On the previous day, the Plenary Session of La Laguna unanimously endorsed an institutional motion, put forward by Unidas se puede and amended in agreement with the local Government (PSOE-CC), through which the City Council “will cooperate to ensure the rehabilitation of the Ateneo de La Laguna building, allowing this entity to resume its activities as swiftly as possible,” as stated in the agreed text. It is important to note that the building was severely damaged by a fire in October 2019, and since then, efforts have been underway to restore it.
The approved document clarifies that the council will establish “a workspace, involving the board and individuals associated with the Ateneo, to elucidate the technical status of the premises and the projects to be undertaken”; it will also collaborate with this entity, the Cabildo, and the Government “to, if necessary, form a joint working group to tackle the recovery project for this space.”
Additionally, the Council will “support actions proposed to celebrate the 120 years of the Ateneo’s history, which will take place in November.” The Plenary expressed its desire “that the Ateneo building regains its operational status and its significance in municipal life in the shortest time possible.”
PP spokesperson Juan Antonio Molina mentioned that the Councillor for Culture of the Cabildo, José Carlos Acha of the same party, had informed him that “once the Urban Planning technical issues are addressed, the Cabildo will contribute its part.”
This agreement was one of numerous resolutions secured during yesterday’s plenary session, which were either unanimously approved or received nearly unanimous support. The session began by acknowledging a request from councillor Juan Manuel Brito to disaffiliate following his resignation from the political party Vox, which is now left with a single councillor in the city council.
Among the motions that garnered significant backing was one presented by the PP, along with an amendment agreed with the local Government (PSOE-CC), concerning the new cemetery in Valle de Guerra, responding to residents’ calls for a participatory process regarding its site.
Consequently, it was resolved that “once the areas that satisfy both the size and conditions required by regulations have been identified, a citizen participation process will be initiated” so that, “before finalising the files for altering the PGO, the opinions of local residents will be considered,” with special consideration being given to the neighbourhood’s expansion proposal on plots adjacent to the current cemetery.
In a related matter regarding planning and citizen engagement, the Plenary unanimously ratified another motion presented by Unidas se puede, with an amendment agreed with the local Government, to implement “citizen participation, in a regulated manner, through the Sectorial Council of Urban Planning,” according to the text. To achieve this, “the means to adapt and update” its regulations for drafting the new PGO will be evaluated “to convert it into a permanent participation and advisory body on planning matters.”
Furthermore, regarding the substantial modification of the PGO proposed in Valle de Guerra for a new peri-urban park, it was agreed to conduct “at least one informative-explanatory session before the public consultation closes” about its location to “address citizens’ concerns.”
Housing
Moreover, the Plenary also endorsed “prompting the competent councillor to commence the necessary studies aimed at evaluating the potential modification of the fiscal ordinance governing the Property Tax (IBI), to impose a surcharge of 50%, 100%, or 150% of the IBI rate on owners of four or more unoccupied properties without justified reason, depending on the various scenarios as specified by current legislation.”
This was stated in the approved amendment, introduced by the local government to a motion by Drago Verdes Canarias on this subject, which was passed with the support of PSOE-CC, the abstention of Unidas and Drago, and the disapproval of the PP, Vox, and the non-affiliated councillor.
On this issue, PSOE spokesperson Badel Albelo explained that “appropriate legal studies must be initiated to ascertain whether state law necessitates a regulation or if the city council possesses competency in this area, making prior legal studies vital.”
The agreement also includes urging the Canary Islands Government to “explore new avenues for mobilising vacant housing in the Canary Islands, including examining the feasibility of implementing in our Autonomous Community the mandatory temporary transfer of vacant homes from large owners, as already enacted in various autonomous legislations and supported by a ruling from the Constitutional Court, also considering phased leasing under certain circumstances.”
Lastly, it was resolved to “continue and broaden efforts to disseminate information and financially support the initiative to rescue vacant homes launched by the Department of Social Welfare and Muvisa.” “This government team is not only focused on the housing situation; it is also of great concern to us,” emphasised Albelo, who recalled all ongoing actions and the aim of establishing a public municipal housing stock of 300 homes.
Nonetheless, CC councillor Miguel García pointed out that “it is important to analyse the matter carefully” as “the issue is far more intricate than merely increasing the IBI,” and highlighted that “the optimal solution is to encourage the rental of unoccupied properties” or “to impose a tax on those properties lacking a first occupancy licence and being utilised for speculation.”
From the PP side, Juan Antonio Molina asserted that “we must facilitate the creation of new land, new housing, and provide assurance to the owners” before contemplating measures like this IBI increase.
