jiminy’s blog

More Delays

2008-07-02T18:02:33Z

Firstly I have again to apologise. I called into the Town Hall again with my lengthy list at 10.30am this morning. I had to wait for an hour and a half to get to see Candido who, together with Juanmi, was engrossed on the computers. I eventually got in to see him but he made it plain that he had lots to do and couldn't give me much time.

He explained that Franscisco (who has been his right hand man in doing council work was on honeymoon until 14th July) Manolo the deputy was also away and Juanmi works full time. He was effectively having to do most of the council's work on his own. That would be the case until the 14th so most of my questions/ideas/points would have to wait until after that date.

I was however able to get a few points across,

Firstly I again raised the issue of the Clay Pidgeon shooting club as I had continued to receive complaints and that a petition with nearly one hundred signatures had been with the Town Hall for 9 months and we had not discussed it. Another petition is being considered by residents of another area. He agreed that we needed to do so and that that would be a subject he would discuss as soon as we could get together after the fiesta.

One of the subjects I asked about was the location for the solar farm which was agreed in Pleno last week. He explained that if you continued through Llanos del Peral past the abandoned developement it was to be down the hill past that area. At that location I do not think it will be visible from the residential area.

I asked what we were going to do about setting the hours for the Polizia Local now that they were fully qualified (they and nearly 250 officers passed out in Sevilla last Friday) and when could I have an opportunity to brief them more fully on Neighbourhood Watch and some of our initiatives and ideas. He said that we would have to sit down with them soon but, before we do so, he has written to the opposition councillors to ask them for their views on hours of cover etc to try and ensure a fully supportive council on this issue.

One of the things that was taking a lot of time at the moment is the organisation of the Fiesta for La Alfoquia which will be on the 16th to the 20th July. They were frantically trying to prepare the brochure for it as it needed to go to the publishers tomorrow. As usual everything is last minute. I do wonder if I will ever be able to get the other council members to do a bit of forward planning. Not a subject that can be translated into Spanish.

As one of the opposition had had a go at me in the Pleno last week about my lack of Spanish I suggested that to ease my input at Pleno meetings we should have two way radios with discreet microphones/earpieces so that if needed I could communicate with my translator more easily and not interrupt the proceedings. He agreed to that.

Where possible I have informed those not on the internet regarding their issues.

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

Busy Town Hall

2008-07-01T09:43:45Z

Called in to the Town Hall today with my lengthy list of questions from last weeks Pleno meeting and the AUAN meeting but, as soon as I got there, I realised I would have to call back another day, as the place was full of people.

It transpired that they needed to appoint a life guard for the municipal swimming pool in La Alfoquia and they had a candidate who had to be tested, interviewed and contracted to start work this afternoon! They also had to interview and appoint two maintenance people for the pool as well and that also had to be done this morning! So typical.

I spoke briefly with Candido and he agreed to see me tomorrow morning. So sorry for the delay.

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

Pleno and AUAN

2008-06-27T17:29:17Z

Last night about 100 people attended a presentation by the AUAN (the non political organisation fighting on behalf of those people whose houses are or could be illegal) in the theatre at Zurgena.

Maura Hillen of the AUAN gave the presentation which outlined the circumstances and the time line of the process as relates to Zurgena. Unfortunately the Mayor could not attend as he was returning from Barcelona today and couldn't make it in time.I tried to answer people's questions on behalf of the council, however many were specific questions and I asked those persons to email me and I would try and get answers to their individual situations. I did end up with quite a lengthy list but I will work my way through it. If anyone has emailled or sent a communication through the blog and not got a reply by the 15th July please contact me again.

I actually met one gentleman who had emailled me a question some months ago and I had not answered him. I had to apologise, as I try, on every occasion, to respond.

Today the monthly Pleno was held at 12 noon in the new Ajuntameinto building, as usual. This is the only purpose that we are using it for due to the standard of the finish not being good enough. It was an interesting one as I did not have the services of my interpreter, so it was somewhat of a struggle. I had translated the agenda so at least I knew the points we were discussing and these included 3 points permitting various adjustments to the irrigation systems for the agriculture in La Alfoquia, Almajalejo and Palaces.

We then authorised the Mayor to make what decisions are necessary to achieve a green path through the municipality. Apparently most of the Town Halls of the Almanzora valley have agreed to contribute to the completion of a long cycle/walkway through the valley. Some are not going to do so but our council have agreed to do their bit and in furtherance of this we agreed to authorise the Mayor to take what steps necessary to get it started.

We then agreed the total population of Zurgena as at 1st January 2008 at 2,986, on the padron.

The next thing we discussed was approval for another solar farm, this time in Llanos del Peral. Apparently the Spanish government are issuing financial incentives for this kind of business so many are getting in on the act.

We then had a discussion about the siting of the junction for the motorway between Cucador and the E15. There are plans in existence showing the location of the proposed exit and the discussion was around where the junction was best located to serve the interests of residents. I gathered that no firm decision was made as discussions would have to be made with the contractors in the first instance. I am led to believe, although I haven't checked it out yet myself that the full existing route is viewable on the internet. I will try and identify the site in order that people may examine it.

One point (which is very interesting for those watching planning issues closely) was included in the resume of the previous Pleno was a list of 39 houses which qualified under the Junta's jurisdiction to be awarded funds to help the renovate their house. Such houses are granted points according to various criteria laid down by the Junta, and those who have accrued sufficient points get monies to assist in renovating their houses. ALL of the houses listed are, according to the Junta illegal. So we now have the farcical situation where the Junta are awarding funds for people to renovate homes which they have stated are illegal!

There were also four houses which had applied but did not qualify because either the house was not their main home or they earned too much.

I have only just (7.0pm) got my internet connection back. It has been down all day, so will be a little behind in getting things answered.

PLEASE NOTE MY EMAIL FOR COUNCIL AND NHW STUFF IS jiminysimpson@gmail.com

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

New Horizons Sewerage Charge

2008-06-26T09:10:24Z

I have been asked to inform all residents that New Horizons requires payment of the annual sewerage charge of €50 per household payable by the 15th July 2008.

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

AUAN Meeting & Police

2008-06-25T18:38:08Z

The 3 Police Officers who have been training for the past 12 months are to be sworn in as full officers tomorrow at a ceremony in Seville. When they return they will have their full powers and we will see what we can expect in regard to hours and cover etc.
I have included the below information at the request of the AUAN. For those of you who are unaware of the AUAN they are a group organised to help fight the problem of illegal builds.
Are you concerned about recent events in Zurgena?
Would you like more information?
Do you want to find out what YOU can do about it?
With kind permission of Zurgena council, the AUAN will present a background to the planning crisis:
Date........ Thursday, 26th June
Venue...... Zurgena Theatre
Time........ 19.00 hours

- Zurgena council will be represented by Jim Simpson.
- There will be a Q&A session at the end.
- ADMISSION IS FREE
Directions to Theatre
--------------------
Take the road to La Alfoquia, then on through to Zurgena.Turn right into the town, down the hill, and follow the road for about 50 metres. A large public square is on the left. Park the car!
As you look at the square from the road, walk up the left-hand side. Continue up that road (Glorieta del Olmo) after the square finishes. The theatre is mustard coloured, the second door on your left after number 9, about 60 metres from the end of the square.

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

Bar and Noise

2008-06-19T08:25:57Z

Whilst I was in the Town Hall yesterday I asked if they had any knowledge of who is going to run the new bar restaurant being built at Cuesta de los Pinos (as I had heard various rumours). The Town Hall had not yet received anything in relation to thei premises.

I also asked a question about the rules regarding noise in Spain as I had had a number of complaints from people about noisy parties etc. Diego, our Policeman informed me that there is a law enforceable by the Polizia local or Guardia and basically that if anyone is making a lot of noise after midnight they will attend and ask them to turn it down. There is also a method by which the Town Hall can deem a specific premises to be noisy and take action against the owner of those premises.

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

Certificate of Antiquity

2008-06-17T09:11:49Z

Whilst in the Town Hall this morning I was discussing the above certificates, which the utility companies used to accept in lieu of licences of 1st Occupation. I say 'used to' because nowadays, due to the investigations etc they also ask for a letter from the Town Hall to say that there is no problem about licences of 1st occupation, relative to that particular property, which of course they cannot now give.

The Certificate of Antiquity from Zurgena Town Hall now cost €1,500 for a property between 4 and 10 years old and €100 for over 10 years.

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

Jardines del Almanzora Pools

2008-06-17T08:58:03Z

Following a request from a resident of this area to question why the communal pools were still unavailable to residents I asked the question today.

Enquiries of the Town Hall staff revealed that nearly everything has been done to allow the use of these pools. The sanitary department at Huercal Overa have examined them and given the necessary licence. All that remains is for the architect to visit the site and check it out and complete an official information form and they can then be used.

I have asked that the architect be given this job as a priority and I have been assured he will but from my experience he is not the most pnctual or reliable! Having said that I have already had a phone call back from the Town Hall to say that the Mayor has spoken with the architect and he will get on with it as soon as he can.

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

Latest Bits and Bobs

2008-06-10T11:10:01Z

Called into the Town Hall this morning to try and get a few more answers to some issues.

Firstly I asked about the situation for a number of residents on my developement who do not yet have Licences of 1st Occupation. I had previously taken in copies of the building licences and competion of works forms for these houses. It was explained to me that the situation was very complex primarily because of the ongoing investigation. As it is so complex I will not elaborate on it here but discuss with the individuals concerned.

Secondly I asked if the Town hall was responsible for the upkeep of the road between Cucador and Llanos Del Peral and I was informed that it is. suggested we needed to carry out some repairs as the road surface is breaking up in parts and there are a number of large holes. I was told that there is a contract out for some road surfacing (including the road in Palaces) to be done later this month or early July and that that contractor will use any spare tarmac to make good these holes.

I had been asked by someone how to use the new rubbish bins as they now had yellow and grey bins. The yellow bins are for recyclable materials including tin cans, plastic or tera packs but no glass. The other is for general refuse.

I again asked about the street sigs as I had originally told people that they would be erected in January! I was also under the impression that they had been made. This I found out was incorrect as the council had disagreed with the manufacturer about the price but whilst I was there they negotiated with the manufacturer and he brought his price down. It is now going to cost €24,360 for all 700 signs.I was asked where I wanted the signs to be erected first (with the implication being I wanted my own area done first) and I suggested that the area that most needed them was the area around the pool bar in La Alfoquia. Candido said that we should get the first signs in a few weeks and what we would do is do a street at a time as we would also need to number each and every house and obtain the names of each occupant whilst we do that. I informed him that we had a number of Neighbourhood Watch coordinators who could assist with that project.

I also raised the issue of the petition which had been submitted last November about the noise from the Clay Pidgeon shooting club as a few people had emailled me asking what had happened to this issue. Candido again said it was something the council would have to discuss. I said that he had said that before but we still hadn't done it. He said he would try and get a meeting organised in the next week or two, so I have made a note in my diary to chase up by the 24th June.

I also asked if the theater was available on 26th June as the A.U.A.N. wanted to use it for a public meeting. I was advised that as a councillor I could apply to use it at any time and all I need do is submit an application in Spanish.

Lastly whilst I was there the secretary brought in a letter from another politician who was querying the location of roundabouts and junctions for the new motorway as he had heard they were now planning the stretch from Cucador to La Conception. During that discussion I discovered that there is to be a roundabout at Cucador and the motorway will join the E15 near the Ballabona services. The suggestion from the Town Hall was that the only other junction needed between Cucador and the Ballabona would be one nearer to Palaces not La Conception. The motorway is supposed to be complete by 2010.

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

Cuesta de los Pinos Licences & Palaces & Car Tax

2008-06-04T16:09:44Z

As a result of my last posting a number of people, from Cuesta de los Pinos, forwarded to me documents in order that I could ascertain the situation regarding their Licences of 1st Occupation which had been promised but not produced.

I took these documents into the Town Hall today but was unable to see any of the councillors responsible for planning. I have left them for Candido to instigate enquiries to find out what the situation is regarding these licences and give me an answer later this week.

Secondly I had been contacted by a resident of Palaces who had recently attended the Fiesta and felt that it was a shame that there were not more opportunities to integrate with the Spanish community. I think he felt that once a year was not enough and was asking if there was anything else we could. He also asked about the disused schoolhouse in the village and whether that could be utilised in any other way. I was told that I would need to speak with Candido about this. There was some suggestion that the old schoolhouse had been considered for some other purposes but it was not thought that a community centre was what was considered. I will discuss with them when I get the opportunity and see if there is anything they feel would be worthwhile.

I also asked about car tax as I noticed that a sum of €102.42 had gone out of my bank account on the 18th April. I was sure it was car tax, as it usually goes out in April or May but I had not received my paper receipt. They did confirm to me that was the correct amount for a 2 litre car. The amount chargeable is based purely on engine size and for me is payable each April.

Read and post comments | Send to a friend