Anger over rate hike for rubbish collection

PEDREGUER residents will face rubbish rate hikes of at least 26% in their next bill – even though the pandemic has left another 100 on the dole and slashed takings for local traders.

The opposition Socialist party ( PSOE) call the increase unfair and unjustified, especially as the public coffers are very much in the black.

“It couldn’t come at a more inopportune moment,” said a PSOE spokesman.

“Pedreguer has 584 residents out of work, compared with 491 this time last year.

“Widespread business closures are very noticeable, and everyone is already having to make a huge effort to pay their local taxes.”

Mayor Sergi Ferrús ( Compromís) has ‘ bragged on social media’ about how Pedreguer's present financial situation is excellent, with ‘ no debts’, according to the PSOE.

“For these reasons, and out of pure human fairness and consideration to our residents, we think the proposed rate rise will cause considerable financial hardship, especially during a time of unprecedented public health and economic crisis,” they added.

The party recalls that a waterrate hike was already on the table in March this year and, although it was shelved due to lockdown, could still go ahead. Yet an application for a basic property value review has been ‘ put off for years’.

According to the PSOE, Pedreguer’s property tax rates ( IBI) are still based on values from before the housing market crash, and no longer reflect reality.

“Properties are overvalued by an average of 27%, meaning residents are paying far more IBI than they should be,” the party claimed.

“Regrettably, many years have elapsed and the local government’s failure to take action has led to all of us in Pedreguer paying far more in tax than we should.