Sewerage Work Complete Los Llanos & A Thank you

The work to connect the houses in the area of Calle Abderraman 3 and Calle Adriano to the main sewerage pipe is complete and residents in that area may now connect their waste pipe to the main. Any questions just email

Secondly I just wanted to say a thank you to all the community. Over the past several years the amount of charitable giving from the expat community has been amazing. I have listed below most that I can remember and I am sure I will have missed someone or something out and if so I apologise. Just wanted to record my, the Town Hall and on behalf of all the recipients of your generosity.

Church congregation Los Llanos Church for  monthly food bags and Xmas presents.

The Sleepcentre Albox for their donations of beds and mattresses

The Union Bar and Cielos for cash donations for the schools from events.

Harmony Charity for various donations to help the less fortunate and local children.

PiRDA Computer charity (Albox Computer Club) for many installations and donations of computers to the schools and needy.

In addition to the above organisations there have been many individual donations from people too numerous to mention.

So a big thank you to you all. It helps hugely to create a great impression to our Spanish neighbours in whose area we have made our lives

Good News and Saturdays Trip

Just received a message to the effect that the UK and Spain have signed an agreement protecting the voting rights of each countries residents in the others local elections.

This was one area I was little concerned about due to Brexit. Although I was aware negotiations were ongoing, it is pleasing to hear that both governments have reached this agreement to protect this important right.

This Saturdays trip to Velez Blanco castle, Olive Mill, winery and bodega with lunch still has a few places available but booking closes on Wednesday. 

RESIDENCY

I AM RECEIVING MANY QUESTIONS AROUND THE ISSUE OF RESIDENCY FOR BRITISH PEOPLE RESIDENT IN SPAIN AND THE EFFECT OF BREXIT.

I HAVE SPENT SOME TIME WITH OUR SECRETARY AND SPOKEN ON THE TELEPHONE WITH THE OFFICE OF EXTRANJEROS IN ALMERIA TO GET THE DEFINITIVE STATE OF AFFAIRS AT THE MOMENT.

THE FOLLOWING IS CORRECT. 

ONCE YOU REGISTER WITH THE OFFICE OF EXTRANJEROS AND YOUR TOWN HALL (PADRON) YOU ARE CLASSIFIED AS A PERMANENT RESIDENT OF SPAIN. THE ONLY EXCEPTION TO THIS IS WHERE YOUR NIE (REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE FROM OFFICE OF EXTRANJEROS) STIPULATES AN END DATE. 

IF THIS CHANGES IN ANY WAY AS A RESULT OF THE BREXIT NEGOTIATIONS THE OFFICE OF EXTRANJEROS WOULD COMMUNICATE WITH YOU ANYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW.

IF YOU ARE NEWLY REGISTERING AS A RESIDENT THEN, TO BE ABLE TO REGISTER, THE AUTHORITIES NOW REQUIRE YOU TO SHOW PROOF OF INCOME OF €5,700 PER INDIVIDUAL OR €9,500 PER COUPLE PER ANNUM.

Bodega and Olive trip

We are organising a short trip for Saturday 26th January to Velez Rubio.

The visit is to an ecological Olive Factory, with tastings, followed by a visit to a local Bodega (those who attended the food course week will know the wine!). During the trip we will visit the grapevines and see the manufacturing process before some tastings of the wine.

Finally a trip to the Castle at Velez Blanco. A small interesting point about the castle is the fact that some of the artwork from it is currently on display in the Museum in New York.

This will be followed by a lunch at the bodega.

The price of the trip including the coach, guide, english interpreter and lunch will be €22pp. Coach departs 0950 La Alfoquia and 0955 Zurgena.

Places will be limited so please confirm if you wish to attend as soon as you can.

House Fire Ladies

Just to update people regarding the situation with the ladies from the house fire.

I met with both ladies yesterday morning and thanks to the amazing community spirit and support they are slowly rebuilding their lives.

From individuals to groups, charities and the Town Hall they are getting on with things. They have had help to sort bank, transport, clothing, medicine etc and have expressed their amazement at the level of support they have received. Thanks to all who have assisted.

House Fire

Yesterday afternoon there was a fierce house fire in a semi detached cortijo at the side of the main road in Los Carasoles. The two lady occupants were rescued and taken to hospital where they were later discharged.
We have attended to see if we could provide any assistance as the house is completely gutted but we are having great difficulty in contacting them. Presumably they are with friends but if anyone out there knows them please make them aware that the Town Hall is available to provide any assistance they require.
The only details I have is that they are called Annie Paton and Barbara. I believe one of them is American and the other English. If any of the readers of this blog know them please pass on my contact details in case they want or need any help. As you can see the house is completely gutted so I am sure they will want some assistance.

Last Nights Meeting

Firstly a big thank you to all who attended the meeting last night. A turnout of almost 200 people was very good given the cold conditions (although the installation of two large patio heaters helped!

The reason that both I and the Mayor were pleased, to see such a good number attend, was that it is noticed by the 2 more powerful politicians who were in attendance and sends a message to them. If they can see (as they did form last night attendance) that these issues are of importance to us they will feel more pressure to act. As they can see the support and strength of feeling. One of the reasons why Luis (Mayor) alluded to the fact that, during negotiations, he kept threatening to take a convoy of coaches to demonstrate outside their offices! So thanks for helping us ensure they know we care!

I had been asking, for some time, for Luis to hold a Public Meeting to explain what the situation was now that our plan has been agreed, as I felt it was of real importance for people to understand. For us to explain that people can now have total security in their land and property. However some responses after the meeting suggest that not everyone was pleased to hear this news!

To summarise the meeting;
For the past 12 years (for me) and for the past 6 years (for Luis) our work has been targeted towards obtaining an agreed PGOU Urban Plan. I opened the meeting and introduced the people assisting This included 2 Delegates for Development from the Junta, Luis our Mayor, Technical Architects Francisco Salvadore, Manuel Tijeras and Jose Carlos. Jose Manuel did the translation.
Luis then did a presentation outlining the depth of the effort and work in achieving this PGOU (1 of only 5 in the whole of Andalucia).
He then introduced the two delegates, from the Junta, without whose help we could not have obtained the agreement. They both alluded to the tenacity of Zurgena TH in pursuing the plan during the past many years.
Then, for the more important part of the meeting, Francisco Salvadore explained what the plan sets out area by area and how it establishes legal standing of all land upon which houses are built. Setting out how progress can be made to develop the municipality, how licences can now, or soon, be considered, how almost all properties now have legal protection and stand on land which is in one urban state or another.
It is pointless trying to cover all  on here and I will be making a copy of the plan available for viewing in the Town Hall next week. A large scale copy of this plan was on display at the meeting and shows the route of the new motorway.
He explained, and was supported by Luis that, with the plan, we can now address  a number of issues to move land which is classified as Urban Non Consolidated to one of Urban Consolidated. Some areas require very little where others require more work. In order to address this the TH will be setting up a cabinet to examine each areas standing, requirements and costs and prioritise tackling each area in order to get all to this fully legal status. We are in the vanguard of this process in Andalucia.

Any general questions (for example what classification your land is) which you may not have had the chance to ask can be forwarded to me however, specifics will have to be addressed after the cabinet is established which I hope will be done by March.

So to conclude thanks for attending and showing your support for our efforts on your behalf and I hope you now have a much better understanding of our work and your legal situation as a result.

Tonights Meeting and Gym Supervisor

A final reminder about tonights (Friday 11th) meeting at 6.0pm in the Renfe.

I have obtained one and hope to have 2 more maps which cover the entire municipality and are a key source of reference with regard to the Plan. In addition the plan shows the route of the (yet to be built) extension of the motorway. These will be on display at the meeting. The funds have now been signed off for the extension and so the work should commence in the next couple of months.

I have asked that we put in some heaters to the Renfe. As many of you know it can be cold in there, so this should help address that.

Second issue is the Gymnasium. As you know Jose Manuel has now taken on responsibility for managing the gym and at this moment in time June Hamilton is running her classes most mornings. We would like to open the gym in the afternoons as well for about 3 hours a day. We are looking to find someone who may wish to do this for maybe 5 days a week from 1830 to 2130. Whoever is interested would only need to be able to speak a bit of basic Spanish and be able to supervise adults. The premises are insured through Jose. The person taking on this role could charge the people who wish to use the gym a fee (previously €20 per month). If interested please contact me to discuss. 

Appeal for Help

We have a Spanish citizen who has recently been released from prison and has very little amenities in his house. I have received a request to ask if anyone has a small portable small cooker and/or s mall room heater.
If anyone has one of these they are not using please let me know.


Update Thanks we now have two room heaters for him but not a cooker or means of heating up food.

Now thanks to the charity Harmony we now also have a new 3 ring cooker with regulator for him to cook his food on. So many thanks.

Three Kings

Today if you have any gifts for the children these can be taken to the theatre in zurgena between 1100 and 1200 or this afternoon between 4 and 5pm. The procession will start at Barrio de Chicago at 5.0pm then into Alfoquia and then Zurgena at 6.0pm.

Xmas Winners

Photos below of the winners of the Xmas Decoration Competitions including our own Jon and Josette  Arrowsmith who won best exterior lighting.

Lights Meeting etc

Firstly I reminder that it is a week today until our meeting at 6.0pm in the Renfe to explain the PGOU. This is, as many of you know, a most important step for Zurgena (and for us all). I have informed the people in the Town Hall that the expat community will be attending in high numbers, which is why we have decide to use the Renfe. We are finalising the order of the meeting and the attendees which I shall post when finalised probably on Tuesday so this is just a reminder to keep 6.0pm next Friday free!

Secondly it is good to be able to report that Jon and Josette Arrowsmith of Palaces won the Xmas decorated house competition. I shall post pictures when we have all the competitions finished.

I have about another 3 weeks to consider if I am going to stand again in the upcoming local elections (26th May) so doing lots of thinking.

Finally a travel agents asked me to post this trip. This is not a subsidised TH trip (although I am trying to organise one for the end of January). They are picking up in Zurgena. If interested contact the agent direct.

Happy New Year and Gym hours

Firstly let me wish all the readers fo this blog a very Happy New Year. I hope 2019 will be a great year for all of you.

I am returning from spending Xmas with my family in the UK and will be back in the office on Thursday morning, so that normal service can be resumed!

I have attached below June Hamiltons poster for the hours which the she will be holding her classes in the public gymnasium in La Alfoquia. We hope to be able to announce later hours for the gym as we are discussing with different individuals who could cover afternoon or evening hours. If and when these are agreed I will post.

Not yet got the final detail of who will be at the PGOU meeting on the 11th January in the Renfe at 1800 hours but hope to confirm that shortly.