In a summary made public this Friday, the Court of Auditors points to the shortcomings of the state support mechanisms for the investment of local authorities.
Financial magistrates criticize
"a proliferation of tools"
costly - they have increased significantly, to represent 9 billion euros in 2020 -, not sufficiently articulated between them, and which do not fall within the framework of a clear public policy.
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Main assistance paid by the State, the endowment of equipment for rural territories (DETR), the endowment of support for local investment (DSIL) and the political endowment of the city (DPV)
"are allocated in a discretionary and proportional manner. to the expenditure announced and adjusted to the expenditure carried out ”
, regret the magistrates.
Some support measures even miss their target.
“Notwithstanding the display of these allocations as support for rurality, the DETR and the DSIL mainly benefit large urban areas,”
writes the Court.
Potential frauds
The magistrates also regret that these devices are not better controlled, giving rise to fears of possible fraud. The VAT compensation fund (FCTVA), which allows communities to be reimbursed for the VAT paid on equipment costs,
"has grown increasingly complex since its creation"
. And that
"does not allow to develop the controls that would justify the importance of the sums involved"
, alert the magistrates. In 2020, the device - the most important state aid for local investment - cost 6 billion euros. This fund also escapes any performance control. The Court therefore calls for changes and recommends in particular that it continue to be automated.