Yesterday, the Plenary of La Laguna granted approval for the alteration of the tax ordinance governing the charge for refuse collection and urban waste services provided by the City Council. This decision complies with the new national legislation, which is derived from European directives, to which all municipalities across the nation are subject. This adjustment results in an average rise of 24% in the fee, though the final payment will vary depending on the assessed value of the property being serviced for refuse collection and the number of individuals registered at the residence. Furthermore, several exemptions may be applicable under specific circumstances, alongside concessions, as outlined by the Councillor for the Treasury, Paqui Rivero, who mentioned that the expectation is for the new ordinance to come into effect from January 2026.
It is worth noting that the ordinance presently in effect establishes a fixed fee of approximately 95 euros for all residents, she stated.
The ordinance alteration was approved with the backing of the Government Group (PSOE-CC) and the independent councillor, while opposition parties (Canary Green Drago, Unidas Podemos, PP and Vox) opposed it. Following this approval, a period of public consultation will open during which objections can be submitted.
“Formulating this ordinance has not been straightforward. The tax team has been dedicated for months to its development, with continuous guidance from the Administrative Economic Court. This is a national law that must be enforced to avoid penalties,” stated Paqui Rivero during the plenary debate. The councillor explained that “the fee necessitates a collection based on generation and should not operate at a loss. The costs have escalated from 11,125,000 euros to 13,770,000 euros, which must be covered mandatorily,” representing a 24% increase.
Rivero highlighted that “this government does not aim to harm the residents. Hence, we are also advocating for tax equity based on property values,” regarding homes.
Additionally, she pointed out that “we are introducing a 90% discount” for cases of financial hardship, or a 50% reduction for pensioners, along with further discounts for businesses and industries. From 2027, additional bonuses can also be applied “for participation in special recycling initiatives or other supportive measures,” among others, she added.
Consequently, “many residents will experience an increase in their linear rate, but there will also be residents who will see a decrease,” she stated.
In summary, she reiterated that “this City Council must manage an increase in the expenditure related to implementing the law of 2.6 million, which cannot solely be funded through its own income, but must be taken from a fee. I remind you that a fee only covers the cost of the service.”
Meanwhile, the Councillor for Municipal Services and spokesperson for CC, Fran Hernández, acknowledged the effort made to develop this ordinance and stated, “we will be the first City Council in Tenerife to implement this ordinance.” He further emphasised that “it has been meticulously crafted to ensure the least possible impact on residents” and noted that their department is working on a “range of programmes” for incentives.
For his part, Mayor Luis Yeray Gutiérrez underscored that “had there been any alternative not to impose this fee in the municipality, we would have pursued that option.” However, he added, “it cannot be addressed or subsidised by the municipal treasury, hence it must be funded by waste producers,” making “it practically unfeasible for us to cover it.”
“The fact remains that this fee is imposed. We have conducted a thorough analysis with technicians and experts to provide us with guidelines for implementation, and we will also allow a reasonable timeframe” to communicate this to the public, he concluded.
Opposition Critique
Nonetheless, the opposition has voiced strong objections to this ordinance modification. Representatives from Drago Verdes Canarias expressed concern over “the multiplier factor tied to the number of registered individuals in a household, as the fee increases with the size of the household,” as well as the classification by assessed value not exceeding 120,000 euros. They believe this will “disadvantage lower-income groups and those affected by the housing crisis.”
Along similar lines, representatives from the PP reported that “a property valued between 60,000 and 90,000 euros (in cadastral terms), inhabited by four people, will see its fee rise from 90 to 130 euros, which is not merely a 20% increase.”
Meanwhile, Unidas Podemos critiqued the absence of community involvement in the creation of this ordinance revision and suggested that “there are numerous aspects that could be enhanced,” such as “placing a greater financial responsibility on those with the most economic resources.”
Control of Sports Vehicles
Conversely, the Plenary unanimously approved a motion, proposed by Unidas Podemos and amended by the local government, aimed at intensifying the regulation of sports vehicles (motocross and 4x4s) in rural or agricultural areas, agreeing to enforce established zones according to current legislation.
Additionally, the motion includes “enhancing the monitoring of illicit activity within natural or agricultural areas for unauthorized sports” and “collaborating with Tegueste and the Cabildo to present, during the consultation period of the Canary Islands Land Law, a prohibition on unauthorized sports on rustic land.”
