In a plenary assembly held today, members of the Consell de Formentera cabinet (GxF and PSOE) overcame the opposition (Sa Unió) to endorse initial approval of the Regulations on Language Use.
Raquel Guasch, Councillor of Language Policy, described the objective of this new regulation as "to review, modify and update the code approved in 2001 by the Ajuntament d'Eivissa i Formentera". The Councillor pointed out that "in this process of linguistic normalisation, the Consell must be the actor that drives, leads, continues and supports our multicultural society". Guasch called the new regulation "ambitious" in that "it proposes language clauses in public contracts, and establishes new criteria to make progress on the challenges facing language standardisation with courageous public policies". Now the agreement will undergo public consultation so that complaints, objections and observations can be submitted.
Home for under-12s and stabilisation of the workforce
Additionally, plenary members learned of the definitive approval of a residence for at-risk minors. This home, according to Rafael Ramírez, Councillor of Social Welfare, is for children under 12 who are unprotected. It will be located in the island's health and social services hub, next to the Formentera Day Centre [Centre de Dia], and will have capacity for ten children. "Children in foster care will get individualised and family care, which will provide a better environment for psychosocial care", said Ramírez.
Assembly members also learned of the agreement on the public offer of employment which aims to reduce temporary employment in the public administration. This offer was agreed in negotiations with the unions and will involve the stabilising 242 jobs of civil servants and staff corresponding to fifty-nine different groups and categories within the Consell de Formentera.
Report from Bartomeu Escandell
Today the Councillor of Economy, Taxes and General Services spoke before the assembly and explained that the areas he manages constitute "the backbone of municipal activity". Also in Escandell's remit are the municipal government's legal services, secretariat, procurement, the various administrative registers and services at the Citizen Information Office [Oficina d'Atenció Ciutadana].
Escandell asserted that the Consell's finances are in order and its economic capacity consolidated, which has made it possible to face the challenges of the pandemic while continuing with the ordinary activity of the Consell and the deployment of all services. "Now, the financial challenge as we face the greatest crisis of our time is to maintain the capacity to provide comprehensive services and stand beside the people who need it most", he added. The councillor also explained that, thanks to the pandemic, the Consell has made the most of teleworking, which, rather than replace traditional modes of working, will complement them. Lastly, the councillor praised staff of the island administration for their professionalism and work "because with their dedication they make a better Consell de Formentera every day".
Official proclamation on LGTBI-phobia
Finally, Ana Juan, President and Councillor of Equality, presented a proclamation on the occasion of the day against LGBTI-phobia (May 17), which was unanimously approved. Juan highlighted "the firmest commitment to encourage people living on Formentera to do so without closets, without discrimination, with a constructive impulse to do away with all the barriers and taboos that still exist in our society today".
27 May 2022
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera
