The approach to closing the year is clear: the Alicante Provincial Council is activating its plan for shaping the 2024 budget. This becomes evident as the Finance, General Administration and Human Capital Commission convenes tomorrow. A central item on the agenda will be the presentation of the evaluation report on budget stability targets and the expenditure rule, a foundational step in constructing the forthcoming budget.
The upcoming annual accounts to be released by the state agency will carry notable significance, as they will be the first prepared under the new Corporation led by Toni Pérez. A key question will be whether a broad consensus can be forged or if the government team will again need to drive the process alone, as occurred last year when the Popular Party and its former partner Ciudadanos had to secure agreement. The budget then relied on the cooperation of PSPV and Compromís without opposition backing.
The most recently approved annual accounts by the County Council totalled €284 million, marking a 4.3% rise in resources over 2022. In addition, the institution deployed another €161 million as resources for a historic extraordinary investment, pushing the overall figure to €445 million. A substantial portion of these funds has been allocated to support self-employed individuals and small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as the most vulnerable groups hit by the economic and energy crisis.
Plan + Nearby
Plan+Cerca, a flagship investment initiative of the Provincial Assembly, will also feature prominently in the commissions scheduled for this week, with discussions aligned to the Infrastructure, Road and Construction sectors. The Water Cycle domain will review proposals to adjust the basis for project calls, aiming to establish new deadlines for conducting business and providing expenditure evidence.
The Provincial Council advanced Plan + Cerca during the ordinary general assembly held this September, approving the first stage of the investment program and endorsing aid amounting to 30 million euros. More than 300 proposals were submitted by municipalities across the province. The guiding principles for Plan + Cerca this year were sanctioned at the general assembly in March.