City´s ambitious green belt plans in danger as government cuts funding

The Centro Canino animal shelter was affected by the plan and forced to find new premises.
The central ministry of the environment had originally agreed to provide 2.8 million euros next year, but it will now pay only 325'000 euros.
Councillor Rodrigo de Santos said yesterday that if the ministry did not provide the funds, the project could not go ahead, but in that case, the council would “demand its fulfilment legally.” He added that the council will not be held responsible for the loss of the subsidy and said he hoped the ministry would show some “sensitivity.” He was speaking after a meeting with Antonio Serrano, secretary general of planning and biodiversity, who was here to examine and “redirect” agreements made with the previous central government. Mayor Catalina Cirer was also at the meeting.

De Santos declined to comment on Serrano's posture when asked to increase the amount of 325'000 euros, although he did say that the secretary general arrived at the meeting “with his mind made up.” The councillor went on to say that if the 2.8 million subsidy is not forthcoming next year, then work on the green belt will have to be stopped.
He explained that since the agreement was signed in October 2003, the government had paid the 4.8 million euros corresponding to that year, justified with a certificate of work completed by the city council. A further 3.3 million euros for this year will be justified later this month.

However, at a Press conference later yesterday, Serrano claimed the sum for this year should have been justified in the first quarter and said the balance of this amount will be fortcoming if the justifications are presented immediately.