An annual internal control report from the Council details that over the past six years, objections were raised in hundreds of cases, primarily linked to payments for essential services. These services continued to be provided despite expired contracts, lack of contractual coverage, or omission of administrative procedures.
The objections, covering 37 spending categories, were concentrated in areas such as cleaning, maintenance, and supplies. The largest category was building cleaning services and materials (8.6 million euros), followed by street cleaning (6.2 million euros). In many instances, objections were later lifted by mayoral decrees or Local Government Board agreements to prevent the interruption of essential public services. The report indicates that only 33% of these objected expenses have initiated or completed a contracting process.
The audit warns of the recurrence of this practice and notes that numerous services were maintained through extrajudicial credit recognitions or continuity procedures while new tenders were being processed. The highest amounts correspond to structural services of the Council, some of which have been de facto extended for years due to delays in awarding new contracts.
During 2025, the Audit issued 573 suspensive objection reports for non-compliance with contractual and budgetary legislation, stating that expenses were made «totally and absolutely disregarding the legally established procedure», which could constitute grounds for nullity.
The audit also analyzed minor contracts for works, services, and supplies. In 2025, 85 minor contracts were awarded for a total of 1,001,882.19 euros, an increase from the previous year. The report highlights the rise in the average value of these minor contracts, many close to the legal limit of 15,000 euros, questioning the unforeseeable and urgent need to resort to this exceptional contractual method and warning of possible indications of undue splitting of contracts.
Furthermore, an ongoing investigation concerns the purchase of 1,000 Christmas baskets in December 2024 for municipal staff and related entities. 287 lots (10,134.61 euros) remain pending for reimbursement. The acquisition was made verbally, without administrative procedure or contractual coverage, which led to a suspensive objection. Subsequently, the Council declared the contract null, although the invoice was paid.
