HELD AT THE AYUNTAMIENTO THEATRE, ORBA ON 24 NOVEMBER 2010.

The meeting was attended by 33 residents.  

On the platform were: Babs Coleman, Teresa Knowles, Les Asquith and Peter Widdop.

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 Peter opened the meeting at 7.05 pm by welcoming those present, particularly any newcomers.   He also thanked his fellow committee members for their time and effort over the past twelve months, John Tandy for his continued maintenance of the El Capso website and Peter Barnard for, once again, auditing the accounts.

 MINUTES OF THE A.G.M. HELD ON 26 OCTOBER 2009.

 The minutes, previously circulated, were taken as read and approved.   Proposed as a true record of what took place by Peter Smith and seconded by Jen Goodleff.

 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF THE A.G.M. HELD ON 26 OCTOBER 2009.

 Peter Smith asked a question, but Peter assured him that the subject would be covered during the main report and this prevented further questions under this heading.

 MAIN REPORT.

 Peter explained that there was not a great deal to report, but that he would attempt to mention:

1.   Items with which the committee has been associated during the last twelve months.

2.   Matters which may affect El Capso during the next twelve months.

3.   Finances, including approval of the accounts, future plans, new budget and subscription level.

 2009/2010.

The five items in last year’s action plan approved by members have been carried out, except one, the provision and fixing of street name plates.   These are proposed at the junction of La Rota / Penyes Roges and also at the junction La Solana / Penyes Roges.   During the year, the Mayor indicated that the Town Hall would fund this work, but to date, it has not been done.

 The sewer works in Dels Plans and L’Ombria have been completed allowing several properties to be connected to mains drainage and the highway has been subsequently re-surfaced.   The committee was able to persuade the surfacing contractor to extend the “tarmac” area to provide local widening of the road and to lay tarmacadam to the approaches of the basura.

 Towards the end of 2009 discussions took place with the Mayor and his contractor regarding the potential provision of mains drainage to 27 properties at the western end of El Capso.   The scheme was based upon the Valencia government paying 70%, the Town Hall paying 10% and the 27 residents equally sharing 20% of the total cost.    After informing the relevant residents, it was found that there were few positive responses and as a result the scheme has been shelved due to lack of interest.

 The Mayor, although not ruling out the possibility, has suggested that any proposed scheme to provide mains drainage to those properties in El Capso not conveniently situated to a public sewer, is seen as most unlikely to take place.

 In November 2009 the committee became aware of a planning consultation paper being produced by a firm of environmental consultants regarding the future of Orba.   Of major concern was the reference to a proposed industrial estate, which, if built, would cause considerable visual intrusion to residential El Capso.

 A meeting for the foreign community was held in December 2009 to explain “the future of Orba” when one of the consultants explained that there were two possible sites for the proposed industrial estate; one in the campo, immediately north of El Capso and the other down the road to Benidoleig, near Orba Garden Centre.   The meeting attracted 150 foreign residents of Orba, mainly from the urbanisations of El Capso, La Plana and Palmeria. (The previous evening, a similar meeting for the local Spanish community had attracted 12).

 All residents of Orba were subsequently invited to complete a questionnaire regarding Orba’s future which included the potential siting of an industrial estate.   120 completed questionnaires were collected and submitted to the consultants via the Town Hall (there may have been others) from residents of El Capso.  All 120 had a clear “not on my doorstep” message in respect of the industrial estate and as a result of this and similar actions taken by the other urbanisations, it is now most unlikely that an industrial estate will be built adjacent to El Capso, if it is built at all.   The Mayor and his party in power also prefer the siting to be towards Benidoleig, but the reason that it will not be built near El Capso, if at all, is because of its overwhelming rejection by the residents.

  2010/2011.

It was explained that the Mayor, no doubt with thoughts on the 22 May 2011 elections, would be holding a meeting for European citizens on 30 November 2010 at 7 p.m. in the Casa de Cultura, Orba, to discuss voting and the padron, together with information about urban developments.  

However, items to be noted were as follows:

 1.   A multi-purpose Eco-Park is to be built on the campo (behind the water treatment works) on a site of 250 sq. metres.   The site will be manned and depositors will have to prove that they live locally.   The committee intends to continue to use the basura, particularly for the use of non-drivers.

  2.   No separate provision for garden waste is planned at the moment, although it may be at a later date.   Both Peter Smith and Josie Creasey felt that green waste should not be burnt, but recycled. At this point Peter pointed out that the detail of the Mayor’s new initiatives was not fully known by the committee and that questions should be put to him on 30 November.

 3.   In 2011 the Mayor expects to appoint a water management company to oversee the operation of water supply to Orba.

 FINANCES.

In simple terms, during the accounting period, the Entidad received 1353 euros and spent 1598 euros.   The shortfall, 245 euros, was due to a lower number of subscriptions being received (33), than previously.   390 euros were collected in arrears from 2008 / 2009.

 The Entidad still holds 1870 euros at the bank to cater for any emergencies.

 The audited accounts, previously circulated, were approved after a proposal from Pam Kirkbride and seconded by Jim o’ Rourke.

 FUTURE PLANS AND BUDGET.

In the next year the committee propose to:

 1.   Ensure that all outstanding items promised by the Mayor are carried out.

 2.   Continue to employ Barry Sylvestre at the same rate as before.

 3.   Ensure that any new development or proposal does not impact disbeneficially to residents of El Capso.

 4.   Specifically,   (a) Look into any evidence of increased traffic on L’Ombria and Dels Plans, once the Eco-Park is operative.   (b) Make strong contact with the water management company to ensure that water leaks are dealt with more efficiently, so that long periods of disruption are minimised and additionally, push for more repair by replacement of old pipes, rather than a quick lash-up.

 5.   Carry out any emergency repairs or actions affecting the fabric of El Capso and fund such actions with Entidad funds.   Spending of significant amounts will be referred to the members.

 SUBSCRIPTION LEVEL.

 The fixed cost of implementing the committee’s proposals is 900 euros (Barry Sylvestre).   There will be some additional costs such as website management, bank charges, etc.   The number of households expected to contribute to Entidad funds in 2010/2011 is approximately balanced by the proposed expenditure.   The level of emergency funds would still be about 2000 euros.  For these reasons, the committee intends to suggest the same subscription level for 2010/2011.

 At the conclusion of the financial part of the main report, several questions were asked and a discussion followed:

 Peter Smith said that more people would pay their subscriptions if a reminder was sent out.

 Tina Hill thought that it would be useful to remind residents of the ultimate destination of subscriptions, i.e. for cleaning out the basura, burning garden waste and making the quemador safe, etc., when issuing reminders to pay.

 A discussion developed regarding the issue of a list posted in the buzon containing the names of those residents who had contributed to Entidad funds during the year.   Some thought that to issue a list indicating “thank you” to those payers was a good idea.   Others disagreed, saying that to issue a list containing the names of payers meant that, by exemption, others were “named and shamed.”

 An ensuing discussion involving all committee members and several others took place.  All were reminded by Babs that the list was issued by her after agreeing its content with the other committee members.  Babs explained that it was intended to be just a simple communication thanking contributors for their efforts.

 Peter reminded the meeting that payment was no longer mandatory, since a judgement had been made previously making it unlawful to attempt to recover funds from non-payers in an association such as the El Capso Entidad, but he was pleased that a good number had contributed, although it had to be conceded that the number had diminished from previous years and even allowing for the non-mandatory rule, this was disappointing.

 Patrick Scully asked if his name and that of his wife, Joan, could be excluded from such a list in future.

 Randall Lewis considered that the production of the list was a good idea, but should not include the names of people who had paid and did not want to be named.

 Jim Hitchen proposed that when members paid their subscriptions, they should indicate whether they wanted their names included on a thank you list or not.

 Peter undertook to consider the views of the membership when producing information in the future and proposed that the committee’s future plans, together with the proposed subscription level of 30 euros in 2010/2011 to fund the plans be approved. The proposal was seconded by Peter Coleman and approved by the members.

 ELECTION OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS FOR 2010/2011.

 It was explained that under current Entidad rules, each member of the present committee has to offer themselves for re-election or otherwise withdraw.   Peter said that the present quartet were pleased to carry on for another year, but asked if anyone would like to propose another for the roles of President, Treasurer, Secretary and Member.  

 No nominations were received, so Peter proposed that the present committee carry on in 2010/2011. This was approved.

 ANY OTHER BUSINESS.

 Following a water leak in the highway outside no.7, L’Ombria, a temporary trench reinstatement had been carried out using sand as backfill and this had sunk badly causing a considerable depression in the road surface requiring a permanent reinstatement now rather than waiting for more settlement.   Peter to inform the Town Hall (done 25 November, but will issue a reminder in one week’s time).

 Members felt that there has been an increase in traffic along Dels Plans and L’Ombria due to some drivers, avoiding the speed bumps on the bypass behind Marorba, using the El Capso route as a “rat run.”   They asked if it was possible to have the speed bumps removed from the bypass.

Peter to discuss this possibility with the Mayor.

 Jim O’ Rourke asked if a mirror could be placed at the corner of La Rota and La Solana.   Peter to discuss this possibility with the Mayor.

 Jim O’ Rourke also supported a suggestion to place notices (in English and Spanish) aimed at eliminating dog litter.   Committee to carry out.

 Some members considered that due to the relatively low level of pay Barry Sylvestre receives and that it was not possible to increase this, priority should be given to cleaning the basura and burning quemador material, rather than cutting down overhanging tree branches and weed killing in the highway.   Some members thought that this should be done by individual property owners.   Committee to give priority to Barry’s work in line with the members general wishes.

 There was no other business and the meeting closed at approximately 7.50 p.m.

                                                                                                                                                                                                     PAW 30 NOV 2010.

 ADDENDUM

 BRIEF NOTES SUBSEQUENT TO THE MAYOR’S MEETING WITH THE FOREIGN COMMUNITY HELD AT THE CASA DE CULTURA AT 7 P.M, 30 NOVEMBER 2010.

 THE FUTURE OF ORBA.

 The questionnaire was completed by a total of 244 people, 239 by non-Spanish residents and 5 by Spanish.   Of the 244, 120 questionnaires were submitted by the El Capso Entidad on behalf of El Capso residents.   In respect of the proposed industrial estate, either adjacent to El Capso or down the Benidoleig Road, 22 people said “yes”, 201 said “no” and the remainder did not declare.   In view of this result, there is now no intention to build an industrial estate in Orba.

 REFUSE COLLECTION. 

 A new refuse collection contract commences on 1 January 2011.   There will be 6 collections per week and new bins will be provided at the various basuras.   The new contractor will take responsibility for cleaning up basuras and surrounding areas (but so did the last one!!!).

 GARDEN WASTE.

 The Town Hall is still considering the system to be used for dealing with garden waste at the proposed site near the water treatment works on the campo.   Possibilities are (1) An environmental scheme (recycling, shredding or containing) or (2) Burning.   In view of the overwhelming opposition to burning shown by the El Capso residents present at the meeting, it is perhaps unlikely that possibility (2) will be used.   The matter is still under consideration.

 WATER MANAGEMENT.

 A newly Town Hall appointed company will oversee water supply management and all associated matters as from January 2011.   Water charges will not be increased above the inflation rate and a new programme of replacement pipes is proposed, although there is no firm information yet as to priorities.

 TRAFFIC: DELS PLANS AND L’OMBRIA.

 Due to considerable opposition, the Mayor has agreed to reduce the size of the over large rounded protuberances on the Orba by-pass thought by many to be the cause of increased traffic on the “bottom” El Capso campo road.   At the same time, he will authorise traffic calming measures to Dels Plans, L’Ombria and the approaches to El Capso, probably involving the use of “sleeping policemen” similar to those already in use.

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 YOUR COMMITTEE WILL BE SEEKING A MEETING WITH THE MAYOR AFTER THE CHRISTMAS PERIOD AND 12^TH NIGHT, PROBABLY ABOUT 11 OR 12 JANUARY TO DISCUSS AND CREATE CONSIDERABLE INPUT TO THE DECISION MAKING PROCESS REGARDING MUCH OF THE ABOVE AND OTHER RELEVENT MATTERS.

 IF YOU HAVE COGENT COMMENTS TO MAKE REGARDING ANY OF THE ABOVE, OR ABOUT YOUR ENVIRONMENT, WHERE THE COMMITTEE MAY ACT ON YOUR BEHALF, PLEASE E-MAIL peter@citrusred.es OR CONTACT ANY COMMITTEE MEMBER BEFORE 10 JANUARY 2011.