“It’s a hold-up”: in Haute-Vienne, associations could be deprived of subsidies from the department

MPs resume examination of the finance bill this week in the National Assembly. In Haute-Vienne, budget cuts are feared by the president of the Departmental Councilwhile the State demands five billion savings for local authorities. In this context, Jean-Claude Leblois wrote a letter to the department's associations to discuss “the financial asphyxiation which deprives us of our free administration.“

12 million additional puncture

The coming year is coming “difficile“according to Jean-Claude Leblois, with”means that are shrinking like nothing.“To balance the 2025 budget, the department of Haute-Vienne needs 44 million eurosincluding 12 million additional puncture. This is why the scenarios studied involve “a reduction in our aid to associations, municipalities and intermunicipalities or even the closure of services.” Contacted by France Bleu Limousin, the president of the Departmental Council says he does not know how to do it. “to balance the budget. Today, our pockets are picked. This is what we call a hold-up.”

For comparison, an envelope of 44 million euros is equal to “budget for one year of aid to disabled people or the elimination of 500 jobs, that is to say one in four jobs in the departmental community, or two years of budgetary envelopes dedicated to aid to municipalities.“Stopping subsidies to associations would save three million euros, but in return”it’s all social life across the associative world that is threatened” deplores Jean-Claude Leblois.

“How to manage a budget if you lose €30,000?”

The consequences of such a decision are numerous for cultural, charitable or sporting associations. In Panazol, the president of the football clubDominique Mounier does not hide his surprise: “How to manage a budget if you lose €30,000? The easiest thing, unfortunately, is the increase in license prices. So the cost will necessarily be higher..” Departmental subsidies represent 10% you budget global you club and it is the 280 licensees who will be directly impacted. The price of the license could increase from 150 to 250 euros.

Jean-Claude Leblois still has hope that this scenario does not see the light of day: “Before that, there is the fight that we must wage collectively and in solidarity against the government“The president of the Departmental Council calls for a”massive arrest.“