Vélez-Málaga Council (PSOE, IU y GIPMTM) has postponed, at least for the current session, the idea of creating the post of Ombudsman for the municipality.
The Councillor for Citizen Participation, Javier Checa, proposed creating the post but only if there was consensus amongst all the political parties.
The figure of Ombudsman was included in the Reglamento Municipal de Participación Ciudadana, approved in October 2009, The idea was a totally independent figure, rather than a municipal official, being responsible for safeguarding the rights and freedoms of residents with a status ensuring maximum cooperation of the local authority. It was even left open that the post could possibly be unpaid.
The main opposition party, the Partido Popular, is opposing the proposal on the grounds that it is currently a time to be exploring cuts in public expenditure rather than creating new posts.
Therefore, with no consensus, the idea is being postponed.