Closure of Proximity Houses announced

The municipality of Castelnau-le-Lez has decided to reallocate the activities of its Proximity Houses to three new locations, as announced by Mayor Julien Miro on Monday, October 26. This move is described by the mayor as "Act 2" of his local policy, indicating a strategic shift in how services are delivered in the area.

Financial and usage concerns

The decision follows an audit revealing that the Proximity Houses, opened between 2017 and 2021, cost the municipality 530,000 euros annually. The audit, conducted by an unnamed independent firm, highlights that the buildings are underutilized, with only 0.8 to 1.7 visitors from Castelnau-le-Lez per business day per structure.

High cost per visitor

The audit notes that the annual cost per visitor to the Proximity Houses is approximately 500 euros. This figure is significantly higher than typical benchmarks and raises questions about the efficiency and sustainability of the current setup.

Structural and functional issues

The report also states that the premises are not suitable for the needs of local associations and do not provide adequate confidentiality for social and legal consultations. This has led to concerns about the effectiveness of the services being offered in these spaces.

Staff well-being concerns

Municipal staff working in the Proximity Houses often operate in isolation, facing psychosocial risks due to their working conditions. Mayor Julien Miro emphasized that the current setup leaves staff "particularly exposed" to these risks, with only one or two visitors per day on average.

Audit details not fully disclosed

The findings are based on an audit whose full report has not been made public in the documents provided to the press, leaving some aspects of the evaluation unclear to the public and stakeholders.