Ordino Council Offers Two Sites to Private Investors for New Socio-Healthcare Centre

Ordino parish council is advancing plans for a new socio-healthcare centre by offering private investors a choice between two potential sites: a 5,000-square-metre plot above Els Buners in La Covanella, owned by the government, and a larger 27,000-square-metre area in La Cortinada.

The Covanella site is more central and well-linked to the urban core but offers limited room for future expansion, according to major consellera Maria del Mar Coma. La Cortinada, while less accessible, provides greater scope for growth and larger-scale development, making it a stronger long-term option. The council recently met with the government this January to assess both locations, aiming to accelerate the project, which is intended to serve all of Andorra despite its northern valleys focus.

Coma said the council will present these options through a tender process, allowing private bidders—including one already showing interest—to select the site best suited to their proposal. "We have these plots, and depending on the private parties that come forward, we'll see how to fit it all together," she explained, adding that the council aims to offer maximum support to make the centre a reality. The facility's final size and orientation will also depend on projected user numbers from the Social Affairs department, which remain pending.

The council has not ruled out maintenance work on Casa Rossell, a government-owned property in the parish inherited via legacy. Discussions on its future community use continue, with Ordino open to contributing financially for shared spaces, though no firm plans exist due to past uncertainties over investment.

In other decisions, the council approved a joint tender with other parishes for waste collection services, set for February by the Encamp-led corporation. Cònsol menor Eduard Betriu said this will optimise resources and curb costs, as individual bids would be far more expensive. Opposition conseller Enric Dolsa backed the move and expressed support for further joint services like traffic management, provided parish autonomy is preserved.

Councillors also endorsed a progressive 1.3% annual salary increase for public employees on top of inflation adjustments, through 2027. This compensates for past delays—equivalent to about 5% lost due to a prior €25 million debt—under an agreement with staff representatives.

Coma further announced a time-limited tender for temporary support in the urban planning department, vacant until year-end amid new POUP regulations, though the head position is currently covered by a substitute.