Friday 29th October

Managed some time with Candido this morning and the following is a resume of our discussions,

1. The meeting which the AUAN had with the Consejeria de Andalucia last Monday, and which Candido was informed of too late to be able to attend, transpires was a bit of a waste of time. The main reason for this being that the person chairing that meeting, Rosa Aguilar, the big boss, was, two days later appointed by Zapatero as a minister, and therefore anything she committed to would have to be renegotiated by her successor. Candido asked me if I would attend any future similar meeting as he had discovered that what was said to the expat community was different to that which was told to the Spanish politicians. As I could sit in on the one hand as a councillor and in the other as an expat resident they would not be able to do the same thing next time. He has a meeting arranged with the new Consejeria on the 2nd November (he showed me the invite) and promised to let me know how it goes.

2. Jose has been unable to provide me with either the electoral list or the CD of the plan. Candido asked the architect if we had a copy of the plan which he could let me have but, it transpired that the only ones we have in the Town Hall are old ones and of little value. The architect has said he will try and get a copy from Almeria or see if they can do one for us. In relation to persons checking whether they are on the voting list for next elections we will try and issue some advice soon. We need to get the telephone number in the public domain although anyone wishing to check may need to be able to speak Spanish. We could alternatively get one of the Town Hall staff to ring up on the individuals behalf and whilst this may be time consuming for the Town Hall I think it may be the way forward. Will let you know.

3. The state of the road entering Cucador is now getting quite serious and I told him that the work done, by the Spanish family who built the house, to install their pipework etc stretches about 100 yards and is a real mess. We agreed to send the Polizia Local to speak to the people and tell them to put it right immediately or we would get it done and bill them for it. The case regarding the illegal erection of this house is obviously still going through the process.

4. A rumour that the Gun Clb has permission to open from 31st October. Candido checked with the secretary and no such permissions have been given.

5. The untidy mess around the Aurora homes in La Alfoquia. Candido said this was the same houses that we had discussed before, which were built by Dizu, but that, due to the Court orders, we could not do anything with it either. However, he said that because it was such a mess he may risk the wrath of the courts and try and get the area tidied up.

6. The lighting for Cuesta de los Pinos. He said there was a slight delay as we have to await the signing off by Endesa and the publication of the boletin, which should occur in the next couple of weeks.

7. I asked if I could put a link from this blog to the Town Hall website and after discussions it was agreed that we need to await clearance from the Diputacion who pay for this site. Andreas will make enquiries over the next few days.

8. Work to start on organisng our papers to process the IBI bills. We are still awaiting the files from the Catastral office. Salvadore has asked for them 3 times now and we are still waiting. Candido said he thought we may need a lorry to bring the paperwork back!

9. Reminded Candido of the British Legion church service on the 11th and he said he would be attending. I undertand you are all welcome. Service starts at 10.30am on the 11th.

10. other information. a) I have to chase Francisco re the Parabolic mirror and the traffic calming measures for Cuesta de los Pinos. b) I gave Paco the list of street signs missing wthat we need to order and erect. He said he would do that in November. c) Also asked Paco to look at the tree which is causing an obstruction to exiting traffics view from Palaces. He sadi he would look at that today. d) the Correos is considering reducing the hours that Zurgena Post Office is open to one hour a day and is also considering moving the best staff. Mike Foulkes has organised a petition copies of which are at al the usual locations including the Town Hall. e) A new Spanish bar is opening tomorrow night in La Alfoquia next to Bar Trabalon (it is in what was to be the front office for the big developement in Llanos del Peral) and is called 'bakkama'.

Finally a great bit of news and that is that the Town Hall have won another case in the High Court just this Wednesday past. The case was the one in relation to Los Cabreras and Los Puntales and the High Court ruled that the Junta were too late in bringing the action and it was thrown out.

As usual any questions or clarification just email me at jiminysimpson@gmail.com or ring 661147554.