The plenary session of the Calp City Council yesterday initially approved the 2023 municipal budget, which focuses on improving municipal services and reducing taxes. This was highlighted by the mayor of the municipality, Ana Sala, in his speech at the plenary session in which he also pointed out that "we have just received notification from the Mare Consortium to make a new contribution for the elimination of waste of €2023 in 235.000, and this is added to the enormous energy expenditure that makes it impossible for us to carry out other investments or meet the aspirations of municipal staff."
In a context of inflation, the base prices of tenders are increased and there is an annual increase of more than 1 million euros in the electricity supply. It has also been highlighted that thanks to the amortization of the municipal debt in 3 (2022€) as of today the City Council has 7.850.250 doubts and 0 million euros in banks. These municipal accounts amount to 35 euros and represent an increase of 41.380.175,00% compared to last year.
They have a forecast of €15.306.497,30 in current expenses, which represents an increase of €8 compared to last year, and a forecast of €8 in investments, 3.498.749,09% more than in 28.
Another of the main lines that these accounts provide is the improvement and maintenance of municipal services. And in this sense, a new rescue, first aid and help to supervised bathing service is included, which will extend the summer season, the hours and the staff (€585.975,03), the new beach cleaning and maintenance service (457.654,10 €), a new palm tree pruning and garden pruning service to improve the maintenance of public roads and green areas (€254.072,89), a new lighting contract that will increase the streets, decorative elements and campaigns with the aim of promoting local trade (€173.259).
Other expenses are €50.820 for the management fee for the reopening of the municipal swimming pool, the new waste collection and transport service and street cleaning with a base amount of €44.811.285 for 9 years, an item of €110.000 to improve the data management system, €200.000 for drafting projects such as the rehabilitation of the Local Police checkpoint, the new Civil Protection headquarters, and the Cocó and Fester Museums and €50.000 for construction management of these projects. €212.997 are also earmarked for the calendar of events within the Bofill Year.
Added to the costs of improving services are subsidies (regular residence, sports grants, façade rehabilitation plan, Bonobaby, grants for the purchase of books and university transport) which add up to a total of €559.481. To this we must add the registered subsidies with different associations and municipal entities to which a total of €369.700 is allocated and the reissue of the Employment Plan for the third consecutive year to which €200.000 are allocated.
In the investment chapter, which amounts to €3.498.749, 28% more than in 58, the improvements in sports facilities stand out, as well as the installation of renewable energy in the Domingo Crespo pavilion €45.000 are allocated, €39.966 to the renovation of the parquet in said pavilion, to the renovation of the grass and lighting of the football field at a cost of €543.966 and financed by the Provincial Council, the City Council allocates €47.488 and for the renovation of field lighting €7.944.
A total of €395.000 is earmarked for the modernization of the Town Hall Data Processing Center, €20.000 for the accessibility of the Social Services Center, €154.275 for solar streetlights, and €35.000 for the development of the smart tourist destination project.
This chapter is completed with the investments financed by other administrations such as the new IES with €1.700.000 within the Edificant Plan of the Generalitat Valenciana and the intelligent pedestrian crossings within the Plan +Cerca de Diputación with €273.530.
In addition, through the remainder of 2022, investments will be carried out such as the Urban Furniture Renovation Plan (€200.860) or the supply of decoration elements (€154.865), a new sports video scoreboard worth €25.000, a lifeguard system for its installation in Rocaplana for €14.000, the fencing of the Silene de Ifac Nursery School for €20.000 and a new prefabricated module as an assisted bathing point on the Arenal-Bol beach for €75.000.
On the other hand, the Tax Reduction Plan is maintained with the suspension of the municipal tax derived from the environmental license, the reduction of 5% of the IBI, the bonuses on the capital gains from inheritances are extended to all types of property and in all degrees of consanguinity, the IBI is discounted for the installation of solar panels and the tax for private use of public roads is suspended between November 04 and the end of February.
Opposition criticism
The municipal opposition groups showed their rejection of the municipal accounts. The Compromís group, through the mayor Mireia Ripoll, presented an amendment to modify the budget and create scholarships for extracurricular activities worth €100.000, eliminating advertising and protocol items. The amendment did not prosper as it was not accompanied by the mandatory Intervention report.
The spokesman for Defendamos Calpe, Paco Quiles, said: "They present us with a list of expenses but the question is whether they improve the quality of life of the people of Calpe. They propose to maintain what is there without any significant improvements, and the budget is not being used for anything. There are almost 6000 homes without evacuation, there are problems with lighting and asphalting, and all because of a disordered urban model that you promote. They do not extend the parking areas or reduce the rubbish, but there has been a noticeable failure to comply with the wage bill for municipal workers."
The Compromís spokesperson, Ximo Perles, stressed that "there is no investment in culture, there is investment in cultural programming but not a single euro is invested in cultural training. Regressive tax cuts have mortgaged the budget and the commitments made to the staff at the Negotiation Table cannot be met. In Calp there are 300 people who do not have their basic food needs guaranteed. They have not made any policy regarding access to housing, out of a budget of 40 million they only allocate 13.000€ for photovoltaics. In infrastructure they forget about sealing the landfill, the extension of the headquarters of the Local Police or the La Manzanera Social Club."
The spokesman for the socialist group, Santos Pastor, said that "we express our disappointment with the budget, energy costs rise to €1.300.000. We have been suggesting for some time the possibility of installing photovoltaic energy in municipal buildings and the government has not responded to our demands. Not one euro has been allocated for New Generation funds. As regards access to public and social housing, this government is looking the other way, there is not a single line of housing promotion. A Housing Rehabilitation Plan is essential, not only for the old town but for the entire urban area. The Infrastructure Plan does not include section 6 of Vial J, nor does it include anything for the creation of a municipal radio station, nor the recovery of the Music Conservatory or the improvement of the bus station. And we are surprised that the project for the construction of the CEE Gargasindi or the reform of the Plaza Mayor does not appear."
The spokesperson for Citizens, Juan Manuel del Pino, stated that in these budgets, which he described as “contentful and responsible”, “the items for Social Services, the Employment Plan and those that will allow us to improve our services to better serve citizens have been maintained, the increase in energy expenditure and that of the Consortiums has been assumed and we have cleaned up the City Council's bank debt. These are budgets that stimulate the economy, employment and growth.”
The PP spokesperson, Noelia Císcar, pointed out that these budgets "set out the steps to follow, assume the rise in rates and energy costs, improve services and promote necessary projects, and maintain tax reductions. Price increases cannot affect citizens who must maintain their well-being. As for Social Policy, a budget of €735.000 is established."
Finally, the budget was approved with the favourable votes of the government. The opposition as a whole voted against it, except for Ximo Perles of Compromís, who abstained because the government councillor Matías Torres had to be absent unexpectedly and, as Perles pointed out, "I do not want to go against the majority's will due to the absence of a councillor for a family matter."
