The plenary session approves by absolute majority the municipal budget of 2018

The plenary of the corporation has approved by absolute majority the municipal budget for the year 2018 that amounts to just over 102 million euros, which represents an increase of 9.6% of the sections of income and expenditure over the previous year. The accounts have been approved with the votes in favor of the government team and the municipal group Ciudadanos (Cs). The vote of PSOE, Liberales and Compromís-Los Verdes has been against; and the one of the two non-affiliated councilors, abstention.

The councilwoman of Treasury, Lourdes Caselles, thanked "the work" of the department of Intervention; as well as the one made by "the Cs group and by the non-affiliated councilor Juan García", whose proposals were fully or partially included in the budget proposal that has been submitted to the plenary today. In addition, and prior to the debate of the document, the corporation has approved to incorporate three amendments of the Socialist municipal group and one of Compromís-Los Verdes.

Caselles stressed that the budget meets "the spending rule", "the Adjustment Plan" and "the stability principle", while ensuring "the economic balance of the City Council, serving the general interest." Caselles influenced "the investment effort" that includes the 2018 budget, and that is a direct consequence of "the management of the government team", of the "reorganization" of the municipal accounts, of "the improvements in public procurement", and of "the early repayment of loans over the previsions" - reducing financial expenses by almost half this year.

The person in charge of Treasury remarked that "the important savings achieved" will be "invested in the quality of services provided to citizens" and in investments, which "go from 4.7 to 14.1 million." Of these, 5.7 million correspond to "transfers that are expected to be received from other public administrations" in the form of subsidies for the execution of important projects. Among the investments included in the budget are the development of the industrial estate, the remodeling of Mediterráneo Avenue, the third phase of pedestrianisation of Tomás Ortuño street and the former Hogar del Camarada, or the improvement of accessibility and sports facilities; as well as the proposals raised by neighbors through the participatory budget, which reaches 400,000 euros.

Caselles indicated that the Personnel item is increased by 1.75% "to incorporate the Public Offer of Employment approved in previous years and the one planned for this year"; as well as the global income section grows. In this regard, he clarified that this increase in revenue is linked, among other factors, to the development of three partial plans - PP 2/1, 3/1 and El Murtal - and the foreseeable increase in urban planning licenses. However, there is a decrease in income from ICIO (Tax on Constructions, Works and Installations), capital gains and surcharge.

The funds provided for beaches also grow; for sports, cultural and library and archives activities; and for sports transport and social spending as a whole; while the investment for the maintenance and conservation of schools is practically doubled. It also increases the municipal contribution to Visit Benidorm Foundation - up to 550,000 euros; and an important item is contemplated to face the Red.es project, which, if granted, will make it possible to move forward in "the goal of being the first certified smart tourist destination in the world".

Amendments incorporated

Prior to the debate and approval of the budget, the corporation has voted the battery of amendments presented by PSOE, Liberales and Compromís-Los Verdes. Thus, three of the 17 amendments submitted by the Socialist group have been incorporated into the document. Specifically, increase the amount allocated to the Early Care service by 10,000 euros, and grant 40,000 and 10,000 euros respectively to the women's section of the Benidorm Handball Club and Ciudad de Benidorm Club.

The rest of the amendments have been rejected, as well as all those defended by Liberales and most of those presented by Compromís-Los Verdes, with the exception of including them in the budget execution bases. Thus, the need to request three budgets when contracting minor expenses, ranging from 3,000 to 15,000 euros.