On Monday 22nd November 2010 at a special plenary session, the budget for 2011 was approved.
The projected budget is 3,377,865.32€ income and 3,280,195.38€ of expenses, displaying a surplus to mitigate the effects on the residual liquid assets.
These figures represent a decrease on the budget of the preceding period, justified by the government team for the need to apply a policy of reduction and adjustments in the public expenses, caused principally by the significant decrease over several years of the income originating from the tax on construction, urban development rates and the tax on the increase of the value of urban lands.
In order to meet this target of reduction it will be necessary to reduce such items as the expenses of personnel (reduction of the salary) besides the reductions pertaining to the salaries of the high-ranking officials and assistances to associations. Reductions will also be made in other items such as Protocol, Twinning, Tourism, Commerce, and Traditional Festivals among others.
On the contrary, other parts of social character have been maintained, such as Social Services, Sports and Culture and Education.
Regarding the fiscal incomes, the government team emphasises that it is determined not to modify the tax types and rates thus avoiding a greater municipal tax burden to the families.
In the section of subsidies they are waiting to receive the fourth annuity of the agreement signed with the Generalitat for the work of the pedestrianisation of Calle Cervantes and the Plaza del Castell, that have already been finalized, as well as two more requested subsidies to the Delegation of Alicante for hydraulic infrastructure.
Besides applying to all those announced in the fiscal year 2011 and those that will be of municipal interest, the ones that are granted will be subject to the corresponding budgetary modifications.
Finally, in relation to the area of investments, the emphasis was on those that were the most necessary for the municipality, such as the urbanization of different streets, mains plumbing of Calle 9 in Gironets, the intersection between Cami Real de Gandía and Cami de la Mar, another point of underground containers, a playground, fitting-out the pool and the outside of the Municipal Auditorium, among others.
Likewise, one must emphasize the contribution by aid to the Third World of 0.3% of common resources
All in all, we must emphasize the will of the government team by presenting some adjusted budgets to face the current reality, with austerity but without forgetting the needs of the municipality. The management of the government team Partido Popular-PSPV have maintained and even increased minimum investments, projects in motion have not been delayed and neither have the taxes in force risen. They have been capable of optimizing the resources and reorganized the Town Hall, with ZERO debt and a surplus of liquid assets.
It must not be forgotten that the opposition parties, BLOC and PIREE voted against the changes. During the meeting, some doubts were resolved with the spokesman of BLOC; on the other hand, the spokesman of PIREE had no questions.
