Robert Musumeci still working gratis as planning advisor

Robert Musumeci's contract as advisor to the government on planning issues is still being drafted, two months after his appointment in April.

"It is true that so far I have had no remuneration and that my contract is still being drawn up," Musumeci confirmed on Friday.

In an interview with MaltaToday, Parliamentary Secretary Michael Farrugia praised the architect and former Nationalist mayor (who actively supported the Labour Party in the last general election) for working free of charge over the past two months.

Farrugia describes Musumeci, his advisor on planning issues, as a reliable reference point.

"Whenever I need an opinion or clarification of a law which is different from that offered by technocrats at MEPA I seek Musumeci's advice. It is a way of bouncing ideas with both people in MEPA and people outside MEPA."

Musumeci is still working gratis, and no contract has been signed yet to regulate his position.

"If he accepts, I would find no problem with formalising this relationship with a contract. But I would also like to thank him for the long hours he's sacrificed without any form of remuneration, sometimes working till the middle of the night... he is a very dedicated person with whom I do not always agree but whom I can trust," Farrugia told MaltaToday.

Contacted by MaltaToday, Musumeci described his role as one of advising the government in relation to the simplification of administrative procedures connected to planning matters.

When asked whether there could be a conflict between his role as an architect representing applicants for MEPA permits and his role as government advisor on MEPA, Musumeci drew a distinction between advising on policy and involvement in decision-making.

"I am not involved in the processing of planning decisions or assessment of planning applications - that is a role assigned to the Planning Directorate, EPC, the MEPA board, the Tribunal and the Courts."

He also highlighted the fact that the planning law already provides for setting up various consultative fora, which the Authority or government is bound by law to consult prior to carrying out policy or procedural changes.

"Indeed, the previous government engaged ad hoc committees to focus on policy reforms involving of course individuals who are well versed with what is happening on the ground."

He also referred to the Users Committee and the Planning Consultative Committee, which were also specifically set up by law to complement these efforts. 

"Naturally, these committees engage people who are well versed in planning matters."

The law also provides that the Kamra tal-Periti is required to be consulted prior to carrying out certain policy changes.

"Thus, the law itself promotes the direct engagement of persons versed in planning matters at the various consultative levels."