Cambiemos Orihuela has denounced the lack of transparency in the preparation of the Orihuela municipal budgets that were announced last week.

They say that the opposition has not had an opportunity to contribute and that no type of citizen consultation has been held. Furthermore, they express their concern about the creation of the four new executive jobs in the council, the cost for the people of Orihuela amounting to 400 thousand euros, which they say could be used to return political favours.

After analysing the budget proposal, which has increased from 96 million to 140 million, it is stated that this increase is offset by an increase in income from fees, as well as with a bank loan of 41 million euros, which will finance the investment projects planned for this year.

However, given that the budget will not be approved until the end of April or May, and there will not be and immediate liquidity to launch current spending, it will be almost impossible for the council to undertake many of the investment projects because of a lack of personnel in key areas such as contracting and technical supervision.

It must therefore be taken into account that such a significant indebtedness, without the certainty that the projects can be executed, will generate double damage, since for each euro that is not spent on a project, interest will still have to be paid without obtaining any benefits. They say that this is reminiscent of the darkest periods of the governments of Medina and Lorente, the consequences of which are still felt in Orihuela today.

A statement issued by Cambiemos said that the party also wants to highlight the consequences of VOX’s participation in the preparation of the budgets, ignoring items on key and essential issues for Orihuela, such as housing, the environment, equality, and accessibility.

They say that they emphasise the importance of addressing these issues for the well-being of both the young people and citizens in general as well as the sustainable development of the municipality.