Who is Ignorant about the Poor Cleaning of Orihuela?

Following the highlighting, by Los Verdes, of the problems being experienced by the residents of the Orihuela Municipality since the start of the new cleaning contract (1st May) by UTE, the PP Councillor for Infrastructure (including services) Sr. Manuel Abadía has responded as reported in 'informacion.es' and 'laverdad.es'.



He said that the statements made by Los Verdes were out of “ignorance” of the situation and said they should not report deficiencies only 20 days into the new contract.



He referred to the promised one off 'In-depth Cleaning' exercise (including removal of graffiti, chewing gum and the such like from the streets) stating that it will be starting on the 1st June.

In reply to the statements by Sr. Abadía, as reported in información.es, Los Verdes have to say that ignorance of the situation that is causing the poor performance of the new contract for rubbish collection and street cleaning is on the part of the Councillor.

He does not seem to be aware that the new proposed underground rubbish containers are not functioning yet. He seems to have forgotten that the management of the new contractor stated that the 'In-depth Cleaning' would be carried out from the start of the new contract on the 1st May.

He probably doesn't know that the Mayoress, Sra. Monica Lorente, said at the presentation awarding the new contract that the new equipment “would have the capacity in twenty seconds to clean an entire urbanisation”, a statement more appropriate to a character in a fantasy story than a supposed manager of the Orihuela Municipality.



Sr. Abadía seems to be more the manager of the new contractor, by the defence he makes for such a deficient cleaning service, than a Councillor of Orihuela who should be obtaining and demanding the best service for the rubbish collection and street cleaning for the good of all the citizens.

He chooses to ignore the fact that when the contract started on the 1st May it was 4 months behind schedule and that the company has had plenty of time to become aware of the needs of the Municipality.

He needs to appreciate that the statements and observations made by Los Verdes are as a result of listening to the comments and criticisms made by residents about the new service. Only by making the Councillor and his department aware of the failures in the service will changes and corrections happen.



A additional question that Sr. Abadía should be asking the contractor is when and where will Orihuela Costa be getting the missing new 120 'Recycling Points' in accordance with the terms of the contract like those already installed in Orihuela Town? Is this preferential treatment for Orihuela again?



The ignorance and statements of Sr. Abadía show his abominable management as leader
of the Council Department of infrastructure and again the failure of Mónica Lorente and the Orihuela PP.

New Rubbish Collection Service - Is it Better?

The Los Verdes party of Orihuela report that twenty days after the commencement of the new contract for the collection of household rubbish and street cleaning, it can be seen that the new service does not take into account the specific needs in respect of these two services in the municipality

In the Coast it is hard to see what has been done for the street cleaning. The old rubbish bins appear to be abandoned, left in the middle of the streets and we are in a high density tourist area (the photographs shown are in the majority of the Campoamor area). Many of them have not been emptied, are full and smell badly. Where there were four bins there is now only one larger bin but this is not sufficient. The result is that bags of rubbish are scattered in the street and not always collected. In the commercial centres the upturned old bins are mixed with the new ones which are full with rubbish bags crowded around them. In the Agua Marina commercial centre area the old bins remain and it isn't known if these are emptied because they are always overflowing with rubbish.

The collection of green garden rubbish continues as before, with rubbish left in the streets or next to the bins for weeks. The dumped building rubbish from small building or alteration work remains in the streets. Nobody knows where to take it except to leave it in the streets.


The company awarded the contract was perfectly aware when the contract began how many containers were needed. They were also aware that they must remove the old containers, not just put a new one and that's it. Well, no, at this time the new contractor works as the previous ones had done; badly.


Los Verdes regret that regarding the recycling of rubbish nothing has changed, everything is more of the same. The residents will have no choice but to find where each recycling container is, because they are not all together, each is located in a different area. Therefore those residents who want to separate their waste so that it can be recycled will have to be patient and find recycle bins in certain places on the Coast, it may be a long way. It is unfortunate that so far, and after going through many neighbourhoods, we have not seen any new 'Cleaning Points' (recycling bin sites) on the Coast


So it goes. We were led to believe it would all change for the better and that we would get a good value for money service for the taxes we pay.

The question is: What has changed for the better and for whom has it changed for the better?

Edited 20.05.2009
Articles: La Verdad.es & Informacion.es

Orihuela Town Council meeting - 28th April 2009

At the full monthly meeting of the Orihuela Town Council (Pleno) held on Tuesday 28th April 2009 the following points which affect Orihuela Costa were discussed.

Urbanización Lomas de Cabo Roig.

The PP ruling party proposed to amend the Plan Parcial of the sector "Lomas de Cabo Roig" in relation to the three commercial building plots to increase build potential.

These three have the special feature of being located within the Urbanizations Villa Piedra, Las Amapolas and La Regia, near the toll motorway AP-7, in a totally urbanized and fully finished area.

Los Verdes and the other Opposition parties criticized the proposal by the PP for the following reasons.

1. There are already enough shops, many empty or closed, then there is no economic need, with being close to large shopping centres such as LIDL, ALDI, Mercadona, PetsWord, the future Alcampo supermarket, a petrol station with a shop 24 hours, etc.
   
2. Such trade will bring inconvenience to the retailer, day and night with bars and restaurants with high traffic and noise.
   
3. The council has not notified the neighbours of the Partial Plan amendment, who have not been able to submit objections to the draft amendment.
4. Once again, the PP does town planning changes for the benefit of its promoter friends.
   

Los Verdes and the other Opposition parties voted against the amendment but the PP used its majority vote to pass it. .

Los Verdes Motion on aid for trade in the municipality of Orihuela, including the Coast.

Los Verdes submitted a motion to propose measures to promote the opening and survival of shops within the Orihuela Municipality including Orihuela Costa. The party believes that this is necessary as the PP ruling team are failing in their obligations in this matter.

In the current context of crisis, the retail sector is one of the sections of the economy of Orihuela that is suffering most. Every day we see establishments closing and for those that survive it is becoming increasingly difficult. This phenomenon effects all types of shops including the large commercial shopping centres.

Los Verdes presented the motion with a series of specific proposals that seek to be simple and straightforward to encourage the creation of new businesses, facilitating the reduction in costs at the opening of establishments across all Orihuela. These included a reduction of 50% in the cost of licence applications for opening new businesses and an exemption from the fees for building permits, for opening or refurbishment of ground floor premises, provided that the work is undertaken by companies with a business address or registered office in Orihuela. In addition it was proposed that a direct payment of 1500€ be given to those employers who open a business in Orihuela and offer a contract of employment to an employee who is registered as living in the Orihuela Municipality.

To take advantage of the initiatives the employer would have to fulfil a number of requirements in that the business is up to date with payments to the tax and social security and has been in business for at least 2 years in cases of recruitment of workers show that the employee has been registered in Orihuela for at least 1 year.

Despite a vote in favour of the motion by Los Verdes and the other Opposition parties it was rejected by the PP using its majority in the Council.

Questions to the PP Councillors:

Los Verdes submitted the following questions for clarification to the PP governing team.

Playa de Punta Prima.

The 2007 budget included funding for an elevator to give access to this beach, with an amount of over 250,000€.

Following an announcement by Sra Monica Lorente, the PP Mayor of Orihuela, during a press conference on the 30th May 2008 that the lift is to be installed as part of the investment considered necessary to meet the conditions for obtaining a ‘Blue Flag’ for the beach, Los Verdes of Orihuela made the comment that we do not consider that the installation of an elevator within the Punta Prima playa is the most cost effective way of giving access to the beach to those visitors that have mobility problems. .

The question is: where is the elevator or where is the money?

Councillor for the Coast Sr. José Antonio Aniorte is to reply in writing to Los Verdes.

Fiestas on the Coast

Following the spate of fiestas on the Costa (St. Patrick's day, the Oktoberfest (in April) and St Georges day), all between the months of March-April, Los Verdes asked the PP governing team, a question specifically about the Oktoberfest, which lasted 16 days with moderate success according to the few local traders from the coast invited, when we know that the rental of a giant marquee with a capacity of 600 people and an area of about 1,000 m2, is approximately 40,000€.

The question is: how much did this event cost the taxpayers of the Orihuela Municipality?

Councillor for the Coast Sr. José Antonio Aniorte is to reply in writing to Los Verdes.

Another Environmental Barbarity by the PP

Los Verdes of Orihuela consider that it is totally unacceptable that on the 3rd March 2009 the ruling PP government team assigned the plot of land registered as I-EQ-1 within the PAU-26 Sector 2 “Los Almendricos” of Orihuela Costa, to UTE-SUFI-LIASUR-GOBANCAST, the new company which won the contract for the collection, treatment, transport and elimination of urban rubbish within the Orihuela Municipality, to enable the construction of an Eco-park and associated services, including buildings, on the parcel of land, in accordance with clause 8 of the conditions of the contract.

The facility (Eco-park) will occupy an area of approximately 15,000 sq. mtrs. of which 1,500 will be used for buildings, including storage and offices.


The plot (I-EQ-1) is located on the border of the Entre Golf housing complex, between it and the AP-7 Motorway with only the width of a road between it and the residential housing!


Los Verdes respect the value of this wooded area, shown in the attached photographs, which is in front of a substantial housing estate, as an accustic barrier, because of its geographical layout and the height of the trees, against the traffic noise from the AP-7 Motorway. Its industrial use (Eco-park) would necessitate the removal of the trees and alteration of the lie of the land. This would be detrimental to the wellbeing of the residents of the area.

The nuisance effects of the construction and subsequent continual daily operation of the Eco-park (noise, traffic movement and the volume of large vehicles, fumes, rubbish) on the residents of the area, some as close as 50 metres to the complex, will be detrimental to their quality of family life. Within a distance of less than 75 metres of the proposed industrial developement is a childrens recreation park with seating area!

Likewise it must also be taken into consideration that the adjacent plot of land, some 15,517 sq mtrs, which is the designated green zone of PAU 3 (exchanged with PAU-26), is being illegally used as a transition point for rubbish by the current company Colsur SL. This area is already devoid of trees, and the environment destroyed, and therefore more readily available to be used as the Eco-park complex if it really has to go in this area.


Therefore Los Verdes request the Council that an exchange is made between the use of the two plots of land, in that the PAU-26 area is used for the Eco-park and that the parcel I-EQ-1 is designated as a green zone to avoid another disaster for the environment. At least by leaving this plot in it's natural state it would it would act as a protective shield between the homes and the Eco-park!

Los Verdes Surgery - 29th April 2009

The fourth surgery of 2009 to be held by Councillor Monserrate Guillén, Los Verdes Councillor for the Coast, will be held on the Wednesday 29th April 2009 from 10.00 am to 12.30 pm at the Emerald Isle in La Florida in Orihuela Costa.

This is the opportunity for any residents of the coast to discuss their individual problems directly with their Councillor irrespective of which party they support.

As all the previous surgeries have been very busy, if someone wants to ask for a specific time, to reduce waiting, they should contact us by email at either losverdesinorihuelacosta@gmail.com, or telephone 686717273 to request a time if it's still available.

We provide translation facilities for English, French, German and Swedish into Spanish during the surgery.

The FREE Starter Kits, available for the People's 'Litter Pick-up' as part of the 'Clean up the Costa' campaign, will be available for collection during the surgery times from any of the Los Verdes members present.

It is also the opportunity to discuss the 'Dignity for the Disabled' campaign.

Orihuela Town Council meeting - 31st March 2009

At the full monthly meeting of the Orihuela Town Council (Pleno) held on Tuesday 31st. March 2009 the following points which affect Orihuela Costa were discussed.

Bye-law for the Beaches of Orihuela Costa

The governing PP party presented a bye-law for the beaches of Orihuela entitled “Ordenanza Municipal de Seguridad en el Uso, Disfrute, Aprovechamiento y Conservación de las Playas del Litoral Oriolano” (bye-law for safety in the use, enjoyment, commercialisation and conservation of the coastal beaches of Orihuela) for its initial approval.

Manuel Gallud, Los Verdes Councillor, proposed a series of improvements to the bye-law as follows.

• On the matter of the chiringuitos and kiosks on the beaches that all the food is to be of the 'fast food' type, cold sandwiches wrapped in plastic, along with chips and other foods inadvisable for good health. Councillor Gallud asked where is the Spanish Mediterranean diet?

Los Verdes understand that this problem is not strictly part of the bye-law but insist that this aspect of the regional cuisine is a powerful advertising incentive for tourists.>

• The Los Verdes Councillor called for more consideration for people with disabilities regarding access to these beaches. Indeed, Los Verdes have identified in our campaign "Dignity for the Disabled," deficiencies in the access ramps on the promenade of Agua Marina and also in other beaches.

The PP Councillor for the Coast, Clr. Aniorte promised as a matter of urgency to modify the access to the Agua Marina promenade and then gradually the other accesses that do not conform to the law.

• Having regard to the construction of the promenade which runs along side the beaches, such as the Playa de la Glea at Campoamor, Los Verdes have found that debris is thrown onto the beach from the promenade, because of the lack of bins along its total route.

Councillor Aniorte has recognized this deficiency and promised the installation of litter bins along the path.

• Los Verdes propose a beach or part of a beach protected from onlookers for naturists and their families to swim. We believe that there is a tourism demand in this regard. In the view of Los Verdes we think it is necessary to regulate this type of activity, which the bye-law does not include, so as to then avoid trouble for the users.

Councillor Aniorte promised to study the issue.

Overall the PP answered positively to the requests of Los Verdes, so despite the shortcomings of the bye-law there was a unanimous vote in favour of this new regulation.

Now the government of the PP has to fully comply with the beach bye-law, and that it is not left in the drawer!

Los Balcones connection to Los Altos.

A further matter of interest to residents of Orihuela Costa that was discussed was the opening to traffic of a connecting road between Los Balcones and Los Altos thereby giving direct access to and from Orihuela Costa.

Three weeks previous a petition signed by a hundred or more residents of the area was presented to the Town Hall in Orihuela Costa requesting that a road connection be opened for the reasons of security and convenience, allowing easier access for the essential public services (police, ambulances and fire brigade).

Los Verdes, in support of the petition, made a request for a connection road to be opened.

Los Verdes reiterated the proposal we made to the 2009 Budget for investment for this work to improve the traffic access on this part of Orihuela Costa.

The PP government promised to reply in writing.

Two more European Resident's stalls at the Campoamor Market.

On the 18th March I reported that Los Verdes had received confirmation that 4 of the European resident traders that the party has been helping with their applications to obtain sites on the Campoamor market were successful. They had been allocated 4 of the 10 pitches that had become available as a result of the recent review, by the Council, of the stalls not being used.

Today (26th March) saw two, of the lucky four, trading at the market only 1 day after receiving the all important official confirmation from the Council of their (stall holders) allocation of a pitch.

Alex and Gill Lightbody sell a range of water filters, batteries, electric light bulbs and household goods.


Barry and Sue Gentry sell a range of arts and craft materials and toys.


Both set of traders stated that they were very pleased and excited to at last be trading at the market after such a long anxious period since their first applications to the Council and thanked Los Verdes for all the party's work and involvement in helping them to obtain a pitch. Sue Gentry said she was “over the moon” about the outcome. Barry added "the Spanish pitch holders showed a willingness to accept us".


It is very good to see the Campoamor market filling up and more of the 80 or so pitches being occupied. However when Los Verdes were told of the recent re-allocations it was stated by the Council representative that only 10 pitches had become available. It follows on therefore that when visiting the market today we would have expected to see somewhere in the region of 95%, or more, of the sites occupied but unfortunately this was not the case, as can been seen from the photograph. In the region of 20 pitches were vacant and the space being used for parking of traders vehicles.


Allowing for some genuine reasons for a small number of traders not attending today, where were the rest of them?

Los Verdes hope that their absence has been noted and that these will count towards the '5 non-attendances and your out' rule so that those traders that want to attend the market, and are still waiting, will get the all important pitch allocation. We will continue to monitor the situation.

Los Verdes Surgery - 18th March 2009

The third surgery of 2009 to be held by Councillor Monserrate Guillén, Los Verdes Councillor for the Coast, will be held on the Wednesday 18th March 2009 from 10.00 am to 12.30 pm at the Emerald Isle in La Florida in Orihuela Costa.

This is the opportunity for any residents of the coast to discuss their individual problems directly with their Councillor irrespective of which party they support.

Please note that this surgery is at it's new location.

As all the previous surgeries have been very busy, if someone wants to ask for a specific time, to reduce waiting, they should contact us by email at either losverdesinorihuelacosta@gmail.com, or telephone 965319660 to request a time if it's still available.

We provide translation facilities for English, French, German and Swedish into Spanish during the surgery.

The FREE Starter Kits, available for the People's 'Litter Pick-up' as part of the 'Clean up the Costa' campaign, will be available for collection during the surgery times from any of the Los Verdes members present.

It is also the opportunity to discuss the 'Dignity for the Disabled' campaign.

Campoamor Market Councillor meets Los Verdes

Today (3rd March) four members of the Orihuela Costa Working Group of Los Verdes of Orihuela, accompanied by three applicants for stalls on the Campoamor Market, attended a meeting with José Manuel Cutillas, the Councillor with responsibility for markets, at the Ayuntamiento in Orihuela.

Los Verdes member Ulla Perret explained to the Councillor the concerns of the many non-Spanish business people who have applied, but been unsuccessful in their applications, to obtain a stall on the market, although for the many weeks that it has been open, both at the original and new location, there have been almost half of the sites left vacant. The stall holders who have been allocated these positions have chosen not to attend. The Councillor was asked why the pitches that were left vacant were not re-allocated to traders who wanted to attend the market.

Sr. Cutillas confirmed during the meeting that the current under-utilisation of the pitches in the market was under review. The traders who have chosen not to attend each week have been given until the 13th March 2009 to confirm whether or not they wish to keep their pitch and will be trading each week. Any sites that are confirmed as no longer wanted will be re-allocated amongst the outstanding applications. The Councillor was asked what was to stop unscrupulous traders who had no intention at this time of being at the market but prepared to pay for a pitch so as to keep the allocation for future use. He confirmed that if a pitch was not occupied for a period of four weeks then the trader would lose the licence and it would be re-allocated.

Sr. Cutillas was asked why this procedure, in accordance with the current Bye-law governing any market in the Orihuela Municipal, has not been acted upon already, given the length of time the market has been in existence both at the Campoamor and Aqua Marina locations, and the empty pitches issued to some of the enthusiastic traders who desperately want to be part of the Campoamor market. He said that because of the inadequacies in the start and promotion of the market at the Campoamor site and change of location to the Agua Marina site it was being treated as a new market.

(This seems a convenient way of ignoring past non-attendance and giving the deliberately absent stall holders a second bite of the cherry.)

He was asked if that means that when the market moves back to its summer Campoamor site, traders will have to reapply for sites there. He said of course not, as it is the same market!

Councillor Cutillas confirmed that he would telephone Ulla Perret, as a member of the Orihuela Costa Working Group, on the 16th March 2008 to give an update on the progress of possible vacant sites and re-allocation of these, to the traders being assisted by Los Verdes.

Sr. Cutillas confirmed that he wanted the market to be made up of a variety of traders of different nationalities and that preference would be given to residents of Orihuela Municipality where possible, taking into consideration the products sold.

Although some of those who met Councillor Cutillas were not entirely satisfied with the response from him, it was clear that at this time there was not going to be any further progress from his department until after the 13th March, but they wait with intense interest to see how he acts after then.

Will there be any re-allocation of market spaces to European residents of Orihuela?

Los Verdes on Excite FM Radio

On the 6th January I reported on the Los Verdes interview on the Nick Hawkins Morning Show on Excite FM, and mentioned the possibility of a regular monthly appearance.

It has now been confirmed that we will be broadcasting the work of Los Verdes on the third Monday of each month commencing on the 16th March 2009. the interview will normally follow the 11.30 am news slot.

Mónica's Investments in Orihuela Costa !

Los Verdes of Orihuela denounce the failure of the management of Mónica Lorente y her PP government team in Orihuela in respect of the infrastructure in Orihuela Costa, allowing a succession of unacceptable deficiencies for a centre of population of almost 30,000 registered people.

Despite that Mónica Lorente continues with her image campaign presenting investments that are not hers, and we don't know when they will be realized, investments that in the majority belong to work that should have been carried out by the promoters who constructed the houses, and which the Town Hall has consented to, as happens with those urbanisations that have not been adopted by the Town hall and whose illegality is blatant. The reality is that the situation in Orihuela Costa has not improved at all since the new PP government took office in May 2007.

A few days ago Ms. Lorente appeared, like a catwalk model including protection helmet, in Orihuela Costa showing off some investments that correspond to other financial years, and that in some cases as now, as a consequence of the promised funding from FEIL (funds from the state to fight the economic recession).

Bridges (over the AP7 and the N332) that should be installed by the promoters that made the urbanisations, and that appear in the urban planning; deficiencies in public services that residents have been asking to be rectified for more than 20 years ( for example a sports centre that will be thanks to FEIL); collector of waste water in La Zenia which should have been solved from the beginning of the urbanisation; cleaning of council owned land and private plots, that should not be done with public resources; repair pavements and other infrastructure already promised on previous occasions but never carried out; are now the latest demonstration of marketing that Ms. Lorente sells as if it was a detergent.

Where is the responsibility of those who have allowed year after year these circumstances? Where is the responsibility of those who have permitted the indiscriminate development of Orihuela Costa and without essential services? Now she has the solution to everything with state funds, with everyone's money?

Los Verdes do not believe a single word of the promises of Ms. Lorente because she is a perfect expert in putting up smoke screens and then doing nothing. Ms. Lorente will have to explain why we Oriolanos have to pay our taxes for works that should have been carried out by the Private Promoters, and why the PP of Orihuela allow that everyone's money should cover the shame of their business friends.

Opposition Party offices in Orihuela Costa Ayuntamiento

Los Verdes has presented two Motions for discussion at the Town Council Meeting ( Pleno) to be held on Tuesday 24th February.

One of the Motions is in respect of an improvement to the municipal facilities on the coast.

Given that Orihuela Costa has more than 28,000 inhabitants and that it is an area within the Orihuela Municipal, and that there are many residents who want to consult with their elected Councillors of either the Los Verdes, PSOE or CLR party, to seek their help; Los Verdes believe that the same facilities as that provided in the Orihuela Town Hall (Palacio Marqués de Arneva) to the Elected Opposition parties and the citizens of Orihuela should be available in the Orihuela Costa Town Hall.

This should include the provision of office space to the Opposition parties to enable residents of Orihuela Costa to have direct local access to their chosen party's representatives.

This would be an excercise in democracy on the part of the PP government and show a greater attention to the problems and needs of the citizens of Orihuela Costa.

We will update you as to whether this request is successful.

Is the right person in the right job?

There have been articles recently by the Spanish press in La Verdad and Diario Información.es and by the English Press in the Costa Blanca, the CoastRider and the Round Town News, reporting comments made by Mr Stefan Pokroppa, who holds the position of Coordinator of the Office of European Residents in the Orihuela Costa Town Hall, about the attitudes and behaviour of the residents for whom he is supposed to be liaising for and working with.

Los Verdes have issued the following press release about this matter.

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When reading the above articles, one wonders! " Stefan Pokroppa has been named, by decree 18.07.2007 by the Mayoress Mónica Lorente as temporary member of staff for the position of Coordinator of the Office of European Residents with annual gross salary of 27.000€.....".

But this person has not been appointed on the basis of competition, neither on the basis of his own merits.

The Municipal Group of Los Verdes denounce his insulting statements, unworthy of public office , against the European residents of Orihuela Costa. Mr. Pokroppa states vague generalities, seeking no less than to give a caricatured image of the European residents: they create their own colonies .....consume products coming from their countries of origin that they buy in shops run by fellow countrymen or more the little interest to learn Spanish.

From Los Verdes we believe that these are issues that relate only to the private sphere of the individual, it is not possible to impose on the people who live in the Costa a way of life that has not been chosen by themselves.

Los Verdes proposed an amendment to the Budget 2009, a Program of Integration based on recreational activities, on a permanent dialogue and above all with the agreement of the majority of the population of the Costa. Clearly this amendment was rejected by the Government of the PP.

Mr. Pokroppa considers that the main problem of the foreign residents is the lack of a fluent communication with the administration and the real estate promoters. Whose fault is it? Los Verdes consider that it is the responsibility of the Government of the PP, which is compromised when Mr. Pokroppa and some civil servants are at times so arrogant, often unpleasant and unwelcoming to residents from other countries, who consult them with requests for help.

As for relations with developers because of infrastructure deficiencies in the urbanizations, we also should have the effective support of the department of Mr. Pokroppa because ultimately, all management of licenses of urbanization, of planning permission, are granted by the Orihuela Town Council, that means the Government of the PP. But apparently, the close relationships between the circle of construction and real-estate development and the politics of the PP are so intense that systematically it blocks the claims of the residents.

Mr. Pokroppa adds: Orihuela Costa has been the scene of an urban planning explosion and that the exploitation came to such point that they did not finish – the developers- one construction and they started another one. True, but he forgets voluntarily to mention that the Government of the PP approves the projects of all these urbanizations, that the Government of the PP should have planned the development of Orihuela Costa with a rate allowing for the finishing of the infrastructures and that the Government should not have allowed urbanizations to be left unfinished, without light, without water and without certificate of habitability.

Finally Mr. Pokroppa says: in spite of these "setbacks" the European foreigners have decided to remain in Orihuela Costa He uses the term setbacks, those are more intractable problems for property owners. They are hostages with their capital property assets tied-up and with real-estate in a value free fall, due to the lack of planning, to the massive construction, untenable for the environment and the quality of life in Orihuela Costa.

Therefore, more than 20 years of municipal management of the PP in Orihuela Costa have been a failure, a fatal blow to the image of Orihuela Costa worldwide, and in this way it goes on.

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The 2009 Budget is NOT a surprise for Los Verdes

The Los Verdes party decided to vote NO to the 2009 Budget for Orihuela because;

It is not participatory, as it does not take into account the wishes of the citizens;
It is not supportive, as the social elements are decreased considerably;
It is not just, as it does not take into account the real needs of those who most need help;
It is not fair, to the different parts of the Municipality and in particular to the Costa;
It is not committed, as it is not intended to create jobs, to generate confidence that the people need now;
It is not balanced, as the bureaucratic machinery that the PP government has created, needs a large part of the budget.

We have asked many times over the past years as to what will happen when the "bad times” come as the construction boom will not last forever. The PP government branded us (Los Verdes) as prophets of doom. During the boom years, they (PP government) have not been able to manage the revenue, and have even created a Council Deficit (debt) and it will be made worse in these years of difficulties.

The 'bad times' have come.

Now we can not spend the money on parties and assistance to "hangers on " that, certainly, do not need it. On the contrary, this government has got into debt due to extravagant vanity, and today we must all pay dearly.

2009 BUDGET
Let's look at the numbers:

67 million € in 2009 (in 2008, 90 million €).
The overall budget reduced by 27%, investments are down by 89%, lower overhead costs down by 19%, financial liabilities, that we have to pay to several banks, are increased by 115.25%.

Staff Costs
The bureaucratic machinery that the PP government has created, needs 40% of the budgets to pay approximately 1,000 staff (including joint ventures). In overtime they have been paid a whopping 1 million €. As for productivity, the arbitrary concept of the PP is to reward the good and punish the bad civil servants, this will amount to 980,000 €.

Investment
The investments are estimated at approximately 2.4 million €, of which the City will provide resources of 563,000 €, whilst 975,000 € will be financed with a new loan and the rest will be from subsidies of 804,000 € from Regional Administration and Central Government.

Debts
Financial Expenses: The City Council owes 40 million €, which costs about 5 million € this year, 1.8 million € in interest and 3.2 million € in repayment of the capital owed.

If we make a comparison between the investments and debt we see that investment is half the cost of debt, or better said, the cost of debt is double the investment. It demonstrates once again the fiasco of the management of the PP in the past 20 years. With proper management we could have an investment of at least 7 million € each year for the whole municipality, including the Coast

Amendments
Los Verdes in the face of these budgets, accepted its public commitment to Orihuela and its citizens. Therefore we made a Campaign of Participation to gather needs of the Oriolanos (citizens of Orihuela Municipality) to be included in the Council's 2009 Budget. The outcome of the campaign was the presentation of 72 amendments that reflect the real concerns of the Oriolanos. The citizens collaborated and developed the suggested amendments.

Of these 72 amendments 14 have been approved, including 5 amendments relevant to the coast as follows:

1. Undertake a campaign aimed at businesses within Orihuela, to provide support, for the replacement of plastic bags by other forms of packaging that causes less damage to the environment.
2. Removal of physical architectural barriers that restrict access for the disabled to the beaches of the municipality.
3. The provision of information signs on illegal construction sites.
4. Purchase by the local police of Orihuela of electrically propelled motorcycles.
5. Purchase of sound level meters for the local police to measure noise.

Conclusion
Unfortunately, the PP ignores the real needs of citizens and then develops a budget intended as a political strategy of prestige for the Mayoress, Monica Lorente. It is not a social budget because there are cuts in social policy spending. It is not intended to create employment because there is only half a million euros for investments which can give employment to Oriolanos.

Ultimately the bad management of the taxes of Orihuela by the PP, in looking after their own interests and not that of the town, squandering the income of the Regional Administration or Central Government, has contributed to this abominable policy, the stagnation of Orihuela and lack of services for its citizens.

Orihuela Costa Budget Proposals 2009

As part of the preparation by Los Verdes of the 70 proposed amendments put forward, to the PP controlled Town Council, for inclusion within the Orihuela Municipality Budget for 2009, the Orihuela Costa Working Group of Los Verdes has put forward the following suggestions for the benefit of the inhabitants of Orihuela Costa.

We ask for a financial investment within Orihuela Costa in proportion to the population and taxes collected within the coastal area. This has been blatantly ignored by the PP ruled Council for the last 20 years!

The items are not listed in any order of priority or cost.

1. Building of a heated indoor swimming pool
2. An effective Public Transport system that truly meets the needs of the people.
3. Provision of Municipal Public Library facilities.
4. Maintenance and revitalization of public green areas.
5. Increase in the number of Local Police officers present in Orihuela Costa
6. Programme for the reduction of the cost of public street lighting without reducing the safety level of lighting.
7. Installation of Solar Panels on Public Buildings to reduce financial and environmental costs.
8. Improved provision and maintenance of street signs and road markings, such as pedestrian crossings, parking areas, and road traffic markings etc. to increase safety on the roads.
   
9. Provision of safe and effective bicycle lane system.
10. A public funded, coordinated and effective, 'Integration Program for Foreign Residents' (e.g. language course, cuisine, culture etc.).
11. The Civic Centre to be open to all residents regardless of age, or a new multi-purpose centre
12. Provision of facilities and activities for young people especially teenagers
13. Provision and maintenance of correct access facilities for persons with reduced mobility in all public spaces, including public buildings, pathways in urbanisations and beaches.
14. Provision of more parking spaces reserved for persons with disabilities both in urbanizations and public areas.
15. A Public TV Broadcasting station providing multilingual programmes and services orientated towards the coastal area.
16. Provision of free to use WiFi facilities, for residents and tourists, at the major centres in Orihuela Costa, such as the Ayuntamiento, Civic Centre and in the beach areas.
17. Opening of the connecting road between the Los Balcones and Dream Hill urbanisations to provide effective access with the rest of the Orihuela Costa area.

We wait with interest to see which suggestions are included within the Final Municipal Budget by the PP - if any!

Campoamor Market Fiasco!

Today (8th January 2009) was the first day for the struggling Campoamor Market ( Mercado de Dehesa Campoamor to give it is official title) at it's new winter location in Calle Fuego in the Agua Marina area of Orihuela Costa, as I reported on the 31st December 2008.

I say winter site because it (the market) will only be in C/ Fuego for the months of October to May as it will be at the original Dehesa de Campoamor location for June to September inclusive according to a notice by Councillor José Manuel Cutillas Conesa, who has responsibility for the markets, dated 18th December 2008.

I visited the market this morning with the hope of seeing a revitalised and bustling local market full of local traders and customers - some hope!

What I found was a fiasco. Another failure by the PP Council and in particular by Councillor Cutillas.

Of the 80 pitches less than 10 were occupied by stall holders who were open for business. The photographs show the situation better than I can describe.

Let me clarify that more than 10 stall holders arrived at the market before the start of business but many were not prepared to set up their stalls as, I understand, they were unhappy with the unloading and parking facilities of the Calle Fuego location. It can be seen in the photographs the numerous trader's vans left parked on the pitches with the goods still locked inside, whilst the unhappy owners relocated into local cafés.

Not only was there a lack of traders but as can be seen a distinct lake of customers! Why? Because the Councillor failed to ensure that there was any publicity to inform the public of the change of site. An ideal opportunity to promote the market to help it succeed was neglected.

I left the market at approximately 10:50 hrs. as several of the stalls that had opened were being closed and packed away, even before the rain that came started.

As a result of the article on this Blog on New Years Eve I received an email from a well known local journalist which included this statement, “I'm interested in the market story - I knew this was on the cards, but cannot believe that nothing has been officially announced” (referring to the failure by the Council).

What's the good of moving the market and not telling the customers? Do the Council really want the market to succeed? Is the Council going to alter all the road signs that direct people to the Dehesa de Campoamor site during October to May?

It's well understood that a good location is one of the main considerations for successful retail outlets, including markets, so why change from a site that has plenty of space (room for expansion) and better and easier access for stall holders and customers. The reason for the lack of success of the Campoamor market is not the location, - it is the failure of the PP Council to get it's act together to manage and promote the market correctly! Wouldn't it have been better for them to have sorted out the problems rather than just move them to the new inadequate winter site.

Why didn't they combine a 'car boot sale' (second hand goods only) alongside the then existing market, and provide the public with what they like and want . The Council could have done it, and still could, with the correct management, and would have attracted the number of customers that the market needs to be successful for the stall holders. That is if the will is there to, which is in doubt.

Campoamor Market is Moving!

During discussions with Sr. Cutillas, Councillor responsible for the Markets, it was confirmed to Los Verdes that as from the 8th January 2009 the Campoamor Market will be moved to a new location in the Agua Marina area of Orihuela Costa, near to the Health Centre.

It was also confirmed that those market traders (mostly English) who had sought the help from Los Verdes to obtain a stall will be allocated a pitch at the new location and each stall holder will receive written notification of their positions in the relocated market.

Cala Mosca Pines Threatened

Los Verdes of Orihuela have registered a question for the next regular Town Council meeting (Pleno), with regard to the likely felling of trees that, once again, and in an indiscriminate way, is wanted to be carried out in the urbanization of Punta Prima, in Orihuela Costa.

The Municipal Group of Los Verdes has known that in the urbanization of Punta Prima is an area of pine trees, some of which are more than forty years old, which will affect the proceedings of the construction company that is developing La Cala Mosca and limit it. In fact, some pine trees have been felled, according to information from residents of the urbanisation. It is not the first time this has happened. There was an attempt to remove the trees toward the end of last summer. Los Verdes brought this fact to the attention of the Councillor for Urban Planning. The response at that time was that he was not going to let the existing pines be affected by the development action.

Los Verdes did not mistrust the response of the Councillor for Urbanism at the time, but it seems that the construction company has recently registered a document with the City Council to seek authorization for the cutting down of all the pines.

At the moment 42 tall pines and about 20 small palms remain. It is clear that the developer wants to take advantage of the width of the existing street of Punta Prima to make a single avenue of 15 to 20 meters, including pavements, and the trees are a problem.

Understanding this fact, if it is correct and it happens, it would violate the rights of the neighbours to respect the environment in which they have lived for many years and that it would destroy the unique vegetation that remains in this area following the barbarity that is leading to end of Cala Mosca, with the blessing of the City Council.

Los Verdes believe that it (the council) should not allow the announced tree felling, and to the contrary, to replant trees to replace those that have already been cut, with a call for the punishment for the developer as set out in the rules of the General Building Plan of Orihuela.

Therefore the Municipal Group of Los Verdes will ask at the Town Council meeting what action the governing PP Council intends to take to prevent the felling of this area of pines. Moreover, it has been asked by the neighbours affected whether at this point in time the Council has carried out an environmental report that would justify some sort of action on this matter, so that there is no doubt in this regard

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It's your Money - Participate

The final Budgets for 2009 for the Municipality of Orihuela are due to be presented, by the government team of the PP, to the December meeting of the full Town Council for approval.

Los Verdes believe that it is essential that there is the facility for citizens to participate in the preparation of the municipal budgets, so as to include the needs and concerns of it's inhabitants. We advocate the system for a Participatory Budget similar to those prepared in other Spanish towns, where it is regulated that the residents can contribute in the preparations of the financial budgets.

The citizens pay the taxes so they should have a say how the money collected is spent.

Los Verdes want the inhabitants to be consulted and given the opportunity to contribute ideas for spending their money, on issues that really need it, and not as now where the PP ruling Councillors systematically ignore the views of the tax payers in favour of expenditure to maintain their (PP) political image.

Los Verdes of Orihuela have launched a campaign entitled
“It's your Money – Participate”
to collect suggestions from all the citizens of the Orihuela Municipality for the preparation of the council Budget for 2009.

During the month of November, and up to the final meeting of the Information Committee, prior to the presentation of the Budgets to the Town Council, Los Verdes will provide facilities to the citizens to enable them to participate in the development of the Budgets by forwarding their ideas. The suggestions received will be collated and, where possible, will be put forward as amendments to the draft budgets of the government team of the PP, prior to the December council meeting.

This is the opportunity for the residents of Orihuela Costa to express their views on those items that they feel are needed on the coast, and that should be included within the Budgets for 2009. These can be matters relating to cultural, social, health, transport, environment, and civic facilities that have an effect on the quality of peoples lives.

To help and encourage the residents living in Orihuela Costa to participate, Los Verdes are providing local methods of contact for putting forward their suggestions. They can be sent by email to losverdesorihuela@yahoo.es or elliotsampford@gmail.com , or given by telephone to 965319660 (English) and 965328190 (Multilingual), or by visiting the surgeries held in Orihuela Costa by Monserrate Guillén, Los Verdes Councillor for the Coast during November (details of the next surgery Los Verdes Surgery - 29th October), or by using the comments facility on this Blog.