Decentralisation of public services to local councils : is good governance being achieved?

Abstract

The major objective of the consultation process undertaken by Government during 2008- 2009 to reform existing work practices of local councils was to assess citizens' expectations which have both increased and changed since the introduction of local councils in 1993. This Study was conducted to establish whether the general public is satisfied with the decentralisation of services to local councils and also to gauge the level of good governance as regards services being provided. Results were obtained by means of a questionnaire conducted by telephone during October 2009 amongst two hundred and forty households out of a list of three hundred provided by the National Statistics Office. It resulted that the majority of the Maltese citizens expect better quality services in areas such as those related to Infrastructure. Despite a more positive response to queries as regards services related to the Environment and Customer Care, the research shows that the level of overall services, fail to meet the required standards of service provision expected from citizens. On the other hand, the majority of the respondents overwhelmingly approved the reform measures that have been since introduced as a result of the consultation process. As Good Governance encompasses mainly the principles of democracy, public management and development, it is augured that these and further measures that are expected to be implemented, will fill the lacunae expressed by citizens in such areas of service provision. After all, achieving good governance at local council level will contribute to its achievement at the national level