Chapter 363

In short

This law, called the Local Government Act, establishes and regulates Local Councils in Malta. It outlines their creation, functions, and how they are managed.

What it regulates

• The establishment and legal personality of Local Councils.
• The number of councillors based on a locality's population.
• The election of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor.
• The financial year for Local Councils.

Who it concerns

• Citizens of Malta aged sixteen years and over who are entitled to vote in Local Council elections.
• Persons aged sixteen years and over who have the right to contest Local Council elections.

Key points

• Every locality must have a Local Council with a distinct legal personality.
• Local Councils cannot borrow or lend money, or enter commercial partnerships, without specific ministerial approval.
• The number of councillors ranges from five for localities with under five thousand people, up to thirteen for localities with twenty thousand or more people.
• A Local Council's Work Plan must be discussed at a public meeting within three months of the legislature's start.