Local Councils on Sunday celebrated fifteen years from their inception.

Maltese and Gozitan councillors walked from Republic Street to St John’s Co-Cathedral where a solemn mass was celebrated by Archbishop Mgr Paul Cremona.

After mass, the congregation which included PM Gonzi walked to Auberge de Castille to participate in a reception.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that following the eight-month consultation process on the reform of Local Councils, the government’s aims are to sustain what is already positive, address needs within the system and make local councils more effective.

Government will be providing an intensive training programme for councillors so as to fulfil their duties wholly. Importance will also be given on how councils can benefit from EU funds.

The funding unit within the MEUSEC will facilitate EU fuding. A co-financing fund was also established.

The role of the secretary will also be better defined.

Thanks to the reform, PM Gonzi said, the government will be implementing a holistic policy which will include a renewal of the existing code, among which the ethics code.

Local councils will see an increase in financial support and a number of schemes such as the Local Council Green Challenge Award and the Local Council Enterprise Award Scheme will make councils catalysts of sustainable development.

Suggestions received from various stakeholders on the Local Councils reform amount to over 100 consolidated pages.