to be issued by end of the month MARTINA BORG HOME affairs minister Carmelo Abela has announced that the call for applications for a CEO for the police corps will be published by the end of the month. Speaking during a public con- sultation under the Gvern Li Jis- ma' programme, Abela explained that the new CEO would be re- sponsible for the administrative aspects of the corps. "The police corps is carrying out a lot of improtant and effec- tive operations, particularly in the anti-drugs squad," he said. "But changes are required in the administration of the corps in particular." Drawing a distinction between police investigative support, which should always remain inde- pendent, Abela said that the posi- tion is meant to bring more stabil- ity and structure to the corps but added that it would not be the on- ly measure necessary to improve the administration of the corps. The decision to introduce a CEO who would report directly to the police commissioner, was an- nounced last year as part of the reorganization of the police force. Throughout the consultation ses- sion, Abela also explained that the process to reform the force had al- ready started with new initiatives including through new rights to improve working conditions of members of the corps, such as al- lowing members of the police and their families to get compensa- tion in case of injuries sustained at work. "We will continue to work to create a better environment for the disciplined corps, and part of that is the administration and training of employees in the sec- tor," he said, adding that a focus on creating career prospects would continue to enforce such a change. Abela also announced that the Civil Protection Department, which had already seen changes, including retirement after 25 years of service, like other disci- plined corps, would also see addi- tional responsibilities. "New responsibilities will in- clude fire safety and the creation of guidelines and legal frame- works to this end, as well as put- ting the department in charge of public activities, particularly those featuring large crowds," Abela said. "The process to change these laws is currently underway and we will also need further funds in order to make these changes a re- ality," he added. Abela also pointed out that one of the priorities for the govern- ment, was tweaking the adminis- tration at Corradino Correctional Facility, to ensure that inmates get the opportunity to reform their lives and learn new skills. "Investing in these facilities and educational efforts will ensure that these individuals will be able to get back in society and contrib- ute to it rather than end up being burdens to that system," Abela said, adding that the government was also looking to further in- vestment in the sector. Abela also pointed out that mi- gration continued to be one of the main challenges for the country, with 2014-2015 seeing an increase of asylum applications in Malta even though the number of refu- gee arrivals had dropped signifi- cantly. Civil Protection Department to get new responsibilities, home affairs minister Carmelo Abela says New kiosk policy defied by PA within 24 hours JAMES DEBONO JUST a day after launching a new policy which effectively bans new kiosks from setting up tables and chairs outside the premises, a permit was issued to a kiosk in Qawra to do exactly that. The new policy, launched on Monday, 13 June, effectively al- lows only restaurants to have chairs and tables outside on pub- lic land. The legal notice enforc- ing the new regulations had come into effect a week earlier. The area where tables and chairs are to be made available was previously occupied by an- other kiosk, which was contro- versially re-located to the public belvedere in Qawra, opposite the main square overlooking the off- shore water fountain. The re-location resulted in clearing up 30 square metres of foreshore which will now be reoc- cupied by tables and chairs. The case officer noted that in this way "the positive results achieved through the removal of the re-located kiosk will be lost." Originally the applicant pro- posed a retractable canopy over the chairs and tables but this was replaced by two large umbrellas covering eight tables outside. In February the Malta Tourism Authority had already warned the Planning Authority that the pro- posal may compromise the new policy regulating outside tables and chairs, which had already been issued as a draft for public consultation in September 2015. According to the draft which has now been approved kiosks defined as "small food stalls" were not allowed to have tables and chairs. The PA had already clarified that existing kiosks which have a permit for outside tables and chairs, will not be affected as the policy will not be retroactive. Questioned by MaltaToday a spokesperson for the PA justi- fied this apparent breach of the new policy by its own decision- making board by saying that on 17th May, 2016 the Commission had directed the applicant to ef- fect changes within "the spirit of the then applicable policy". These changes consisted in replacing the proposed canopy with um- brellas. "The Commission holds that such direction constitutes a le- gitimate expectation which is taken to subsist, irrespective of any subsequent legislation", the PA spokesperson said. The kiosk in Bugibba was allowed to set up tables and chairs despite the new policy banning the practice