Meeting OVFC with Mayor and Council 1 July 2024

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Notes of Meeting OVFC with Mayor and Council 1 July 2024

One Voice for Cumbre welcomes Dirk Rheindorf, now President of AVIB, to our meetings and discussions and he came with us to meet Mayor Miguel Angel and Councillors Isabel and Javi. There is good news about one of the speed limits and more information about recycling. We have asked further questions about fire prevention and local taxis and of course, about the water. The situation of the water availability and quality was discussed. All the planning that has gone into improvements with a budget of 800,000€ has not improved the situation in this drought year. The latest report on the water in Benitachell that we have (thanks to a neighbour) gives this information.

Present: Miguel Angel (Mayor), Isabel (Health and Social Services), Javi (Recycling) Carla (communications) Paul, Dirk, Gerald and Margaret OVFC

Recycling and Rubbish Project

Javi reported that all locations for recycling points were now decided. The Mayor had signed the agreement with VAPF and it was awaiting Pedro's signature. The locations remain the same. The project implementation would begin after the summer. 

OVFC supports the project but it is important that information is spread through as many channels as possible (see below communications) especially not all EU countries use the same colours or the same system (UK) in the same way. 

A public meeting at el Puig was still intended to launch the system.

Colloquia put information out and the mailing list included Presidents and Administrators of Pueblos and Comunidades.

Communication

All present had concerns that Presidents and Administrators of Pueblos and Comunidades are not sending out important information to their members despite having that information through Colloquia. Agreed that Paul would send contact information to Carla. 

NB This has now been done. 

Health situation, both Primary care and hospital Denia

Isabel reported that she and the Mayor had made representation but there were no doctors. However an agreement was now in place that certain municipalities would have priority on new doctors and Benitachell was on that list. Noted that complaints should be made where there was bad or poor service and a copy of the complaint sent to the Town Hall for the attention of Isabel. The 24 hour service should be used as it was generally good and efficient. Problems remained at the hospital as a result of the transfer and hopefully that would be resolved. 

Water supply and quality

Current situation was slightly better because of the recent storm. Expenditure and planning for future years was on track for new water treatment plants, wellls and a pipeline from Jávea together with a deal for purchase of desalinated water ( finally giving 7,500 cubic metres more) but that did not help the current situation. Usage would outstrip supply.

Notification of the issue (drinkable water but not recommended due to salt content) was sent out with the last water invoice.

The huge increase in the summer population was part of the problem (same with recycling) including Air B&B . The register of tourist villas/apartments was  982 for the municipality (which is high) but the reality was probably rather different. There was a register of all the properties and access to it could be legally gained. The Town Hall now had responsibility for registration within the municipality. 

Fire prevention and action plan

Cumbre has hundreds of dying pine trees and the Council was waiting for advice from the Valencian government on the action to be taken. OVFC was concerned about the outbreak of a fire spreading across the urban areas. The Mayor said that the plan for fighting a fire was as it always was and that work had been carried out to clean up forest areas.  OVFC would continue to monitor the situation.

Cala Moraig and parking, Parking limitations

No information was available on the revenue collected. Fines were being issued. Residents parking was free but they should book on the app just the same. A strong plea was made for the removal of parking restrictions on the sea side of the Ctra Central (to facilitate residents). This was agreed. Also a request was made for the wider parts of Ctra de la Playa del Moraig to be the same. 

Speeding and prevention signs etc

Funding for speed cameras had been applied for. The request for flashing speed restriction signs on Ctra Central and Ctra de La Playa del Moraig,was repeated.  The 30km restriction sign would be replaced by a 50km sign. 

Signs

A sign to say “Benitachell” at the entrances to Cumbre has been promised several times but  progress was being made

Noise

Reporting and control of noise was in the hands of the police and they should be called. However, flagrant abuse on the construction sites of Magnolias and Montecala would be taken up by the Mayor. 

NB Subsequent abuse of the ban resulted in several police visits and finally the rules are being obeyed.

Urbanismo

Concerns voiced by OVFC about the planning department (now in refurbished offices) were not well received. The problem was considered to be the changes over time of the planning rules (especially with the positioning of garages!). Although technically any changes in a house (such as re-tiling ) was notifiable, it was only changes to the outside and aspect of the villa which needed permission. OVFC still considered that the different laws between the urbanisations and the village should be more transparent. OVFC would monitor the situation.