The Orihuela Plenary Session is set to approve the participatory budget credit tomorrow. In addition to the already allocated €180,000, an additional €480,000 will be incorporated to fund various projects. As per tradition, Orihuela will hold its ordinary plenary session tomorrow, the last Thursday of the month. This session will be filled with motions and public queries. Additionally, the Department of Finance, led by Mayor Pepe Vegara, will adjust appropriations across different functional groups to ensure full funding for the 2025 participatory budget. This budget modification of €480,000, combined with the €180,000 already allocated, brings the total participatory budget for 2025 to €660,000. Notably, this marks the first such budget in five years. The Council has previously organised three participatory budget consultations, beginning in 2018. That year, 985 people participated, representing 1.47% of the census, casting 2,280 votes. The majority of voters were aged 36 to 50, with significantly more women (515) than men (470) participating. The most voted project was the expansion of the stage in Plaza de La Matanza, followed by improvements in the Twin Orias, Mosquita, and Pando area. In 2019, participation declined to 723 people (1.08%), with 1,504 votes cast. The most voted project remained the same, as it had not been implemented, while the second-place project focused on expanding and improving the social centre. The failure to approve the municipal budget prevented many projects from being executed. In fact, only last week, the contract for paving several streets in the Torrezenia residential area in Orihuela Costa, a project from the 2019 participatory budget, was finally put out to tender. This year’s participatory process saw a significant increase in engagement, with 1,497 people (2.24% of the census) casting 2,711 votes. The same age group remained the most active, with women leading participation. Public Voting Outcomes In the participatory process held in December 2024, the most voted proposal focused on improvements to the San Bartolomé sports facilities. The planned renovations include repairing cracks, refurbishing the indoor football pitch, demolishing a hazardous wall around the soccer field, and installing spotlights for nighttime training. The second most voted proposal involved renovations in La Campaneta. However, as both proposals fall within the same district, and each district is allocated a separate budget, only the top-ranked project will be funded. The approved projects for each district are as follows: District I (San Isidro): Upgrade and improve neighbourhood barbecue grills. District II (Montepinar): Purchase land for a new playground. District III (Bullring area): Convert underutilized spaces into venues for cultural and social activities. District IV (La Ocarasa): Adapt the surrounding area. District V (La Murada): Refurbish playgrounds at Maestro Ismael García Primary School. District VI (La Aparecida): Acquire and expropriate “El Cabezo” green area to create the “Mirador de la Huerta” viewpoint. District VIII (Hurchillo): Redevelop the area around the church and square, removing the mini-roundabout. District X (Coastal): Develop a park in front of Playa Flamenca Secondary School, featuring play and sports areas for calisthenics. District XI (Coastal): Enhance Antonio Tárraga Park in Dehesa de Campoamor for canine use, including interior design and exterior enclosure. With these allocations, Orihuela aims to enhance its public spaces and amenities through a participatory budgeting process that actively engages its citizens.