Pedreguer mayor stays on after retirement in new town hall role

Pedreguer’s mayor will continue leading the Marina Alta municipality despite officially retiring from his day job, after announcing he will step away from his full-time salaried role at the town hall.

The move means the mayor will remain at the head of the local council but will no longer receive an exclusive full-time allowance linked to the position. Instead, he plans to carry out his mayoral responsibilities without a dedicated salary, receiving only the attendance payments that councillors are legally entitled to for taking part in official meetings and council business.

The change was approved during the council’s latest plenary session, where councillors also signed off on Pedreguer’s 2025 accounts.

A different way of leading

Explaining the decision, the mayor said his retirement allows him to continue serving the municipality without needing an exclusive or part-time employment arrangement with the council.

Under the new system, he will continue attending council meetings, governing board sessions and other official duties in the same way as before, but his remuneration will be limited to legally established attendance allowances rather than a regular salary.

The arrangement effectively places the mayor on the same payment basis as opposition councillors, although he will continue carrying out the responsibilities associated with leading the local authority.

Council finances also approved

The change to the mayor’s employment status formed part of a wider council meeting that also approved Pedreguer’s general accounts for 2025.

According to figures presented during the session, the town finished the financial year with one of the strongest treasury positions in its history, ending 2025 with close to €2 million in available funds. Local leaders said the healthy financial position reflects careful budget management while allowing continued investment in municipal services and future projects.

Continuity for residents

For residents, the announcement means there will be no immediate change in the political leadership of Pedreguer despite the mayor’s retirement.

Instead of triggering a change at the top of the town hall, the decision provides continuity while reducing the cost of the mayor’s position. Day-to-day municipal business, council meetings and ongoing projects are expected to continue under the existing administration.

The move is relatively unusual in local government, where mayors often step down from public office when they retire from professional life. In Pedreguer’s case, however, the mayor has chosen to remain in charge while adopting a different remuneration model, allowing him to continue serving the community without holding an exclusive salaried position.