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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Los Verdes of Orihuela rebuttal of C.L.A.R.O. letter.

Following the very busy surgery on Wednesday 28th January, we held a press conference to repudiate the criticism of Los Verdes contained in the letter by Bob Houliston, president of the C.L.A.R.O. party, that was published in the CoastRider newspaper on the 27th January 2009. As a result of the conference the following article has appeared in the CoastRider 3rd February edition.

Los Verdes respond to C.L.A.R.O. budget letter
A letter penned by C.L.A.R.O. president, Bob Houliston, was printed in last week’s CoastRider, and its contents so angered the Orihuela opposition party, Los Verdes, their councillor and coastal representatives held a press conference to set the record straight.
In his letter about the Orihuela budget meeting, Mr Houliston wrote: “I have seen or heard no reports that either the Socialist or Green Parties stood up in this vital council meeting to criticise the budget for these incredible deficiencies as far as the coast is concerned”.
Los Verdes Councillor Monserrate Guillén said: “Mr Houliston forgot to mention that Los Verdes tabled 74 amendments to the proposed budgets prior to the special council meeting, including 17 specific amendments for the coast. Five of the 14 amendments which were accepted relate directly to the coast. Los Verdes councillors do not wave our arms around in the Pleno, we get on with the business of trying our best to get our proposals agreed.
Prior to the meeting, we discussed the budget with all parties, the ruling PP, the PSOE, and CLR. Our proposals were put together as a direct result of our campaign to encourage citizens to participate by telling us the issues which are most important to them. Had we not put forward these 74 proposals, there would have been nothing at all for the coast.”
The Councillor and Los Verdes representatives asked why C.L.A.R.O. had not put together their own set of proposals or spoken to opposition councillors to ensure their concerns were heard before the budget meeting. The Los Verdes group also added: “C.L.A.R.O. has targeted the opposition councillors when it is the ruling PP which makes the decisions, and C.L.A.R.O. must bear some responsibility for splitting the vote at the last municipal election, which damaged the opposition and kept the PP in power.”
Rebecca Griffin

The full published letter referred to is reproduced below in order to ensure fairness of expression of views.

Dear Editor,
The Socialist Workers Party (P.S.O.E.) captured your front page on 20 January by revealing that Orihuela Costa would probably get nothing out of the investment budget for 2009 and very little for anything else.
This turned out to be correct and C.L.A.R.O. has described the 2009 budget as an INSULT and DISGRACE from Orihuela Costa’s point of view.
But armed with this information BEFORE the budget debate on 19 January, what did the Socialist Party say in defence of the interests of Orihuela Costa? I have seen or heard no reports that either the Socialist or Green Parties stood up in this vital council meeting to criticise the budget for these incredible deficiencies as far as the coast is concerned.
We agree with the Socialist Party arguments in your front page article last week that the proposed outdoor sports centre for Orihuela Costa should not have been considered for Madrid emergency funding since it is not a brand new project, was promised in the Popular Party election manifesto in 2007, and first finance was already provided in the 2008 budget. Orihuela Costa should have got its full share of the Madrid funds for NEW investment projects AND the Popular Party should have included finance for the sports centre in the 2009 budget (with the addition of a heated indoor swimming pool to match that of the neighbouring municipality of Pilar de la Horadada with a smaller population).
This is what C.L.A.R.O. would have said if we had elected representatives in the Orihuela Council. But, the Socialist Party said no such thing in the budget debate in the Council on 19 January. Neither, apparently, did the Socialist Party in Orihuela say anything to the Socialist government in Madrid to the effect that the proposed sports centre was not eligible for emergency funding from the Madrid government.
The traditional opposition parties in Orihuela argue that voters in Orihuela Costa should support them rather than a new, purely local, independent party, as they can defend the interests of the coast locally, as well as regionally and nationally where they are already represented. But they are doing nothing of the sort. Why? Are they concerned that their voters in Orihuela might take fright if they support a bigger share of the cake for the coast? Are they prepared to say openly that more for the coast would mean less for their voters in the rest of the municipality?
Yours,
Bob Houliston,
President of C.L.A.R.O.

From the comments made in the last paragraph Bob Houliston would appear to either be totally unaware of, or chooses to overlook, the well publicised work of the Los Verdes party, through the Orihuela Costa Working Group, on the coast.

He chooses to ignore the work of the many residents who have contributed to the 'Clean up the Costa' and 'Dignity for the Disabled' campaigns being coordinated by Los Verdes.

Are we concerned that the voters in Orihuela might take fright if we support a bigger share of the cake for the coast?

No, because Los Verdes of Orihuela work for the benefit of the whole of the Orihuela Municipality which includes Orihuela Town, Orihuela Costa, and the Pedanias. That is the responsibity of Los Verdes as a elected opposition party within the Town Council.

Are we prepared to say openly that more for the coast could mean less for the voters in the rest of the municipality?

Yes, because the expenditure for each area should be based on the essential needs of the area, subject to the limitations of the total budget for the whole of the Municipality.

What a pity that Bob Houliston, as President of C.L.A.R.O., did not act, by liaising with one of the official elected opposition parties to express his party members' suggestions and concerns, before the Budget was passed by the PP ruling party, rather than criticising those that did, after the event, or is that the easier course to take.

Gillian Merron announces new advice surgeries in Spain

The following article has been posted on the UK in Spain - Foreign and Commonwealth Office website today.

"Responding to calls for help during the economic crisis, Gillian Merron MP, Minister for Consular Affairs will be announcing the launch of a new advice surgery run in partnership between the British Consular Service, Age Concern, and the Department for Work and Pensions. The surgeries will run every two weeks from 10-11.30 am at two different venues across the Alicante region - consular staff and partners will be going to the areas where they're needed most, including sessions run from the Age Concern centre in Torrevieja. Confidentiality for customers will be assured.

Surgeries will offer a range of advice about pensions, benefits (including eligibility for Spanish unemployment and other benefits), healthcare, charitable organisations, moving back to the UK, and other issues of concern in times of economic hardship. Advice on residency, and notarial services will also be provided by consular teams at the sessions.

Other services run by the Consular team and partner organisations include

• Advice Roadshows with presentations from the Department for Work and Pensions team in Spain, Age Concern/the Royal British Legion
• Advice packs in both hard and electronic format on living in Spain
• Updated information on any changes to your benefits and entitlements on the UK in Spain website
  
• A large range of consular services including passports, notarial work, and visas
• Regular columns and news sent to the English Language media in Spain with advice on moving back to the UK, healthcare provision in Spain, and other issues

On her visit to Spain, the Minister will be meeting many residents, including older British expats and hearing about their lives in Spain; she'll also be hearing from community representatives in Alicante, Denia, Benidorm and Torrevieja, taking part in an advice roadshow, meeting local authority representatives, tour operators and partners, and hearing about the modernisation of the Spain Consular network."

Orihuela Town Council meeting - 27th January 2009

At the full monthly meeting of the Orihuela Town Council (Pleno) held on Tuesday 27th January 2009 the following points which affect Orihuela Costa were discussed.

Unfinished Urbanisation

In the Town Council meeting held on the 31st March 2008, as a result of the proposal by the PP it was agreed unanimously by all parties, to open the tender process for the completion and development of the Montepinar Urbanization situated near to Orihuela city to bring up-to-date the basic infrastructure of the area. The urbanization was built at the time without a licence and urban planning and remains unfinished for some 40 years.

The matter was raised at this Pleno in order that the original Tender process is cancelled, because of the lack of interest from any private developers to take on the work, and for the raising of a new Tender for the development of Montepinar to be carried out.

Why does this concern to the inhabitants of the Costa?

There are eight Urbanizations in the Costa, Castillo de Don Juan East and West, Montezenia, Las Filipinas East and West, Blue Lagoon, Los Almendros and Lomas de Don Juan, which have the same bad situation as that of Montepinar.

Los Verdes Councillor Monserrate Guillén, demanded in the Pleno (Council meeting) that the Government of the PP start the same process to rectify the situation of these neglected Urbanizations of the Costa.

Conflict in the Gaza Strip

An Institutional (Joint) Motion was presented to the meeting by spokespersons of the four parties of the Council in respect of the situation in the Gaza Strip of Palestine. The Motion was agreed unanimously (25 votes), with the following terms.

1. The condemnation of the disproportionate military actions undertaken by the Government of Israel, and similarly to condemn the attacks by Hamas against the people of Israel, and to demand an end to hostilities by both parties.
   
2. To express the deepest indignation at the tragic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and demand that both parties fulfil their obligations, allowing full access for humanitarian aid and the international press.
   
3. To set aside from the 2009 municipal budget, a fund for aid to be given via the Red Cross to provide medicines, medical supplies and food.
4. To urge the Government of Spain, to develop all the diplomatic and political actions necessary not only to resolve this conflict but for the fulfilment of all UN resolutions relating to human rights.

TRAM Extension to Orihuela Costa

As previously reported Los Verdes presented a Motion to the Pleno in respect of the proposed extension of the TRAM system southerly from Alicante.

The Motion called for;

1. That the Orihuela Town Council agree to demand to the Valencia Provincial Government (Generalitat Valenciana) that the TRAM public transport system extension is continued as fas as Orihuela Costa.
   
2. That the Valencia Regional Government undertake a study to ascertain the viability of an extension of the TRAM system from Orihuela Costa and Torrevieja to Orihuela a historic centre.

The three opposition parties (Los Verdes, PSOE and CLR) voted in favour (11) of the Motion but for no understandable reason the PP surprisingly voted against (14) it, therefore the Motion was rejected.

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.