Santa Cruz Delays Waste Fee Until September Amid Legal Challenge

Residents of the capital will not start paying the new urban waste fee in the first few months of the year. This was originally planned after the tax rule for this charge came into effect on January 1.

Instead, payments will begin in September, as announced yesterday by Finance Councilor José Alberto Díaz-Estébanez during a city council meeting.

The councilor explained the delay, saying it would "gain much more time for the courts to rule." This refers to a legal challenge from the PSOE party against changes to the tax rule, which would increase the waste fee by 50%. The Santa Cruz socialists argue that the City Council's calculations are flawed, unfairly burden vulnerable people, and do not encourage recycling.

Díaz-Estébanez criticized PSOE spokesperson Patricia Hernández, stating, "You are not going to take credit in Santa Cruz for a measure imposed by Pedro Sánchez." He added that the city government has not raised taxes on citizens since 2011. He also said the final fee calculation would be less than the actual cost, with the City Council covering the difference, as it has done until "your government forced us."

The discussion about the waste fee happened on the same day the Official Gazette of the Province announced that the courts would hear the PSOE's legal challenge. The PSOE filed this appeal in early January against the final approval of the tax rule that governs the new municipal waste management fee. The High Court of Justice of the Canary Islands has scheduled this case to be heard within nine days.

The legal challenge over the waste fee has also impacted the city's 2026 budget, which totals 381.2 million euros. Although the council approved the new budget yesterday – despite opposition from PSOE and Vox – the PSOE's appeal against the tax rule will delay the budget's start date until February 15.

Díaz-Estébanez stated that "the general comptroller and the general coordinator of Finance have reported that there is no legal rule requiring the waste fee to be treated as earmarked funding." He concluded that the City Council has not violated any of the reasons for the allegation, as the central government has not adjusted it as legally required.

Meanwhile, Patricia Hernández insisted that the fee "is poorly calculated and illegal" because it doesn't connect income with expenses, as required by law. She accused them of being inconsistent and trying to fund Carlos Tarife's campaign at citizens' expense, while also cutting the bonus for vulnerable families from 100% to 50%.

Mayor José Manuel Bermúdez reiterated his opposition to the state fee, calling it "absurd," but admitted, "I have to assume it because the law obliges me." He found it odd that the national PSOE party imposes this fee on all city councils, yet the local socialists in Santa Cruz are challenging it in court.

In other news, the council approved new rules for Citizen Services. These rules aim to prevent and resolve conflicts that might arise with residents in municipal offices.

Also approved was a new rule for Economic Social Assistance Benefits (PEAS), which offers help to individuals and families in need. A key improvement is the addition of Home Help PEA, designed for people who struggle with basic daily tasks and need assistance from another person.

This will provide up to 60 hours of home help per month and up to 15,674 euros per family. Another new feature is the automatic renewal of benefits for retired and disabled people receiving aid for basic needs or home help, ensuring continuous support.

The council also gave final approval to name a small square in front of the Cabildo after Carmen Eugenia Afonso, known as Geni, a famous Carnival figure. Additionally, requests for honors and awards were agreed upon for former Canarian Government president Jerónimo Saavedra; José Antonio Castro El Mae, for his work in education; and the Montessori School.

Separately, the PSOE asked the City Council how many applications it had received to convert commercial properties into homes. The Urban Planning Councilor stated the current number was 143 but could not provide more details due to "the complexity of the computer system."

Meanwhile, Public Services Councilor Carlos Tarife announced that the Plaza de España car park has been given 72 hours to carry out safety work in a section of the parking area, which is currently propped up due to the risk of the roof collapsing. He added that Municipal Housing will take over management of this car park on June 30.

Regarding motions, the council unanimously approved several from the PSOE. These included urging the Cabildo to improve sanitation and wastewater systems in the villages of the Anaga massif, where sewage is leaking into water sources; building a new regional animal shelter; and studying the installation of accessible street furniture at bus stops. A motion from the CC party also passed, calling on the central government to consider compensation for Canarian farms after the EU-Mercosur trade agreement.

Finally, Eduardo Medina was sworn in yesterday as a socialist councilor for the Santa Cruz City Council. He replaces Ana Darias, who resigned on December 19 due to health reasons. Medina took his oath at the start of the council meeting, and Mayor José Manuel Bermúdez then presented him with a medal.