Cap. 563 Art. 7Functions and scope of the Authority.

(1) The Authority shall be the principal means whereby the Government shall implement its duties under this Act.

(2) Without prejudice to any other power or function conferred to it by this Act or any other law, it shall be the function of the Authority:

(a) to succeed and perform in the functions which were previously assigned to the Lands Authority under the provisions of the Commissioner of Land Ordinance or any other law or subsidiary legislation and to perform and succeed in the assets, rights, liabilities and obligations of the Lands Authority under the provisions of the Commissioner of Land Ordinance or any other law or subsidiary legislation to the extent that the Minister may prescribe by regulations under this Act;

(b) to succeed and perform in the functions which were previously assigned to the Government of Malta under the provisions of the Land Acquisition (Public

Purposes) Ordinance, Land (Compulsory Eviction)

Act, the Disposal of Government Land Act, the

Administration of Lands Act or any other law or subsidiary legislation and to perform and succeed in the assets, rights, liabilities and obligations of the Government of Malta under the provisions of the Land Acquisition (Public Purposes) Ordinance, Land (Compulsory Eviction) Act, the Disposal of Government Land Act, the Administration of Lands Act, or any other law or subsidiary legislation to the extent that the Minister may prescribe by regulations under this Act;

(c) to administer in the most ample of manners and make best use of all the land of the Government of Malta and all land that form part of the public domain such as the coastal perimeter, foreshores, harbours, quays, wharfs, pontoons, portbeaches, landing places, berthing places, waterways, aqueducts, lakes, natural springs, cliffs, valleys, public squares, streets, alleys, lanes, access routes to other public places including those time be assigned to it by the Minister, including the functions required to give effect to any international obligation entered into by Malta relative to matters regulated by this Act;

(e) to advise the Government generally on the formulation of policies with regard to land in Malta and to make recommendations to Government on action which in the opinion of the Authority would be expedient in relation to matters falling within its functions;

(f) to order investigations about any irregularities in connection with anything falling under the remit of the Authority which shall have been made known to the Chief Audit Officer in accordance with article 19(7) and to keep under review all transactions made and to take measures to suppress and prevent, any practices which may be unfair, harmful or otherwise detrimental; and

(g) to ensure high standards of conduct and management throughout.

(3) The Authority may also exercise all powers of control over land in Malta as may from time to time be delegated to it in writing by the Minister on behalf of any department or agency of Government.

(4) It shall be the Minister’s function to ensure that the Board is fully informed of Government’s strategic directions relative to this Act, and it shall be the duty of the said Board to monitor the proper execution of such policies.

(5) The Authority shall execute its duties, functions and responsibilities in accordance with Government’s strategic directions relating to land.

(6) In the pursuance of its functions under this Act, the Authority shall regulate its own procedure.

(7) For the better performance of its functions, the Authority shall collaborate with other Government departments and authorities and make arrangements for the mutual exchange of information and for other forms of assistance.

(8) The Authority shall also ensure that it keeps an audit trail of all its files, including all documentation and reports: Provided that files, documentations and reports shall be digitised and the Authority may after digitisation forward to the National Archives hard copies of files, documentations and reports after a period of twenty (20) years from date of submission to the Authority or to any other previous entity carrying out the same functions. shall be the responsibility of the Chief Executive Officer, who shall also have such other powers as may from time to time be delegated to him by the Minister.

(2) The Authority and each of its Directorates, Units, Divisions and Sections may exercise any one or more of their functions or responsibilities either directly or through any of their officers or employees authorised for the purpose.

(3) Where in this Act anything is to be done by or with respect to the Authority, any such thing may also be done by the Directorates, Units, Divisions and Sections under whose jurisdiction the matter falls by reason of a delegation of function to such Directorate, Unit, Division and Section; and for the purposes aforesaid any reference in this Act to the Authority includes a reference to the appropriate Directorate, Unit, Division and Section.