Pleno 28.3 and Answers

Today was the day of the March Pleno and as usual it was due to start at 12 noon but actually got under way at 12.20pm. Not bad! Sorry this is a long blog but I am trying to record everything that was discussed.

During the actual Pleno meeting a number of byelaws were passed these were in relation to;

1.  The Vados (the licences to forbid parking outside garages). There are many Vados displayed but hardly any are legitimate as they do not have the correct licence and only bought the signs from the ferreterias. We have agreed a price for these licences and will be encouraging those people who want one to do so through the proper channel.

2. A change of name for a group of municipalities in Almanzora.

3. Rules regarding the enforcement of traffic rules across the municpality.

4. Reformation of Guarderia.

5. Pricing for dangerous animals including dogs. It has been agreed that the owners of any dangerous animals or dogs such as Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, Dobermans and Argentinian hunting dogs would have to have licences for them. They would need to show that they had all the neccessary conditions met and have insurance. they then need to apply to the Town Hall for a licence which will cost €30 and then €50 per annum. Two dangerous dogs have recently been seized by the Police and taken to pounds. 

There were other minor issues discussed but as usual my favourite bit is when we all go to the pub and we have a few beers. That is when the real issues are discussed.

My first question was to ask who decides what issues are listed to be discussed at the Pleno meeting. Candido explained that that was a good qurestion as up until now only he decided the issues and that in future all the PA councillors would meet prior to the Pleno and agree what we should discuss. I said that I thought it was important for that to take place and he agreed and that prior to the next pleno we would try and organise one. He feels that he should be delegating much more of the decision making process and to be honest I think he needs to. He has felt that he has not been acting in the best interests of the people because he has been so preoccupied with all the Court Cases and wants to get back to working properly.

My second question was whether the result of the elections would have any effect on getting a plan general agreed and did he see the possibility of getting such a plan agreed before the next municipal elections in 3 years time. He said that during the last general election in Spain PSOE had come out of it with a bloody nose in Almeria province they lost many thousands of votes acropss our area and he had heard rumours from Seville that realising what had gone wrong for them in this area was the whole issue of planning and he expects to see movement on that sooner rather than later. He is awaiting the appointmen t of the new person who will be in charge of agreeing Plan Generals and as soon as that isdone he will be seeking a meeting to pursue our plans.

Cuesta De Los Pinos & Los Menchones. I asked whether the Junta had appealed our case (in which the civil court had ruled in our favour) as I had heard from a solicitor acting for a resident near to my home that that was the case. Candido said he was sure no appeal had been lodged but immediately telephoned the Council's solicitor who informed him that a) no formal notification of appeal had been received from the Junta  b) even if they did so now it would fail on two counts firstly as it was out of time and secondly there would be legitimate reason for appealing it. He advised me to inform anyone in that area or the area of Los Menchones NOT to waste money on solicitors as there is no likelihood of any further court action.

Jardines del Almanzora I asked why the Police had been issuing parking tickets to people who lived near the swimming pool last week. He told me that that was a matter for the Police but as he understood it the Police had been warning people for about fifteen days in that area andf that the tickets had been issued to cars which were parked on the pavements or in a position which could cause an unnecessary obstruction. I asked if he thought enough warning of this type of avction had been given and he conceded that they could have done more but that that was a matter for them. He has agreed for me to spend some time with the Polizia Local next week to go around the area and look at areas where we may need to consider lines etc to improve the traffic flow. I also asked why tickets were not issued during football days. He said that they were usually on a weekend and at the moment we don't have them working weekends. (see para at the end re Police)

Abandoned developement past Llanos del Peral. I asked if there was any possibility in the future of something  being done with that. He said he did not know as the civil case has been heard and found in favour of the Town Hall but there was an outstanding criminal action not yet heard.  

Street Lighting; I asked what stage we were at regarding the installation of street lighting across the area. He informed me that he had checked and Tisan had submitted the necessary paperwork for the street in Llanos Del Peral and the part of Los Menchones on the right when going to Arboleas and it has been requested of Sevillana to connect those streets. Unfortunately the area of Los Menchones to the left when going to Arboleas Tisan have not yet submitted the paperwork so he cannot ask for the connection.

Street Signs. Still awaiting delivery from manufacturer. Hopefully next four weeks.

Latest Project. I was aware that the Town Hall is putting together an application for funding for the next project. Candido asked me if I had any ideas I wanted including in the Project and if I had any to suggest them soon. I said that he was aware of the things I hoped to see in the project and these are covered by what he has proposed to include; street lighting and tarmac road for Palaces from the main road to the new developements, street lighting for the main road between Cucador and Llanos del Peral and including barriers at the most dangerous parts of that road, some other items from the manifesto and a bowling green. They have also included a request to remodel the area in front of the old church in Llanos del Peral. I asked if the public or I would get to see the project before it was submitted and was told that it has to go before a Pleno before submission so all can see it. I was unaware that I could make suggestions for inclusion in these projects but, now that I know, I can I will give it some thought in the future.

Finally if I have remembered everything, the Police. We had a general discussion about how best to deploy the Police and the structure of them. We felt it was best if we had one chief of Police and he would need to be available 24x7x365 but we need to calculate how to remunerate such a person. In relation to the other officers we need to have some plans in place for when they eventually are fully qualified (about June). I was trying to work out some suggested shift  patterns when Candido said that we need to look at it a bit more closely as we need to find out if we need to pay them more money to work unsociable hours! I suggested we need to have cover at least up until midnight if not 1 or 2am and he agreed but we need to examine the options and the funding. He also suggest I arrange a day to spend with the Policia Local to discuss Parking issues, NHW, Pubwatch and any other ideas I have but not yet to discuss with them the hours of work.

I did get the very strong impressiion that he wants me and the other councillors to take more ownership of issues and alleviate some of the burden he is carrying. I said that I felt all along that he was not delegating anywhere near enough work. Again it came down to the pressure of all the court cases deviating him from what he wanted to achieve. Lets hope we can make some more progress with general issues in the community.