“The chamber observes that the financial situation of the municipality is precarious, since it is characterized by a weak increase in its resources, and the increase in its operating costs.” The regional chamber of accounts (CRC) Hauts-de-France has just made public its report of definitive observations on the commune of Crépy-en-Valois. It concerns the period 2018-2023. It is not very flattering for the existing municipality.
“In order for the community to preserve its financial margins, the chamber recommends that it improve the management of its purchases, better control its financial relations with the community of municipalities of Country of Valoisand to put in place a multi-year investment plan approved by the municipal council, by submitting coherent documents to it at each stage: debate on budgetary orientations, initial budget and investment program, administrative accounts,” indicates the rapporteur.
Respond to the decline and aging of its population
Member of the community of communes of Pays de Valois (CCPV), the commune of Crépy-en-Valois has 14,645 inhabitants in 2023 and wishes to develop its attractiveness in order to respond to the decline and aging of its population.
“However, the examination of its management for the period 2018-2023 reveals that the increase in management costs of the municipality, associated with sluggish management products, contributes to the deterioration of its financial room for maneuver and weakens its capacity to provide its own funding for its projects, indicates the magistrates of the Regional Chamber. Better control of costs as well as better allocation of resources are therefore necessary.”
“In this regard, it appears first of all that financial relations with the CCPV are poorly controlled,” we can read in the report. On the one hand, there was an end to mutualisations of services initiated with the intermunicipality, without the financial effect of this withdrawal being evaluated. On the other hand, the skills assumed in the name and on behalf of the CCPV are without the evolution of their cost being known and monitored.”
The city must equip itself with monitoring tools
The procedures for awarding and executing public contracts, during complex investment operations, appear to be well maintained. “The municipality must formalize its usual processes and equip itself with an organization and monitoring tools,” says the CRC on this subject. In particular, it must endeavor to better assess its needs. This obligation, essential to the correct application of the provisions of the public procurement code, will guarantee better control of its expenses.
Finally, the CRC notes that “the investment policy implemented, particularly in terms of collective facilities, is based neither on a multi-year investment program deliberated by the municipal council nor on coherent documents throughout the budget cycle.”
During the municipal council meeting this Monday, November 18, the majority in place has already discussed ways to comply with the CRC’s recommendations.
To be continued…
