The Ministry for National Heritage, the Arts, and Local Government is currently in the advanced process of making the first group of acquisitions of private properties presently leased or used by social band clubs that are under threat of eviction.
The properties shall be managed by the Arts Council Malta, which will, in turn, be setting up the Band Clubs Acquisition and Management Unit to ensure that the interests of the social band clubs, as well as those of the government, are safeguarded in the long term. The unit will be under the direction of Mr James Pearsall, who holds vast experience in various roles amongst the years.
The unit’s terms of reference shall ensure that the conditions provided in the agreed acquisition contracts and in the back-to-back contracts with social band clubs are observed, whilst supporting the relevant band clubs in their quest to safeguard and promote culture, music, and social inclusion.
This unit will also create a platform for communication between the band clubs in question and different stakeholders so as to support mutual collaboration.
File photo: Castille
