Formentera’s president, deputy vice president and economy and tax office councillor —Alejandra Ferrer, Ana Juan and Bartomeu Escandell, respectively— met today at local government offices to present the administration’s spending plans for 2020. The Consell de Formentera’s €30.1-million budget is 0.3%, or €90K, smaller than last year’s.

President Ferrer described the budgetary line as “a continuation of previous budgets”, pledging to “use the money to keep pushing policies that can take the island closer to sustainability and people-centred policies”. In fact, Ferrer pointed out that “the current plan is to keep pushing formentera.eco (scheme to regulate incoming vehicles) while at the same time developing sustainable mobility and public transport”.

Estany des Peix and nursery home
According to Ferrer, regulation of Estany des Peix is included in the budgets under the header “preserving emblematic landmarks”. A line item has also been set aside to complete the final stage of construction on the nursery home. Ferrer asserted that the first budget of her term also centred particularly on fomenting civic participation.

The vice-president, for her part, pointed out that the 2020 budgets —the first of the current legislative term— “are the product of efforts on both sides of the Gent per Formentera-PSOE governing team” and were designed “to put people front and centre in policies—particularly as regards social and environmental sustainability”.

Councillor Escandell gave a detailed overview of the 2020 budget plan, underscoring the fact that “the current budget is the Formentera government’s 13th, the 9th that was agreed between GxF and PSOE, and the first to be presented by a woman president of the Consell de Formentera”. The local head of the economy and tax office added “these are realistic spending plans in defence of budgetary estability. We’re spending only as much as we’re taking in, and continuing in the line of zero debt”.

Urban upgrades
Among the investment planned for urban betterment projects are the following: phase two of upgrades on Avinguda Joan Castelló i Guasch in Sant Francesc (€715K), Sant Ferran children’s park (€210K), improvements in the green area in eastern Sant Francesc and skatepark (€550K) and, finally, upgrades in Es Pujols as part of phase two of a works project that will be tendered during the first half of 2020 and is scheduled for completion by year’s end.

Sustainable island
Standouts among the projects related to the island’s overarching model for sustainability include the €650K push to reorganise and regulate moorage at Estany des Peix. The bid to cap and count incoming vehicles on the island will also continue to move forward, as will €350K in public transport upgrades and €130K in organic solid-waste treatment improvements.

Other efforts will include developing executive plans for mobility and waste management.

Patrimony
Money is also envisioned for efforts to recover iconic heritage sites, for example, through the refurbishment of Can Ramon, a historic home that will be dedicated to cultural purposes, and the continuation of the island’s Catalogue of Trails (Catàleg de Camins), not to mention the purchase of valuable heritage sites like Es Campament.

Public Participation
Policies of citizen participation will be renewed as well, as with €325K for the participatory budgeting initiatives of the Consell d’Entitats. The budget even incorporates €325K from the 2019 budget for initiatives chosen last year and still pending execution.

Senior citizens
The officials also emphasised other star initiatives at the presentation, such as €1.1 million for construction in 2020 of the Sant Ferran Escoleta, and €700K to complete the nursery home. Efforts will also be focused on developing local strategies for children and youth.

17 December 2019
Department of Communication
Consell de Formentera

Formentera president Alejandra Ferrer was joined by councillors of mobility and interior Rafael González and Josep Marí, respectively, in unveiling the Consell de Formentera’s winter campaign to promote safety on the highway – an effort she said was “tuned to educate islanders about the dangers we face when we get behind the wheel”.

Posters feature numerous Formentera residents in everyday situations —in a car, on a motorcycle, atop a bicycle— with the reminder to motorists that “the road’s for all of us” (A la carretera hi som tots). Ferrer explained the three-part message as “Please, don’t speed, don’t drink and drive, and don’t drive distracted. These are the three main causes of accidents on our roads”.

The posters have been up since yesterday at lighted display cases across the island, they will also be placed near main roads. A special dissemination effort will be activated in traditional media outlets and on social media. According to President Ferrer: “The campaign appeals to people’s sense of community. We want Formentera residents to understand that the other driver on the road could be a neighbour, a friend, or a family member”.

Road map
Some 2,360 brochures have been printed with the campaign’s core images and a fold-out map of the island. The text highlights the fact that Formentera is a small island and, though it’s easy to think we’re danger-free, anytime a vehicle is in motion, extreme caution must be exercised. Plenty of surprises can appear suddenly, like hidden turn-offs in the countryside, a crossing animal, or special vehicles and cyclists.

Councillor González pointed out that all the information in the pamphlets has been specifically adapted for Formentera roads and the particular characteristics of the island, “so drivers take note”, he said. The tracts also feature a review of basic aspects of traffic and safety codes, which, González said: “Everyone is expected to respect”.

Brochures and informational posters will be dispatched to the Citizen Information Office (OAC), the Antoni Blanc fitness centre, Christmas Market, Marià Villangómez Library, offices of the Consell de Formentera, Casa del Poble, Casal de Joves, Sant Ferran library connection and the harbour. The campaign was designed by FARO Communications for a total cost of €4,961.

Patrols by local law enforcement
In Councillor Marí’s words: “This year has been a tough one, with many very serious accidents on the highway. Five people lost their lives and, particularly since many of the victims were Formentera residents, the decision was made to devote this winter to building awareness”.

Running parallel with the new push, to ensure drivers are heeding the message, there will be speed checks and drug and alcohol tests by Formentera local police and Guardia Civil.

Youth outreach
There will also be a special outreach campaign among young people. Wednesday, 18 December, at 12 noon, the Sala de Cultura-Cinema will be the scene of an info session for Marc Ferrer High School pupils who are old enough to drive scooters (years three and up).

Councillor Marí will review the main points of the campaign, local police offers will talk about traffic accidents and how to prevent them and an ER doctor will explain how similar cases are handled and what the consequences are. At the end, attendees will hear from victims, who will share their first-hand experiences with the psychological and physical consequences of a serious accident.

Taxi drivers
Finally, the president of Formentera’s association of taxi drivers, José Antonio Ferrer, reminded the entire island that taxis are available 24 hours a day, on Christmas and the other 364 days of the year. The service can be requested by calling Radio Taxi Formentera, 971 32 23 42.

13 December 2019
Department of Communication
Consell de Formentera