Marbella City Council’s Regular Meeting for February – Regulate Holiday Homes
The Marbella City Council held its regular meeting for the month of February. During the meeting, a motion from the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) was approved to regulate tourist accommodation in the municipality. The far-right party Vox voted against the motion, as it typically opposes anything proposed by the socialists.
Approval for Toll-Free AP-7 Highway and Coastal Train
The council also approved a request to the government to make the AP-7 highway toll-free and to implement a coastal train. Following the regional government’s decree on what are now called tourist accommodation, the Marbella City Council’s governing team will have to take action.
PSOE Calls for Regulation of Tourist Accommodation
The PSOE called for municipal regulation of tourist accommodation to be made compatible with residential rentals. Socialist councilor José Ignacio Macías stated that their proposal does not aim to suppress tourist rentals, but to prevent their uncontrolled expansion and harm to residential rentals.
Concerns Over Housing Shortage for Workers
Macías noted that while tourism attracts visitors, it creates a labor shortage that prevents these visitors from being served. He mentioned that many professionals from sectors such as hospitality and healthcare come to work in Marbella but struggle to find accommodation.
PP Defends Tourist Accommodation
Francisca Caracuel from the People’s Party (PP) argued that tourist accommodation should not be demonized. She pointed out that traditional rental contracts have shifted towards tourist use due to fears of losing possession of the property. Macías responded that this shift is driven by the pursuit of higher economic returns, as more can be earned in a few months than in a long-term lease.
Other Matters Discussed
The council also unanimously approved a motion from the OSP in favor of the coastal train and another from the PP requesting the AP-7 toll be lifted. A proposal from the PSOE to promote public housing in San Pedro Alcántara was also approved. A PP motion on illegal occupation was passed, continuing the party’s trend of raising issues against the central government.
Recognition for Local Cultural Figure
The council agreed to initiate proceedings to dedicate the amphitheater in the San Pedro Boulevard to Juan José Calvente Alcántara, former president of the San Pedro Carnival Cultural Association and field delegate of the UD San Pedro.
Governing Team’s Management
In the management section of the governing team, approval was given for a new overdue invoice from the time of Manuel Cardeña’s tenure as head of the Sports Delegation, in this case for the Cross Country Circuit. The General Consolidated Inventory of Assets and Rights of the City Council, the manifesto for March 8, and urban planning issues, one of them to continue with the processing of the W hotel in Las Chapas, were also approved.
