Local News
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Customer bank withdrawals are on the up THE SPANISH banking system suffered record outflows of private deposits last month, but the authorities downplayed the significance of the development. According to figures released by the European Central Bank, 74,228 billion euros was withdrawn from bank accounts in July, the biggest monthly amount since September 1997. As a result, total deposits at the end of July stood at 1,508 trillion euros, a fall of 4.6 per cent from the previous month. Deposits have now fallen for four months of the year and stand at their lowest levels since May 2008, when the figure was 1,507 trillion euros. The amount withdrawn in July was more than double the previous highest figure for the year, which was in May when deposits fell by 33,157 billion euros. Over the past 12 months, deposits have declined by 206,990 billion euros, or 12 per cent, from 1.715 trillion
at the end of July 2011. However, the secretary of state for the economy, Fernando Jiménez Latorre, said aggregate figures did not indicate that there had been a “significant” fall in deposits with Spanish banks. Latorre suggested that funds may have been switched to other instruments, such as bank bills. Spanish newswire Europa Press quoted Bank of Spain officials as saying that twothirds of the withdrawals were by other financial institutions for motives related to securitisation trusts. Of the remaining third withdrawn by households and the corporate sector, the officials said that more than half can be accounted for by seasonal factors. Companies withdraw money from accounts to pay taxes on a quarterly basis, while withdrawals by individuals normally pick up in July and August to pay for holidays. The sources said that taking these factors into account, the pattern of a slow decline in deposits seen since the middle of 2011 remains in place.
Three sea turtles are released at El Medano
THE TENERIFE Cabildo, through the Environment Department and the Tahonilla Centre for Wildlife Recovery (CRFS), with the collaboration of the Municipality of Granadilla, happily released three sea turtles (Caretta caretta) at El Medano beach recently. Among those attending the touching act was Cabildo Environment Minister, Ana Lupe Mora, and Councillors for Social Affairs and the Environment, Ana Esther Flores Ventura and Jacob Donate, respectively. The ceremony was also attended by other
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groups, such as the Office of Volunteerism, the Coasts department and non-profit association Asupare. All specimens of sea turtles rescued in Tenerife are taken to the Tahonilla Centre for Wildlife Recovery, where they receive whatever veterinary care necessary. Hundreds of people were at the beach to enjoy the moment when the three turtles were set free to return to their natural habitat. Events such as these seek to raise awareness and disseminate information about threatened species here in the Archipelago.
Playa Ajabo’s open to services’ tenders
ADEJE’S Playa Ajabo has now been fully reconditioned and tenders are invited to provide services to the seaside locale. Once the Provincial Coastal Service of Santa Cruz de Tenerife approved the works carried out in the area, which the Adeje’s council had approved unanimously at the last regular sitting, the special administrative contract for A SERIES of supermarkets have decided to absorb the IVA/VAT increase which comes into effect on September 1st. It means a price war in the high street or the out of town commercial centres. These increases apply directly to mainland Spain, and indirectly to Tenerife through imported goods. Mercadona is the latest to take up the idea of not passing the IVA increase on to their clients, and they claim they have not put up prices over the summer. The say that 90% of their more than 8,000 lines have the same price as a year ago, and it is only when there is an increase in the price of raw materials are these passed on to the shopper. IVA/VAT goes from 18% to 21% and the reduced rate from 8% to 10%, while the super-reduced rate, which is applied to fresh foodstuffs of basic need will stay at 4%.
seasonal services and a kiosk has been declared open for adjudication. Meanwhile, Town Planning and Land Management Councillor José María Álvarez Acosta explained, “Now that we have the complete approval of the work at Playa Ajabo, we will offer to tender the operation of services, which we had so far not been able to do because the municipality did not have the necessary approvals. However, now we have them
we will work as quickly as possible so that a kiosk, umbrellas and sun beds are available”. Cleaning and security at Playa Ajabo will be carried out by the Municipality, which takes this opportunity to remind beach goers of the importance of keeping both the coast and toilets clean and to avoid leaving litter by using the bins provided. The Statement of Administrative Terms and
technical specifications that govern the Contracts will be published in the Official Gazette of the Province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and the Contractor Profile tender notice. They then publish the composition of the jury in the Contractor’s profile, with a minimum of four days notice of the meeting held for the qualification of the documentation, referred to in Article 130.1 of the Public Sector Contracts law.
Tax changes Here is a list of the changes: The 4% rate will stay at 4% This is applied to items considered to be basic needs. It includes basic bread, frozen dough, eggs, cheese, milk, beans and fruit and vegetables. Books, magazines and newspapers. School material with the exception of electronic items. Medicines for human use. Vehicles for the disabled, wheel chairs and collective transport for the disabled. Prosthesis and implants. Official protection housing. The 8% rate – to increase to 10% Foodstuffs in general, with the exception of those in the 4% band, soft drinks. Animals destined for human
consumption or breeding. Items used in agricultural, farming and forestry activities, such as seeds and fertilisers. Disabled lifts and items for the diagnosis of illnesses. Health assistance services, social services, and dental work. Imported artworks and antiques. Hairdressing. The handing over of housing, including garages and annexes. House construction (between promoter and contractor). The special type of IVA charged on house sales now goes to 10%. Services supplied by artists and technicians. Sports, cultural and
recreational services, exhibitions and fairs. Hotels and restaurants, street cleaning and public gardens. Rubbish collection. Transport of passengers and motorway tolls. The General Rate – now 18% is to rise to 21% All other products, including alcoholic drinks, tobacco, animals used in bullfighting, agricultural machinery. CD’s. Devices for the diagnosis and monitoring of pregnancy. Television and radio services. Some items are changing rates, glasses and contact lenses, cinema, hairdresser, discotheques, theatre, health products, funeral and cleaning services will move from 8% to 21%.
31 August - 06 September 2012