The plenary assembly of the Santiago del Teide Town Council has recently ratified a motion proposed by the municipal group of the Conservative Party, expressing its disapproval of the impending waste collection charge that the Spanish Government plans to implement on local authorities from April 10, 2025.
The mayor of Santiago del Teide, as well as vice president of the Government of the Canary Islands, Emilio Navarro, voiced his opposition to this legislation, which he claims “will adversely affect local economies and families, particularly in smaller municipalities like ours.”
Furthermore, he advocates for municipal self-governance and urges the central government to “reassess” this initiative in order to “prevent a substantial increase in fiscal pressure on citizens.” The mayor of Santiago asserts that “absorbing this expense without passing it on to residents will result in reductions in other vital services.”
The motion passed by the plenary session emphasises that the requirement of this new charge signifies an “infringement” on municipal independence by “restricting” local councils’ capability to create their own financing strategies.
“This is a charge without any foresight. The implications have not been evaluated,” states Navarro, who underscores that “the enforcement of this legislation will double the costs associated with waste management.”
The council has suggested alternatives to this levy, concentrating on encouraging recycling and waste management policies that “do not impose an extra tax burden on families.” According to Navarro, there is a necessity for national policies that “match” local initiatives: “We believe that policies need to be promoted and resources provided to families.”
The conservative mayor cites the establishment of a composting machine by his council, valued at 80,000 euros, as part of a pilot programme aimed at fostering sustainable waste management.
