El Consell Insular de Formentera ha acollit aquest matí la primera reunió de la Xarxa de serveis públics empresarials Formentera Impulsa, una plataforma col·laborativa que reuneix un total de quinze entitats públiques i privades que gestionen i presten serveis destinats tant al teixit empresarial com a la població de l'illa en general en matèries com l'ocupació, la formació, l'autoocupació, l'emprenedoria, l'empresa local, el comerç o els mercats. El conseller de Promoció Econòmica i Administració Insular, José Manuel Alcaraz, ha recordat que la prioritat del Consell Insular de Formentera per a aquesta legislatura “és la col·laboració entre entitats privades i públiques per millorar l'ocupació de la gent que té feina a Formentera, millorar la inserció laboral de la gent que encara no té feina i millorar l'accés a les administracions de tot aquell que vol emprendre una nova empresa” amb la finalitat que tothom tengui igualtat d'oportunitats. Referent a l'àmbit educatiu, l'objectiu que persegueix Formentera Impulsa és que els cicles formatius i els certificats professionals que es duguin a terme “es facin sempre d'acord amb la demanda del sector empresarial de l'illa de Formentera”, ha subratllat Alcaraz.

El Consell Insular de Formentera acollirà demà la primera reunió de la Xarxa de serveis públics empresarials Formentera Impulsa, una plataforma col·laborativa que reuneix diverses entitats públiques i privades que gestionen i presten serveis destinats tant al teixit empresarial com a la població de l'illa en general en matèries com ara l'ocupació, la formació, l'autoocupació i l'emprenedoria, l'empresa local (PIME i microempresa), el comerç o els mercats.

La Xarxa treballa en coordinació i col·laboració amb l'Institut d'Innovació Empresarial de les Illes Balears (IDI) i amb el SOIB, entitats amb les quals comparteix recursos en àmbits com l'emprenedoria, la formació i l'ocupació, entre d’altres.

L'objectiu principal de la Xarxa de serveis públics empresarials Formentera Impulsa és coordinar i enfortir la prestació d'aquests serveis mitjançant la col·laboració i aprofitant les sinergies generades en benefici de la comunitat i el desenvolupament local. Així mateix, les entitats que formin part de la Xarxa, que poden ser tant públiques com privades, compartiran bones pràctiques i promouran l'eficiència en la prestació de serveis.

The Office of Finance and Economy of the Consell de Formentera reports that it will invest €2,000,000 from the 2022 Plan for Sustainability in Tourism Destinations to drive heritage restoration, create an agricultural interpretive centre in La Mola, install photovoltaic panels, promote local products and bolster big data, as explained by Bartomeu Escandell, finance councillor.

Escandell gave an overview of the four axes of funding to modernise and improve tourist destinations:

- One: green and ecological transition, €600,000. Create a rural interpretive centre and self-sustainable farm on Casa Ferreres estate in La Mola and rehabilitate the Casa Ferreres home. Es Garroveret defence tower will also be rehabilitated and its hiking trails improved.

- Two: energy efficiency, €1,000,000. Install photovoltaic panels and recharging points in public car parks.

- Three: digital transition, €200,000. Invest in digital transition; through the Data Observatory, collect information for tourism big data to enhance the destination and digital marketing.

- Four: competitiveness, €200,000. Promote local agri-food products. In this way, the primary sector, which generates a circular economy, will continue to be supported and promoted.

These plans are part of the state programme to modernise and improve tourist destinations. The programme has been prepared by the Secretary of State for Tourism with the participation of the autonomous communities and island and town councils. To that end, at the proposal of the Department of Economic Model, Tourism and Labour, the Governing Council has approved €36.3 million in direct subsidies for the island councils of Menorca, Formentera and Mallorca and various Balearic town councils. Formentera will receive €2,000,000.

23 May 2023
Office of Communication
Consell de Formentera

Today Ana Juan, Alejandra Ferrer, Rafael Ramírez and Bartomeu Escandell (president, first vice president, third vice president and councillor of finance, respectively, of the Consell de Formentera) presented local government's 2023 budget. Total spending tops €38.4 million, marking a 13.5% increase from this year's budget of €33,835,500.

The president affirmed that the final year of the legislative term would see the Consell de Formentera managing the "highest budget in the history of this institution". "The administration's dual role as town and island council means we are essentially service providers", she said, "and that is the focus of this budget: continued deployment of the social policies that make up the DNA of our cabinet parties". The president highlighted more funding under the Councils Act –the total is now €11.4 million– and imminent final approval for Senalló 4.0, a project encompassing commerce, crafts and locally-focused policies which, though outside the scope of the 2023 budget, will receive €1.2 million in funding from the European Union.
 
Juan described the island's financial situation as "healthy" and declared that, in the face of the energy crisis and inflation, "we are prepared, if necessary, to direct everything at our disposal to support the people, freelancers and small businesses that need it most".

For her part, Vice President Ferrer stressed that behind the Consell de Formentera's largest ever budget were shared efforts by the two parties of the cabinet and asserted, "We have always worked in consensus for the sustainability of the island". Ferrer underscored "sustainability in terms of the local environment, but also in terms of people, and of striking a balance between the economy and quality of life of the residents we work to serve".

Councillor Escandell reviewed the evolution of the institution's budget since 2008, and traced its record size in 2023 to increased current transfers under legislation on funding for island councils, increased capital transfers from Next Generation EU funding, and the municipal administration's own improved fiscal efficiency. The spending plan also envisions 2023 roll-outs for new services like the old people's home and the scheme to regulate watercraft anchored at Estany des Peix. "We will also keep ramping up assistance for Formentera's fabric of associations, because despite the global crisis we face, the Consell de Formentera is a healthy, financially stable institution. Our budgetary deficit is still zero, with €6 million in strategic reserves to deal with externalities that may arise", said Escandell.

The councillor underscored €5.6 million in investment, including €380,000 (of €550,000 total) for a home for minors and €360,000 (of €1.5 million) to equip Es Ca Marí with sanitation. The investments will also translate into upgrades on Carrer Gregal in La Savina and at Sa Roqueta and funding to make Carrer de Santa Maria pedestrian only.

The budgets will continue to allocate resources to local production, with €270,000 to build an oil mill and €350,000 to develop the road network and improve road safety. In sport, a line item of €200,000 will mean new stands at the football pitch and new padel tennis courts. (The total budget of the two projects is approximately €1.5 million.)

In culture and heritage, €300,000 has been set aside for the Casa de la Roda Interpretation Centre in Ses Salines – half the total price-tag. Another €50,000 will go to the Espai Cultural de Sant Ferran, and €250,000 will go to rehabilitating Sa Capella de sa Tanca Vella and Can Ramon.

The budget also envisions €100,000 for new recycling plants and another €600,000 for solar panel-equipped pergolas in public car parks. One hundred thousand euros will be unlocked for projects in big data in tourism and €250,000 will go to technological infrastructure projects. Lastly, €325,000 will be allocated to the Participatory Budgets of the Consell d'Entitats.

15 December 2022
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera