The municipal plenary of Santa Coloma de Gramenet has approved a credit modification of nearly 5 million euros to strengthen investments in education, children's areas, and mobility. Additionally, the new public institute in Raval has passed a key urban planning hurdle.
The Santa Coloma de Gramenet City Council has taken a decisive step towards the construction of the new public institute in the Raval neighbourhood. The July plenary, the last before the summer break, provisionally approved the urban plan that specifies the educational use of the plot located at Avenida de la Generalitat, 187-213, in the Safaretjos area. The aim is for this space to house the future Institut Nou, which is currently operating temporarily in Can Zam.
Since no objections were submitted during the public exhibition period, the document will now be sent to the Territorial Urbanism Commission of the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona for final approval. Once this process is completed, the land can be formally transferred to the Department of Education of the Generalitat, which will need to draft the project and carry out the construction of the new centre. The new institute will help alleviate the educational offer in an area with high demand for secondary school places.
Million-euro credit modification for schools and facilities
The plenary also approved a credit modification of nearly 5 million euros that will strengthen various municipal areas. One of the most notable allocations is the increase of over one million euros for the Municipal Plan Escoles Futur, aimed at maintenance actions in the city's educational centres. This plan has already improved accessibility, energy efficiency, and facilities in several public schools.
Additionally, 200,000 euros are set aside to acquire new playground equipment and enhance leisure spaces. The parks in Santa Coloma, especially those located in neighbourhoods like Raval or Fondo, will see their facilities renewed, a recurring demand from residents. The credit modification also includes over half a million euros for the acquisition of assets, such as the Masia de Can Zam, a historic building that the council wants to rehabilitate for public use.
In terms of security, 160,000 euros will be allocated to continue renewing the fleet of vehicles for the Local Police. The Solidarity and Cooperation policies will receive over 200,000 euros for grants to third sector entities working with vulnerable groups in the city.
Sustainable mobility, sports, and music
The new budget allocation includes 60,000 euros to develop the agreement with the UIM for the project “Cities that educate, cities that walk,” aimed at promoting sustainable mobility. This initiative seeks to create safe school routes and reduce car use for daily commutes. Sports activities will receive an additional 70,000 euros, which will be used to subsidise local sports clubs and events.
On the other hand, the City Council will allocate 2.4 million euros for debt amortisation to ensure compliance with financial ratios in a context of rising interest rates. This decision aims to maintain the budgetary stability of the council, which has seen its financial expenses increase. The plenary has also approved an increase of over 53,000 euros in the budget for the Music Board and has given final approval to its public pricing ordinance, with a text adapted to the training offer of the Music School, which provides courses for all ages.
Local holidays 2027 and obsolete regulations
The plenary has also approved the two local holidays for Santa Coloma de Gramenet for 2027. They will be on 17 May, Easter Monday or second Easter, and 24 September, the feast of Mare de Déu de la Mercè. These days off will allow residents to enjoy local traditions and plan family activities.
Finally, the City Council has repealed the municipal ordinance from 2005 regarding solar energy capture systems, energy savings, and rational water use in buildings. The council considers this regulation obsolete, as the state and regional legislation approved in recent years surpasses and updates the requirements regulated by the local ordinance. The repeal simplifies bureaucracy for citizens and businesses wishing to install solar panels, by eliminating a redundant municipal procedure.
For the residents of Santa Coloma, the approval of the urban plan for the new institute in Raval is the most significant news, as it responds to a long-standing demand from the educational community. The temporary centre in Can Zam has become too small, and families have been calling for a definitive solution for years. If everything goes according to the planned schedule, construction could begin in the next two years.
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