Roads and Clean ups

We have an ongoing programme for maintenance and resurfacing works across the municipality. This is done in conjunction with the Junta de Almeria. 

The next project which is awaiting final sign off (but that should happen in the next 2 weeks) is for the resurfacing of the Calle Nicolas Salmon along the stretch near the junction with Calle Abderramann 3. 

The Town Hall is also going to do maintenance in the area of Calle Finlandia/Lituania within the next couple of weeks. Other areas will follow.

A number of these jobs were delayed due to the damage caused by the recent storms. 

Kids Club

A new Kids Club has been set up for our area and it is to hold its first get together Friday 3rd December at 1500 hours. 

This is an ideal chance for any ex pat parents of young kids to enjoy time in a mixed language environment for the benefit of the kids and an opportunity for mothers to socialise. 

The Kids Club will meet in the library in Zurgena. If you do not know where it is I have added it to Google maps so if you search for Zurgena Library it should show it )after 24 hours from now 1700 Monday 22nd).

It is being organised by Lianne, who many of you may know. It will concentrate on using English so the Spanish kids can practice and if anyone wishes to go along to help out please contact Lianne either through Facebook at       

 https://www.facebook.com/lianne.wright12

or her helper Hannah Bigley

https://www.facebook.com/hannah.bigley.77

Or just call in on the day. 

Final Date for IBI Payments

 Important:

We remind you that the last day of the voluntary payment period of the Real Estate Tax (IBI) is Monday November 22nd.

May : To do this you can 

- [] Request your invoice at the Town Hall offices or

- [] request it by email: ay Ayuntamiento@zurgena.es (until the 22nd at 2:00 p.m.)

If you fail to pay by then it will attract financial penalties.

Railway Association Meeting (Exciting Times)

The Zurgena Railway Association have arranged their Annual General Meeting to be held at midday on Monday 6th December (Constitution Day which is a Public Holiday).  It will be held in the Renfe building at Alfoquia. 

I highly recommend as many people as possible attend this meeting. The reason I say this is to be able to show support and learn about the exciting projects that the association has in store for the area. 

If the support is there and the team continue to progress their ideas, as they are doing, it will be a wonderful project for the future of the area both from both a locals perspective and for visitors. 

So put the date and time in your diary and pop along and discover the exciting news and plans on Monday 6th December at 12 midday at the Renfe building (opposite the Coviran).

Driving Licences in Spain post Brexit

There has been much discussion about the position of UK expats resident in Spain and their UK driving licence. There is news that the Spanish government are requiring such drivers to exchange their UK licences of Spanish ones from 1st November.  In view of this I have copied below the advice from the gov.uk website regarding UK driving licences in Spain. You can sign up for the email alerts on the UK gov.uk website The link below includes this.

UK residents Driving Licence in Spain

 Read our guidance for UK licence-holders about:

• what you need to drive in the EU
• general driving regulations

The British and Spanish governments are negotiating on long-term arrangements for exchanging driving licences without needing a practical test. Sign up for email alerts to get notified when we update this page.

If you were living in Spain before 1 January 2021, your valid UK driving licence will be recognised for driving in Spain until 31 December 2021.

If you moved to Spain after 1 January 2021, your valid UKlicence will be recognised for 6 months from the date you obtained residence, or until 31 December 2021, whichever is later.

If you live in Spain, you must exchange your UK driving licence for a Spanish one. You cannot use an International Driving Permit (IDP) instead.

What you need to do depends if you registered your details and intention to exchange with the Spanish Traffic Authority (DGT) before 30 December 2020. Read the Spanish Traffic Authority’s (DGT) guidance on using and exchanging licences in Spain (in Spanish, with English translation).

If you registered your details with the Spanish Traffic Authority (DGT) before 30 December 2020

If you lived in Spain before 1 January 2021 and registered your details and intention to exchange with the DGT before 30 December 2020, you should request an appointment with the DGT to exchange your UKlicence by 31 December 2021.

You will need:

• proof you are registered as a resident in Spain (eg. TIE - Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero; green EUresidence certificate)
• your UK licence

Read the DGT’s guidance on how to get an appointment(in Spanish with English translation).

The DGT will exchange your UK licence for a temporary driving permit (‘autorización temporal para conducir’) until your Spanish licence is ready. This document is valid in Spain only.

If you did not register your details with DGT before 30 December 2020

If you did not register with DGT before 30 December 2020 and wish to obtain a Spanish driving licence now, you should follow the DGT process for non-EUnationals. This includes taking a driving test.

Sent from my iPhone

TIE Issues & Covid

 I keep hearing of people having issues getting their TIEs even though they applied prior to 31st December  2020. 

There are a nub er of issues which can impact these applications but in general if paperwork is correct and applications were made in the time scale then they will be sorted. However if you wish to take a more proactive role in getting your TIE I received this poster yesterday. Which seems to be another way forward if you are having difficulties. 

Continued good news on Covid still no active cases this week in Zurgena.

Water Interruption

A water main pipe serving the Alfoquia area has fractured.

Galasa are working on it but the water will be off all morning. 

Apologies for not updating my intern went down for 24 hours.