The administration of government property by local councils, sport associations and non-governmental organisations

Abstract

This research study gives an overview of the legal vehicles used in the transfer of government property to Local Councils, Sports Associations and Non-Governmental Organisations, and the subsequent use of same property. The study outlines the marked developments in the administration of government property with the introduction of the decentralisation process whereby certain government property started being administered by Local Councils under specific conditions. The "devolution of public property" policy gave rise to both legislative changes and the birth to other legal instruments that permitted the administration of government property by Local Councils, Sports Associations and Non-Governmental Organisations. The project is divided into 3 sections; the first part, gives an overview of the administration of government property by Local Councils in terms of the Disposal of Government Land Act and the Local Councils Act; the second part considers the transfer of government property to the Kunsill Malti Għall-lsport in terms of the Sports Act and subsequent transfer to Sports Associations; whilst the last part gives an overview of the administration of government property by Non-Governmental Organisations with particular focus on cultural heritage entities and the Cultural Heritage Act that permits the Guardianship Deed Programme. The research also analyses the legal instruments, policies and procedures adopted to effect the transfer of government property to these entities and tests through a survey, interviews and observations whether the government property being administered by these bodies is in fact being used effectively and sustainably. The project concludes with a set of findings, that show that without the involvement of Local Councils, Sports Associations and Non-Governmental Organisations, most of the results achieved through the administration of property would not have materialized.