Minutes of the OVFC meeting at the Town Hall

 

• Present: Miguel Ángel García (Mayor), Councillors Victor Bisquert (Councillor for Tourism, Heritage and Communication) María José Ivars (Councillor for Public Safety, Mobility, Works and Services, Beaches and Environment) Isabell Garrido (Councillor for Social Services, Health and Functional Diversity, Senior Citizens and Equality and Gender Policies) Margaret and Gerald Hales (OVFC), Paul Davies (OVFC), Marianne Pätzold (OVFC)

• Date and venue: 18th July 2025 at the Town Hall

• Review of the post on urban development since 1970: The post about the history of Cumbre del Sol (as produced by OVFC) was discussed with Councillor Victor, who suggested some additional points. These would be incorporated as appropriate and then published. Afternote: the post had now been published on 3th September and had proved popular recording 662 views in a few days.

• Maintenance plan. From October/November, a stand-alone contractor would be responsible for street cleaning, weed cutting and tree pruning on municipal land for Cumbre del Sol ‘including’ Calistros and Pueblo Alcasar.

• Dead trees: A study has already been carried out and there was a plan to remove dead trees throughout the whole municipality between 2025 and 2027. The area affected was about 205,000m2. It will be also done by a stand-alone and partially financed by a grant. VAPF, the Provincial Council of Alicante and communities are responsible for the land they own. It was recommended that the town hall should inform the communities about their responsibility. OVFC emphasized the concerns residents had with so many dead trees around them. 

• Water supply: The water situation was much better than last year. There has been more rain and the aquifer of the Benissa Depression, where our water comes from, has benefited from these rainfalls. The salinity is much lower than last year at this time. During July  2 or 3 about 1.700m3 was purchased from the desalination plant in Javea. In August the extension works on the Canor Bezo well would be completed and this well will then supply around 1,700m3 of water per day. To guarantee the quality of the water from this well, a mobile desalination plant will be connected. At the end of this year, or at the beginning of next year, the extension work for the Castellons desalination plant will start. OVFC asked if it is allowed to completely refill swimming pools with drinking water. An answer had not yet been received.

• Lirios centre: OVFC said that they had received questions about the Lirios Centre and its future. The mayor said that land of the Lirios Shopping Centre had been reclassified a few years ago as a hotel zone. Therefore, it could be reformed and converted into a hotel. The weeds and shrubs which needed attention were the responsibility of VAPF and they had been informed already. 

• Recycling: OVFC is asking for more blue and yellow bins at the rubbish collection points before the month of August with its large influx of tourists because it is observed that already these bins are overflowing almost all the time. According to the Mayor, the operators have already been asked, and they are waiting for their response! Next year it is planned to enclose 4 of the existing platforms. OVFC points out that the rest of them should also be enclosed as soon as possible, otherwise they will get out of control. Benitatxell ranks second among the municipalities of the Consorci Mare in terms of the reduction of waste in the first half of 2025. In Benitatxell, waste has been reduced by 14.42% compared to the same period last year. Only La Vall de Gallinera with 20.91%, has achieved a better result. 

• Investments on Cumbre in the past and in the future: OVFC is asking the Mayor for a list with all the investments made in Cumbre del Sol during his term in office and all the investments planned for the future. The Mayor would send us this list so that it can be published. Afternote: These had not yet happened 

• Participatory budgeting: At the end of the meeting, OVFC handed over to the Mayor its proposal for regular investments through participatory budgeting. Participatory budgeting is a process of direct democracy where citizens collectively decide how a portion of the public budget will be spent. In essence, they allow residents to influence decisions on investments and projects that affect their communities, promoting citizen participation and transparency in public management. In several municipalities in the Marina Alta such as Jávea, Benissa, Denia participatory budgeting is being carried out regularly. The Mayor said he had considered this but would look into the matter again. Afternote: These had not yet happened 

• Investment of the property tax revenue (IBI): OVFC conveyed to the mayor the expectations of the residents and owners of Cumbre del Sol to see the money that will be collected in the coming years from the IBI increase after the cadastral revision invested in Cumbre del Sol.