Philippe Mahé, prefect: "In Var, the State keeps its commitments"
On October 4, the Var prefect wished to recall that the State keeps its commitments and shares common future challenges with mayors.
Thus, he presented the assessment of the commitments made by the State in several priority areas of action: security, housing and support for local investment. DECLINE IN DELINQUENCY "The State is present when it comes to security, with a decline in delinquency in the department (a first in four years), an increase in the number of police officers and gendarmes (125 additional staff in 3 years) and an increased presence on the ground (+5.5%), both in urban areas and in rural municipalities. The prefect praised the daily commitment of the mayors, in a true approach of co-production of security," assures the representative of the State.
He continued: "Regarding affordable housing, the State shows continuous commitment: 20 million euros in direct aid have been granted, allowing the planning of the construction of 1,931 housing units and the renovation of 700 others. In this continuity, I will convene a conference of Var housing stakeholders in the first quarter of 2025."
Concretely, in terms of local investment, the State supported 335 local projects in 2024, contributing 88 million €, the highest historical level. Among the future challenges, the prefect called for the continuation of partnerships to bring public services closer to the Varois, in line with the 30 France Services houses and 56 health centers and clinics in the department, to roll out a roadmap for employment adapted to the specificities of the territory, benefiting from 130 million € mobilized by the State, and to develop public transport and sustainable mobility, within the framework of the new Provence Côte d'Azur line and the widening of the A57, the future major urban boulevard.
Finally, the prefect insisted on the shared responsibility incumbent on the State and elected officials regarding education and citizenship, calling for a true republican partnership in a climate of respect and trust. In this regard, he specified the continuous mobilization of the State for youth, with an increase in teaching staff at the start of the 2024 school year and the renewal of city contracts for the 23 priority neighborhoods of the department's city.
Photo Alain BLANCHOT.