The PSC has criticized the Junts-led government of Arenys de Mar for losing significant funding due to poor planning. This loss includes grants for local projects and highlights systemic issues in municipal management.
The municipality of Arenys de Mar is facing scrutiny after the local PSC party revealed that it has lost more than €173,000 in grants intended for community projects. The funds, which were earmarked for the restoration of the Rial de la Serp and the Museu Mollfulleda de Mineralogía, were forfeited due to what critics describe as inadequate planning and organization by the current government led by Estanis Fors from Junts.
The PSC’s candidate for mayor, David Ramírez, expressed his concerns regarding this financial mismanagement. He stated that losing a grant exceeding €113,000 is not merely an administrative error but indicative of a broader failure in resource allocation. “When political decisions overwhelm municipal services to the point of losing substantial funding, we are witnessing a serious lapse in planning that affects all residents of Arenys,” he said.
The situation escalated with the announcement that the municipality had also forfeited a grant from the Generalitat worth €59,457, which was intended for enhancing the Museu Mollfulleda. The town had already received an advance payment of €39,638, but now faces a repayment obligation totaling €42,435.54, including nearly €2,800 in interest charges due to delays.
The PSC highlighted that these losses reflect deeper issues within municipal contracting practices as well. An audit report from 2025 indicated that approximately 94% of minor contract files reviewed showed violations or deficiencies related to public sector contract laws. Notably, many contracts were improperly utilized to address routine needs instead of following standard bidding procedures.
The report recommended establishing a dedicated contracting unit and implementing an annual planning schedule for municipal needs to improve oversight and compliance with regulations. The PSC insists these measures should be prioritized immediately to ensure transparent governance.
In light of these revelations, Ramírez called on the municipal government to clarify why both grants were lost and why deadlines related to the Museu Mollfulleda were not met. He urged officials to bolster resources within environmental departments and adopt recommendations made by financial oversight bodies.
This situation is reminiscent of past instances where municipalities faced similar challenges due to mismanagement; however, it underscores an urgent need for reform in Arenys de Mar’s administrative practices. As Ramírez concluded emphatically: “Arenys cannot normalize losing grants or incurring late fees while improvising on essential contracts.”
The next steps involve public accountability sessions where local leaders will be expected to provide explanations regarding these funding losses and outline plans for improved management moving forward.
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