Yesterday, the Tenerife Island Council approved a total of €5.2 million to enhance the Güímar Valley Industrial Estate, addressing two long-standing requests from entrepreneurs due to the estate’s neglect over the past two decades. The funds will be allocated to improving the northern and southern access links (€3.7 million) and the external common areas, including landscaping (€1.7 million).
The first contracting process refers to the execution project of the direct lanes to the Güímar Industrial Estate with a budget of €3.7 million. The works will involve modifying the ramps and building two new links. The proposal includes the implementation of several direct lanes at the Arafo roundabouts. The other improvement measure stems from a collaboration agreement between the Island Council and the municipalities of Güímar, Arafo, and Candelaria – adjacent to the logistics complex – to carry out a program of immediate actions.
The inter-administrative agreement aims to implement a series of actions to reverse the deteriorating situation with an estimated budget of €1.5 million. Both approved proposals were presented after the executive body meeting by the Island Corporation’s Vice President, Lope Afonso – acting president for two days as the incumbent, Rosa Dávila, was on a business trip – and the Second Vice President, José Miguel Ruano (CC).
Management Body
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The main request from stakeholders is the establishment of a management body. The Island Industry Department, led by Councillor Manuel Fernández ((PP), favours the administrative legal regime of a Conservation Entity. The Güímar Valley Industrial Estate, located across the territories of Arafo, Güímar, and Candelaria, presents a unique characteristic.
The Industry Department has already sent a letter to the three municipalities to draw up an agreement allowing them to tackle this action plan and address one of the main issues: improving the common areas, including the 300 square meters of gardens, which feature many palm trees in an evident state of disrepair, giving a negative image to the business environment. The goal is to establish ongoing maintenance.
The 2024 Island Council budget includes a €2 million allocation for this cleanup and revitalisation action plan. Among the planned actions are constructing a parking area to solve parking issues, addressing landscaping refurbishment, installing photovoltaic panels in the area, and designing new lighting with a complete overhaul of the lighting system to reduce energy consumption.
Social Housing
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In another significant agreement, the Council allocates a total of €12.5 million, progressively increased across various sections and included in the Active Housing Program to acquire 227 social rental properties across the Island. Fifteen of the 31 municipalities on the Island will receive grants to acquire completed or pending properties, owned by real estate developers or financial entities, and to construct public protection homes promoted by the municipalities, within the framework of the island project.
These municipalities, in order of priority, include San Miguel de Abona, La Guancha, Arico, Buenavista del Norte, El Tanque, Santa Úrsula, Güímar, Granadilla de Abona, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, La Matanza de Acentejo, El Sauzal, Santiago del Teide, La Orotava, Los Silos, and La Laguna.
Additionally, in the same Housing area, an agreement was reached to sign a pact between the Council, Santa Cruz de Tenerife City Council, and the Canary Islands Government to carry out rehabilitation and energy efficiency improvement actions on a total of 432 properties in the Añaza II and Los Gladiolos IV developments in both urban neighbourhoods. The Council’s contribution to this agreement is €1.1 million.
The Government Council also approved the assignment to the public company Gesplan of the management of Recycling Centres, Mini Recycling Centres, and Waste Awareness Actions for an amount of €5.7 million and a total execution period of one year and eight months.
The tender for the supply of licenses and implementation of a simulation software application was also agreed on for Innovation purposes
### Analysis of Forest Fires and Incident Management in Euros
The contract for the analysis of forest fires and incident management amounts to €688,866 and has a 3-year duration.
### Social Action
The transportation service for individuals attending the Valle Colino Occupational Center (La Laguna) will have a budget of €354,604. The transportation service will commence on June 1st and will run for two years, with the possibility of extending it to five years, aimed at facilitating the users’ access to the centre.
### Education
The Council approved the tender for the “Quédate” project for €114,000. This initiative is crucial for promoting harmonious coexistence in both the school and family environments, within the Compulsory Education Centres.
Its main purpose is to foster the personal and social growth of adolescents, encouraging their active participation. Additionally, the contracting process for the dynamisation of the Insular Programme of Ecological School Gardens was approved for an amount of €119,000. This comprehensive programme aims to use the school garden as an educational resource to work on skills and content at all school stages, from Nursery to Secondary Education.
### Primary Sector
A collaboration agreement will be signed with the Tenerife Rural Action Group Association (ARTF), within the framework of the participatory local development strategy outlined in the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) 2023-2027. The Cabildo provides a grant of €450,000 to this collective, distributed between 2024 and 2027.
### Natural Environment
An agreement has been reached to tender the contract for the reinforcement service of the management body of the Anaga Massif Biosphere Reserve, through comprehensive communication and content management for social projection in the online environment. This is included in the EU’s Next Generation Funds for an amount of €68,000 and a 20-month execution period.
### Historical Heritage
A grant of €401,909 will contribute to collaborating in the partial restoration works of the roofs of the Convent of Santa Clara (Las Clarisas) in La Laguna. The property is a Cultural Interest Asset with Monument category. The execution period is eight months.
