We stay here: «We vote for the budget with conditions»

The intention to vote in favour of the budget of the Municipality of Kythera for 2022 was expressed by the municipal faction of the minor opposition «Kythera-Antikythera - We stay here», putting as conditions the incorporation of its proposals. In its statement, the faction notes a change of attitude of the Municipal Authority, which it describes as positive. Read in detail the announcement and the proposals of the faction.

PRESS RELEASE

“Kythera-Antikythera -ΜWe are here”

Terms and conditions for a positive vote on the budget.

We welcome the municipal majority to the processes of dialogue and consensus that we have long been promoting consistently and transparently.

Our faction «Kythera-Antikythera We live here» participates in a spirit of cooperation in the process of consensual processing and drafting of the budget of the Municipality of Kythera-Antikythera for 2022.

We note that our final position will be determined when the budget is in its final form.

We must point out the following:

Until a few days ago, at the City Council and at the budget preparation meeting, the municipal majority and the Mayor rejected the proposals of the faction as «unfounded and immature».

Now, after a few days, they are changing their stance and incorporating our important proposals into the budget.

In our view, it is wrong to walk the tightrope between the real needs of our islands and micro-political commitments... The goal cannot be temporary micro-partisan benefit.

It is positive that the municipal authority finally accepted the following proposals of the opposition (major and minor):

1. Promotion of hiking corridors
2. Increase in grants for cultural etc.
3. Increase in social grocery subsidy .
4. Upgrading study of the capsule
5. Maintenance of irrigation Mylopotamos
6. Preparation of a study for the redevelopment of Kato Livadi Square.
7. Preparation of a feasibility and viability study of Municipal Transport. .
8. Aesthetic upgrading of Mylopotamos springs

But important demands remain unfulfilled:

• In relation to tourism promotion, we consider important the development of communication actions, but also the increase of the relevant funds. We call on the municipal majority to agree to the formulation of a common promotion strategy (possibly by setting up a cross-party committee).

-We ask for continuous information on what is available from the Region, NSRF, Tritsis programme, etc. In this direction we want access to councilors, Island Network etc.

-We ask for an update and discussion on the progress of the budget implementation every 3 months.

As a reminder, our proposals aim at a different approach to the budget in the Municipality to support 4 axes of action:

Α. The infrastructure and actions of economic development and tourism promotion.

Β. The strengthening of sports and cultural activities by enhancing the role of the Cultural Centre

Γ. The strengthening of social actions

D. Strengthening critical infrastructure such as local transport.

We are fighting to achieve convergences that will allow us to vote in favour of the budget. We feel vindicated as a party by the course of the discussions, but we believe that there is room for further improvement and we will contribute in that direction.

The most important thing is to make the budgeted projects a reality, (something that has not happened in recent years for subjective and objective reasons). We will be constantly present and in a positive spirit will monitor the implementation of commitments and the proper use of budget funds.

18/12/2021

The councillors

George Didymiotis
Dimitris Kontoleon
Manos Trifyllis