Europe 1 with AFP 6:14 p.m., December 30, 2022

The town hall of Migennes in Yonne has decided to no longer pay for the heating of the premises of the Restos du Coeur in the town, due to soaring energy costs.

The municipality of around 7,000 inhabitants is one of the most affected municipalities in the region.

"It's so many meals that will not be distributed": the local Restos du Coeur de Migennes in Yonne denounces the "arbitrariness" of the town hall which has decided to no longer pay for heating, citing soaring costs energy.

"We were not consulted, it's an arbitrary decision," Alain Servion, president of Restos du Coeur de l'Yonne, told AFP on Friday, after the announcement by the municipality of Migennes to no longer pay, from January, the electricity of the premises made available free of charge to the association.

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300 to 400% increase in energy prices

"What we will pay in electricity is as many meals that will not be distributed. In the town, we help around 500 people", underlines Alain Servion, specifying that the bill at stake amounts to 1,800 euros per year.

At department level, Restos du Coeur has 15 centers and around 320 volunteers.

"I was scared but for the other sites, it went well despite the price increase," he says.

Asked by AFP, the mayor of Migennes, LR François Boucher invokes an "increase in gas and electricity prices from 300 to 400%".

"I have a million euros in savings to find on a budget of 8.9. It was that or cut civil servant posts or increase taxes," he explains.

“We have on our side reduced consumption and lighting as much as possible. Some public rooms will remain closed this winter. But I still have 500,000 euros in savings to find”, pleads the mayor of Migennes.

One of the most affected municipalities in the region

The municipality of around 7,000 inhabitants (in an agglomeration of 15,000) is one of the most affected municipalities in the region, a situation further aggravated by the recent closure of the unit of the German automotive subcontractor Benteler which employed 400 people. in Migennes.

“When the situation returns to normal, we will resume” aid to associations, assures François Boucher.

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The number of beneficiaries of Restos, already 1.1 million across France, has jumped 12% since last April.

And their difficulties have increased, since 60% (instead of 50% a year earlier) live in "extreme poverty", that is to say with less than half of the poverty line, according to the association founded by Coluche.