François de Canson: 'Since 2008, €125 million has been invested without tax increases'
For the mayor, despite a tight economic context and drastic cuts in resources for local authorities, it is possible to make ambitious choices...
'This is the whole meaning of the action I have been leading since day one. In terms of public finances, I have always remained careful not to compromise the room for maneuver of future generations. Following on from the two previous budgets, the 2024 budget was heavily marked by a highly uncertain international and geopolitical context, reduced visibility, with a continuous historic rise in the prices of raw materials and energy, a high inflation rate, and a significant rise in interest rates,' explains the mayor.
ECONOMIC RECOVERY He adds: 'In the current political situation, municipalities are, once again, called upon to play the role of a social buffer, an actor in economic recovery, and a hub of institutional stability. Once again, it is on the shoulders of mayors, the last elected officials trusted by the majority of the French people, that the burden of maintaining national cohesion and ensuring the continuity of the Public Service rests.
Therefore, our Municipality, in accordance with its commitments, wished to pursue the implementation of actions and projects from the term program with always the same ambition: controlling operating costs, supporting associations while adapting it to the specificities and needs of each, stabilizing taxation for permanent residents, maintaining service pricing, optimizing and seeking external funding, and offering many free services, including parking.' Thus, since 2008, €125 million has been invested to improve, transform, and beautify the municipality, without any tax increase.
'Our debt reduction capacity stands at 2 years, while the warning threshold set by the State is 12 years. Enough to look to the future with serenity! Our accounting result in 2023 was over €8 million, the best result in 15 years, and that of 2024 will be even better,' warns François de Canson.
ASSOCIATIVE DYNAMICS In 2024, the town continued its path with this shared identity which is found in every facet of local life. Thus, it is found in the tremendous associative dynamic, essential to this pleasant harmony as the first magistrate assures: 'Our associations symbolize this movement towards others, this generous solidarity. They do not hesitate to spontaneously go beyond the strict purpose of their existence to contribute to an event as soon as they are requested, for it is still that of a territory blessed by the Gods that we never cease to protect.
'Our identity is this quality of life, which offers us a thousand possibilities to thrive, to which we have perhaps grown accustomed, as if it were natural to us, as if it were due to us, but which nevertheless has an exceptional character. Finally, our identity is the one forged in our conviction that the protection of our environment goes through raising awareness among younger generations,' concludes François de Canson (...) example, on the occasion of the Téléthon, during which, in unison, they show the full extent of their talents.
This Londais identity is also found in our ability to gather during major festive events—I am thinking of the RTL2 concert on Miramar beach—to offer a culture open to all and activities that contribute to the soul of our town, summer and winter alike. And the Christmas events were particularly rich and appreciated by everyone,' the first magistrate is pleased to note. Alongside the traditional gatherings to which the Londais are attached, new activities have come to delight them.
'Notably this first harvest festival honoring our winegrowers, guardians of our lands and our traditions, sculptors of the landscape, and purveyors of a divine product that is more than a drink, but rather a living poetry, a hymn to patience and expertise.
Our identity,
Canson (...). • Photos Alain BLANCHOT.