Dates invite reflection, and within this context the public governance of local authorities comes under scrutiny. Since 2019, the Tribunal de Cuentas has moved the submission of local administrations’ accounts to an online channel. In collaboration with other auditing bodies, the Rendición de Cuentas platform was later created to bring the workings of smaller, closer-to-home governments into plain view for citizens. This shift mirrors a broader push toward digital accountability, a trend widely discussed by the Tribunal de Cuentas. This direction reinforces the idea that openness in how money is managed is essential for public trust and informed participation in local life.
With the financial year closed, five municipalities in Alicante Province still need to finalize their accounts. For the 2023 period, the published councils include Orihuela, Santa Pola, Vall d Ebo, Ibi, which also covers 2021, and Benigembla. The last two had already recorded earlier deficiencies, specifically for 2022. The publication signals ongoing work to close the books and strengthen fiscal transparency across the province. Delays often reflect governance or procedural gaps that local governments are actively addressing to improve accountability for residents and taxpayers.
Only the Orihuela City Council is actively addressing the breach. Although it approved the accounts last December in a committee without the treasurer’s backing, final approval must pass through the full council. It is expected to occur within the week as the administration aims to push the 2024 budget forward. This episode highlights how formal rules govern local accountability and the necessity of full legislative consent before accounts are considered complete and ready for public scrutiny.
Regarding intermunicipal associations, the portal notes the absence of entities such as Depuración Aguas Residuales Margen Izquierdo del Segura Vega Baja, El Xarpolar, Estación Depuradora Aguas Residuales, Margen Derecha Río Segura, La Foia de Castalla, and Servicios Promoción Económica Vega Baja. The missing entries may reflect organizational changes, mergers, or reporting gaps, and they shape the overall transparency profile for the region, leaving residents with an incomplete view of shared services and cooperative projects.
Nevertheless, most noncompliance concentrates among intermunicipal groups and other nonmunicipal forms. Of the 29 local entities awaiting compliance, the five Alicante municipalities are joined by Bétera and Sueca in Valencia Province; the rest are intermunicipal groups or other legal structures. The pattern shows that diverse governance arrangements face similar accountability obligations, with varying degrees of timeliness in reporting and public disclosure that affect public confidence across communities.
Consequences
Public bodies that fail to file accounts face two major consequences. First, they cannot receive subsidies; the Orihuela City Council, for instance, had to repay aid after failing to comply. Second, although Local Treasury regulations do not specify penalties, the auditing body can levy fines ranging from 7,000 to 100,000 euros, which may be repeated until full compliance is achieved. The Rendición de Cuentas portal is an initiative led by the Tribunal de Cuentas with participation from the Sindicatura de Comptes of the Generalitat Valenciana, creating a shared mechanism for oversight and citizen access to financial results across local and regional levels.