The Plenary of the Cabildo of Lanzarote has initially approved in its session this Thursday the general Budget for the year 2025, which amounts to 209.1 million euros and represents an increase of 10.47% compared to the previous year.
Regarding the consolidated budget, which includes autonomous bodies, Consortiums and the Public Business Entity (EPEL-CACT), the amount reaches 275.9 million euros in income and 268,351,989.56 euros in expenses, with a percentage increase of 10.10%.
The president of the Cabildo of Lanzarote, Oswaldo Betancort, highlighted the importance of these accounts "as a key tool for the transformation of the island and the improvement of the quality of life of its inhabitants." "This budget represents a firm commitment to the future of Lanzarote and La Graciosa. With a significant growth in investment, we are prioritizing those areas that require priority and urgent intervention. This is a balanced, responsible budget oriented to respond to the real needs of citizens," said Betancort.
For her part, the vice president and Minister of Finance, María Jesús Tovar, stressed that this budget reinforces social policies, access to housing, infrastructure improvement and the consolidation of a sustainable development model. "We are facing a budget that significantly increases investment in key areas for the welfare of citizens. Its execution will allow the strengthening of public services, the promotion of strategic sectors and the creation of optimal conditions for sustainable economic growth," said Tovar.
The budget approved for 2025 is articulated around strategic matters that seek to guarantee efficiency in the management of resources and the optimization of investments for the benefit of society as a whole. In the field of Infrastructure and Mobility, 20 million euros have been allocated to the improvement of the island's road network, together with an increase of 38.14% in investment in public transport in order to improve connectivity and efficiency of the mobility system on the island.
In the Area of Housing, an increase of 200% is contemplated, reaching an item of almost 1.5 million euros destined to alleviate the housing emergency. To this end, within the competences of the first island Institution in this matter, the Government group will continue in its purpose of continuing to implement those measures that are destined to facilitate access to housing for the resident population, promoting initiatives that promote social and affordable rental.
These actions will be added to those carried out by the Cabildo throughout this mandate, such as the recent purchase of 42 homes in Playa Blanca, for nine million, to allocate them to affordable rent, as well as the investment of more than six million euros in the purchase of three plots, two of them in Arrecife, and a third in Uga, to transfer them to the Government of the Canary Islands and build more than 180 new homes for affordable rent.
More than 30 million in hydraulic investments
The management of the Integral Water Cycle is another of the fundamental pillars of this Government, with an investment of more than 30 million euros destined to reinforce hydraulic infrastructures, including key actions in supply and sanitation that will contribute to the modernization of the system and guarantee the sustainability of the water resource.
Of the total amount, 13 million come from the Canary Islands Development Fund (FDCAN) and the remaining 21 million will be contributed through the Insular Water Consortium, with the aim of guaranteeing the supply and efficiency of the service.
This effort will materialize in 20 strategic projects, 7 within the FDCAN and 13 through the Consortium. Among the latter, the recovery of the 10,000 cubic meter frame of the Lanzarote III Plant, to which 6.5 million will be allocated, stands out; the rehabilitation of frame 4 of the Lanzarote IV Plant, with 2 million of investment; the expansion and integral improvement of the EDAR Haría for 1.9 million and the renovation, expansion and improvement works of the supply and sanitation networks both in Lanzarote and in La Graciosa, for an amount of 3.5 million euros.
Commitment to Social Welfare and Tahiche Residence
The commitment to Social Welfare translates into an allocation that reaches 60 million euros, which represents an increase of 32% compared to the previous year. This budgetary effort represents an increase of 15.9 million euros that will be destined to the care of vulnerable groups and will allow to consolidate essential programs in the area of social assistance, mental health and care for the elderly, with the construction of a new high-requirement Residence in Tahiche as one of the most outstanding actions.
Territorial Policy and Environmental Protection
The commitment to Territorial Planning, together with Environmental Protection, are configured as other main objectives. In this sense, the item destined to investment in Territorial Policy experiences an increase of 66%, reaching more than 1.7 million euros, in order to ensure a model of balanced planning that respects the environment and the identity of Lanzarote.
On the other hand, Sustainability is also reinforced, highlighting the investment of 6.9 million in the new composting plant in the Zonzamas Environmental Complex, as well as with an increase of 66% in the investment destined to territorial planning, ensuring a model of balanced and respectful development with the environment.
In the educational, cultural and sports fields, the budget contemplates an increase of 24.26% in investment in education, the allocation of 6.1 million euros for cultural promotion and an increase of 28.24% in the budget destined to the promotion of physical activity and the improvement of sports facilities on the island.
Regarding security and emergencies, the Security and Emergency Consortium will have one million euros additional, which will allow to strengthen its operational resources and guarantee an effective response to situations of risk and emergencies.
