Alt Urgell Council Approves €11M 2024 Budget Amid Opposition

The Alt Urgell County Council (CCAU) approved its 2024 budget of €11 million during a plenary session held on Thursday evening, despite opposition from Compromís, which voted against it.

Compromís spokesperson Jordi Nadal criticised the budget as lacking political ambition, describing it as merely executing earmarked funds without broader intent. He called for investments in road improvements, wastewater treatment in small villages, and housing initiatives. CUP councillor Gisela Sellès echoed some concerns but chose to abstain. The budget passed thanks to support from ERC, whose spokesperson Carme Lostao noted the urgency for local entities to have an approved plan in place.

CCAU president Josefina Lladós expressed sarcasm towards Nadal's remarks, accusing his group of prioritising partisan confrontation with Catalan and Spanish governments over practical action. She defended the council's limited resources, reiterating calls for greater funding amid precarious finances across local bodies nationwide. Lladós highlighted the newly formed Housing Table but clarified the council lacks direct competence in housing. On roads, she pointed to the state-owned N-260 between La Seu d'Urgell and Puigcerdà as an example beyond local control.

The budget marks an 8.76% increase from 2023, driven by a 20% extraordinary payment from the Local Cooperation Fund (€200,000), a 12% rise in Education Department contributions (€250,000) to cover higher school meal grants, funds for village access plans, and advances on works including elevator renewal and accessibility upgrades at the council's main building. The council also plans to buy a new adapted transport vehicle via public firm IAUSA.

Over 90% of revenue comes from transfers by other bodies, with taxes and public services yielding about €400,000 (4%) and rental income €36,000. The unfunded portion, €1.15 million (10.4%), covers general administration and nearly matches the ordinary Local Cooperation Fund allocation, leaving little room for new investments.

Education (21.95%), social services (17.87%), and village access (13.12%) account for over half the spending.

The session also accepted the resignation of councillor Jordi Gutiérrez Albanell, a Montferrer i Castellbò councillor, replaced by Alàs i Cerc mayor Carme Ribó Domenjó.

All groups unanimously urged the Catalan government to name the new Pyrenees emergency region the "Alt Pirineu Emergency Region," encompassing all counties in the vegueria, and to base it in Alt Urgell, home to the Interior Department's territorial directorate.