He wants to be a close mayor. Previously, for more than 30 years, he was a local journalist from Sant Cugat del Vallès, who documented himself, conducted interviews and verified information, as established by the canons of the profession. Four months ago, Josep Maria Vallès (Junts per Sant Cugat) has decided to apply the same maxim to the mayor’s office as when he served as communicator.
On September 27, the service “The Mayor Listens to You” was launched, with morning hours (from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.) and afternoon hours (from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.). One Wednesday a month, Vallès serves residents registered in the city, who have made an appointment, at table 3 of the Citizen Assistance Office (OAC). They can send you proposals, queries or particular demands, but it is not a service to carry out procedures. Several Catalan mayors have already expressed interest in replicating it.
“In the same way that I have always believed in the importance of the local press, I do the same in local politics,” he argues. “Beyond the approaches that are made to me privately on social networks, in the street, at events or in plenary sessions, we have opened this new door for those neighbors who may need it. From you to you,” she explains. Each citizen has 15 minutes to ask the question. “Many come with the work done: they explain to me what could be improved and bring a possible solution,” he says, admiringly. This Tuesday, at ten fifteen, La Vanguardia was able to confirm it. Four people – including two with low visibility and one who is blind – ONCE users approached Vallès with a complete dossier with those road sections that were difficult to walk and with proposals for improvement, which did not require much investment. The mayor, with the file of his interlocutors open, asked them details, took notes, underlined the report they gave him and promised to give them a prompt response. How do you see this service? “Very interesting and very practical. It took us a few days to get the appointment, but he seems interested and decisive. And where he or his team does not arrive, the citizens will arrive,” explained one of the users.
Moments before, another neighbor proposed that they reuse the trunks of the trees that the municipal gardening service prunes or, occasionally, fells. “A type of deposit could be created, like small containers so that neighbors who have fireplaces or who need them can use them for free. As it is a public service, it benefits us,” he explained. Josep Maria Vallès also took note – pleasantly, surprised, with the idea – and told him that the City Council would study it.
The service is being very well received. He has received some criticism, such as from the local CUP, which considers him “populist.” “It is another communication channel. It has great value to have the pulse of the city and improve the quality of life. We haven’t hired anyone. A technician from the house acts as secretary and we refer the requests to the affected council departments. We have promised to respond within 15 days,” he says, satisfied.
In these first months, he has served 118 people who have come to his table. “I said at the beginning of my mandate that I would be accessible and empathetic, that I would listen before deciding. And I’m doing it. Criticism is good, necessary and healthy,” she emphasizes.
The initiative in the council building has worked so well that from March, Vallès will open the consultation in Les Planes, La Floresta, Mira-sol, Volpelleres and the decentralized municipal entity of Valldoreix.
The profile of the consultations corresponds to neighbors of about 45-50 years old and also elderly people. “Some young people have come to ask me for space to do a concert, but, for now, they are the fewest. We also want to reach them,” announces the mayor of Sant Cugat del Vallès.
