As expected, the ruling PP Council used its absolute majority to approve the municipal budget for 2009, set at €24.8 million. This is a reduction of €5 million on the previous year.
The budget includes a reduction of 20% in allocations to municipal groups and an increase of 135% relating to social assistance.
As regards investments, the figure budgeted is €4.2 million and projects include new equipment for El Pinarillo recreation area (€196,000), a new auditorium in Verano Azul (€387,144.18) and a multi-channel internet platform (€237,112).
The Council dismissed all objections and requests for reconsideration submitted by the Opposition PSOE and IU.
The PSOE once again pointed out the negative cash flow situation in the municipality, implying breaches of Municipal Law in not addressing the situation. The Mayor responded by stating that the municipality had always had a negative cash flow since the inception of the legal concept in 1992.
The Mayor said it was true that no budget has addressed the recommendations of the Intervention Fund to deal with this situation but added that no-one, including the Opposition, has ever proposed any solutions or offered advice.