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| The City Council will request Costas to extend the concession to the beach bars for another year | The City Council and the Association of Hoteliers of Cartagena and Region (Hostecar), are going to set up a Technical Commission to analyze and adapt the terraces of bars and restaurants to the new situation generated by the COVID-19 crisis, once they can reopen to the public.

This was agreed during the meeting held this morning by the mayor, Ana Belén Castejón, and the councilor for Finance, Esperanza Nieto, with the president and with the general secretary of Hostecar, Juan José López and Rafael Candel, in which they also They have dealt with other issues, such as the signing of a collaboration agreement or exemptions from sector fees.The representatives of Hostecar have demanded that the terraces can be expanded without this translating into an increase in the municipal tax so that its implementation is profitable for the hoteliers since they have recalled that they will foreseeably be forced to reduce their capacity by 30 and 50 percent.The mayor has been receptive to her request and explained that the expansion of the terraces, as well as the sanitary conditions that they will have to respect, will be some of the issues that will be addressed in the Commission that will be implemented immediately.

“We are aware that it will take time for the terraces to open to the public, but when that time comes, we must be prepared.

The terraces, as they have been conceived until now, cannot be maintained, which is why we want, hand in hand with the hoteliers, to determine what their new needs will be in order to respond to them.

In fact, we are already studying possible extensions.

Regarding the terrace rate,Entrepreneurs are exempt from paying the same until the end of the year and from the Department of the Treasury they are already studying possible exemptions or reductions for 2021 ”, explained Castejón.In this sense, and following the request of the businessmen for a solution to be given to the beach bars, which are forced to pay a fee despite the fact that, at the moment, they do not know when or how they will be able to open to the public, the Mayor He explained that Costas is going to be asked to extend the concession one more year to compensate for the losses they may have in this year and to be allowed to open this year when the control measures are lifted.Hostecar and the City Council have also agreed to sign a collaboration agreement that will facilitate coordination between the hoteliers and the Administration, as well as possible granting of aid and administrative procedures.In this sense, the City Council has already implemented a series of measures such as:1.

Exemption from the terrace fee during 2020.2.

Exemption from payment of opening license for new businesses during 2020.3.

Special divisions for families, citizens and companies that prove unfavorable economic circumstances generated by reason of the declaration of the state of alarm.4.

Exemption from the water and garbage fee for businesses and companies that remain closed.

This aid is processed through the Hidrogea Social Fund.The Councilor for Finance has explained that the City Council cannot extend the tax exemption to 2021 because it is a new financial year.

"But we are already working on next year's tax ordinances taking into account the current situation.

From the City Council we are going to provide all the help that is necessary, ”Nieto added.In fact, following the request of the hoteliers, the possible exemption from non-substantial modification fees will be studied, that is, small works that bars and restaurants will have to undertake to adapt to new needs, as indicated by the Mayor .Castejón has also informed Hostecar managers that it is going to request, through the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces, that the Subsidies Law be amended.

"We understand that we are in an exceptional situation and that there are entrepreneurs who will not be able to meet some payments, so that would deprive them of the possibility of accessing subsidies.

This issue must be modified taking into account the crisis in which we find ourselves and I am going to request it ”, the mayor pointed out.COMMITMENT TO REGIONAL AND NATIONAL TOURISMHoteliers and City Council have agreed on the need to adapt the Municipality's Tourism Plan to attract national tourists and those from neighboring provinces, once the containment measures are lifted and the health authorities approve it.Likewise, awareness and promotion plans for local consumption and commerce will be launched."Hostecar and the City Council are moving in the same direction and we are going to collaborate closely to continue implementing actions that allow the sector to overcome this crisis," said Castejón.On the other hand, the Government will continue with its round of contacts with the business sector.

In fact, the mayor plans to meet this afternoon with AMEP representatives.

Source: Ayuntamiento de Cartagena