Council meeting delayed by procedural issue

The Alès city council meeting, which could have ended earlier than usual, was disrupted by a question submitted by the group Rassemblés pour Alès prior to the meeting, affecting those who wished to leave before 8 p.m. on Monday, October 12.

Minute of silence for former deputy mayor

The session began with a minute of silence in honor of Alain Aurèche, former deputy mayor for health, who was known for his engagement in public and social life and for having known hundreds or even thousands of patients from Alès.

RN group raises concerns about drug trafficking

The RN group requested specific answers from the mayor regarding the concerning situation of drug trafficking in the neighborhoods of Cévennes and Prés-Saint-Jean, asking for concrete measures to restore free movement and ensure that the Republic, and only the Republic, sets the rules in all neighborhoods of Alès.

RN member highlights control by unauthorized groups

Alexandre Belair, a member of the RN group, stated that access to certain areas and buildings is systematically controlled by groups of individuals.

Mayor acknowledges problem but defends current strategy

Although the mayor acknowledges that the situation in "some streets of Alès" is "unacceptable and intolerable," he defends "fighting with the municipal police to preserve the freedom of movement of Alésians."

Mayor outlines police reinforcements and ongoing challenges

Christophe Rivenq, the mayor, stated that he would "not lower the guard despite the comments received" and conduct an "uncompromising action, certainly not yet sufficient, but which allows progress," adding that eight police officers and administrative staff had been reinforced at the police station in recent months.

Mayor warns of ongoing drug dealing and staffing challenges

He noted that "we are uncovering many facts related to drugs because we are making arrests," but also that "there are as many dealing points in 2026 as in 2014." For him, one of the main problems is that "the staff is endless" on dealing points.

Mayor highlights financial constraints and future risks

Facing the "abyssal deficit of France" and with the approach of the vote on the 2027 Finance Bill, whose examination begins in the National Assembly on Tuesday, the mayor has called for "being very cautious about expenditures" and to preserve the intercommunal level.

Mayor warns of potential cuts in local services

He emphasized that "the bloc of municipalities and intercommunities is working together for the entire territory," noting that "the economic situation in Alès is under control, but it will eventually deteriorate because the funding decreases year by year," and warned that "one day or another, there will be a reduction in local public services, an increase in taxes, or a reduction in investments, or even all three."

Council members assume new roles

Earlier in the council meeting, Cyril Laurent, a city council member since 2014 and president of the Local Youth Mission Alès-Pays Cévennes, put on the sash of the 9th deputy to succeed Alain Aurèche. Claude Crégut, 35th on the Alès list, also joined the council.