The government team in Orihuela has announced a significant change in the management of waste collection and road maintenance services. To formalise these changes, an extraordinary plenary session is scheduled for next Wednesday. Additionally, a meeting of spokespeople will be convened this Friday to discuss the details. This change comes as both services have faced growing user complaints due to deficiencies linked to outdated machinery and insufficient personnel.

The waste collection had previously been managed directly by the council under a temporary agreement established in two thousand and twelve. The new plan intends for the municipal company, the Environment Management Service of Orihuela, to handle both services, with the aim of alleviating ongoing complaints. The necessary formalities will be completed post-approval by the council, with anticipation for quicker implementation in road maintenance.

Investments are set to increase substantially, with road maintenance costing one point three million euros annually until two thousand twenty-nine. The budget allocation is expected to rise by five hundred and fifty-five thousand euros. For waste collection, three million euros are earmarked for the next six years to allow for procurement of new machinery and expansion of staffing levels.

However, significant public dissatisfaction has arisen due to an increase in waste collection fees to two hundred and three euros annually, which has tripled previous charges. A local residents’ association has initiated a campaign for individuals to challenge the fees, citing legal non-compliance regarding how rates should be calculated. The council has commissioned studies to evaluate the impact of these management changes, anticipating savings of over six hundred and twenty-eight thousand euros annually in waste management costs alone.