The inclusion of the Generalitat (Catalan Government) in the agreement permitting inspections of tourist accommodations and the enforcement of sanctions in the event that any irregularities are found was accepted by the Benidorm City Council plenary session yesterday, Monday 31st March.

The PSPV-PSOE (Socialist Party) abstained, claiming that the agreement constitutes “a dereliction of duty by the Generalitat” and that Benidorm City Council “does not have sufficient resources” to adequately carry out the inspection tasks. In its regular plenary session for the month of March, the council approved this point with the votes of 16 local government councillors from the PP and one Vox councillor.

The council will, however, bolster the Local Police force by creating 20 new jobs, which means that “there will be more material and personnel resources,” according to government spokesperson Lourdes Caselles.

In addition, Caselles claims that “there have already been several meetings with experts from the regional ministry and the city councils” who have shown interest in making sure that “this delegation can be implemented as quickly as possible.” One such meeting was with the Benidorm delegation.

Power delegation

After taking on the duties, Benidorm agrees to create a report every three months detailing the complaints that have been made, the open files and how they have been resolved, and any penalties that have been applied.

The municipal administration stated that the Architecture Department “is working on an ordinance to regulate tourist housing and to provide security and strengthen this type of tourist accommodation, provided that regulations are followed.”

As a result, Benidorm is among the first cities in the community to take over the delegation of authority and start conducting inspections.

The agreement for the financing of improvements and replacement of the wastewater treatment and sanitation facilities was also unanimously approved by the local council at its plenary session. This would handle the current Benidorm WWTP’s restoration needs and fix the structural and electrical installation flaws in the wastewater pumping stations, requiring an investment of €14,520,000.

This weekend, Alicante will host the biggest car show in the province. The 21st edition of Sobre 2 ruedas and the 53rd edition of Firauto, two crucial events in the Alicante automobile industry, will take place at IFA-Fira Alacante from April 4th–6th.

The centre will be packed with a diverse range of cars and motorcycles throughout the weekend. It is anticipated that around 1,000 motorcycles and 2,500 new and used vehicles will take part in the event, which will bring together about 30 motorcycle manufacturers and 37 car brands.

There will also be around 140 exhibitors, including dealers, accessory manufacturers, and providers of specialised mobility services. Visitors to the exhibition will have the opportunity to learn about the most recent advancements in the industry, ranging from high-powered motorcycles with specialised equipment to electric and hybrid cars. Over the course of the three-day event, visitors can also take advantage of special offers and discounts.

During the fair, Firauto and Sobre 2 ruedas tickets will be available for seven euros at the box office. Additionally, guests who buy tickets online up until April 3rd will save four euros. The IFA-Fira Alacante website https://firalacant.com/firauto-s2r/ and the event’s social media accounts offer attendees a two-euro discount coupon as well. The public can visit the fair at any time between 10:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.

Together, the Popular Party and Vox have authorised a 9% increase in water bills, which would cost Elche residents about 18 euros more annually. Juan de Dios Navarro, the water councillor, stressed that this pricing increase will include a reduction for long-term unemployed people, vulnerable people, large families, seniors, and those who are permanently incapacitated. Additionally, the change will restore the €4.3 million anti-flood investment plan, build a storm tank to collect rainwater in the San Antón ravine, establish a sewer fund, clean drains, and supply water to unserved districts like Llano de San Gosé, Algoda, Matola, and Pusol, Navarro stressed.

Héctor Díez, a spokesman for the Socialist Party, denounced the hike in water bills as a “fiscal blow.” He further bemoaned the fact that in addition to this increase, the municipal authorities had commissioned a €75,000 sculpture to mark the 25th anniversary of Aigües d’Elx.

Additionally, Díez claimed that this year’s Atirriadas plan had only been allocated €250,000. Díez added that the local council has authorised a waste tax hike of up to 33% this year in addition to the increase in water bills.