The General Directorate of Public Health of the Government has required the Llucmajor Town Hall, governed by the PP, to take urgent measures to resolve the deficiencies in waste collection, which could lead to a public health problem. The deadline to report on the actions is ten working days.
The accumulation of rubbish in the streets of Llucmajor has led the Balearic Government to intervene. The General Directorate of Public Health has sent a letter to the Town Hall demanding an immediate action plan due to the risk that the situation could lead to a health problem. The regional department reminds that waste collection is a municipal competence and an essential public service.
In the communication, Public Health details that during this month it has received multiple complaints, both written and by phone, regarding the poor state of waste collection. Residents and the municipal opposition have been complaining for months that rubbish bags accumulate outside the containers for days, especially in the urbanisations of the municipality.
This is not the first warning. Last April, the Environmental Health Service already informed the Town Hall of six complaints regarding the poor management of waste around the municipality. According to the Government's letter, the Town Hall did not respond at that time regarding the actions taken, which has prompted a firmer request now.
The Government believes that the situation "could represent a public health problem due to the possible proliferation of pests, the generation of leachate, and foul odours, circumstances aggravated by high temperatures." Therefore, it requests that "waste collection be reinforced and a solution be provided as soon as possible" with the aim of "protecting the population."
The deadline given to the Town Hall, presided over by Mayor Xisca Lascolas (PP), is ten working days to report on the situation and the measures taken. This request comes in a context of great neighbourhood discontent and internal political crisis within the PP, as Lascolas will not run again as a candidate in 2027 after losing the support of the party leadership.
The municipal opposition has made waste management one of its main fronts against the mayor, whom they have accused of inaction. Residents, for their part, have repeatedly reported the situation on social media and in the media, demanding a definitive solution to a problem that has persisted throughout almost the entire legislature.
For the residents of Llucmajor, the waste crisis represents a deterioration in quality of life. Foul odours and the presence of rodents and insects are a constant in some areas, especially in summer. The Town Hall's response to the Government's request will determine the next steps, which could include sanctions or the assumption of competences by the Balearic Executive.
You may also like
