Presentation of the Monts d'Orb Community of Municipalities  Edito Composition of Concil Lettre d'Infos
Monts d'Orb community of local district authorities: Le Bousquet d'Orb, Camplong, Graissessac, St Etienne Estréchoux, St Geniès de Varensal, St Gervais sur Mare, La Tour sur Orb. 11.000 hectares, population : 4.631
POWERFUL TIES
of a common historical and geographical identity
When the French government adopted the Law on the Creation of Communities of Municipalities in 1992 (see sidebox), the seven local authorities of the former Graissessac coalmining district saw this new form of co-operation as an opportunity to set up a joint project for developing and promoting the area with a focus on employment, leisure and tourism.
With the definitive closure of the mines, they were forced to act and to boldly invent a new future and new activities, in line with the needs of modern society, by building on the diversity and natural beauty of this upland region around the Orb Valley. The Monts d'Orb Community draws its strength from 200 years of mining history, as well as from the already powerful ties of a common historical and geographical identity.
The Community of Municipalities was officially established in 1994. It discharges the functions imposed upon it by law - regional planning and economic development - as well as the self-imposed, complementary task of environmental protection.
Initially called "Mare et Orb" after the two rivers that flow through the area, it was renamed "Monts d'Orb" ("Orb mountains") following the creation of a project aimed at promoting the region as a tourist destination for rambling holidays. Each of the local district authorities has a role to play in the project, which consists in gradually developing the necessary infrastructure (accommodation, artificial lake, venues for cultural and popular events). These projects are now beginning to take shape, and the Monts d'Orb Community already offers regular sporting and cultural events for the local inhabitants, as well as for visitors and holidaymakers..
Looking ahead, the Monts d'Orb Community of Municipalities aims to attract other municipalities, to take on new responsibilities and to adopt a single business tax on local businesses within the Community. This act of solidarity would result in more state funding for its activities.
What does the 1992 Law say ?
"A Community of Municipalities is aimed at uniting Municipalities in a common consensus with the aim of setting up a joint rural development and planning project. In order to conduct activities of common interest, the Community is legally entitled to exercise powers within the member municipalities in the following two domains:
• Regional planning
• Economic development
It may also choose to assume powers in certain other domains.
Resources: Business tax, habitation tax, real estate tax, subsidies from the Département ("county"), Region, State and Europe. |
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