Lunches, councillors’ allowance among ‘issues’ flagged by NAO

Overspending on Christmas lunches, donations exceeding the threshold and payment of full allowance to councillors who did not attend all meetings are among the compliance issues flagged in the 2016 Local Government Workings report.

Published annually by the National Audit Office, the report comprises an analysis of the audited accounts of all 68 local councils in Malta and Gozo, whose total allocation from the central government last year was €33 million.

Apart from giving the full picture on the financial situation of every council, the NAO flags certain practices which are not in line with set regulations and could give rise to abuse. The following are some of the shortcomings found:

Councillors’ allowance

A recurring issue was that related to the payment of an annual allowance of €1,200 to all local councillors.

Introduced in 2010, the measure was meant as compensation for any council-related expenditures. This allowance is paid in proportion to the number of meetings attended. However, absenteeism on the grounds of sickness (if attested by medical certificates), duties abroad and other circumstances of which the executive secretary was previously notified, are...