{
  "id": 10154605,
  "title": "Orihuela Leaves €91 Million Unspent as Investment Projects Stall",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/27/orihuela-leaves-91-million-unspent-as-investment-projects-stall",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-27T06:19:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Leader",
    "slug": "the-leader",
    "url": "https://theleader.info/2026/09/27/orihuela-leaves-e91-million-unspent-as-investment-projects-stall/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Orihuela City Council spent only 57.39% of its 2025 budget, leaving €91.4 million unspent, according to its general accounts. The council had €214.5 million available, but recognized spending obligations of €123 million by the end of the year, with €57.6 million remaining unspent. Investment projects, comprising €71.6 million of the budget, saw a mere 19.4% execution, with €57.6 million unspent. The council's financial oversight report highlights under-execution, particularly in investments, and low implementation rates of budget amendments. Of the 47.37% of municipal services surveyed, 73.7% were executed by Social Services and Social Promotion, while industry and energy, and housing and urban planning each reached only 25%. The oversight office has urged departments to exercise better control over projects. Despite a €14.7 million surplus, the council's financial position underscores the gap between planned expenditure and services delivered to residents. Revenue sources included €16.5 million from waste collection charges, €22.2 million in total fees, and €25 million in property tax, though these fell short of forecasts. The oversight report recommends reviewing tax ordinances and filling staff vacancies, as almost 45% of staff are working under temporary appointments.",
  "summary": "City hall spent less than a fifth of its planned investment budget in 2025, despite closing the year with a €14.7 million surplus. Orihuela City Council spent just 57.39% of its final 2025 budget, leaving €91.4 million unspent, according to its general accounts. The figures raise questions about the authority’s ability to turn approved spending […] The post Orihuela Leaves €91 Million Unspent as…",
  "key_points": [
    "Orihuela City Council left €91.4 million unspent from its 2025 budget.",
    "Only 19.4% of €71.6 million investment projects were executed.",
    "Financial oversight urges better project control and staff staffing review."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}