The plenary session which took place at the Town Hall in Calvià on Tuesday, with positive votes from the Partido Popular, an abstention from the PSOE and an opposing vote from the UM, approved an increase to 117 million euros in the municipal budget for the year 2009, which implies an increase of 25,9% in respect to 2008. The consolidated budget will increase to 133 million, some 23,44 % more than the present budget, and encompasses the Town Hall itself , the municipal companies and the independent organisations, such as Calvià 2000, Llar de Calvià, IFOC and the IMEB.

In 2009, the Town Hall will allocate a total of 24 million euros for investment; which means a total of 5 times more than in 2008. The investment, an increase of 374,8%, will be utilised in a multitude of projects. Amongst the highlights are the construction of homes under official protection, improving the athletic tracks; renovating the nurseries in Calvià and Palmanova; los ARI of Calvià vila and Es Capdella (rehabilitation of both zones) or a conference room in Santa Ponsa, and many more initiatives.

We also have to highlight an important contention for both current costs and personnel in the budgets for 2009. Amongst the measures foreseen in these categories, we can already confirm a reduction of more than 50% of the number of advisors – the exact number of advisors contracted is 19 – and we are also contemplating freezing the salaries of both the elected councillors, as well as those of the advisors.

We have doubled the budget for the promotion of tourism in 2009, increasing from the 250.000 euros budgeted in 2008, to 500.000 euros for 2009; and another key strategy of the Town Hall regarding social politics, is to contemplate a budget for the reinforcement of Social Services, such as resources for Social Security, Education and Employment.