All Closed

As from today all Town Hall owned sports and general facilities are to close to prevent the spread of the Covid 19 coronavirus.

This included walking football, the sports hall and all other facilities normally open to the general public.

End of an Era

As quite a few of you know, due to family circumstances, my wife and I have decide to return to the UK.

This was decision made with a very heavy heart. We have enjoyed over 16 fantastic years here, making many friends from various countries but most importantly our Spanish friends who took us into their lives and made this period of our lives such a truly special time. We have lived here in Zurgena longer than anywhere else during our marriage and I did think we could have stayed longer but circumstances dictated otherwise.

I thought I would share my experience of selling my home here for the benefit of any of my readers who may consider it in the future so they will be better aware, as it is an expensive process. 

On selling we put the house in the hands of 3 agents and by doing so are committed to paying 3% to the agent who sells. In addition to that cost there is a 3% tax for non tax residents (but if you are tax resident you will not have this to pay). Then there is plus valia a tax based on the difference between the value of your house and land at the time you bought to the value at date off sale. On top of this there are the solicitors fees approx €500, notary fees about €400 and we had to pay a technician to have our deeds incorporate the pool and garage (which I stupidly thought had been done as they were both on the property when we bought it) - another €600.

There is one further charge which I accepted although it is very ironic. Because we now have our properties on Urbanisable land, we are in much better legal standing than the rest of the houses in the valley. However, and here is the rub, because we are now on urbanizable land but it is not yet at the urban consolidated classification there will probably be a charge to elevate our properties to that state in some years time. The cost for this is unknown but not expected to be more than one or two thousand dependant on what infrastructure is already in existence. So solicitors acting for buyers are aware of this and ask for a retention or reduction in the price. I accepted a reduction of €3,000. It is not of course necessary to accept this and forms part of the negotiation but thought it better to let everyone know my experience so they can factor it in when setting a price.

We have received the deposit of €3,000 and should receive the 10% this week. Contracts are signed and we await a date for completion, which may be before the end of August. 

Regarding the blog, I will try and make arrangements for it to be continued either by myself from the UK or someone else here in Spain. I am in discussions with the Mayor about various issues regarding ex pats in Zurgena but I can assure you that he and the remainder of the council will continue to be 100% supportive of our community and the integration of it within the rest of society here. We already have an expat who was on our list at the last election who will now have a seat on the council and I will introduce her once I have sorted a few other things.

You already have Jose Manuel, Andres and Christina who are bilingual in the office and the technical architect Jose Carlos also speak a bit of English. 

I will continue with things as they are at the moment and will keep you all updated with any developments  but due to todays announcement there may be a delay! 

        

Distribution of Free Masks. (Update 23.7)

Ewe are pleased to inform all our residents that an arrangement has been made to allow 3 free masks to be given to all those over 65 years of age. I apologise for the lateness of the circulation but if anyone has missed out today they can call at the Pharmacy after Monday July 27th.

People over 65 and pensioners will benefit from this Wednesday from this distribution, which will be staggered (by age brackets), of three surgical masks. These will be issued free of charge by the Andalusian Government as a prevention and support measure for these most vulnerable groups of the population in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic and to combat possible new outbreaks in the community.

A single batch of three masks per person will be delivered and can be withdrawn at the pharmacy by presenting your health card.

Collection is in order according to the age of the beneficiary:

Wednesday, July 22, people 80 years of age or older;

Thursday 23, 70 years or more;

Friday 24, 65 years or more;

Saturday 25, rest of pensioners under 65.

From Monday July 27 and onwards, those who have not been able to attend on their assigned day.

To the use of the mask as a preventive measure, the rest of the hygienic sanitary measures are of course to be continued: continuous hand washing and interpersonal distance.

Update 

Unfortunately, there was such a run on them on Wednesday, the Farmacia in Zurgena is now out of stock and will not have any more until next week. Thanks to Mike Woolnough for this information.

IBI Bills 2020

For the information of all residents the IBI (Council Tax equivalent) bills are available from today from the Town Hall and can be paid any date up to the 20th November.

New Mask Rules

From today the wearing of masks in all public places whether open or closed is now mandatory punishable by a fine. But there are exceptions to the new rules. According to the order, people with respiratory problems, or those who cannot wear masks for other health reasons or due to a disability, are exempt from wearing them. The order makes exceptions for cases where wearing a mask is incompatible with carrying out activities, due to the nature of the activity. The Health Ministry confirmed to Spanish radio station Cadena SER on Wednesday that running falls under this exception. This means that people do not need to wear a mask while going for a jog. The order also sets out exceptions for instances of “force majeure.”

• You will not be forced to wear a mask when individually practising sports outside, nor when the use of a mask can be counterproductive.
• In restaurants this rule will be exempt when eating, drinking or smoking for example on a bar terrace. If you are sat at your table with your family or nucleus of friends, you will not have to wear this either. If you are sat by 
• Furthermore, a mask will be compulsory when driving your private vehicle if there are people who do not live with you in the car.
• yourself then the same applies you do not have to wear the mask.

Water Interruption Palaces

There is a burst water pipe which is affecting the Palaces area this morning. They hope to have it fixed very quickly

CAT Services Translation Services Terminated

I am sorry to report that from today 14th July the free doctors translation service can no longer be provided by the Town Hall due to legal constraints.

CAT Services es will continue to provide their paid for booking and translation service but if you do use this service you will have to pay for it from today.

I am sorry about this but due to stricter regulations we can no longer provide this free service. You are of course free to use any other translation service and appointments are easily booked through the Juntas website.