Today, just one year later, the Plenary of the Diputación de Almería has been held again in person in the plenary of the Provincial Palace. One of the main measures agreed this morning is the extension of the investment in the works of this emblematic building, future Museum of Spanish Realism, with an extra 720,000 euros.
The work on this building is the main heritage recovery project undertaken by the Diputación de Almería. The complexity of the work and the technical adaptations that have to be made, due to the nature of the 16th century building, which arise as the restoration progresses, have led the works to include this extension in order to establish its structural safety and the historical values of the façade, which were unknown until now.
The Plenary has approved this investment, which will mainly go to the San Rafael room and the 18th century façades of the building. This extension will allow these spaces to be kept as close to their original appearance as possible in order to maintain the essence of this unique building, which will house the country’s first Museum of Spanish Realism.
Fernando Giménez, deputy for the Presidency and spokesman for the government team, explained that this measure is a further demonstration of the institution’s commitment to Almeria’s artistic and cultural heritage by modifying the budget to increase the funds earmarked for the future museum. He also remarked that «Diputación is going to make an important effort with 720,000 euros in addition to what has already been invested because some difficulties have been encountered in the building, such as one of the rooms that has had to be supported with a structure and a new foundation that reaches a depth of twelve metres. This has been the criterion of the technicians in order to provide the security required by the building».
In addition, the spokesman recalled that the project for the museumisation of the Provincial Hospital is continuing in coordination with the technicians so that the building can be implemented and prepared for the exhibition of works of art, and pointed out that panels are going to be installed so that the artistic pieces do not have to be supported by the original walls and so that the building is always preserved.
Generating employment and improving Coopera 2 infrastructures
On the other hand, the Corporation has validated new investments with the aim of generating employment and improving public services and infrastructures in the 103 municipalities with the approval of the list of actions that are part of the Coopera 2 Programme.
The deputies have supported the continuation of this programme, which was created with the aim of encouraging recruitment and promoting employment among the self-employed and SMEs in the construction sector in Almeria, one of the sectors most affected by the pandemic. The Plenary has approved the investment of 2.4 million euros to be allocated to projects in all municipalities of the province and the smaller local entity of Fuente Victoria.
Thanks to these investments, Abla Town Council will improve its football pitch; Alcolea Town Council will repair San Isidro de Darrical street; Almócita Town Council will renew the signage in the town centre; Benitagla will repair the paving and gardening in Médico street; Cantoria will equip the study and projection room in the municipal offices; Serón will adapt a green area next to a roundabout or Terque, which will install glass in the municipal paddle tennis court and new windows in the local hostel? to name but a few examples.
The spokesman for the government team, Fernando Giménez, stressed that «the continuation of this programme is a resounding success that comes as a result of the excellent reception of the first edition. It is an extra boost that will allow us to further enhance the improvement of services in our villages and, above all, ensure the creation of jobs among professionals and SMEs in the Almeria sector».
In addition, the Corporation has unanimously approved new investments in Provincial Plans to continue improving infrastructures. With the amounts of today’s Plenary, the Provincial Institution has already processed more than 24 million euros for Provincial Plans this year. This is the seventh list of projects to be implemented in the municipalities of Alhabia, Alhama de Almería, Bayarque, Berja, Chirivel, Fiñana, Sierro, Adra, María, Pulpí, Alboloduy and the ELA of Fuente Victoria.
Thanks to the Provincial Plans in these localities, streets, rural roads, pedestrian paths, housing developments, improvements in sports facilities, public lighting, supply and sanitation networks, paving…, or the installation of photovoltaic energy in the Public School of Alhabia will be adapted. On the other hand, the Plenary has approved an update of Provincial Plans to carry out works in Antas, for improvements in the multipurpose building.
Support for research
Another of the proposals that have gone ahead in today’s plenary session is the call for grants to carry out research work. In this regard, the spokesperson for the government team stressed that «from an economic point of view, these are modest amounts, but thanks to them, scholars from Almeria will be able to shed light on important issues for our cultural and artistic memory and heritage».
Thanks to this call, research projects will be undertaken such as the Cathedral of Almeria under a mathematical vision, women and musical institutions in Almeria, the Valencian repopulation in the middle valley of the Andarax, on the figure of the Almerian philosopher Jesús Padilla or on intersexuality and activism in the province of Almeria.
Institutional declarations in favour of La Palma and people with mental health problems and in memory of the deceased firefighter
A motion presented by the Popular Group in support of the people of La Palma, who are suffering the serious consequences of the volcano, has been raised as an institutional declaration with the backing of all the political forces. Fernando Giménez has expressed the support and solidarity of the Provincial Institution with the whole of La Palma society in these difficult times, especially with those who have lost everything, and the recognition of the work of the professionals and institutions that are carrying out in the area.
At this point, the President of the Provincial Council, Javier A. García, had some words of affection, remembrance and encouragement for the Almeria firefighter who died in the fire in the Sierra de Málaga and all his relatives, for their bravery and dedication for the benefit of society as a whole.
The Provincial Corporation has defended an Institutional Declaration presented by all the political groups in support and recognition of people with mental health problems, their families and entities that work daily to advance and improve their quality of life. In this way, a proposal from FEAFES Andalucía Salud Mental is included as a gesture of adhesion and support from the institution to the demands of this group.
Among the agreements reached in this declaration is the commitment of the Provincial Council to face the challenges posed by the lack of mental health and that today, moreover, are aggravated by an unprecedented social and health crisis to facilitate an improvement in their quality of life. The Provincial Institution expresses its support for the demands of this group and undertakes to promote actions to improve mental health care.
The Corporation has also unanimously approved a motion to promote air connectivity in the province of Almeria. The Plenary has agreed to seek new formulas to achieve a return on investment to get more flights at the Antonio Torres Airport in Almería.