The council of Alcázar de San Juan has approved a freeze on municipal taxes and fees for another year, as well as several budget modifications aimed at addressing local needs and supporting families caring for children with serious illnesses.
During the ordinary council session held on 27 October, the mayor, Rosa Melchor, also congratulated local chocolatier Jesús Quirós for his participation in the World Chocolate Masters, highlighting his achievements and the city's rich pastry tradition.
Key decisions from the council session
Among the significant resolutions passed was the provisional approval of the fiscal ordinances for the upcoming year, which maintain the freeze on municipal taxes, fees, and public prices. The proposal received 12 votes in favour and seven abstentions, and includes modifications primarily aimed at updating regulations and expanding benefits for residents.
Changes approved include an update to the home help service ordinance, aligning it with current regional regulations on dependency, and revising aspects related to benefits and access criteria. Additionally, the community dynamisation activities ordinance has been amended to incorporate the Covadonga Centre, expanding discounts to facilitate access to its activities. Specifically, a 70% reduction will be available for users with annual incomes not exceeding 1.5 times the Public Multiple Effects Indicator (IPREM), and a 30% reduction for those earning up to two times this indicator. Furthermore, the 10% sibling discount will now apply to leisure and free time activities, while the 50% reduction for holders of the Youth Card and existing rates will remain unchanged.
Budget modifications for municipal services
The council also approved various budget modifications to address the needs of municipal services. Notably, a credit supplement of €250,947.50, funded by treasury surplus, will support the installation of acoustic and fire protection systems at the Teatro Cine Crisfel, as well as expenses for upcoming Christmas and Carnival celebrations, including activities managed by the council and those organised by the Municipal Cultural Board. The Municipal Cultural Board will receive an additional budget modification of €80,000 to bolster current expenses for its performing arts, festivities, and tourism programmes. This amount is complemented by another €16,000 earmarked for the acquisition of a rail system for the new exhibition hall at the Municipal Museum, located on Calle Santo Domingo.
Support for families caring for sick children
Another notable aspect of the session was the unanimous approval of a motion presented by the Municipal Group of the Popular Party, which supports families who must reduce their working hours to care for children with cancer or other serious illnesses. The proposal aims to strengthen protections for these families, ensure continuity of benefits when care needs persist, and prevent discrepancies in recognition and management. All four municipal groups agreed on the necessity of supporting these families, leading to unanimous backing for the motion.
Public spaces and sports facilities
In the section for questions and requests, the Popular Party raised various proposals regarding public spaces in the city, including requests for improvements and revitalisation of Cervantes Park, focusing on its green areas and facilities, as well as enhancing the cultural use of its auditorium. Mayor Melchor reminded attendees that the council has been continuously working on the maintenance and improvement of this and other parks for the past twelve years.
Regarding the Popular Party's suggestion to include Triangulillo Park in the special Christmas and Carnival decorations, the Councillor for Festivities, Javier Castellanos, explained that the council begins preparations for ornamental lighting several months in advance. This process includes selecting new designs, distributing decorative elements, and coordinating with installation companies. Although this year's planning is already finalised, Castellanos noted the proposal for future editions.
The session also provided updates on the planning of improvements to municipal sports facilities. In response to a question from the Popular Party about the Manuel Delgado Meco football pitch, the president of the Municipal Sports Institute, Javier Ortega, explained that a strategic plan is being developed that will encompass all sports facilities in Alcázar de San Juan. Municipal technical services are assessing the needs of swimming pools, pavilions, sports courts, and football fields to establish a prioritised action plan for each space. Ortega also highlighted recent improvements made to the Manuel Delgado Meco pitch in preparation for the Copa del Rey match between Sporting de Alcázar and Málaga CF, which included upgrades to stadium lighting, access points, safety areas, and seating arrangements.
