The Commonwealth of the North of Tenerife is already history. Political differences –which come from far back– and the defaults of the member municipalities led to the failure of this association of Tenerife municipalities created in 1993 to share services and rationalize economic resources for the benefit of neighbors. The death of the largest union of consistories in the history of Tenerife has been slow and agonizing. Its final dissolution was expected in 2011 but it did not take place until this Monday. The extraordinary session held in Icod de los Vinos approved the definitive termination as a conclusion to a liquidation process that began in 2010.
First, it was necessary to cancel the debts contracted with other public or private entities, valued at 13 million euros in 2010. Un total of 13 municipalities were part of this Commonwealth: Buenavista del Norte, El Tanque, Garachico, Los Silos, La Victoria de Acentejo, El Rosario, La Guancha, Puerto de la Cruz, Los Realejos, Santa Úrsula, La Matanza de Acentejo, Tacoronte and Icod de los Vinos. The 190,000 residents of these towns lose an instrument that, had it been used by the different municipal governments throughout their history, would have improved their quality of life and saved public money.
Northern municipalities lose an instrument to share services and save expenses
The promoters of the Commonwealth of the North have always regretted that the quibbles between political parties and the lack of high-mindedness have ended with an instrument of municipal associations that can give many advantages. The idea of pooling services between neighboring municipalities to save costs has not been enough to settle the differences between some political formations and others. To this are added the systematic non-compliance by municipalities, that in theory defended the good intentions of the Commonwealth but in practice caused its ruin.
Certify the end
This local vision had already condemned the Commonwealth to extinction for many years. The only thing that was done on Monday was to certify his final death after a decade in a coma. This supra-municipal entity trained more than 70,000 people over 17 years, created hundreds of temporary jobs and managed tens of millions of euros for projects financed mainly by the European Union. At its best, the Commonwealth had more than 15 simultaneous projects and services underway. This association made it possible for many northern municipalities to access EU projects and funding destined to populations of more than 50,000 and 100,000 inhabitants.
The Commonwealth was born in 1993, attracted significant European investment and created a lot of employment
Created in 1993 with the purpose of creating a comprehensive local development strategy, among the services and works that the Mancomunidad del Norte launched, the joint promotion of the acquisition of goods as a means of saving expenses, support and promotion also stands out. of works that by their nature were difficult to achieve by a single council or the realization of cultural, sports, social or environmental services through exemplary initiatives. It had 653 employees on its payroll in one of its heyday, in 2003. It also put into operation a plan for computer literacy for the population throughout the island and even joint management of press offices. A large part of the personnel that was hired by the Commonwealth today is employed in different public administrations.
The ultimate extinction
In an extraordinary session held on October 27, 2021, the Board has already approved, on a provisional basis, the definitive liquidation of the Mancomunidad del Norte de Tenerife, determining the definitive extinction of the aforementioned supramunicipal entity and submitting the agreement to public exposure. Finally on Monday the liquidation of the Commonwealth and its total extinction was approved, with a definitive character.
