The Alhambra will promote the actions of the Directive Plan in 2008 and increase its budget in 9.86%

The Regional Minister of Culture of the Government of Andalusia, Rosa Torres has chaired this morning the first meeting of the Plenary Session of the Council of the Alhambra and the Generalife of this year. In the session, the 2007 annual financial report, Action Plans and Actuations and budget for 2008 of about 24,182,583 million euros, i.e. about 9.86% more than in 2007, were approved; in this session the Local government committed to support the development of the Directive Plan, approved on October 5th.
Among the main actions to be undertaken by the Council of the Alhambra and the Generalife this year we can mention the implementation of a new safety system in the Complex, improvement of the integrated information system through a new signalling plan for the Monument and surrounding area, and a new website. Additionally in 2008 the Council will also develop the regulations for the commercialisation and public visit of the Alhambra in order to comply with the new Law of Andalusian Historical Heritage, recently due in force.
In addition, the members of the Plenary Session of the Council of the Alhambra and the Generalife have agreed to revising and updating the Special Protection Plan (in force since 1989), following the directives established in the Directive Plan. The members were also informed on the need to increase the number of Labour Posts for the correct implementation of the Directive Plan. In particular, new 42 posts of civil servants and 9 work posts have been created to support the specialised management technical unit.
Finally, the Regional Minister of Culture has informed about the acquisition of an important photographic collection consisting of 119 photographs in glass format by José García Ayola that has cost 66,000 euros and which will soon be exhibited in the Archive of the Council in the Phototheque section. The programme of events for 2008-2009 presented by the Council of the Alhambra that includes the homage in honour of writer Washington Irving was also approved in this Plenary Session.