The Neighborhood Board of the Decentralized Municipal Entity (EMD) of Bellaterra approved the report requesting municipal independence. This petition, delivered to the mayor of Cerdanyola, Carlos Cordón, seeks incorporation into the neighboring municipality of Sant Cugat del Vallès. Bellaterra, founded in 1929 as an urbanization of Cerdanyola, achieved EMD status in July 2010.
The distance from Cerdanyola has increased over time, especially after the installation of the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) in 1970. The socioeconomic difference is notable: the average annual per capita income in Bellaterra is 25,799 euros, much higher than the 13,953 euros in Cerdanyola, and even above the 23,337 euros in Sant Cugat.
“"The physical border represented by the highway and the university with Cerdanyola has always distanced us. Furthermore, the sociodemographic profile is closer between Bellaterra and Sant Cugat."
The report presented by the EMD on January 7 to the Cerdanyola council argues that they comply with Article 8 of Decree 244/2007 of the Generalitat for segregation. Economically, the EMD points out that the collection of the Property Tax (IBI) in Bellaterra exceeds the cost of municipal services provided by the Cerdanyola City Council.
The final decision will fall to the Generalitat, which will evaluate the reports from all involved municipalities and other bodies such as the Metropolitan Area and the Barcelona Provincial Council. The decision is expected to be made before summer.
