Ok unanimously in the Council of Ministers to the reform of bathing concessions, that is the missing piece of the competition reform, which aims to overcome the extension regime by restoring the tenders starting from 2024. The measure will now be submitted to Parliament's scrutiny.
The guidelines include the protection of investments made and of those who mainly owe their income to the management of a bathing establishment. In addition to a strong push to future investments connected to improving the service, with price containment and a brake on the "expensive umbrella", to protect consumers. Furthermore, one of the requirements will be to guarantee access to the sea for all. A provision already foreseen by law but subject to violations and abuses. The rules for the competitions will therefore include "the constant presence of gates for free and free access and transit", reads the draft.
Tenders must also respect "the principles of impartiality, non-discrimination, equal treatment, maximum participation, transparency and adequate publicity". "Prerequisites and cases for the possible splitting into small batches" will be defined and a "maximum number of concessions" that can be owned to "favor the access of micro and small enterprises", in addition to "third party entities" sector".
An adequate balance is also envisaged between the state-owned areas under concession and the free or free equipped areas, but also a fair relationship between the rates proposed and the quality of the service for everyone, even for the disabled. The deadline for receiving applications must not be "less than 30 days".
The duration of the concession must be for a period not exceeding what is strictly necessary to guarantee the amortization and fair remuneration of the authorized investments, with an express prohibition of extensions and renewals, including automatic ones. An indemnity is also foreseen to be paid to the outgoing concessionaire, charged to the incoming concessionaire, for the non-amortization of the investments made.
THE DISCUSSION - The objectives - explain sources from Palazzo Chigi - are to ensure a more sustainable use of the maritime state property, to favor its public use and to promote greater competition on bathing concessions.
Draghi in the autumn had promised an intervention after the sentence of the Council of State, which in November had already set the limit for the extension regime on 31 December 2023. But the knot has been gradually postponed and now Italy runs the risk of a maxi EU sanction. Before the CDM, however, there was a new meeting of Minister Mariastella Gelmini with governors, provinces and mayors, "to share the guidelines of the provision". And Forza Italia assures that it is at work "to protect businesses, professionals and thousands of families".
The same message that filters through the Mise and the Ministry of Tourism: "legitimate interests" must be protected, with a solution that "protects the sector" and in particular family-run businesses and the investments made so far. And this is a goal shared by Palazzo Chigi as well.
The text, observes a minister, was the best possible compromise. It certainly could not have reached a further extension - as the category and also part of the League hoped - also because the EU procedure and the risk of a maxi-fine are looming.
Matteo Salvini's party, Undersecretary Gian Marco Centinaio said, acknowledges that "some proposals" have been accepted but the text will be "changed and improved" in Parliament, together with sector associations and "together with the rest of the center-right".
The government "sends us to Europe", complains Assobalneari: "Palazzo Chigi wants to liquidate the Italian beaches". Giorgia Meloni's party agrees, denouncing the "shameful gift to foreign multinationals" and the risk of "extremely harsh economic and social consequences".
(Unioneonline / D)