The Barcelona Provincial Council will approve an extraordinary programme this Thursday, allocating €20 million to municipalities within the province. This funding aims to help local councils cope with increased costs, particularly those stemming from the conflict in the Middle East, according to 20 Minutos Barcelona.
The initiative seeks to ensure that town councils and Decentralised Municipal Entities (EMDs), regardless of their size, can maintain the continuity, quality, and accessibility of essential municipal services. The additional aid is designed to cover both current expenditure and planned investments.
This means councils can use the funds to address the rising cost of energy bills and the increased price of materials for infrastructure projects. It will also support planned investments, such as new sports or cultural facilities, which might otherwise be affected by higher material costs.
Funding Distribution and Local Impact
Individual allocations will start at €8,000 and increase based on factors including population, disposable household income per inhabitant, unemployment rates, and the municipality's size. For example, Terrassa is set to receive nearly €550,000, while Badalona will get over €540,000.
Smaller towns will also benefit. Gurb, with 2,738 residents, will receive approximately €33,000, and Vacarisses (7,710 inhabitants) will get around €53,000. Navarcles, home to 6,277 people, will receive €40,863.
Alba Pérez, the mayor of Navarcles, told 20 Minutos that these extraordinary resources will allow the council to 'keep finances in order' and address 'expenses not foreseen in municipal budgets'. She added that the funds will help 'guarantee' social services and tackle key local issues like housing.
In Centelles, a town of 7,860 residents in the Osona region, the council will receive €45,403. Mayor Pep Paré explained to 20 Minutos that these funds will primarily cover overruns in budget chapter one. He noted the money would be used to 'dignify' public sector salaries and pay for electricity consumption and fuel for municipal vehicles. Paré also thanked the Barcelona Provincial Council for its 'commitment' to local communities, recalling similar support during the pandemic.
This programme reflects the provincial council's ongoing commitment to supporting local authorities through economic challenges, building on previous aid efforts during crises.
