The Socialist Group in the Cabildo of Lanzarote has presented a motion in which it requests that the institution express "its rejection of the behavior of the president of the Cabildo," Oswaldo Betancort, after learning that the draft of the Island Plan of Ordering of Lanzarote and La Graciosa has been presented behind closed doors and unilaterally to a group of businessmen on the island of Tenerife.
Ariagona González, spokesperson for the PSOE in the Cabildo, has denounced that this act represents “an absolute contempt for the citizens and the legitimate representatives of the island, as well as the sectors involved in the territorial planning of Lanzarote”. The socialist spokesperson has recalled that the Island Plan "is a document of maximum relevance for the future of the island, since it defines the development model and the protection of natural, landscape and economic resources".
“We have waited decades to have a new planning that guarantees an orderly and sustainable development for Lanzarote and La Graciosa, and when we finally have a draft thanks to the work of the previous government, we find that the president of the Cabildo decides to present it behind closed doors, turning his back on the citizens and in Tenerife,” González criticized.
From the Socialist Group they remember that the current planning dates from 1991 and that, although its revision began in 2004, "there have been multiple obstacles that have prevented its update". “Thanks to the determination of the government of María Dolores Corujo in the previous term and the continuity of the process, today we have a draft. However, the way in which it has been made known is an affront to transparency and public participation,” added the socialist spokesperson.
The PSOE of Lanzarote considers it "unacceptable that a document of such importance has not been presented to the institutional representatives and the citizens in a framework of dialogue and participation". “It is inadmissible that a key document for the future of Lanzarote is presented behind the backs of the residents and outside our island, demonstrating an absolute lack of respect towards those who should be the main parties involved in its development,” González insisted.
For all these reasons, the Socialist Group will request the Plenary of the Cabildo to "express its rejection of the president's attitude and demand that the document be presented officially, with transparency and in the corresponding area, guaranteeing the participation of all the sectors involved and of the citizens in general".
