Social Services Legislation in Spain: A Regional Analysis
The Social Services Law of Galicia states that the Provincial and City Councils of municipalities with more than 20,000 people must include specific items in their budgets. City councils of municipalities with fewer than 20,000 residents who wish to provide social services must allocate at least 6% of their budgets. The CAAC may participate in financing the maintenance and promotion of basic or innovative activities of the local governments themselves.
The Social Welfare Act stipulates that the Provincial Council of Cantabria must include appropriations in its budget for funding services managed by local authorities. City councils of municipalities with more than 20,000 people must set budget allocations to finance their own powers. City councils of municipalities with 20,000 inhabitants can enter into agreements with the CCAA for the development of community social services.
The Law of Social Welfare and Social Services of Castilla y León notes that the budget provides for the costs of powers delegated to local corporations and contributes to the financing of activities conducted by local authorities not arising from transferred powers. The Board is committed to covering the cost of technical personnel, 90% of some benefits included in the Basic Services System, and 65% of the Social Action. Local corporations are responsible for financing the remainder.
The Social Services Act states that the Andalusian government transferred to local corporations the means to manage delegated powers. Those including appropriations in their budget for funding services within the Regional Plan of Social Services will have preference for the conclusion of cooperation agreements with the CCAA. Preference will also be given to councils that provide the site for the construction of a building designed to meet the social needs of the municipality.
The Canary Islands SSSS Act provides that specific appropriations fund equipment for Social Services Councils and Town Councils, as well as concerted activities. Agreements are established with local authorities to ensure multi-year stability. Aid, grants, transfers, or other benefits will be required to conform to necessary planning and programs approved by the competent organs of the Autonomous Public Administration.
The SSSS Act of Extremadura states that subsidies and transfers to public entities will be included in budgets. Provincial Councils are required to include items to ensure the maintenance of directly managed social services. Councils and Associations should reflect specific items. The Social Welfare Act of Aragon provides that credits are entered to subsidize the public and requires funding at least 50% of the costs of maintaining Basic Social Services. Municipal councils should also have sufficient budgetary allocations, especially to finance Basic Social Services, Social Services grants, emergency aid, and social programs.
The Social Welfare Act requires the Trustees of the Balearic Islands to spend at least 6% of their budgets on social services, and councils that devote a minimum of 6% will be given priority for aid. The SSSS Act of Castilla-La Mancha states that the CAAC will establish annual appropriations for funding services and programs managed by the municipalities and supra-municipal authorities. City councils that spend at least 5% of their budgets on social services will take precedence and ensure, based on the principles of equality and solidarity, the provision of social services as required in municipalities whose councils lack the necessary resources. The SSSS Act of Navarra also notes that the Regional Government established a subsidy system based on cost per square meter to finance the management of municipal or joint services. It requires municipalities to allocate at least 4% of their annual budget to social services.