Lanne: with the explosion in the number of civil status documents, the future single hospital “imposes” a new town hall

The “moving” of the hospital to the town of Lanne will not be limited to moving equipment and changing address. It’s a little more complex, and on the side of the Lannaise municipality, we have already anticipated some upheavals, which were not necessarily expected, including the explosion of civil status documents. “It’s simple”, explains Alain Luquet, the mayor surrounded by several of his deputies, “we are a small town of 600 inhabitants and we carry out around 10 civil status acts per year, with the hospital, we will go to 2100, about 1000 births to register, and 1100 deaths.” An obligation for the municipality, since the law is clear: births and deaths must be recorded by the municipality where they occur. “We’ve been thinking about it for a while, the option of extending the current town hall was quickly ruled out, it’s impossible, except to remove the parking lot and the two apartments located upstairs.” For the record, when he was elected mayor in 1983 (40 years!), the town hall was located in an unused classroom of the school. “We installed it here, it was the old presbytery.” But now it is too cramped. And Alain Luquet will build, for the second time, a new town hall…

€1.5 million of works

“Our desire was to keep the town hall in the village, not to outcenter it, it must remain in the center of the village. We had the opportunity to acquire a house, a farmhouse with its outbuildings, right next to the party room.” The ideal place, but major works are to be carried out, in order to adapt it to its future function. “It is an establishment open to the public, there are strict standards.” And that has a cost, estimated at €1.5 million excluding taxes. “The question of investment is one thing, we can spread it out, and there will be aid. On the other hand, for operation, we are going into the unknown, and that will necessarily weigh on the budget of We were able to “visit” the civil status service of the city of Trabes, Gérard Trémège opened the doors to us in a friendly way, it turns out that it will take at least 5 dedicated agents, as well as a additional reception officer and a funeral police officer.” Whose salaries will be borne by the municipality… “We can’t assume it alone, you have to know that our DGF is €17,000 per year.” And he anticipates the following question: “As for those who think that Lanne will benefit financially from the hospital, they are seriously mistaken. First, the sale of the land, 1/3 of which was communal, was dictated by the Domaines , at the cost of agricultural land, it was not far to seek. But above all, the installation of the hospital will not bring any tax to the municipality, neither in terms of property tax, nor in taxes on jobs Nothing at all! But it will be a source of pride for us. And it will boost the sector, in particular speeding up the construction of the dual carriageway to Lourdes.”

“We need solidarity”

As a result, the arrival of the hospital is not, for the municipality, a good deal. “It’s like that… We weren’t candidates, but we’re going to adapt and cope, we’ve always done it. But other communities, and even the state, will have to help us. ” He also slipped two words to Dominique Faure, Minister Delegate for Local Authorities, during his recent visit, and received assurances. But what will they be worth in a few years? But it would take more to discourage Alain Luquet. “This hospital is necessary, otherwise those of Tarbes and Lourdes will gradually disappear. It is equipment that will allow all Haut-Pyreneans to be well cared for. We are showing solidarity, we will have burdens, constraints, but it’s for the general interest. So we expect solidarity in return.” And if, as some advocate, the hospital was not made there? “And why do you want it not to happen? It is necessary! The State is putting €210 million on the table, we cannot let the train pass a second time. Afterwards, I often hear the arguments malicious, opponents. They talk a lot about the difficulties around networks, especially sanitation. When you want to kill your dog, you say he has rabies… The networks exist, we are not backward, you just have to connect, and the extension of the current treatment plant is technically possible. If the site was chosen, it is because there was no major obstacle.” No, just a few “details”, such as the creation of a new town hall… But not enough to make the Lannais elected officials give in…