Notices published in Govt. Gazette No. 19,951 of 20 February 2018

English as aForeign Language (TELT) Examination – March 2018  

Part I –Written Session

The Director ofExaminations notifies that the notice of the above-mentioned examination hasbeen sent to the candidates concerned.

Those candidateswho have not received the notice of the examination are asked to contactimmediately the Department of Examinations, Floriana on 2598 2968, duringoffice hours.

20th February,2018

ARMED FORCES OF Malta

Live FiringProgramme − Pembroke Ranges − March and April 2018

Live firingpractice will be taking place at Pembroke Ranges during the months of March andApril 2018, on the respective dates and times as indicated hereunder: 

From Wednesday,1st March 2018 till Tuesday, 2nd March 2018, from 7.00 a.m. till 4.00 p.m. (LocalTime)

From Monday, 5thMarch, 2018 till Friday, 9th March, 2018, from 7.00 a.m. till 4.00 p.m. (LocalTime)

From Monday, 12thMarch, 2018 till Friday, 16th March, 2018, from 7.00 a.m. till 4.00 p.m. (LocalTime)

From Monday, 19thMarch, 2018 till Friday, 23rd March, 2018, from 7.00 a.m. till 4.00 p.m. (LocalTime)

From Saturday,24th March, 2018 till Sunday, 25th March, 2018, from 7.00 a.m. till 6.00 p.m.(Local Time)

From Monday, 26thMarch, 2018 till Thursday, 29th March, 2018, from 7.00 a.m. till 4.00 p.m.(Local Time)

From Monday, 2nd April,2018 till Friday, 6th April, 2018 from, 7.00 a.m. till 4.00 p.m. (Local Time)

From Monday, 9thApril, 2018 till Friday, 13th April, 2018 from, 7.00 a.m. till 4.00 p.m. (LocalTime)

From Monday, 16thApril, 2018 till Friday, 20th April, 2018 from, 7.00 a.m. till 4.00 p.m. (LocalTime)

From Monday, 23rdApril, 2018 till Friday, 27th April, 2018 from, 7.00 a.m. till 4.00 p.m. (LocalTime)

On Monday, 30thApril, 2018 from 7.00 a.m. till 4.00 p.m. (Local Time)

The attention of all entities concerned is drawn to the fact that theAFM will be activating LMD-6 Pembroke low, an area with 4 NM radius centered on355554N 0142832E joining the following points: 355946N 0142715E  - 35 5829N 0143219E.  

All vessels areto keep four nautical miles (4 NM) off Pembroke coast during the above datesand times.

Red marker flags,indicating that the ranges are in use will be flown on the dates and times incaption from the limits of the ranges concerned.

MATS is toactivate LMD 06 ‘Pembroke low’ during the above times.

20th February, 2018

MINISTRY FOR THE FAMILY, CHILDREN’S

RIGHTS AND SOCIAL SOLIDARITY

The contactdetails pertaining to agencies accredited by the Department for Social WelfareStandards are being published as follows:

Agency name: Foundationfor Social Welfare Services – Aġenzija Appoġġ

Address: 36, TriqSan Luqa, Gwardamanġa PTA 1318, Malta

LegallyResponsible Person: Mr Alfred Grixti

Email:appogg@gov.mt

Telephone number:00356 2295 9000

20th February,2018

Housing Authority

Scheme for theRehabilitation of Vacant Dwellings for Rent

1. Purpose ofthe Scheme

TheRehabilitation of Vacant Dwellings for Rental Scheme is an initiative intendedto encourage private owners to invest in the rehabilitation of unoccupied,substandard residential dwellings and lease them to the Authority toaccommodate social housing applicants.  

The Authority isoffering a one time grant to owners of vacant residential dwellings.  Once the dwelling house is rendered up tostandard and suitable for occupation, it is then leased to the Authority for aperiod of ten years.   The Authority willin turn sublet the dwelling house to persons/families who are eligible forsocial accommodation, and will be fully responsible for collecting rents fromthe sub lessees. The Authority will be fully responsible to ensure thatsub-lessees will fully comply with rent conditions imposed by theAuthority.   The owner will receive thepre agreed lease payment from the Authority on a six monthly basis.

2.Definition

In this Scheme,unless the context otherwise requires:

“applicant” meansa person who applies for the rehabilitation cash grant on private dwellingswhich will be then leased to the Authority under this Scheme.  When the application is made by two or morepersons jointly, the application shall include all applicants and applicantswill oblige themselves to adhere to their obligations in solidum;

“the Authority”,means the Housing Authority established by section 3 of the Housing AuthorityAct, 1976, (Cap. 261);

“dwelling house”means a building or part of a building constructed or adapted for occupation asa separate dwelling and excludes houses owned or leased by the Government, theHousing Authority, the Joint Office any parastatal body or local authority;

“owner” includesa physical and moral person who has the property or perpetual emphyteusis;

“Government”means the Government of Malta;

 “prescribed” means prescribed by theAuthority;

3.Applications to benefit under this Scheme

(a) Any personeligible to benefit under this Scheme may submit an application on theprescribed form to the Authority requesting financial assistance from theAuthority to rehabilitate the said vacant private dwelling house which isthereafter to be leased to the Authority for a period of ten (10) yearsuninterruptedly and without hindrance.

(b) The benefitavailable under this Scheme shall consist of a cash grant up to a maximum oftwenty-five thousand euro (€25,000).

4. Eligibilityto Apply Under This Scheme

(a) The dwellinghouse has been vacant for at least one (1) year before the date of submissionof application under this scheme.  Theowners will be required to provide evidence that this dwelling house has beenvacant for this period on submission of application;

(b) The dwellinghouse must be considered by the Authority as being suitable and according tothe Authority’s requirements for social accommodation and this in the absolutediscretion of the Authority and subject to the needs of the same Authority whowill have the right refuse any property being offered under this scheme;

(c) The dwellinghouse, which is to be rehabilitated and leased to the Authority, has been builtfor at least 30 years from the date of submission of application under thisscheme;

(d) The applicantmust be:

(i) a Maltesecitizen,

(ii) at leasteighteen years of age on the date of submission of application,

(iii) theabsolute owner of the dwelling house offered to the Authority,

(iv) legallyauthorised to rent the dwelling house to the Authority.

If the applicantis not separated, the application to benefit under this Scheme must bemade  by both spouses jointly.

5. TheRehabilitation Grant

(a) Therehabilitation grant of a maximum of €25,000 may be granted only for thepurpose of assisting the applicant in carrying out the rehabilitation of thedwelling in order to render it up to standard for residential purposes and forworks related to:

i) extraordinarystructural repairs,

ii)alteration/extension works necessary to render the dwelling suitable foraccommodation,

iii)repairs/replacement of electricity, plumbing and drainage systems,

iv)improvement/replacement or installation of bath/shower room,

v)repairs/replacement of floor tiles,

vi)repairs/replacement of external apertures and balconies,

vii)repairs/replacement of internal doors,

viii) waterproofing to the roofs,

ix) appropriateimprovements and damp proofing works as permanent solutions to eliminateproblems of rising damp,

x) restoration offacades,

xi) otherfinishing works required to render premises up to standard and suitable foraccommodation,

xii) professionalfees (these will only be granted if a Planning Authority permit is required);

(b) Therehabilitation works involved must be considered as viable at the absolutediscretion of the Authority.  The worksapproved by the Authority shall be completed within twelve months (12) from thedate of approval authorising the rehabilitation grant and the grant paid underthe provisions of this Article shall be payable by the Authority only after theAuthority has ascertained that the works have been carried out in full and asapproved by the Authority, against fiscal receipts in the name of the applicantand after compliance with all conditions prevailing by or under thisScheme.  The period of twelve (12) monthsmay be extended by the Authority at its sole discretion;

(c) Therehabilitation grant approved under this Scheme shall not exceed the totalreasonable costs of the works to be carried out as approved by the Authority,and in each case shall not exceed the sum of €25,000;

(d) The applicantshall allow the Authority or its representatives to inspect the dwelling houseto be rehabilitated at any time as required;

(e) The applicantshall submit to the Authority, details including quotations and estimated costsof the works required under each of items (i) to (xii).  These estimates shall be subject to theapproval of the Authority and the grant amount as approved by the Authorityshall be final;

(f) Therehabilitation grant shall only be awarded by the Authority for works which areapproved and confirmed in writing to be satisfactorily completed by theAuthority.  The grant will not be awardedfor works which are carried out prior to inspection of the premises by theAuthority or by its appointed representative and/or if all permits required bylaw are not obtained;

(g) The Authorityis entitled to register in its favour a Special Privilege and/or SpecialHypothec and/or General Hypothec according to law for a period of ten (10)years covering the rehabilitation grant given under this scheme, withoutprejudice to other rights at law and this to guarantee the refund of therehabilitation grant in the event that the applicant fails to conform with anyone or all conditions stipulated in the scheme. 

6.Disqualification

A person shallnot qualify to submit an application under this Scheme if:

(a) the Authoritydoes not consider that the dwelling house can be rendered up to standard andaccording to the Authority’s requirements for social accommodation and this atthe absolute discretion of the Authority;

(b) the dwellinghouse is in a slum area which is earmarked for demolition;

(c) the applicantis not the absolute owner of the dwelling house;

(d) the dwellinghouse has not been vacant for at least one (1) year;

(e) the dwellinghouse is not built in accordance with the planning permits, sanitary andbuilding regulations.

7. Method ofApplication

A person eligible to apply under this Scheme shall submit an applicationin the prescribed form for assistance and shall deliver same personally to theAuthority during office hours.

8.Administrative Charge and Abandoned Applications

(a) Eachapplication for rehabilitation grant under this Scheme shall be lodged personallyby the applicant with the Authority and application shall not be acceptedunless accompanied by the sum of fifty euro (€50.00) together with all requesteddocuments attached to application.  Thesum will not be refunded under any circumstance;

(b) Where anyapplicant under the scheme fails to appear on the deed of grant and/or leaseagreement when called upon to do so by the Authority, his application shall bedeemed to have been abandoned and the administrative charges mentioned inparagraph (a) of this article shall not be recoverable by the applicant;

(c) Saving theprovisions of immediately preceding paragraphs of this Article, any expensesincurred by the applicants in connection with their application shall not berecoverable by the applicants whether or not their application is successful.

9. Conditionsfor the Scheme

(a) The dwellinghouse which qualifies for the rehabilitation grant under this Scheme shall beleased to the Authority for a period of ten (10) years uninterruptedly andwithout hindrance, and the applicant has to authorize the Authority to subletthe dwelling house to third parties at its absolute discretion;

(b) The Authoritywill have exclusive rights to collect the rent due by her prospective tenants.In return, the applicants will authorise the Housing Authority to transfer thebills of both water and electricity services onto the prospective tenants whowill be then responsible for the payment of these utilities meters togetherwith their consumption;

(c) The maximumgrant under this is scheme is €25,000;

(d) The rentpayable will be considered according to the size, location, and layout of thedwelling house together with the amount of grant approved.  The rents will be increased by 2% every year;

(e) The applicantmust be legally authorised to rent the dwelling house to the Authority. Inaddition, the applicant should declare that there are no pending litigations inregard to this property and same property is not subject to sale by auction(subbasta);

(f) The applicantbinds himself to observe the rent regulations as set out in the Civil Code, Cap.16;

(g) Prior to thelease agreement the dwelling house must be in a fully finished state.  Finished state includes plastering, renderingand painting of all walls and ceilings, complete plumbing (hot & cold)system including water tank, complete electricity system including consumerunit, complete drainage system, floor tiling works, main door, apertures andinternal doors, intercom and a fully equipped bathroom. The external envelopeof the dwelling house must be fully finished and water tight.    The full equipped bathroom, which should bein a very good condition, should include shower/bath, wash hand basin, watercloset, a water heater and accessories;

(h) In case ofblock of apartments, the common parts of block of apartments should be fullyfinished including lift where possible, intercom system, meter cupboards,electricity system, stair railing and letter boxes;

(i) The applicantmust insure against all risks, including third party risks, the block/propertyincluding the common parts being offered to the Authority under thisscheme.  In addition, they also bindthemselves to submit to the Authority, on a yearly basis, a copy of the saidpolicy.  If the applicants fail to insureor pay the insurance, the Authority will have the right to pay for such policyand deducts rent payable to applicant with the amount of insurance paid.   A letter will be then sent by the Authorityto the applicant to inform him of the above;

(j) Once theworks under this scheme are carried out the applicant is responsible for allextraordinary repairs and maintenance of the dwelling house including, but notonly, the structural repairs, ordinary maintenance of the external envelope,any faults related to the plumbing, electricity and drainage system.   In addition, the applicant is alsoresponsible to reinstate any damages caused by lack of proper maintenance;

(k) The applicantis to provide a compliance certificate for utility services application whenrequested for it by the Authority.  Theapplicant is also to provide the necessary lift certificates, where applicabletogether with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC);

(l) In case of anapartment in a block, the applicant is to form part of the condominium inaccordance with the Condominium Act, Cap. 398 of the Laws of Malta, whereapplicable, which condominium will be responsible for the maintenance of thecommon parts and lift where applicable. The contribution of the common parts due for each apartment leased tothe Authority will be paid directly by the Authority to the applicant.  This maintenance fee will be capped by theAuthority depending on the number of units within the block which amount willbe directly deposited in the applicant’s bank as mentioned in clause 9 (r)together with the amount of rent due to applicant.   For the following years, an upward revisionof the maintenance fee is to take place at the rate of 2% per annum.  The applicant is to remain responsible forthe residents’ association and related obligations as per clause (m) below;

(m) The applicantis also responsible for all ordinary and extraordinary repairs and maintenanceof the common parts of a block of apartments, which include:

structuralrepairs,

maintenance ofthe external envelope,

roof maintenance,

faults inelectricity system in the common parts and intercom,

where a lift isinstalled, its maintenance agreement, certification of engineer, lift rescueservice line charges and extraordinary and non-scheduled repairs,

regulardecoration works,

payments of theelectricity consumption and meter charges of the common parts.

On the otherhand, the prospective tenants of the Authority will be responsible for therepairs and ordinary maintenance of the property leased to them;

(n) The Authorityretains the right to carry out those repairs which are the responsibility ofthe applicant if the applicant fails to carry out these works himself.  These works can be carried out by theAuthority or by someone delegated by the Authority and the cost of the repairswill be deducted from the rent due to the applicant.  The applicant will be informed of the above,in writing by the Authority;

(o) The HousingAuthority is responsible for the payment of all utilities bills including,water, electricity and telephone services during the lease period. On the dateof the signing of the rental agreement, the applicant binds himself to settleall pending bills covering both the consumption and the rental of all utilitymeters.  In addition, the applicant isobliged to present evidence showing that all bills are settled, which evidenceis to be attached to the rental agreement.  The utility bills are to be transferred onto the Housing Authority bythe applicant within seven days from the date of the rental agreement and thesame applicant is to furnish the Authority with the necessary documents toeffect the transfer;

(p) During the rental period, the applicant binds himself to inform theAuthority in case he intends to transfer the property to third parties.  In the case where the property is transferredto third parties during the rental period, the applicant is obliged to informthe prospective buyers that the property is subject to a rental agreementtogether with the terms and conditions regulating same rental.  In addition, the applicant is to attach therental agreement entered into between himself and the Authority to the deed ofsale of same property;

(q) Theapplicants reserve the right to inspect the immovable property offered for rentunder this scheme, in which case, he obliges himself to inform the Authority atleast forty-eight hours before the inspection and also carries out theinspection if he is accompanied by an official of the Authority;

(r) The Authoritycommits itself to:

Ensure that atthe expiry of the lease agreement, the dwelling house is returned to theapplicant in a good state of repair taking into consideration wear and tearduring the ten years of lease;

Pay the rent tothe applicant every six months in advance by means of a direct credit in theapplicant’s bank account;

Ensure an annualrent increase of a fixed rate of 2% per annum on the rent of dwelling houseoffered under this scheme;

Ensure use of thedwelling house as ordinary residence for social accommodation purposes;

Ensure that thetax due by the successful applicant on the rental income of the property rentedto the Authority under this scheme, will be paid by the Authority;

Ensure that themaintenance fees of the common parts administered by the applicant are paidregularly by the Authority directly to the applicant.   This maintenance fee will be capped by theAuthority depending on the number of units within the block. For the followingyears, a revision of the maintenance fee is to take place at the rate of 2% perannum.

10.Termination of Lease Agreement

The leaseagreement between the Authority and the applicants may be terminated in casewhere any of the conditions of the scheme or the rental agreement are breachedby the applicant as well as in the eventuality that the applicant fails toobserve to his obligations.  In addition,where the Authority decides not to terminate the lease agreement, the Authoritywill have the right to impose a penalty up to a maximum of €20 per day untilthe applicants regularise themselves with the conditions of both the scheme andrental agreement.

The full grantreceived under this scheme has to be refunded to the Authority if the applicantdecides to terminate the lease for any circumstance.

11. Penaltyfor False Declaration

If at any time itresults that applicants have made a false declaration or given incorrectinformation/documents for the purposes of any application made under thisScheme, without prejudice to any penalty for which they may have become liableunder any other law, the applicants shall be liable to the payment to theAuthority of a fine equivalent to the sum total of any subsidy from whichapplicants have benefited under the provisions of the Scheme. They will also bedisqualified for a period of five (5) years from benefiting from any scheme madewith the approval of the Minister responsible for Housing, and shall forfeitthe right to any subsidy under this Scheme.

This incorrect orfalse declaration or this submission of incorrect or false documents may alsolead to the commencement of criminal procedures.

12. Right ofRefusal

Notwithstandinganything contained in the foregoing provisions of this Scheme, the Authorityshall have the right, at its absolute discretion, to refuse any application andits decision will be final and not subject to scrutiny.

The Authorityshall have a right to stop and, or withdraw this scheme and it shall have theright to change its conditions even retrospectively and thus this scheme doesnot bestow acquired rights.  Such changeshall not make the Authority subject to any action for damages.  An application that has been accepted may bewithdrawn and, or refused if the conditions of the scheme are changed after theacceptance of the application. 

13. Amendmentsto the Scheme

The Authorityshall have the right to make any amendments to this Scheme by publication ofthe said amendments in the Government Gazette – such amendments will be alsoapplicable for the rental agreement between the Authority and the applicant.Such amendments may be made applicable retroactively. No amendments shallsubject the Authority to an action for damages or any other legal action.

The Authorityalso reserves the right and this at its absolute discretion, to change orinclude other obligations or conditions of the scheme and rental agreements,which conditions or obligations are not mentioned in the scheme.

14. Durationof Scheme

This Scheme shallremain in force for a period of one year from the date of its publication inthe Government Gazette, and shall be automatically renewed for further periodsof one year each unless a Notice to the contrary is published in the GovernmentGazette indicating that the scheme has been withdrawn.

15.Interpretation

In case theMaltese text differs from the English text, the Maltese text will prevail.

These conditionsshould form an integral part of the agreement/rental agreement and in casewhere the conditions of the agreement/rental agreement are different from theconditions indicated in the scheme, the interpretation or condition which is mostfavourable to the Authority is to be applied. 

20th February, 2018

Ministry for the Family, Children’s Rights and Social Solidarity

In terms ofRegulation 79(4)(h) of the Public Procurement Regulations (LN 352 of 2016) theDirector Financial Governance and Planning within the Compliance andInvestigations Division within the Ministry for the Family, Children’s Rightsand Social Solidarity is publishing a list of all awards of contracts betweenthe €10,000 and €250,000 threshold, which were awarded by the MinisterialProcurement Unit within the same ministry between the 1st July, 2017 and the31st December, 2017.

20th February,2018

*Estimated value of tender was €27,000 excl VAT

SAN ĠILJAN LOCALCOUNCIL

Suspension ofTraffic and Parking

The San ĠiljanLocal Council notifies that the transit of vehicles through the streetsmentioned hereunder will be suspended on Saturday, 17th March, 2018, between1.00 p.m. and 1.00 a.m.

The streets are:Pjazza Qalb ta’ Ġesù, part of Triq Ġorġ Borg Olivier, part of Triq San Ġorġ,part of Triq Michelangelo Borg and part of Triq Wied Għomor.

The San ĠiljanLocal Council also notifies that parking is prohibited in Triq San Ġorġ (fromthe Immaculate Conception Chapel towards Spinola Bay), Pjazza Qalb ta’ Ġesù andthe Tigulio Car Park between 10.00 a.m. and 1.00 p.m. on Saturday, 17th March,2018.

20th February,2018

Naxxar Local Council

Suspensionof Parking and Traffic

The Naxxar Local Council notifies that on thedates shown hereunder, the seaside carriageway leading towards Pembroke fromSt. Paul’s Bay on Triq il-Kosta from the Coastline Hotel, Salina up to theroundabout near the Splash and Fun Complex, will be closed for traffic:

Sunday,4th March, 2018, from 7.00 a.m. to noon

Sunday,10th June, 2018, from 7.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m.

Wednesday,20th June, 2018, from 7.00 a.m. to noon

Sunday,8th July, 2018, from 7.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m.

Sunday,9th September, 2018, from 7.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m.

Sunday,23rd September, 2018, from 7.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m.

Sunday,14th October, 2018, from 7.00 a.m. to noon

PublicTransport shall be diverted during these times.

Fromthe day before each date up to three hours after the finish of each race, therecreational area opposite Salini Resort will be considered as a towing zone.

16th February,2018

ĦAL GĦARGĦURLOCAL COUNCIL

Feast of PalmSunday, 25th March, 2018

Setting up ofKiosks

The Ħal GħargħurLocal Council notifies that it is accepting applications for the setting up ofkiosks for the occasion of the Palm Sunday. These applications are to reach theOffice of the Ħal Għargħur Local Council by not later than Tuesday, 20th March,2018.

The applicant hasto submit with the application:

Identity card;

Photo of the kiosk;

Certificationfrom the VAT Department;

Trade licence;

Certificateissued by the Department of Public Health.

If one of thesedocuments is not presented, the application will not be accepted.

A fee should bepaid in accordance to Legal Notice 119/2002.

20th February,2018