The President of the Provincial Council of Almeria, Javier A. García, this morning presented the highest budget in the history of the province of Almeria which, in 2022, will amount to a total of 262,456,200 euros. The main objectives of the next financial year are to equalise opportunities for all Almerians, wherever they live; to fix the population and to promote the basic pillars so that the province continues to be the economic and social engine of Andalusia. Javier A. García and the deputy for Finance, Álvaro Izquierdo, have detailed the accounts of the Institution for next year.
Investments grow
The budget experiences an increase of 34 million euros in investments (83%), compared to 2021: “It is the highest budget in the history of the province. After two years in which the General Budgets of the Provincial Council were restructured for the social and economic reactivation of the province, we face 2022 with historic accounts due to the unprecedented investment and social effort”, he explained.
In this sense, Javier A. García revealed the global objectives and one of the main characteristics of PG2022: “To equalise opportunities for all Almeria residents, wherever they live, to fix the population and to lay the foundations for the province to continue to be the economic and social engine of Andalusia. The 2022 budget is expansive because the amounts of the areas grow and others maintain their investment”.
The President has highlighted that, for yet another year, investment in the welfare of the province has been increased to “once again achieve the most social budget of the Provincial Council”: “Resources to improve the quality of life of the people of Almeria have increased, with an increase of 5 million euros compared to last year, reaching 64.5 million euros. Never before has so much been dedicated to social care and support for the third sector, this year we are incorporating specific lines of social innovation,” he said.
The fight against depopulation, a fundamental pillar of PG2022
The budget is fully aimed at fixing the population in the province of Almeria and equal opportunities for all Almerians. To this end, fundamental items are consolidated and reinforced to promote basic services and initiatives linked to employment.
In this sense, the budget increases investment to create direct employment through the PFEA and reinforces the economic aid for entrepreneurship of ‘Plan Almeria, Youth Employment against depopulation’. It also includes investment to maintain the ATMs that have been installed in 33 municipalities suffering from the problem of Financial Exclusion.
The PG2022 reflects the Government team’s firm commitment to the productive sectors, equality, sport (15% increase) and new technologies for the digitalisation of the Councils, as well as works for the improvement of services and the generation of employment and wealth.
Furthermore, the Provincial Government’s commitment to Artistic and Cultural Heritage is reinforced with the funds for the equipment of the Museum of Spanish Realism, which by the end of 2022 will exceed 6 million in investment, as well as the agreement with the Bishopric for the restoration of churches and parish churches. “Once the work on the Museum is completed in 2022, investments will have been made in the recovery and enhancement of the only 16th century civil building still standing in the city: the Old Provincial Hospital and the future Museum of Realism”, he explained.
Water investments will continue to be a priority for the Development Area in 2022, together with the important investments that will be made in the Works Plans for the towns, with 29 million, as well as in the energy efficiency of public lighting and works that are fundamental to equal opportunities. “We include in this budget a historical demand for the region of Levante Almeriense, as is the North access to the Hospital de La Inmaculada that will benefit users of the Levante, Almanzora and Los Vélez”.
The promotion of Sport experiences an increase of 15% in the 2022 budgets to continue promoting its outdoor practice and the events that project the province of Almeria for tourism, and the commitment to Culture and Cinema is maintained so that ‘Filming Almeria’ and the International Film Festival of Almeria (FICAL) continue to be a driver of job creation and wealth.
As a novelty, the Provincial Council will make a powerful investment for the drafting of projects so that small municipalities can access the Next Generation Funds from Europe, which will be added to the execution of the works within the DUSI Strategy of Bajo Andarax – Almería, whose star project is the renovation of the bridge linking Huércal de Almería and Viator.
Basic lines of the budget
The budget is an example of the coordinated work carried out by all the areas. The President of the Provincial Council has detailed the basic lines that have guided the preparation of the budget
Boost investment and basic services in the 103 municipalities of the province and the Local Autonomous Entity of Fuente Victoria in order to fix the population.
Equalise services and opportunities between citizens living inland and on the coast.
Strengthen social care throughout the province by means of programmes and investments promoted by the Provincial Council and by supporting the third sector in its projects of social interest.
Facilitate the activity of the productive sectors of the province of Almeria so that Almeria continues to be the economic and social engine of the province.
The resources available to the municipalities will be managed from the principles of sustainability, respect for the natural environment, equality and social cohesion.
The President of the Provincial Council emphasised that the PG2022 gives continuity to the Government of the Province’s firm commitment to comprehensive attention to the municipalities, the fixation of the population with an unprecedented investment effort in the last decade, as well as social welfare by responding to the needs of the most vulnerable population and, finally, by the promotion of sectors for the total economic and social recovery of the province.
Finally, Javier A. García revealed that the Provincial Government has shown that its budgets are realistic, executable and planned”: “Today we have tendered 83% of the 41 million we budgeted for 2021, so that by the end of the year it will have been fully executed”.