“We increased the social, cultural and job creation items by 3.2 million”

Francis González, mayor of Icod de los Vinos, speaks in this interview about the new items allocated to social and cultural resources thanks to the remaining treasury. “We increased the social, cultural and employment promotion, commercial revitalization and security items by 3.2 million euros,” says a politician who will repeat in the next municipal elections of 2023 as a CC candidate for Mayor of Icodense.

Francis González is a mayor who leads a team focused on management and responding to the problems of the municipality. With him, the news of political tensions that surrounded the City Council ended and a stage of stability began that is allowing the municipality to grow and advance, offering the Icodenses a better service.

The municipality has made a huge leap in terms of management: debt is being cancelled, investments have multiplied, allocations for social services are increasing… Recently, in a municipal plenary session, they have approved incorporating a new injection into the 2022 accounts with charge to the remaining liquid treasury.

Yes, after the liquidation of the budget for the 2021 financial year, we had a liquid Treasury surplus of 17,607,661 euros, of which the amount of 6,889.07 euros has already been incorporated into this budget for general expenses and investment, approved in the last quarter of 2021 as a strategy to deal with the economic crisis caused, not only by covid-19, but also by the evolution of the economic indicators of that same year with the rise in fuel prices that has also led to increases in the prices of raw materials.

And now, they have approved a new injection in the 2022 Budget also charged to the remainder of last year. What exactly is this new injection of the remainder used for?

Of the 3,243,000 euros more than the remainder of the Treasury that are incorporated, the 120,000 euros more that are allocated to the Social Services area, 300,000 euros more in school aid, 25,000 euros more for the Equality area, 100,000 euros more for Youth , 310,000 euros more for Culture, 100,000 more for Sports, 1,000,000 euros more in aid to the economic sector, 30,000 euros more in aid to the taxi sector, an incorporation of another 200,000 euros more for the promotion of employment, 180,000 more euros allocated to the Commercial Dynamization Plan, another 40,000 euros more in tourism promotion, 100,000 euros more for the Police, Security and Civil Protection; and 550,000 euros more in transfers to the public companies Icodemsa (50,000 euros) and Icodtesa (500,000 euros) for the maintenance of their service provision.

A strong social character and support for the economy, especially for small businesses and local entrepreneurs…

Of course, to families and small and medium-sized companies. This is a markedly social budget with more than 3 million euros of social spending. We try to generate and support the local economy, but also to support the families of Icod.

Also to pay debt and pay pending invoices, including from the previous Corporation…

Yes, we allocate 3,383,276 euros to pay debt. I am aware that there may be people who do not understand the importance of removing debt for a local Corporation, but I assure you that it is a lot. If we put the simile with a family, imagine the tranquility of lowering what is owed to the banks: less interest, less money to pay month after month and more room for maneuver. Not to mention that it is very likely that Europe will soon re-impose the fiscal rules and that is why it is so important to arrive at that moment with the most healthy accounts possible and thus be able to have room for manoeuvre. Unfortunately, we have inherited a debt from the past that has limited the Icod de los Vinos City Council’s ability to act and there are past mistakes that we will not allow to be repeated. That is why, now, we are giving continuity to the budget planning that began in 2020, when a debt repayment was carried out that continued in 2021.

The budget grows and, therefore, the City Council’s capacity to respond to the residents of Icod de los Vinos also grows.

Yes, it is an injection derived from good management; of serious and committed work that now allows us to face these uncertain times with more guarantees; offering a better service and supporting local families, small businesses and freelancers. All the economic forecasts prepared by international organizations tell us of a hot autumn economically and the better prepared we are to face it; better service we can provide to citizens.

A success if you take into account that the City Council does not have the administrative muscle that other nearby municipalities have, right?

Indeed, and it would not have been possible to improve management without the involvement and commitment of the Government team, which has allowed us to settle the 2021 budget in the first months of the year when, until now, the usual thing was for the settlement to close around the summer or even in the last months of the year.

The month of August starts but you don’t stop. He has just been elected mayoral candidate by the Canarian Coalition and the activity of the Icod City Council is maintained…

We don’t stop, no. For me it is a pride to be elected as a new candidate with the unanimous vote of the local assembly and I am very happy for the love and support that my colleagues show me. I am convinced that we have the best team, the best people and the best project for Icod de los Vinos. And we don’t stop! Precisely, next week a press conference will be held to publicize the results of the neighborhood survey that has been carried out to find out the opinion of the neighborhood on the type of sand to use in the San Marcos Beach recovery project that we have got it approved.