“While I never wanted things to reach this stage, for the sake of the residents who placed their trust in us, I unfortunately have to agree that we don’t have another option but to protest so as to pressure the authorities until they open their minds,” Gauci said.

The St Julian’s local council’s problem is compounded by the fact that their meetings take place in a small room with no window, rendering social distancing practically impossible.

With eleven councillors and staff all in the same small room, meetings also run counter to the official health guidelines prohibiting more than ten people from gathering in public.

Buttigieg said he requested that local meetings meetings start taking place at a school or parish church hall, where councillors will be able to socially distance in an adequately ventilated space. However, the Local Government Department shot this idea down on the grounds that the local council is connected to the government’s livestream system for council meetings.

If five or more councillors boycott physical meetings, a quorum won’t be reached and the council won’t be able to meet in the first place. This will led to the postponement of all local council decisions, from the replacement of street lightbulbs to the payment of contractors and council staff.

“It’s not that we don’t want to do our work; we all want to do our bit but we all have families or health issues and we don’t want to risk getting or transmitting the virus,” he said.

Cover photo: A meeting of the St Julian’s local council last July 

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