Video: @javigarciaterrassa, @pscterrassa / IG
Housing, Cleaning, Security: PSC's Budget Push
On Friday 16 October 2026, the PSC (Partit dels Socialistes de Catalunya) formally presented its 2027 municipal budget proposals for Terrassa, calling for an additional 7.06 million euros in spending focused on housing, public space, security, cleaning, and mobility. Javi García, deputy spokesperson for the socialist group, said the municipal government now has the document, marking the start of negotiations ahead of the plenary session on 3 November 2026, when the final budget will be voted on. When asked which measures were essential for PSC support or abstention, García replied: "All." He described the proposals as "fully viable" and said the group had exercised "rigor and responsibility" in selection. "We could have presented four times more than we have," he stated, acknowledging that initial positions in negotiations rarely align fully. García welcomed the municipal government's own budget project, presented on Tuesday 13 October, noting that state contributions will rise by over 12 million euros compared to 2026, reaching 131 million euros, 46% of municipal revenue. He said this reflected the Spanish government's commitment to municipal financial sustainability. However, he stressed that the government's proposal is "not our budget" and criticised continued high spending on communication, Christmas lighting, and senior management. He said spending on advisors and senior roles is already more than double the 2019 level, when the PSC was in government.
Housing and Public Space Proposals
The PSC's housing measures total 1.48 million euros. The party wants two additional technicians in the building permits service to reduce processing times, which it called "disproportionate." A further technician is proposed for the Housing Rehabilitation Office. Habitatge Terrassa, the municipal housing company, should continue promoting protected housing, García said. The PSC proposes 300,000 euros to draft a project for 25 new homes on a municipal plot at Rambla de Sant Nebridi, 19-21. It also wants to raise the budget for purchasing homes from 800,000 to 1.25 million euros. An additional 380,000 euros is proposed for aid to install lifts and improve accessibility, bringing the total to 500,000 euros. The PSC also wants to reactivate plans for sheltered apartments in Sant Pere Nord, on a plot next to an elderly residence that has remained unused for years. On fiscal policy, the socialists propose a 95% rebate on IBI (property tax) for owners who list apartments on the municipal rental exchange. They also propose introducing a registration fee for tourist-use homes, noting that while new tourist apartments are currently banned, urban planning changes may allow them again soon. In public space, the PSC proposes spending 2.28 million euros. This includes planting 1,000 trees at a cost of 800,000 euros to address the city's tree deficit. The group also wants to restore 2026 levels of investment in public space maintenance, plus inflation, amounting to 1.23 million euros. The subsidy for graffiti removal by property owners would rise from 50,000 to 300,000 euros. The PSC insists on active participation in drafting the long-delayed urban landscape ordinance, which aims to regulate street-level visual clutter.
Security, Cleaning, and Mobility Measures
For security, the PSC proposes spending 465,000 euros to double the number of Municipal Police agent positions announced in 2027, from 15 to 30. It also proposes installing 30 video surveillance cameras in neighbourhoods with security concerns and equipping officers with 20 Taser guns and 20 metal detectors to address rising numbers of bladed weapons on the street. Cleaning is the largest spending area, with over 2.3 million euros proposed. The funds would buy seven high-pressure water cleaning vehicles, one per district, and four electric side-loading waste collection trucks. García said electrifying Eco-equip's fleet would improve efficiency and reduce fuel costs. In mobility, the PSC proposes allocating 500,000 euros to convert two disused plots in Can Palet and Sant Pere Nord into provisional parking areas. García did not specify the plots, as most are private, and said agreements would be negotiated rather than purchases made. He said the government could choose alternative locations if needed.
Financing and Political Context
García declined to specify how the 7.06 million euros would be financed, saying this is part of the amendment phase and that the current stage is one of dialogue. However, he pointed to potential savings in communication and political structure spending, which he said has risen by 1.5 million euros annually since 2019. He differentiated the PSC's proposed tourist-home registration fee from the government's planned IBI surcharges on such properties, saying both aim for the same goal but are distinct measures. On tax freezes, García said Terrassa is likely one of the few municipalities in the area not raising fees, unlike Sabadell and others. He warned that freezes "ultimately weaken municipal finances" and said the PSC has requested data on fee coverage rates, particularly for waste collection, where costs are rising. ERC and PP have also stated their positions. ERC has previously called for 3 million euros for housing and other investments, demanding "neither red lines nor blank checks." The PP criticises the budget as "ideological" and underfunded in infrastructure, though it may support it if amendments are accepted. The PSC awaits the government's response to begin negotiations in the coming days.
Elsewhere in Catalonia on Catalan.News: PSC Demands More Security in Girona After Stabbings and ERC candidate prioritises housing, safety and cleaning.
Reported by diarideterrassa.com, Barna.News, canalterrassa.cat, Diari de Terrassa.
