France/Talmont-Saint-Hilaire. Comcom and commune move closer together
The town council met on Monday September 25. On the agenda: council tax, mutualization with Vendée Grand Littoral and financial management.
Sound financial management
The Court of Auditors' report, published in August 2022, was at the heart of the discussions. It praised the commune's sound financial management between 2016 and 2022.The contained evolution of operating expenses and the steady increase in operating income have enabled us to generate self-financing, accompanied by reduced borrowing. Talmont-Saint-Hilaire's indebtedness has been falling since 2016, enabling it to invest. Debt is under control, having fallen by 40% since 2014," explains mayor Maxence de Rugy, adding that 10 million euros have been invested to provide more public services and meet demographic challenges.The commune will soon reach 10,000 inhabitants.
Develop mutualization with VGL
The Chamber also recommended that the commune develop the mutualization of services with Vendée Grand Littoral. The construction of a new community headquarters close to Talmont-Saint-Hilaire town hall will facilitate the mutualization process", stated the CRC in its report. The commune has set up a human resources department with the VGL, which was validated on Monday. Service personnel, the purchasing group and the delegation of information systems project management will be pooled from April 2023.
Opposition MPs Nadia Lepetit and Françoise Ferrand-Le-Maulf: You speak of the location of the new community headquarters as an asset, but for whom? For the town of Talmont alone? Mutualization, as envisaged by the regional chamber, should benefit all the communes of Vendée Grand Littoral. It should guarantee a better quality of service for users. But this is not the case.
Increase in council tax on furnished accommodation
Council tax on furnished accommodation not used as a main residence will be increased by 15% from 2024. A "measured" increase, according to Bertrand Devineau, deputy finance director.
According to the mayor's office, this measure is designed to encourage young households to settle in the commune. Opposition councillors Nadia Lepetit and Françoise Ferrand-Le-Maulf: "It's true that the commune is in a tight housing market. But wanting young people to settle in our commune and at the same time favoring tourist development clearly has its limits. Opposition MPs call for an action plan to address housing issues.
Development of the ZAC des Minées
The commune is to contribute €863,091 (incl. tax) to the construction of public facilities in the Minées mixed development zone (ZAC). The project involves the development of avenues des Olympiades and Pierre de Coubertin. Sydev will contribute €96,091 incl. tax. The ZAC des Minées covers an area of 151,504m2. Opposition MPs Nadia Lepetit and Françoise Ferrand-Le-Maulf questioned the decision: Why such a long delay (2005) between the creation of the ZAC and its development? What type of housing will this ZAC be intended for? Are there any other facilities planned? Which builder is planned? The price of €70 raises questions about the current market price of building plots.
Other decisions
The total amount of insurance taken out by the community amounts to €98,877 in annual premiums, all taxes included. The contracts run for 60 months from January1, 2024. The commune sells a licence 4 for €20,000 to SAS le Domaine des Parcs, which has acquired the former Hôtel des Parcs in La Guittière. A grant of €1,500 is paid to the Amicale des sapeurs pompiers de Talmont.
Source: www.ouest-france.fr
