Political storm brews over ‘Gloria’ aid
Reconstruction money hangs in the balance
JÁVEA town hall stands accused of missing deadlines for government aid to repair the extensive damage caused by Storm Gloria in January 2020.
Opposition groups on the Marina Alta-town council allege essential paperwork to claim €440,000 in grants for emergency work in the aftermath of the havoc wreaked by the tempest was missing.
Jávea was one of the worst hit parts of the Costa Blanca coast as very high winds and mountainous seas battered the coastline between January
19 and 21 last year.
And now both the Partido Popular and Ciudadanos have demanded an explanation for the ministry of the interior rejecting the application for financial support made by the PSOE governing team.
The ministry indicated the reason it turned down the request for funding was because it was received after the deadline.
The councillor responsible, Montse Villaverde insisted the documents were submitted in time and ahead of the established time limit.
She explained: “The government delegation, during its visit to Jávea to check the damage, pointed out the deadline for the application was one month – taking into account Storm Gloria ended on January 30.”
She said the local authority worked hard to ensure the necessary documentation was ready for submission ahead of the March 2 deadline.
However, it is alleged the government body responsible for emergency aid notified the council the storm raged between January 19 and 24, therefore the papers were too
late. The town hall has presented an appeal to the decision, including papers received from the delegation regarding its visit last year and
including date.
It awaits a response from Madrid. jtroughton@cbnews.es the January 30