Advisor on MEPA reform earns more than chairman

The government's advisor on the reform of the Malta Planning and Environment Authority is paid €24,535 for his part-time appointment, €6,535 more than MEPA's own chairman Vince Cassar.

Robert Musumeci, a practicing architect who regularly applies for permits on behalf of his own clients, is advising the government on planning reform.

But unlike Vince Cassar, Musumeci is not precluded from presenting planning applications to MEPA throughout his role as advisor, allowing him to pursue his private practice while acting as advisor to government on sensitive MEPA reform issues.

MaltaToday is unable to assert what exactly Musumeci's role in planning reform is, and whether this benefits either side in the planning divide: the pro development camp, which includes architects who represent their own clients; or conservationists who regularly protest unabated construction.

Musumeci's consultative role is described by the government as that of giving "technical opinions on matters concerning administrative procedures in the field of planning legislation in the interest of simplification and coherence," a spokesperson for Michael Farrugia, the junior minister responsible for planning and simplification, told MaltaToday.

Musumeci's role is also that of identifying administrative areas involving different government agencies over land use regulation, which require simplification. "He will be identifying conflicting and incoherent legislation regulating land use, and keep government up to date with planning decision trends emanating from planning decisions delivered by the different decision organs, including the Court of Appeal," the spokesperson said.

Musumeci's engagement is on a part-time basis but no limits have been placed on Musumeci's private practice as an architect, who regularly presents planning applications on behalf of clients.

Robert Musumeci was appointed to his new role in April 2013, but a formal contract was only signed in the past month. In fact, for the past months the architect was providing his services gratis to the ministry.

Asked back in April about his conflict 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."

Musumeci also highlighted the fact that the planning law already provides for the setting-up of various consultative fora, which MEPA or government are bound by law to consult prior to carrying out policy or procedural changes.

"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," Musumeci said, referring to the users committee and planning consultative committees. The architects' chamber Kamra tal-Periti is also legally entitled to be consulted.

In a recent 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 has described Musumeci - who pens MaltaToday on Sunday's regular MEPAWatch column - 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."

Farrugia described Musumeci as dedicated person "with whom I do not always agree but whom I can trust."