The little sentences distilled by the prefect of Hérault

Lors de la conférence de presse, ce vendredi 12 janvier. ML – GR

François-Xavier Lauch's press conference was not about tongue-in-cheek. A quick overview.

Accommodation: "If we can't unblock the machine, we're heading towards extremely difficult days&quot ;. The prefect recalled "the rise in interest rates, the scarcity of building land, the difficulty for operators to build, in a territory which welcomes 15,000 new inhabitants per year."

Subsidies: "Many mayors are unaware of those at their disposal". "62 M€ were distributed by the prefect to local authorities in 2023, including 42 M€ of green funds which did not exist, against 23 M€ in 2022. 86.5% of municipalities experience an increase in their general operating allocation. This is the largest increase in thirteen years. The elected officials tell me that it is not up to the level of inflation. But there is no magic money.

Health:"We have ten complicated years to go through". Faced with the lack of doctors, François-Xavier Lauch calls for “changing our modes of action”: moving towards multidisciplinary health centers, helping our doctors to get involved, ensuring that there are have medical centers on call in all our hospitals."

Rural: "I see them gradually breaking away from our society". "They consider that they are relegated, notes the prefect. I asked the sub-prefect of Lodève to propose a rural plan containing around ten commitments at the end of this quarter."

Emergency Accommodation:"1,000 to 1,500 people on the street in Montpellier". "On emergency accommodation (mandatory competence of the State), the situation is not satisfactory, admitted the prefect. Not having enough places means cruel refereeing every night. And I don't have any additional resources. Compared to Toulouse, there are fewer resources in Montpellier. I will discuss this with the regional prefect. This problem is all the more complex as it is coupled with a lack of social housing."

West bypass of Montpellier: "Two good news". “I will soon bring together a steering committee on the Montpellier Western Bypass, a necessary and long-awaited project", announced the prefect. He recalled the two good news at the end of the year: "the declaration of public utility was served before the administrative court, and the Council of State issued a favorable opinion on the terms financing."

Job:"We have a Department where the job creation machine works, but not fast enough compared to the population that arrives each year", declared François-Xavier Lauch who is doing the ;job its second priority. "This explains the 9.8% unemployment rate and the poverty rate of 19%. The fundamental challenge of France Travail is to reach out to people in a situation of underactivity or inactivity."

ZFE: "This subject is cruel for our fellow citizens, especially for those who have to travel to Montpellier, estimates the prefect. It is obvious that we must decarbonize the metropolis and eliminate the most polluting vehicles. But we must give citizens the time and means to change cars. And it is necessary to show tolerance in verbalization, at least initially. There are other priorities than issuing fines for non-compliance with the ZFE."

I subscribe to read more