Amending budget, state housing … What to retain from the October meetings at the National Council?
It was during the first weeks of October that the National Council of Monaco met to vote, as a first step, the amending budget for 2021. A budget reduced to a deficit of 8.8 million euros, against 71.5 million last June.
A budget almost in balance
This return is due to a 17% increase in revenue in the Principality, thanks to the summer season, real estate VAT and revenue generated by the financial sector.
For their part, state spending is mainly linked to the pandemic, but equipment and investment costs have also been particularly high this year, in particular with the delivery of the forecourt of the Larvotto complex.
With regard to the pandemic, the various Special Treasury Accounts (CST) were mobilized to cover the expenses of accompanying social measures, namely the White, Red and White, Blue Funds and the National Green Fund. Expenses which moreover provoked the debate between the President of the National Council, the President of the Finance and National Economy Commission, the Minister of Finance and the Economy and the Director of the Budget and the Treasury. In question: a sale of forecast customer registrations of 185 million euros.
Despite everything, thanks to the revenue generated, Stéphane Valeri, President of the National Council, believes that this budget “ which, up to 9 million added to a special treasury account, ultimately represents a 2021 budget in balance. ”
Stéphane Valeri also welcomed the “peaceful and effective” relations between the Prince’s Government and the National Council.
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600 housing units delivered by 2023
In parallel with this point of quasi-equilibrium, several points were debated in the hemicycle. The delivery of more than 600 state-owned apartments by 2023 was notably confirmed. The Testimonio II and II bis and Palais Honoria accommodation will also be delivered with fully equipped kitchens to facilitate and speed up the procedure.
Operation “CARLO” renewed in December
The “CARLO” operation will also be renewed at the end of 2021, under the same conditions as last year. An initiative which “ makes it possible to guarantee that this premium is exclusively reserved for businesses in Monaco, and therefore, to immediately inject these sums into the local economy. This exceptional bonus, in the form of vouchers, will allocate 6.5 million euros to public sector agents from the beginning of December, to be spent in Monegasque businesses.
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User fees at the heart of the debates
Still on the subject of the pandemic, the user fee is hotly debated: this ticket intended for CHPG retirees residing in France allows them to be covered at 100% when they seek treatment at the Monegasque hospital. Stéphane Valeri asked to ” reconsider this measure which is not justified, especially since it was taken without consultation with the staff representatives.”
Free buses in Monaco
Another subject debated by the National Council: free buses in the Principality. Testing of this device, approved by the government, has been postponed due to the pandemic. The President of the Council suggested to test the free buses in April / May 2022. The Minister of State Pierre Dartout also proposed several projects to improve the service of the buses.
Waste treatment: “a multiple stake”
Finally, one of the major points concerned the environment. Stéphane Valeri spoke about the reconstruction of the waste treatment plant: “ The stake is multiple: sovereignty, air quality, economic stake, energy performance, and of course respect for the environmental commitments of our country. “For his part, Pierre Dartout assures us that cooperation with France is essential, since each year 400,000 tonnes of Monegasque construction waste are sent to France.
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