The Department is skipping its greeting ceremony this year, as we revealed on our website on January 8. A choice “more symbolic than economic”, explains Marie-Agnès Petit, but a way of protesting against the new savings requested by the State from communities and particularly from the Department. “Already in 2024, 11 million euros of uncompensated charges have been imposed by the State. The previous finance bill (editor's note: under the Barnier government) provided for new savings, of the order of 10 million euros for Haute-Loire, or a total of 21 million euros! This is simply unacceptable: the State should start sweeping its own door! »
“The Department is proximity”
While waiting for the general policy speech from Prime Minister François Bayrou, the President of the Department is therefore trying to maintain the course between proactive discourse and a vague future. “I don’t want to give up in the face of these elements. We make our voice heard at the national level. We are mid-term and we want, with all the departmental advisors, to maintain energy and dynamism. » The roadmap drawn up is known but trade-offs could occur in the event of a further cut in the budget.
In a context of restrictions and at a time when the State is seeking to tighten its belt, the question of maintaining the departmental level is making a comeback. “The Department embodies proximity to citizens,” insists “MAP”. Its skills are numerous with a direct impact on the lives of residents and support for mayors in the context of their missions. It is a layer to be preserved and even strengthened. »
With 70% of its budget devoted to social welfare, a share which continues to grow with the aging of the population, the Department has very limited room for maneuver, but intends to continue to intervene on several fronts.
The major projects of 2025
Among the Department's flagship achievements, the future bridge over the Loire at Bas-en-Basset constitutes the largest project to come. Having become essential to replace the old, aging structure, its cost amounts to 24 million euros. The challenge for the community is to never block traffic. A detour will therefore be put in place passing through the future carpooling area planned next to a roundabout. Next will come the construction of the bridge, work on the roundabout on the left bank and, lastly, the demolition of the current bridge.
Another big issue, the VVF des Estables, work on which began several weeks ago. The current accommodation, dating from the 1970s, will be destroyed to recreate larger, modern ones. In all, 54 deposits will emerge from the ground. The site will also consist of a hotel with a terrace, an entertainment room and a multi-activity area. A project worth around 17 million euros on this tourist hotspot in the Alti-Liger region.
Colleges
The Department is continuing its investments in the renovation of middle schools. In Monastier-sur-Gazeille, the work is about to be completed, in Craponne they will begin on the energy level but also with the installation of a self-service restaurant.
Above all, the president opened reflection on the future of these establishments in a context of decreasing school demographics in Haute-Loire. “For five years, we have lost on average, each school year, 300 middle school students in the public. This is a trend that is expected to continue. In certain sectors, the number of students may soon be too low to guarantee educational provision at the level.” And Marie-Agnès Petit opened the debate on possible rapprochements between private and public establishments. “It’s common sense.” With colleges now too large – 28,000 m2 of empty space for all the buildings throughout the territory – other uses are being sought in conjunction with municipalities in particular.
Nursing homes in the red
Across the 49 nursing homes in Haute-Loire, the cumulative deficit reached 4 million euros at the end of 2024. A few weeks ago, departmental elected officials voted for aid for the establishments most in difficulty. Only 12 nursing homes are currently surplus to requirements. A situation closely monitored by the president since the question of dependency, in an aging department, is central and therefore costly.
Still on the social aspect, child protection is a major subject, particularly since the Covid period, with an explosion in the number of children monitored or placed: there are now 1,400. To accommodate siblings sometimes forced to be dispersed, a house was purchased in Vals-près-le-Puy by the Department and another is rented in Coubon.
Health
Access to care throughout the country is a priority for the Department's elected officials. The community has launched several initiatives. It is first of all a stakeholder in Public Interest Groups (GIP) which intend to encourage the installation of doctors in areas affected by medical desertification by paying them salaries. This system will see the light of day in Landos and Saugues.
A medical bus should soon travel the roads of Haute-Loire to meet patients in isolated areas. The concept could even be developed with a traveling dental office: a project currently under consideration.
Christophe Darne
