Understanding the Latest Motion by Coalición Canaria in Tuineje
Coalición Canaria (CC), a political party operating in the Canary Islands, is actively addressing significant financial management issues within the Ayuntamiento de Tuineje. Their latest proposal, which is set to be debated in an upcoming council meeting, raises crucial concerns about the municipal administration’s practice of using the “revisión de oficio” (review of office) procedure to manage invoices.
The Issue of Revisión de Oficio
In their motion, CC highlights potential risks associated with the repeated application of the review of office procedure for the payment of invoices. According to the proposal, following the recommendations made by the municipal intervention, this practice could lead to “fraudulent use” and a “diversion of power.” The party is urging the council to formally acknowledge these findings, based on a recent advisory delivered by the Consultative Council of the Canary Islands.
This advisory specifically addressed a case related to the procurement of replacement parts and maintenance services for the municipal fleet. The motion argues that employing the revisión de oficio method as a routine approach for settling invoices does not align with the primary objectives of the procedure and could undermine proper governance.
Alternative Approaches to Financial Regulation
CC proposes an alternative route to manage these financial obligations—specifically, the recognition of extrajudicial credit. This method allows for a more legitimate way of addressing outstanding financial commitments while avoiding the pitfalls highlighted in the advisory. Furthermore, the complexity surrounding contracts that have been deemed null underscores the necessity for clear regulatory pathways in the administration of municipal finances.
Emphasizing Administrative Responsibilities
Another key aspect of CC’s motion is a reminder to municipal employees about their responsibilities concerning collaboration and diligence in the handling of administrative files. The party emphasizes that while employees should act proactively in their duties, they must also respect the independence and impartiality of the internal control functions within the council.
Addressing Payment Blockages
The backdrop to this motion is the significant backlog in payments to suppliers, an issue that has plagued the Ayuntamiento de Tuineje for over a year. The party points to suspensive objections raised by the municipal intervention regarding various invoices and contracts. As a result, the current outstanding debt has skyrocketed to approximately €4.9 million, having serious implications for the council’s ability to meet financial obligations within the designated payment periods.
Interestingly, CC asserts that the payment delays do not stem from a liquidity crisis. They highlight that the Ayuntamiento has a surplus treasury balance of over €20.3 million. This pot of resources should theoretically enable the administration to meet its outstanding obligations through appropriate budgetary modifications.
Proposed Solutions and Prioritizing Payments
In light of these issues, CC has proposed several actionable measures. Firstly, they suggest initiating a budget modification process funded by the existing treasury surplus. Additionally, they want to move forward with the necessary extrajudicial credit recognition procedures to pay the overdue invoices that meet legal criteria.
The resolution aims to categorize these procedures as “absolute priority,” thereby ensuring a focused and urgent approach to resolving the backlog. CC also proposes strengthening the Intervention Area by hiring additional technical and administrative personnel. Furthermore, they suggest temporarily suspending remote work for staff involved in the process, should it be necessary to expedite the handling of financial matters.
Accountability and Ongoing Oversight
Further recommendations include designating an instructor to oversee the modification and extrajudicial credit files. This individual would be tasked with providing monthly reports on the status of these proceedings to the council, emphasizing a structured approach to accountability. A timeline of three months for completion has also been suggested. If unmet, CC wants the council to evaluate organizational measures, which could even extend to reviewing compensation for elected officials and municipal groups.
Communication with Higher Authorities
Finally, CC’s motion highlights the importance of transparency and accountability by proposing that any decisions made by the council be communicated to various governmental bodies, including the Vice-Ministry of Finance and Public Administration and the Ministry of Finance and Public Function. This step aims to foster a cooperative approach to resolving the current challenges faced by the Ayuntamiento.
By addressing the financial complexities and urging responsible governance practices, CC’s motion seeks to bring about a transformation in the way Tuineje handles its budgetary and procedural discrepancies. This initiative could play a vital role in ensuring the municipality’s financial health while reinforcing a culture of compliance and ethical governance among public servants.
