After an initial constitutive session following the elections on June 28 (formalization of majority and opposition groups, election of the President and his speech, the Vice President, and delegated Presidents), the Metropolitan Council met again yesterday to complete its organization (commissions) and take the first deliberations of the term, which promises to be busy.
A first observation: the relationships between the majority and opposition seem framed by a mutual respect for roles: the former – 116 votes against 14 (8+6) – will have the responsibility to govern – as chosen by the voters -, the latter to oppose.
During this term, the opposition will be characterized by its “force of propositions,” as announced by the environmentalist group through the voice of Juliette Chesnel – Le Roux, or an opposition that does not seek to be caricatural – as Philippe Vardon (Rassemblement National) emphasized – no more than a majority should be caricatural, he added.
While we cannot doubt the competent yet tenacious spokespersons of the environmentalists, it is time to reconsider the sometimes intolerant judgment towards Philippe Vardon, who has become a political actor, deeply rooted in his convictions but perfectly aligned in his actions with the republican framework.
Finally, if a modest wish may be expressed, it would be beneficial to review the organization of session work by referencing the teachings of German philosopher GW Friedrich Hegel, for whom, thanks to dialectics, “thesis and antithesis can find a synthesis.”
Thus, just as an example among others, one could suffice with a presentation of the deliberations without fully reading the dossier prepared by the competent services or without launching into illustrations resembling a doctoral thesis.
A sober and succinct style could promote understanding and attention among attendees and avoid the spectacle of one speaking while others engage with their computer or smartphone.
In his political introduction at the assembly’s work, the Metropolitan President presented the initial interpretations of the main priorities outlined during the investiture council. They are ambitious but, as the wise say, “we must provide the means for our ambitions.” In administrative language, this means having accounts in order. That’s where it must begin.
This is what the finance chief Philippe Pradal presented – with certification from the public finance administrator as the law requires -: the Mรฉtropole’s finances are in good health with a debt ratio of 4.3 years compared to a benchmark set by the regional Court of Auditors of 12. This index has been decreasing since 2017 when it showed a figure of 10 and then 7 in 2018.
This is due to strong control over operational expenses, which in 2019 increased by only 0.18%, well below the contract signed with the State, which had forecasted 1.2, later brought down to 0.85.
A remarkable performance that did not hinder investment volume, 377 million in 2019 (a record), of which 140 million in communes for local projects.
Of course, how can we forget that the Mรฉtropole established a building tax that financed nearly 70 million to this administrative account, which was the subject of much controversy – even if rather artificial?
But as Philippe Pradal would say, “every community has a fiscal policy relative to its needs.” Hence the acknowledgment.
The list of deliberations includes three main items:
The creation of a sanitary, environmental, and risk management safety agency at the metropolitan level (after the one established in Nice), managed by Dr. Richard Chamla. Its action could be summed up in one word: prevention. The health crisis has left deep scars, and lessons must be learned in case…
An Economic Pact for Employment – supervised by Jacques Richier, with well-known and recognized expertise – which should revive with initiatives the appropriate measures, the economic engine hindered by the health crisis but also in need of improving its attractiveness, which remains peripheral in the international context.
A new urban transport scheme projected for 2040 which – according to Christian Estrosi – continues the actions already taken in terms of mobility: trams (extensions to the east and west), electric buses, park-and-rides, the intermodal hub at Saint-Augustin, electric cars with increased charging stations, cycling plan, carbon-free bus fleet, pedestrian zones, and auto routes.
This vast project has as its common denominator the integration of various options in the offer to citizens. Notably, Christian Estrosi’s accompanying words: “I do not want to pit pedestrians against motorists, nor against public transport users. Everyone should make their choices, having all the opportunities.”
Procedures for the realization of the Exhibition and Congress Park on the MIN site (which will be relocated to Gaude-Baronne) have been initiated. A topic that excites Christian Estrosi, who sees it as a tool to “capture new international congress demands.”
The financing of 200 million excluding land (estimated) for this investment will be provided by the Sociรฉtรฉ Publique Locale Cรดte d’Azur Amรฉnagement, of which the city of Nice and the Mรฉtropole are shareholders but open to other private investors. How can we forget that an accompanying real estate program (hotels, restaurants) would be very attractive to these investors?
This deliberation was the major point of contention between the majority and the opposition, which denounced the “downgrading of the city center with the demolition of the Acropolis and the accompanying consequences on local commerce,” (Philippe Vardon) while Juliette Chesnel – Le Roux accused the Mรฉtropole President of playing Monopoly: “we do not destroy here to build over there. We do not abandon downtown culture (editor’s note: the demolition of TNN) for pharaonic projects. We do not sacrifice the Plaine du Var to concrete.”
Finally, the plan for the Grand Western Landscaped Park is on track, integrating a new agricultural, land, and food policy over the 1117 ha preserved in the Plaine du Var. It will cover 30 ha (compared to 12 ha of the Promenade des Paillons) and will connect Charles Ehrmann stadium to the Allianz Riviera.
This vast area will constitute a green lung in continuity with Nice Mรฉridia, combining – as declared – economics and ecology, innovation, and quality of life.
