Government set to tackle anti-social behaviour - Beltran
Clive Beltran, the Minister for Housing, last night said the government planned to introduce new legislation to tackle the problem of anti-social behaviour in Gibraltar’s housing estates.
In a party political broadcast on GBC (Gibraltar Broadcasting Corporation), he said a new Housing Ordinance to be presented next year would include specific provisions aimed at confronting the problem.
“The welfare and comfort of tenants are uppermost in our minds and our inclusive policy has given the tenants’ associations a very direct involvement in the affairs of their estates, in partnership with the Ministry for Housing, through regular meetings chaired by me,†Mr Beltran said.
“Anti-social behaviour is an area of concern that has been brought up at these meetings for some time now and it will be an important area of reform incorporated into the proposed new Housing Ordinance.
The first quarter of 2006 will see the announcement of major reforms and improvements to housing laws and policy in Gibraltar.â€
In the broadcast, Mr Beltran defended the GSD (Gibraltar Social Democrats) administration’s record on housing and rejected criticism in relation to recently-unveiled developments.
“It is true that there has been delay in the construction of new houses,†he said.
“But as our programme continues to unfold starting with the recently announced projects, together with further announcements that are to follow and which will include flats for renting, it will be evident to everyone that the government’s detailed plans will certainly not be “too little†as GSLP (Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party) spin would have you believe.â€
Mr Beltran also highlighted the work carried out on existing housing estates, including a contract signed last week for extensive refurbishment of Penney House.
“We have not simply concentrated on a few areas seen by tourists,†he said.
While conceding that there had been delays in some of the work carried out by the Buildings and Works Department, he said the government would work to address these in the short term.
The minister also flagged up “several major parking projects†that will be unveiled next year and will help alleviate the parking problems in the Upper Town, South District and other areas of Gibraltar.
From The Gibraltar Chronicle - The Independent Daily First Published 1801
Comment on this News report - Click on the ‘Comments’ link below - You can also Discuss this Story in our Forum