Summary of points raised by Amigos de Benahavís and answered by Isabel Guerrero at a meeting in the Town Hall on January 26th 2010
Water and sewage services (John, Monte Halcones)
Since January 1 water services throughout the municipality have been the responsibility of a new company, Aguas de Benahavís. The principal shareholder in this company is the Benahavís Town Hall. All users must sign a new supply contract with the company and will be informed by letter when they need to do this. The company’s office is in the centre of the village (next to the farmacia). Documents needed when making the contract are: ID or residency certificate/card, copy of title deed or rental contract, bank details. Applicants will also be required to pay a deposit. In the case of any query, visit the office or call Flerida Marin on 952 855 273 (9am-1pm).
Meanwhile, the new sewage pipeline project near the Dog fouling (Beverley, Vivihabis II
A new regulation enforcing police powers to deal with this nuisance has just been signed into effect. This will facilitate police action against offending owners and to fine and prosecute them. The level of fines are considerable -- € 500 upwards. Nuisance also includes persistent barking. If you have a problem with dog nuisance on your community, you should exhaust the normal processes first, and then contact the local police (i.e. not the town hall or Guardia Civil).
Recycling bins (Malcolm, La Torre & Ed, Puerto del Almendro)
The reason these have not materialised, is because their provision is in the hands of the Mancommunidad to which Benahavís belongs. Dona Isabel has written repeatedly to the Medioambiente department requesting the new receptacles, but without any positive response. This is presumably in the lap of Spanish bureaucracy.
Pedestrianisation of the village centre (Helen, Vivihabis II)
Cars are already barred from parts of the village during summer evenings. To extend this was regarded as impracticable.
Tree-screening the sub-station above El Casar (Neil, Las Mozas)
This is provided for in the plans. Meanwhile thousands of almond trees have recently been planted alongside roadsides outside the village.
Underground refuse installations (Neil, Las Mozas)
Feedback from residents has not favoured these forms of storage which can be very malodorous and are very expensive. Ways of camouflaging the existing bins will be considered.
Avda de Andalucia (Neil, Las Mozas)
Work on the Town Hall should finish in June, after which repairs to the roadway – including the entrance to La Pacheca – will be undertaken.
Lack of metered power supply and stair rails (Thea, La Hacienda At the time that this development applied for its licence of first occupation, these matters were without the Town Hall’s responsibility. They are therefore a matter for the owners and the developer.
Road cleaning around long-term parked vehicles (Beverley, Vivihabis II)
From February there will be extra staff engaged in cleaning, which should help resolve this issue.
Car parking by the new social housing (Peter, El Mirador)
The plan to bridge over a stretch of the cañada to provide parking – and the cost of doing so – is in the council’s plans the precise ownership of the land need to be established before proceeding with the work.
Unwanted signage (Neil, Las Mozas)
The owner of the site at the start of the village, has been ordered to tidy it and remove unapproved notices. Other signs that are now redundant will be removed. The Plan E signs have to stay for the time being as they were a condition of receiving the funds from Use of the stage in the new park (Peter, El Mirador)
A proposal for an amateur dramatics group to make use of the stage in the park was approved in principle.
Meeting 13 Gran Hotel, Thursday, June 25, 2009
Present
Neil Pettifer, Chairman (Las Mozas); Peter Rogers, Secretary (El Mirador); Peter Letters (La Aldea & Ribera del Guadalmina); Beverley Stickland (Vivihabis II); Stephanie West & Steve Thomas (Las Lomas); Ed Morrison (Las Terrazas de las Amendros); Thea Horsey & Isobel Mcewan (La Hacienda del Señorio de Cifuentes); John & Joyce Lomax (Torre Halcones); Malcolm Duns (Nido de los Halcones)
From the Town Hall: Dña. Isabel Maria Guerrero Sanchez (Councillor for Foreigners); Dña. Maria Angeles Mena Muñoz
Apologies for absence
Jim Robertson (La Pacheca); Simona Longoni (Torre Halcones); Tom Houston (La Quinta Hills); Malcolm Ward (La Torre); Helen Newport (Vivihabis II); Edward Bladen (Los Arqueros); Graham Hutchinson (Valle de Guadalmina); Robert Vinson (El Casar); Eric Nickson (Monte Mayor); Jan & Birgitta Opsahl (Los Olivos); Christian Dias (La Aldaba); Alison Bewsey (Cerrado del Regidor)
Guest Speaker
Myra Cecilia Azzopardi & Marion Flaherty, Costa Advice Bureau
Myra Azzopardi
The chairman welcomed Myra Azzopardi and her colleague. She explained how she set up the Bureau in 1995 having found herself in the role of trouble-shooter for some ex-pats in Estepona. The Bureau had to charge for its services but it was strictly non-political. Such was the demand for advice and help, the C.A.B. was growing very quickly. She said most problems residents encountered arose because of misinformation, fuelled by scaremongering.
Addressing Dña. Isabel, Myra A. said she hoped the Benahavís Town Hall would be willing to work with C.A.B; Maria Angeles explained that it was not possible for them to recommend particular companies.
Myra A. made a number of specific points:
● anyone on the padron can be required to act as an invigilator during an election
● pensioners can benefit from a Telefonica line rental of just 70¢
● ex-pats over pension age and meeting certain criteria can be eligible for a non-contributory Spanish pension
● community presidents can be sued for administrative errors
● the police are not allowed to impose on-the-spot motoring fines on residents
● the frequently-quoted need for residents to hold a Spanish driving licence is a myth
● at the end of a call to Telefonica’s helpline, you may be asked some quality control questions; if you rate every answer ‘zero’, you quickly get put through to a supervisor
On a specific point about electrical supply, Neil P. observed that some people had received huge bills from Sevillana Endesa in January the result, apparently, of a system that estimated the load needed by individual homes during any one period and applied a punitive charge if that level was exceeded; do people have to apply for a refund or will the company automatically pay the excess back? Myra A. explained how the politics had compounded the confusion and said that the industry was about to be privatised (July 1 start date).
When it came to checking electricity bills, it was clear that some people had no access to their meters, and this went for communities too in respect of communal supply. She said everyone had an absolute right to know their meter reading. Joyce L. said a neighbour of theirs had challenged an electricity bill and had been given three different rates by three different S.E. officials.
There was a long discussion of the problems encountered by one member’s community which, she said, currently lacked a formal power supply, telephone connection and even postal services. Because so many of the properties were unsold, the bank had stepped in and more-or-less appointed a president. However no community fees were being paid on these and other properties although the developer had met a lot of bills.
The advice from the meeting and Myra A. was that the circumstances applying were not acceptable. Unless community fees were paid the owners concerned could not vote at an a.g.m. nor appoint a president or administrator. The recourse available to paying owners, was through an e.g.m. The difficulty of not having access to the necessary documents could be overcome by a notary. Also, it might be possible to take the president rather than the community to court; that could be done by any individual owner. The member said a few owners had appointed a lawyer to help them; Myra A. offered to accompany them to a meeting if necessary. She also advised them to approach the bank concerned at the highest level they could.
The chairman observed that in all such matters, knowledge is the key to resolving problems and he thanked Myra and Marion for attending the meeting and for their valuable contribution.
The meeting continued:
Asked about IBI bills, Peter L. said these went out mid-July.
John L. asked what happened if no-one in a community was prepared to stand as a president; Neil P. said that ultimately the presidency would be decided by rote or lot.
Isabel M. asked whether the town hall was responsible for the approach road to their macro-community; Peter L. offered to accompany her to the technical office to see who was responsible.
John L. said they had yet to receive a basura bill after six years, what would the cost be? Peter L. said € 111, or € 18.50 a year.
Town Hall issues
Neil P. expressed his delight that the idea for a Benahavís in Bloom competition had been acted on so speedily by the town hall. He said the judging had taken place earlier in the week and that on the next day (Friday, June 26) the winners would be announced at the Escuela del Hostelria.
Neil P. asked about the completion of the
Peter L. said the Liverpool FC youth academy visit would bring eight trainers and 140 youngsters to the town.
Peter L. said the project to consolidate the municipality’s water supplies under one company was in hand.
Future meetings of AdB
Peter R. suggested that in future meetings should be held every other month. Also, after two members had commented that end-of-the-month Fridays presented difficulties, he proposed changing to mid-week, mid-month dates. These proposals were agreed, starting from 2010.
Date of the next meeting
Friday, September 25
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Meeting 12
Gran Hotel, Friday, May 29, 2009
Present
Neil Pettifer, Chairman (Las Mozas); Peter Rogers, Secretary (El Mirador); Peter Letters (La Aldea & Ribera del Guadalmina); Beverley Stickland (Vivihabis II); Stephanie West & Steve Thomas (Las Lomas); Robert Vinson (El Casar); Malcolm Duns (Nido de los Halcones); Ake Olofsson (El Alto); Eric Nickson (Monte Mayor); Ed Morrison (Puerta del Amendro);
From the Town Hall: Don José Antonio Mena (the Mayor); Dña. Isabel Maria Guerrero Sanchez (Councillor for Foreigners); Dña. Maria Angeles Mena Muñoz
Apologies for absence
Simona Longoni (Torre Halcones); Tom Houston (La Quinta Hills); Malcolm Ward (La Torre), Alison Bewsey (Cerrado del Regidor); Helen Newport (Vivihabis II); Edward Bladen (Los Arqueros); Thea Horsey (La Hacienda del Señorio de Cifuentes); Graham Hutchinson (Valle de Guadalmina); Jan & Birgitta Opsahl (Los Olivos)
VISIT BY THE MAYOR
The chairman welcomed the Mayor, Sr. Mena and Dña. Isabel.
Asked about developments since he first attended a meeting of AdB, Sr. Mena mentioned in particular the installation of sports facilities and the social housing project. In regard to the latter he invited members to the official opening on June 19. He also said that the final stage of the link to the
Stephanie W., who sits on the PR Group formed at the AdB Business Forum in March, referred to a proposed meeting with Town Hall officials and this was confirmed. It was agreed that co-ordination over PR matters was in everyone’s interests.
In reply to a question by Neil P. about relations with the government of Andalucia, Sr. Mena said the Junta viewed Benahavis as a ‘rich’ municipality and, as a result, offered little or no support. For example, in the provision of health services – technically a Junta responsibility – the Town Hall meets most of the cost.
Neil P. asked whether the gymnasium could not open at the weekend. Dña. Isabel explained the problem was one of staffing. He then asked whether there could not be more advantages for carnet holders, and Peter L. pointed out that there were art and sculpture classes as well as Spanish lessons.
Sr. Mena confirmed that there were plans for a centre for jubilados which would be sited alongside the car park beneath the church.
Maria Angeles confirmed that there would be an International Day this year; Neil P. suggested that there should be more advance notice to encourage attendance.
With regard to the new electricity sub-station above El Casar, Peter L. said tree-planting to screen the building was part of the contract. He added that a significant virtue of the new installation was that all cabling would be underground. Neil P. asked whether the same could be done with overhead power lines by the river; Sr. Mena said they had asked Sevillana Endesa whether this would be possible, however they carry the supply to the Gran Hotel and so far there is no resolution to this matter.
Peter R. asked about parking around El Mirador community and Sr. Mena confirmed that the proposal to bridge over part of the cañada to provide extra spaces was in next year’s budget.
Robert V. asked again about the site at the roundabout entrance which, he said, was like a building site. Maria Angeles explained how the ownership of this site made it difficult for the Town Hall to act.
Malcolm D. mentioned problems with intruders inside a gated community. Sr. Mena said they hoped to augment the local police force with new recruits in a month’s time.
Neil P. applauded the action the Town Hall had taken to remove the majority of unauthorised advertisement hoardings, particularly on the road through the gorge, but asked if some new ones – such as the road contractor’s at the entrance roundabout – could not be similarly dealt with.
Ake O. said some car-owners seemed to be using the car park beneath the church in the village centre for long-term parking and asked whether some time limit could not be enforced. Dña. Isabel explained that this might be possible but they had to seek special provision to do so. Maria Angeles pointed out that the new Town Hall building will include 90 car park spaces.
Neil P. asked whether there was a chance that the village could have ‘a proper post office’. Sr. Mena said they had in fact offered to provide suitable premises to Correos but that this had been declined.
Eric N. asked about the road between Monte Mayor and Cancelada which, he said, was in a poor state of repair in places. Sr. Mena replied that a project to carry out improvements was in next year’s budget.
Neil P. asked about the work on the bridge over the motorway between Marbella Club Golf and La Hacienda del Sonorio de Cifuentes. Sr. Mena said Ferrovial would be completing the work following problems with the original contractor.
Robert V. asked whether the CCTV cameras at the roundabout were fully functioning and who monitored them. Sr. Mena confirmed that they were operating 24 hours a day and that they were monitored by the police.
Neil P. said that last year there had been some wonderful concerts in the village and asked whether there were plans for more this year. Dña. Isabel said yes and added that they hoped that some would take place in the new park. Peter R. asked whether the idea of a Last Night of the Proms concert could be included in the schedule and, after some explanation, Sr. Mena said there was no reason why it should not be.
Neil P. wondered whether the Town Hall could not sponsor a festival in Benahavis for floral displays on balconies. Dña. Isabel agreed with the idea and suggested holding it during the feria, however Neil P. suggested that June or July would be better suited.
Stephanie W. asked about the uncompleted wall between the church and the swimming pool at Las Lomas. Sr. Mena said technically this was not a responsibility of the Town Hall however the matter was on the agenda of a meeting he would be taking later that day and that three tenders to undertake the necessary work had been received.
Beverley S. raised the problem of the unadopted road at the front of Vivihabis II and Maria Angeles said if she would go to the Town Hall she could show her what the plans for the area entailed. On the repairs to the Avda. de Andalucia Sr. Mena said these would be carried out after the new Town Hall had been completed and the costs are in next year’s estimates.
When Ed M. asked about the completion date for the sewage project to Guadalmina, Sr. Mena promptly phoned the engineer working on the job and told him ‘October’!
Finally, Sr. Mena said language lessons for foreigners would continued to be supported by the Town Hall and that he anticipated the next time he attended a meeting of the AdB it would be conducted in Spanish!
Neil P. thanked the mayor for taking the time to attend the meeting.
BUSINESS FORUM
Stephanie W. explained that the PR Group had established a Facebook page called ‘I love Benahavis’ to advertise the village; they already have 68 members. It provides links to other Benahavis websites. Peter L. mentioned that there were now a new set of postcards depicting the village in different seasons.
Neil P. suggested that someone in the Town Hall should examine all the website opportunities there were to promote the village and to monitor them. Ake O. said it was necessary to vet such sites because information and photographs quickly get out of date.
Peter R. related a suggestion from the Gran Hotel manager Juan Vilcinskas that some kind of courtesy bus service from centres of tourism like Puerto Banus would help to bring more visitors into the village. Such a scheme had been raised during the Business Forum but the operational details were quite complex. A Chamber of Commerce, as proposed at the Forum, would be the best authority to approach hotels and communities on the coast some of which already ran their own buses for the convenience of guests or owners.
GUEST SPEAKERS
Neil P. suggested inviting Pepe Ruiz, the administrator at Las Mozas, to the June meeting to answer members’ questions. Peter R. said Malcolm W. had also offered to ask their administrator to attend.
Next meeting
Friday, June 26. Please note the next meeting after this will be in September.
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Meeting 11
Gran Hotel, Friday, April 24, 2009
Present
Neil Pettifer, Chairman (Las Mozas); Peter Rogers, Secretary (El Mirador); Peter Letters (La Aldea & Ribera del Guadalmina); Beverley Stickland (Vivihabis II); Steve Thomas (Las Lomas); Robert Vinson (El Casar)
From the Town Hall: Dna Isabel Maria Guerrero Sanchez (Councillor for Foreigners)
Apologies for absence
John Lomax & Simona Longoni (Torre Halcones); Tom Houston (La Quinta Hills); Malcolm Ward (La Torre), Alison Bewsey (Cerrado del Regidor); Helen Newport (Vivihabis II); Edward Bladen (Los Arqueros); Jim Robertson & Dot Hall (La Pacecha); Thea Horsey (La Hacienda del Señorio de Cifuentes); Eric Hickson (Monte Mayor)
MATTERS ARISING
Neil. P reported that another urbanisation – La Hacienda
Steve T. reported that Las Lomas had a new president, Hugo de Lassasie, who has taken over from Lindsey Evans.
TOWN HALL ISSUES
Sra. Guerrero reported that the new Town Hall building should be complete by late autumn and the
Among other on-going projects was a new skateboard park under construction near the football field, while a petanca terrain was planned for the park in front of the Gran Hotel. Public toilets are to be installed near the parks along with kiosks to sell soft drinks and snacks (the old kiosk near the Tuesday market is earmarked for use as a tourist information point). Repairs to the swimming pools had been necessitated by changes in safety regulations and were in hand, as were a number of other improvements to public areas.
The new sub-station above El Casar is to be screened by trees while dog mess bins are to be installed in June.
The Town Hall has moved to adopt the unmade road beside the village school and improvements to it and the unmade road in front of Vivihabis II are planned.
Peter L. drew attention to an all-day street market in the Avda. de Andalucia on Saturday, May 23, being organised by a charity supporting impoverished families.
Neil P. made the point that it had been over a year since the Mayor had first attended an AdB meeting at which time he had offered to attend on a quarterly basis. Peter R. put forward a proposal emanating from the vice-chairman, that any future encounter with the Mayor should be conducted in Spanish as a courtesy. Peter L, who suggested the Mayor quite valued the opportunity to practise his English, said he would press the Mayor to accept an invitation to attend the May meeting.
BUSINESS MEETING
Neil P. asked the secretary to forward Susie Hunter’s summary of this event to all AdB members as those who had not attended it had yet to see them.
He said the general feeling after the meeting was that it had been a very positive initiative with around 55 attendees. The majority had been from the English-speaking community and it had been agreed to try to arrange a similar event for the village’s Spanish businesses. However Steve T. reported that Chuck Evans, who volunteered to head up this idea, had met with no interest from any of the Spanish restaurant owners he approached, all of whom maintained there was no problem. This was regarded as specious; Beverley S. remarked that they appeared to be “in denial”. Steve T. said there was not a lot more to be done down that particular avenue.
On a more positive note, Neil P. said the other appointed teams were place and hopefully doing things. It had been stated from the start that AdB’s role was just to kick-start the debate and that action was down to the business community.
Peter R. wondered if there had been any reaction from the Town Hall. Peter L. said the Town Hall could not be seen to be promoting individual businesses but that the village was well-promoted in the Spanish media and the focus for PR was on the ex-pat community.
Beverley S. mentioned some initiatives in Elviria where the town had collaborated with major hotels along the coast to bring in visitors.
Peter L. pointed to a number of initiatives already in hand including the Liverpool FC youth academy, an under-20s tournament final in July and a PGA seniors event. Much of this, he said, was in line with the Mayor’s mission statement which focused, among other things, on family values, security and a wholesome environment. The Town Hall’s zero-tolerance policy towards grafitti and the emphasis on parks and gardens, were evidence of its implementation.
One-year-on
Commenting on the fact that AdB was now one-year-old, Neil P. said the organisation had achieved quite a lot but that, inevitably, some aspirations remained unfulfilled.
After the initial success of the Language Exchange evenings, there had been a marked lack of success or interest in social activities, which was disappointing.
GUEST SPEAKERS
Peter R. suggested some of the group leaders from the Business Forum could be invited to report progress.
Other suggestions for speakers included: the local MEP; Maria Alverez, a Marbella-based lawyer (Peter L.); an experienced administrator; David Marshall.
Neil P. reiterated his hope that the Mayor would attend the next meeting.
AOB
Peter L. pointed out that plenary meetings of the Town council were open and suggested members of AdB should perhaps attend. Neil P. asked him to provide the date of the next one.
Peter R. mentioned the idea he put forward two meetings ago, for a Last Night of the Proms party in September.
Next meeting
Friday, May 29. Please note, this is a week later than originally listed.
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Meeting 10
Los Arqueros Clubhouse, Thursday, February 26, 2009
Present
Neil Pettifer, Chairman (Las Mozas); Peter Rogers, Secretary (El Mirador); Jim Robertson, Vice-Chairman, and Dorothy Hall (La (La Pacheca)
Peter Letters (La Aldea & Ribera del Guadalmina); Edward Bladen (Los Arqueros); Helen Newport & Beverley Stickland (Vivihabis II); Graham Hutchinson (Valle de Guadalmina); Eric Nickson (Monte Mayor); Steve & Stephanie Thomas (Las Lomas); Karen Michau Taylor (Las Terrazas); Ed Morrison (Puetro Almendros); Åke Olofsson (El Alto); Malcolm Duns (Nido de los Halcones); Richard Wellick (Los Arqueros Macrocommunity)
From the Town Hall: Dna Isabel Maria Guerrero Sanchez (Councillor for Foreigners & Urbanisations) & Maria Angeles Mena Muñoz
Apologies for absence
Robert Vinsen (El Casar); John Lomax & Simona Longoni (Torre Halcones); Tom Houston (La Quinta Hills); Malcolm Ward (La Torre), Lindsey Evans (Las Lomas)
Richard Wellick welcomed the members of AdB to Los Arqueros Clubhouse. The chairman thanked him and Edward B. for their kind hospitality.
INVITED SPEAKER
Jolanta Jarczewska, founder and president of the Foreign Residents’ Association of Andalucía
Sra. Jarczewska explained the background and objectives of the FRAA. She admitted that making representations to Spanish authorities was often difficult but illustrated how she had succeeded in the past by appealing elsewhere, in particular to the European Parliament. On one famous occasion, in response to a plea from residents in Ronda, she took their objections to a new building project all the way to the United Nations after she discovered that the project was in an area designated of cultural significance by Unesco. Having engaged that organisation, the appropriate authority in Spain took note and action followed soon after.
Sra. Jarczewska said the defending the attractions of residential areas against rogue development was a priorty. Neil P. said a case in point was the building of a supermarket in Los Arqueros but Peter L. pointed out that this site had had permission for commercial development from the start, and Åke O. pointed out that the local authority was obliged to set aside areas for commercial or social use when approving plans.
On the subject of planning Neil P. wondered what the process was for challenging plans and Dot. H wondered whether the foreign community really had a voice in it. Edward B. said the town hall could do more to communicate through community administrators, however Helen N. said she was getting more information these days thanks to Peter L.
Sra. Jarczewska mentioned a previous congress of foreigners which had been well attended by Spanish representatives and a lot of journalists. She thought that Benahavís, with its high proportion of non-Spanish residents and home-owners, might be a good place for another such congress. Members agreed the idea and recommended it to the Town Hall. Sra. Guerrero indicated that she concurred with the idea.
Åke O. said communications would improve if more foreigners registered on the padron and Richard W. agreed that this was of paramount importance. Helen N. thought it would be improved if it could be done on-line. Neil P. pointed out that encouraging people to register had been an aim of the AdB since the beginning and Peter L. said that thanks in part to the AdB, the number of people in Benahavis registered had risen from just 1800 four years ago to 5000 now; about 60% of those were foreigners, he added.
Dot H. asked whether you had to have resident status to register; Neil P. said this was not a condition. Peter L. added that the details for registering were all on the website www.benahavis.es.
Neil P. asked how many communities had their own website – a show of hands revealed that none except Las Mozas did. He said it was very easy to set one up and it was a very efficient way of communicating.
TOWN HALL ISSUES
Sra. Guerrero presented a summary of major projects the Town Hall had embarked upon or planned. Initiatives included free medical insurance for infants and an extention to the village’s medical centre. All the initiatives were welcomed by the members.
Edward B. said road cleaning in Los Arqueros was much more regular than before and that they were more than happy with the service. The town hall had also provided the recycling bins that had been requested.
Helen N. asked whether anything could be done to close the unmade road alongside the school to traffic because of the danger to children. It was pointed out that this was private property and may have a right-of-way.
Beverley S. wondered when the new electricity sub-station would be completed as Vivihabis II was still on a builder’s supply.
Peter R. asked about the promised parking provision alongside El Mirador and Peter L. volunteered to look into this.
Malcolm D. raised the mater of water supply and Sra. Guerrero said the Town Hall was trying to created one large water supply company to serve all the communities within the municipality. Studies and negotiations were on-going.
Helen N. raised the issue of dog excrement and Sra. Guerrero said that there will be special bins installed in the village.
Eric H. asked for more details of the fire-fighting consortium; he said that Monte Mayor had a small fire-protection squad and wondered if there would be a new emergency number to call. Maria Angeles M. said a fire-engine was based near Monte Holcone and Peter L. explained that the team toured the municipality checking hydrants, removing combustible material, etc.
In answer to Neil P. who questioned the progress with work on the Avenida de Andalucia, Maria Angeles M. said other major projects like the new town hall would have to be finished first.
According to Åke O. work on the new main sewer down the
Helen N. asked about the provision of more car parking and Peter L. pointed out that when the new town hall was finished there would be 64 new spaces that would be available at times.
Neil P. asked what would happen to the old town hall and old Guardia Civil offices in the town centre; this was not known.
Maria Angeles M. said when the new link to the
ECONOMIC CRISIS
Neil P. raised the down-turn in business apparent among the restaurants and bars in the village and the closure of some shops. He said the commercial success of the village depended on people coming up to it every day.
There was, he added, a lot of expertise among the members of AdB and that it might a good idea to promote a forum to which all the businesses in the municipality would be invited. The objectives would be to suggest ways of improving trade collectively and individually, and to establish the kind of support businesses need.
Helen N. said she was surprised restaurants did not do more to promote business and Beverley S. suggested they liaise with hotels along the coast to bring customers to the village.
Graham H. said the forum was a good idea but in the economic circumstances UK visitors were opting to stay at home.
Jim R. said any initiative should involve the village’s ‘restaurant group’. He said group promotion had been tried before without great success but Ed M. said it might work on another occasion.
Peter L. drew attention to the fact that a number of senior northern European football clubs would be using the field in Benahavis later this year for training purposes and that Liverpool FC football academy would be there in July, and the European golf tour would be at La Quinta.
After further discussion the meeting agreed to pursue the idea of a forum and elected a sub-committee comprising Neil P., Dot H., Jim R. and Peter R.
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
Peter L. said that as well as the visiting football interests (see item above) there was to be a village carnival.
Peter R. suggested that an ideal event for the new park would be a Last Night of the Proms party. Peter L. agreed to take this idea to the Town Hall.
AOB
There was no other business.
Next meeting
Provisional date for the March meeting to be put on hold subject to the success or otherwise of the Business Forum sub-committee’s deliberations.
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Meeting 9
Gran Hotel Benahavís, Friday, November 28, 2008
Present
Neil Pettifer, Chairman (Las Mozas); Peter Rogers, Secretary (El Mirador); Jim Robertson, Vice-Chairman (La Pacheca); Peter Letters (La Aldea & Ribera del Guadalmina); Lindsey Evans (Las Lomas); Beverley Stickland (Vivihabis II); Maria Angeles Mena Muñoz (Montemar I); Robert Vinsen (El Casar); Graham Hutchinson (Valle de Guadalmina)
From the Town Hall: Don Antonio Castano Sanchez (Councillor for Public Works & Sport)
Apologies for absence
Alison Bewsey (Cerrado del Regidor); Eric Nickson (Monte Mayor); Christian Dias (La Aldaba); John Lomas & Simona Longoni (Torre Halcones); Tom Houston (La Quinta Hills); Edward Bladen (Los Arqueros); Malcolm Ward (La Torre)
INVITED SPEAKER
Don Antonio Castano
Sr Castano explained the significance of the new carnet for residents who wish to engage in ‘Sports’ (including free golf and tennis lessons for children and free swimming lessons for all) and/or ‘Activities’ provided by the council. Basically residents have until December 30 to apply for the carnet covering 2009 at the heavily discounted rate of €10 for either, or €20 for both packages. He also explained the complications that led to the two-year residency condition (now dropped) and the €50 season-card for visitors which is under consideration. The carnet itself and the rules were introduced to stop the free, casual use of Benahavis facilities by people not resident in the municipality.
In response for a question from Lindsey E. he said the carnet also covered use of the pabellón which was set out for basketball, five-a-side football, handball, etc. To arrange use of the pabellón for team events it was necessary to apply at the Town Hall.
Peter R. asked whether there was a case for a petanca terrain; Sr Castano said one was planned near the children’s playground opposite the school.
Beverley S. raised the issue of the un-made-up road at the back of Vivihabis II while Lindsey E. said lorries speeding down the hill by the new police station represented a serious risk to road-users.
Graham H. said another car had skidded and collided with a lamppost at the roundabout at the entrance to the village. He blamed surface mud and water and a stop sign that was half hidden by foliage. Robert V. added that a driver did not have to be speeding there to skid.
Neil P. raised the issue of the nave (the large municipal building at the back of the golf range) and asked why it could not be screened with trees.
Neil P. also asked whether tree-planting would be undertaken around the new electrical sub-station being built on the hill overlooking El Casar. Beverley S. asked about the completion date of the work. Sr Castano pointed out that Endesa was responsible for the sub-station but undertook to find out about the completion date. He thought tree-planting was a good idea.
Lindsey E. also asked about the stability of the hillside at the road junction near the new Police Station and whether it could be reinforced to prevent possible rock falls.
Sr Castano said he thought it would be possible.
Graham H. suggested the Police could be asked to have a clampdown on littering by lorry drivers. Sr Castano said they do act if they witness the offence.
Peter R. asked whether periodic purges by the police, against things like dog nuisance as well as littering, would not be a good idea as word soon spread if a few offenders were caught and fined.
Sr Castano said the village was now equipped with satellite provision for the digital switch-over in Spanish TV. Analogue transmissions are due to end in 2010.
Before leaving the meeting, Sr Castano offered the Amigos de Benahavís the use of the board room in the Town Hall for its meetings (see below).
TOWN HALL ISSUES
Neil P. reported on the successful visit to the new police stations arranged for members by the Town Hall.
On the issue of dogs, Peter L. reported that the police currently do not have authority to act but will do next year following agreement between the PP and PSOE members of the council to expedite the necessary powers. He also reported on another fatal dog poisoning in the campo above El Casar.
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
Peter L. said that he had been unable to find a musician to progress his idea for a carol concert in the church, however the Town Hall had another function planned for December 22, Spain’s national lottery day.
Christmas lunch
It was apparent that very few people were keen to attend this and so the decision was taken to cancel it.
Inter-cultural Day
Peter L. reported that the Inter-cultural Day in October had been a success.
AOB
Sponsorship
Neil P. reported that he had collected €200 from F&J, the AdB’s second sponsor.
Meetings and speakers for 2009
Peter R. presented a list of 10 meeting dates for 2009 (on the fourth Friday of the month omitting August and December). These were accepted. Jim R. raised the issue of alternative venues; he said he had called before for some meetings to be held outside the village centre. Graham H. recommended asking Edward B. whether a room could be found at Los Arqueros while Peter L. referred to Sr Castano’s offer of the Town Hall room.
Peter R. also put forward the names of possible speakers at meetings next year including Jolanta Tarczewska from the Foreign Residents in Andulucia Association. Graham H. suggested the new British Consul in Málaga. Peter L. said he would try to find out who our local MEP was.
It was agreed that Peter L. would ask the Mayor if he could attend the January meeting and to see whether that meeting could take place in the Town Hall (the room has chairs for just 16). In anticipation of the Mayor being able to attend, members were asked to submit questions for him in the first place to the Secretary.
Peter R. will contact Edward B. over the possibility of finding a room at Los Arqueros for the February meeting.
Next meeting
There will be no meeting in December, and so the next meeting will be on Friday, January 23, venue to be advised but possibly the Town Hall. Please note the likely start date to that meeting would be 10am rather than 10.30am.
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Meeting 8
Gran Hotel Benahavís, Friday, October 24, 2008
Present
Neil Pettifer, Chairman (Las Mozas); Peter Rogers, Secretary (El Mirador); Peter Letters (La Aldea & Ribera del Guadalmina); Lindsey Evans (Las Lomas); Maurice Foster (El Casar; Alison Bewsey (Cerrado del Regidor); Christian Dias (La Aldaba); John Lomax (Torre Halcones); Robert Vinsen (El Casar); Eric Nickson (Monte Mayor)
From the Town Hall: Dña Isabel Maria Guerrero Sanchez (Councillor for Foreigners, Urbanisations, Parks, etc); Don José Ruiz Gutierrez (Deputy Mayor and Councillor for Environmental Issues)
Apologies for absence
Jim Robertson, Vice-Chairman (La Pacheca); Beverley Stickland (Vivihabis II); Tom Houston (La Quinta Hills); Graham Hutchinson (Valle de Guadalmina)
INVITED SPEAKER
Don José Ruiz Gutierrez
Putting the environmental policy for Benahavís into context, Sr. Ruiz said the municipality had around 250 hectares designated as ‘green belt’ while about 12,000 hectares of the campo was protected. Among the protected tree species were some 12,000 cork oak trees.
Much of the policy as it affected the campo involved co-operative projects with landowners – for example the release of partridges and rabbits and the planting of around 35,000 trees every year to provide ground cover for birds and small mammals.
Already Benahavís has a rich wildlife thanks to the climate and terrain. According to some, the municipality is home to more bird species than anywhere else in Spain. Even the golf courses contribute to wildlife diversification, he said. It was not impossible that species such as wild boar and mountain goats might be reintroduced eventually. Christian D. raised the issue of pet animals being poisoned on the campo. Peter L. said the police were aware of the problem and that, if deliberate, it was an imprisonable offence.
Benahavís is spared most of the problems of polluted water courses that affect other municipalities, said Sr. Ruiz, but the existing facilities for dealing with waste will be improved when a new pipeline from Zagaleta via Los Arqueros is commissioned. This project has now been approved and negotiations with landowners are underway
Benahavís is too small to justify its own fire station (with 4,000 residents it is well below the 21,000 threshold), but a small team patrols the municipality to spot problems – typically in the campo – and to call in firefighters when necessary from Marbella or Estepona. This year so far there had been few outbreaks, Sr Ruiz said. Nevertheless the council is planning a permanent fire prevention facility at Monte Halcones. Eric N. wondered if there was a case for volunteer firefighters; and on the threshold numbers he pointed out that summer visitors considerably increased the population.
With regard to planning permission, Sr Ruiz said that under the new Plan General (still being considered by the Junta de Andalucía), all new houses would be required to be screened by 50 newly-planted trees. The Plan also includes proposals to improve the recreational facilities around the reservoir. Meanwhile picnic benches have been ordered for the children’s playground opposite the school.
Sr. Ruiz said a frequently asked question concerned the watering of so many golf courses. He said that about 75% of the water used is recycled.
The Los Arqueros link to the Ronda toll road was raised. This has been approved and signed off and should be complete in four months’ time. Maurice F. said he had seen surveyors at the site recently.
A wildlife information facility will soon be added to the newly-completed walk-way along the arroyo from the reservoir.
Peter L. said the family of a two-year-old girl who had died recently had requested permission to plant a tree in the village’s new park in her memory. Alison B. paid tribute to the Town Hall’s help during the tragic circumstances and at the memorial service held in the chapel. She said they were particularly grateful to Peter L. for all he had done.
Peter L. reported that he had been asked by the Town Hall to suggest some activity over Christmas that could involve the AdB and the whole community as an annual event; this would be in addition to traditional Spanish festivities. He had suggested a Carol Concert in the church followed by mulled wine and chestnuts. The meeting endorsed the idea and the weekend of December 20/21 was suggested.
Neil P. asked about the progress of the town’s Plan General. Peter L. said it was still with the Junta de Andalucía. Maurice F. said the Junta could return it any number of times requesting revisions.
On the annual pass for users of the swimming pool, gymnasium and other sports facilities, Peter L. said the two-year requirement for residents had been annulled. He added that the Town Hall was also considering temporary passes for seasonal visitors.
John L. raised the issue of the threat to trees from the red palm beetle. Peter L. said Maria-Angeles had details of the measures available to communities to deal with any outbreaks; the Junta also has a responsibility. Maurice F. said that two infected trees in El Casar would be sprayed but would probably have to be removed eventually. Eric N. said they were spraying fir trees against the processional pine moth.
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
Language Exchange
Peter L. said he had raised this with officials in the Town Hall but there was nothing to report so far.
Christmas get-together
Neil P. said he would send a new email to members regarding the Christmas Lunch on December 18 with all the details.
AOB
Sponsorship
Neil P. reported that F&J had agreed to sponsor the AdB’s administrative costs to €200 a year.
Future Guests.
Peter L. said he would ask Don Antonio Castano Sanchez, the councillor in charge of public works, to the next meeting. Neil P. suggested inviting Jolanta Tarczewska from the Foreign Residents in Andulucia Association. John L. repeated his idea of an expert in planning to explain the process of granting licences to developers.
Frequency of meetings
The chairman asked for opinions on the frequency of meetings during 2009. Alison B. was in favour of continuing with a monthly schedule as otherwise there was a risk of losing contact; it was always possible to omit any one meeting – such as in mid-summer – by general agreement. Christian D. agreed. The meeting endorsed these views.
Map of urbanisations
John L. wondered if it were possible to issue a map of the municipality showing the location of the various communities. Neil P. agreed to try to adapt one he presently used for his business.
Gales
John L. said that Monte Halcones had suffered some structural damage during the recent gales but that their insurers had agreed to meet the cost as the windspeeds exceeded a certain threshold
Next meeting
Friday, November 28, 10.30am, Gran Hotel
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Meeting 7
Gran Hotel Benahavís, Friday, September 26, 2008
Present
Neil Pettifer, Chairman (Las Mozas); Jim Robertson, Vice-Chairman (La Pacheca); Peter Rogers, Secretary (El Mirador);); Peter Letters (La Aldea & Ribera del Guadalmina); Lindsey Evans (Las Lomas); Christian Dias (La Aldaba); Graham Hutchinson (Valle de Guadalmina); John Lomax (Torre Halcones); Robert Vinsen (El Casar)
From the Town Hall: Dña Isabel Maria Guerrero Sanchez (Councillor for Foreigners, Urbanisations, Parks, etc); Don Manolo Romero, co-ordinator for security matters
Apologies for absence
Maurice Foster (El Casar); Beverley Stickland (Vivihabis II); Edward Bladen (Los Arqueros); Tom Houston (La Quinta Hills)
Chairman’s REPORT
The chairman welcomed Dña Isabel and Don Manolo.
INVITED SPEAKER
Don Manolo Romero
Responding to a series of questions put on behalf of AdB by Peter L. Sr. Manolo began by describing the responsibilities of the various police authorities.
National Police operate in large urban areas like Marbella. They handle Class A crimes like drug trafficking and are also responsible for immigration (leaving and entry regulations).
The Guardia Civil operates mainly outside of urban areas and are particularly involved in traffic incidents and car crime.
The Local Police are responsible for traffic control within municipalities, in particular school crossing patrols and observance of the laws regarding car use.
The Local Police is funded by the town hall and in Benahavis the policy is now for officers to achieve a higher level of visibility which means patrolling communities not just in the village centre but throughout the municipality.
In its economic plan submitted to the Junta de Andalucía, the Council has proposed to enlist nine more Local Police officers in 2009. If approved, this will bring the force to 19 which, among other things, will improve round-the-clock operations.
The national policy on drugs means that people over 18 in possession of cannabis for their own use are not breaking the law. However anyone seeing someone selling drugs or witnessing under-age use should report it to the Guardia Civil; this can be done anonymously by phone using the 062 emergency number.
Locally there is a schools drug education programme that encourages police forces to make presentations on the dangers and risks involved.
Sr. Romero confirmed that the Police will enter urbanisations to deal with minor complaints like noisy neighbours or dogs.
The 062 emergency number is a 24/7 service through to the Guardia Civil. Officers in the Guardia (and National Police) now have to sit exams in English as part of their training.
Drug crime is widespread in southern Spain but the level of crime of any sort in the centre of the village is very low and in many categories is almost unknown. This is partly due to the fact that there is only one road in and out of the village.
But in any case, serious crime has fallen dramatically thanks to the Malaya Operation in Marbella that led to the arrest of councillors and officials. According to Sr. Romero this police action had the knock-on effect of driving out a lot of organised criminals operating along the coast. As a result the number of serious crimes reported in Benahavis municipality fell from 110 in 2006, to 55 in 2007. The majority of these crimes were robberies. In 2008 the level has continued low, totalling just 46 up to August.
The statistics presented by Sr. Romero showed that, once again, the village centre was remarkably crime free. Unfortunately the outlying communities seem to make easier targets and La Quinta has the highest number of criminal incidents.
In the village centre there were a large number of recorded incidents involving cars, mainly traffic infringements or irregular paperwork. However there have been no deaths through road accidents this year and only one case of serious injury. Other categories were similarly few: drugs consumption 2; mistreatment of animals 1; domestic violence 1; showing a lack of respect to a police officer 1. Eight people have lost their licences through driving while under the influence of alcohol.
Asked about the hours worked by the Local Police, Sr. Romero said it was not possible to man the station 24 hours a day as well as operate regular patrols, but if the new recruitment programme is accepted, this will improve.
Asked whether there was a case for installing CCTV cameras in the church car park where cars had recently been vandalised, Sr. Romero said this would have to be sanctioned by Malaga because it was a public car park. He said they had applied for CCTV to be installed at the fountain roundabout, however because of the low level of crime, they expected this to be denied.
Asked whether it would be possible to arrange a visit to the new police station for members of AdB, Sr. Romero said he thought this was possible.
John L. commented that he had been very impressed with the work of the police force and thanked them for doing a very good job.
The chairman thanked Sr. Romero for attending the meeting.
TOWN HALL ISSUES
Christian D. said the Town Hall was dropping the two-year residency rule on the issue of photocards to users of the sports facilities, so that everyone on the padron could apply for one.
NeilP asked about the plans for the Avenida de Andalucía and Peter L reported that the Town Hall was awaiting a third set of plans/proposals.
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
Language Exchange
Neil P. explained that while the three evenings already held were a success, no one had volunteered to take over the organisation. Peter L. suggested the Town Hall might consider doing so given the level of interest by Spanish officials in improving their use of English. This was agreed.
Bancaja-Sorolla exhibition
Neil P. said the visit to the Sorolla Exhibition in Malaga, organised by Bancaja and supported by AdB, had been a great success.
Christmas get-together
A Christmas lunch for members, members of communities and friends was proposed. Graham H. pointed out the proposed date was when the schools broke up, so it was moved to Thursday, December 18.
Town Hall events
Neil P. said recent concerts had been excellent and much appreciated. Peter L. drew attention to the Miro exhibition due to open in the sports pavilion.
AOB
John L. raised the on-going problem regarding access to water experienced at Monte Halcones. He wondered if a technical architect could be invited to an AdB meeting to explain what can be done in disputes involving developers.
Neil P. drew members’ attention to the Gran Hotel’s special Andalucían and barbecue evenings.
Lindsey E. raised the question of the administrative expenses of AdB. Neil P. said he had approached a local firm – F&J – to see if they would sponsors secretarial costs.
Future Guests.
Peter L. proposed inviting Don Antonio Castano Sanchez, the councillor in charge of public works.
Next meeting
Friday, October 24, 10.30am, Gran Hotel
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Meeting 6
Salón La Torrecilla, Gran Hotel Benahavís, Friday, July 25, 2008
Present
Neil Pettifer, Chairman (Las Mozas); Jim Robertson, Vice-Chairman, & Dot Hall (La Pacheca); Peter Rogers, Secretary (El Mirador);); Sue Rand (El Casar); Peter Letters (La Aldea & Ribera del Guadalmina); Lindsey Evans & Gill Jones (Las Lomas); Christian Dias (La Aldaba); Beverley Stickland (Vivhabis II); Tom Houston & Jim Bowles (La Quinta Hills); Eric Nickson (Monte Mayor); Alison Bewsey (Cerrado del Regidor); Maria Angeles Mena Muñoz (Montemar I)
From the Town Hall: Dña Isabel Maria Guerrero Sanchez (Councillor for Foreigners, Urbanisations, Parks, etc); Dña Maria José Guerrero Guerrero (Councillor for Education, Culture, Tourism, etc)
Apologies for absence
Malcolm Ward (La Torre); Terry Wilson (Vivihabis II); Edward Bladen (Los Arqueros); John Lomax (Torre Halcones); Graham Hutchinson (Valle de Guadalmina)
Chairman’s introduction
The chairman said that the Mayor had been prevented from attending at the last minute and had sent his apologies. However he welcomed two Councillors along with Maria Angeles Mena Muñoz.
It was agreed to invite the Mayor to the next meeting.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Peter R. appealed for volunteers to assist with some of the administration. With regards to costs of administration, it was agreed to see if a local company would be willing to become a sponsor to cover these.
TOWN HALL ISSUES
Neil P. asked what progress was there over repairing the Avda. De Andalucia. Peter L. said the Town Hall was still waiting responses from three firms to provide plans and estimates; they hope to have these by September.
Neil P. asked about the progress on the new Town Hall. Dña Isabel Maria Guerrero responded by saying that work should be completed by the end of next year.
On the new park, Maria Angeles said this would probably be opened with a concert. She added that the village has won a significant award for its plants and gardens.
Maria Angeles distributed invitations to those present to a concert of chamber music to be held in the Iglesia Ntra. Sra. del Rosario on August 8 (9pm). Admission to the concert is free and open to all residents. Dot H. said that initiatives such as this deserve to be promoted more, possibly with posters and fliers.
Neil P. commented on the improvements in the positioning and maintenance of rubbish containers but asked about progress on putting them underground as in other municipalities. However Dña Maria José Guerrero said that it was still a matter of debate whether underground facilities are an improvement; in other places where they had been installed, they had not been entirely successful partly because of the length of time waste could remain in them before being emptied. The system in Benahavís had the benefit of removal of waste on a daily basis.
Beverley S. asked about road traffic near Vivihabís II which threw clouds of dust on to apartments. Maria Angeles explained that the road concerned did not belong to the Town Hall at present; if it is adopted under the new General Plan then that would change. In the meantime she would see if something could be done.
Gill J. asked what the Town Hall could do to improve mail deliveries. She said she had lost several weeks’ worth of post this year and last week found an important document (her new driving licence) in the street. Similar problems were reported by Christian D. who said they had resorted to a communal post box. Maria Angeles explained that the post was not a Town Hall responsibility although they did provide the small office used by the service. Neil P. suggested that a letter to the postal authority could be sent from the AdB.
On the question of dog nuisance, Maria Angeles said that, despite the new signs that have been put up, current regulations did not allow the police to issue fines against owners who allowed their pets to foul public areas.
Neil P. asked how many staff would be moving into the new Town Hall when it is finished. Dña Maria José Guerrero said all departments would move there eventually.
On the question of residents’ rights to see plans, Maria Angeles said it was necessary to make an appointment first because otherwise the technical office could be inundated with casual enquiries. However she said the process was simple. Neil P. suggested a lot could be achieved by publishing architects’ impressions of projects like the new Town Hall and park in advance.
Peter L. said a new municipal gym was about to open near the swimming pool. For residents on the Padron, access to this facility was available at €10 per year on presentation of passport style photos at the Town Hall (for those not on the Padron, the price will be € 200!).
Peter L. said that permission for the additional car parking near El Mirador had now been obtained and that work was expected to start next spring.
Alison B. asked about the spate of poisonings dogs and cats. The concern was echoed by Dot H., Chrisitan D. and Sue R. who instanced cases not only on the campo but in gardens; some animals had died. Peter L. said deliberate poisoning was an imprisonable offence.
Sue R. asked whether the police operated at night, because the main road was sometimes like a race track. Lindsey E. said at night-time cars raced right past the new police station, but she had been told that it could not be manned every night because of lack of resources. Peter L. offered to find out. Neil P. suggested that the Town Hall could publicise the principal responsibilities of the local police and Guardia Civil. Peter L. said he would suggest it.
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
Language Exchange
Neil P. said the most recent evening had failed to attract the expected number of Spanish participants despite. Jim R. suggested that a different location nearer the village centre might help.
Neil P. added that he was not prepared to continue running the evenings without more help and called for volunteers. Sue R., Dot H. and Lindsey E. agreed to investigate another Language Exchange evening later in the year, possibly at a venue like Las Canas in the main square. Sue R. said she would approach Reina Foster to she if she would be interested in helping.
Bancaja-Sorolla exhibition
Peter R. explained that Marianna García Trujillo of Bancaja had approached him and the chairman for help in organising a free visit for English-speaking residents of Benahavís to the exhibition of paintings by the 19th Century Spanish artist Jaquín Sorolla at the
Christmas get-together
The chairman proposed a Christmas meal for AdB members at the Gran Hotel. Attendance would be open to families and friends and would be on the basis of a set menu.
AOB
It was agreed that any sponsors of the AdB (such as the Gran Hotel) should be added to the list of preferred suppliers; Sue R. agreed to do this.
Next meeting
It was agreed that there would not be a meeting in August and that the next meeting would be on Friday, September 26, 10.30am
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Meeting 5
Gran Hotel, Benahavís, Friday, June 20, 2008
Present
Neil Pettifer, Chairman (Las Mozas); Jim Robertson, Vice-Chairman, & Dot Hall (La Pacheca); Peter Rogers, Secretary (El Mirador); Edward Bladen (Los Arqueros); John Lomas (Torre Halcones), Lindsey Evans (Las Lomas); Christian Dias (La Aldaba); Graham Hutchinson (Valle de Guadalmina); Beverley Stickland (Vivhabis II); Birgitta Opsahl (Los Olivos, Los Arqueros); Tom Houston & Jim Bowles (La Quinta Hills); Eric Nickson (Monte Mayor)
Apologies for absence
Paco Reyna (Montemar II); Malcolm Ward (La Torre); Terry Wilson (Vivihabis II); Maurice Foster & Sue Rand (El Casar); Peter Letters (La Aldea & Ribera del Guadalmina)
Chairman’s introduction
The chairman welcomed six newcomers – Dot H., Christian D., Beverley S., Tom H., Jim B. and Eric N.
He then explained that one of the two invited speakers, Sr. Sanchez, had had to cancel at the last minute due to a change in the timing of an important meeting. After some debate, members endorsed the policy of inviting speakers of all persuasions in the interests of staying informed and in line with the association’s non-political basis. It was, however, also agreed that the dialogue established with the Town Hall and the Mayor should be fostered.
The chairman said he had been approached by REM and would be interviewed about AdB’s activities the following Thursday. He said, in the face of so much ‘bleating’ in the rest of the media, the radio station was keen to promote positive aspects of life on the
The chairman told members that the Gran Hotel, through its commercial director Juan Vilcinskas, had agreed to sponsor the AdB by providing a room and refreshments for its regular meetings. This will, in future, be acknowledged on the association’s communications. Jim R., vice-chairman, mentioned the option of holding some meetings away from the village, for example, at Los Arqueros, and it was agreed that this should be pursued.
Matters arising
Town Hall matters
John L. said that thanks to an undertaking by the Mayor at the last meeting to see whether something could be done about very heavy construction traffic through their community, the problem had been resolved. Lindsey E., however, reported that there had been no improvement in lorries from Benahavis Hills speeding down into the village and that a series incident is inevitable. Graham H. recommended approaching the Mayor direct (he takes coffee around 10am most mornings at Las Canas in the square!) and asking for speed bumps; they had taken this approach over a speeding problem in their community and the traffic calming devices were installed within days. Beverley S. was asked to pass on the same advice to her president who in an email ahead of the meeting had expressed similar concerns about traffic in their community.
Jim R. said notices warning dog owners not to allow their pets to foul public areas had gone up by the school.
Community rules
Neil P. said some members misunderstood the intention of this initiative, which was not to publish a common set of rules for all communities, but to create templates from which individual communities could draw to suit their own particular needs. He said some existing rules had obviously been written originally by lawyers and some translations were difficult to understand.
Preferred suppliers list
The Directory now on the http.// amigoscommittee website is unchanged and members were asked to make the effort to add to the list. Jim B. said they had to call their administrators when work had to be done and were paying €5,000 a year to have a firm on stand-by – this led to a debate in which Jim R. said that a president had the power to dismiss an administrator and Graham H. that an egm could be called at just five days’ notice.
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
Language Exchange
Neil P. explained that the next Language Exchange evening would be on Wednesday, July 2, at the Bar Casar (8pm). He added that Mariana García from Bancaja had volunteered to help organise it.
INVITED SPEAKER
Maria Blanco joined the meeting and was introduced by the chairman. She answered a series of questions, some submitted beforehand by the chairman.
■ On tackling owners who refused to abide by community rules she explained the procedure for empowering the president to act and the significance of the Burofax, Certified Letter and embargoes on properties.
■ On the specific issue of whether communities could impose financial penalties on defaulting owners, she said ‘yes’ but first the president had to be empowered by agm or egm and that the person at fault had to be identified at the meeting.
■ On changing community rules and quotas she said statutes were put in place when the development was formed and cannot be changed, but that rules or Normas were for the everyday running of the community and could be modified by agreement at the agm or egm; she also explained the voting procedure.
■ On recovery of charges for damage caused by an individual she explained the three options available before taking legal action.
■ On pet nuisance she explained that this was very difficult to pursue legally because of the need to quantify the problem; she said, however, it was legitimate to call the local police who were obliged to investigate even if the dog was on private property; she advised that the community rules should be as specific as possible on sanctions on pets.
■ On charging interest on late-payers of community fees, she said this should be laid down in the rules and that to pursue this, the president has to be empowered by agm or egm from which time the interest accrues– this applies to each action.
■ On whether a tenant or an owner should ultimately be held to account for charges or penalties, she said it was always the owner.
■ On whether it was possible to take legal action against a town hall, she said it was very difficult, costly and lengthy.
■ On whether an individual could elect to redecorate the outside of their own home, she said this could not be prevented as long as the community colour scheme was adhered to, but the owner could not then avoid contributing to the community painting programme.
■ On whether a developer who retained a majority of homes could impose a budget and administration of its choice against the wishes of the minority of home-owners, she said ‘yes’, adding that the home-owners should, however, start gathering information and evidence (write letters, not emails) of the developer’s actions in respect of what the statutes and rules allow.
Maria Blanco was thanked by the chairman and warmly applauded by members.
Next meeting
Friday, July 25, 10.30am (subject to the Mayor’s availability to attend)
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Meeting 4
El Casar Club House, Benahavís, Friday, May 23 2008
Present
Neil Pettifer, Chairman (Las Mozas); Jim Robertson, Vice-Chairman (La Pacheca); Peter Rogers, Secretary (El Mirador); Peter Letters, Town Hall Liaison (La Aldea & Ribera del Guadalmina); Sue Rand & Maurice Foster (El Casar); Edward Bladen (Los Arqueros); Alison Bewsey (Cerrado del Regidor); John Lomas (Torre Halcones), Lyndsey Evans (Las Lomas); William Haig (La Aldaba); Graham Hutchinson (Valle de Guadalmina)
Apologies for absence
Paco Reyna (Montemar II); Malcolm Ward (La Torre); Terry Wilson (Vivihabis II); Christian Dias (La Aldabe—William H deputising); Jan & Birgitte Opsahl (Los Olivos)
MAYOR’S VISIT
The chairman welcomed as guest speaker, D. José Antonio Mena, Mayor of Benahavís. He was accompanied by Dña. Isabel Maria Guerrero Sanchez, council member for foreigners.
In his remarks the Mayor acknowledged the important part the foreign residents played in the affairs of Benahavís and said he hoped to see greater co-operation between the Spanish and non-Spanish communities. In this regard he thanked those present for establishing AdB which he described as a ‘brilliant idea’. He anticipated that the Town Hall and the AdB would work together in the future.
The Mayor volunteered the idea – if the members wished – that he could attend AdB meetings, perhaps on a quarterly basis, to discuss significant issues. This offer was unanimously accepted.
He anticipated that membership of AdB would rise to 30 or even 40 as more of the municipality’s urbanizations came on board and that problems within individual communities were more likely to be resolved by their presidents working through the association. He also confirmed that his priorities lay with the people of Benahavís, not with the property developers.
The Mayor then addressed the specific questions put to him by the AdB in a memorandum before the meeting.
On the dog nuisance he said that dog fouling was illegal and that the idea for more signs and proper receptacles was one the town hall should pursue.
On the question of Licences of First Occupation, he explained that the town hall’s responsibilities related to services – sewage, water, lighting, etc – that made a property habitable; matters like swimming pools were outside its remit.
On road maintenance, and in particular the main road into the village, he said the town hall had now undertaken responsibility for this major project and rather than just carrying out further surface repairs, was looking at more fundamental solutions. These had now reached a design stage and he would be willing to bring these to the AdB’s July meeting and allow members to express their preference. (This idea was warmly welcomed.) He also confirmed that, all being well, the link to the Ronda road should be complete by the end of August.
Questioned by the chairman the Mayor explained that the orange-fenced road visible above El Casar was, in fact, a link to a major new electricity sub-station.
Asked by John L. about construction traffic passing through the Torre Halcones complex, the Mayor offered to speak to the police to see whether they could be re-routed. He also explained that one project under construction was a new
On a question from Lyndsey E. the Mayor also offered to speak to the police regarding the issue of traffic past Las Lomas.
On the provision of parking the Mayor said that the town hall had just received permission to extend the road behind the El Mirador community by bridging over the cañada to provide substantial extra parking. He also said construction of the new town hall would provide another 64 underground parking spaces for public use at various times. He added that once the new Ronda connection is complete they would contemplate a more frequent local bus service.
In reply to William H. who was concerned that continued building would harm Benahavís’s pueblo image, the Mayor said the new plan had reduced the provision of new residences from 20,000 to just 6,000. He also said the new park on the river road would be finished in August.
The chairman thanked the Mayor and the councillor for taking time to attend the AdB’s meeting, for their comprehensive responses to questions.
Matters arising
Empadronamiento campaign
Peter L. again referred members to the advice note on the website www.benahavis.es and added that owners wishing to register and unsure of the procedure should go to the town hall on Wednesdays.
Community rules
Peter R. presented a draft ‘common rule’ on the ownership of pets which drew on the wording of ‘by-laws’ received from various communities. He also suggested that rules should be prefaced with a preamble stressing the responsibility of all owners to respect their neighbours’ interests.
A discussion on the issue of fines emphasised the difficulty some communities faced in making any changes to their rules because of the requirement enshrined in their constitutions for unanimous votes. Jim R. said he thought a provision to surcharge owners who persistently flouted the rules was in order provided it had been approved at an a.g.m. or e.g.m., however Edward B. and Graham H. said a unanimity requirement meant that one dissented could stop any change.
Neil P. said it was now a legal requirement for owners who rent their properties to provide renters with a copy of the community’s rules.
Website developments
The meeting thanked Sue R. for the excellent job done on the two websites.
Preferred suppliers list
This was now on the amigos committee website as a Directory and members were asked to add to it or to liaise on any entries they had queries about.
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
Cultural week
Members commented that there had been one three years ago which was very good but not well publicised.
INVITED SPEAKER
A suggestion by Neil P. that the AdB should invite the town hall ‘opposition’ was agreed. D. Cristobal Guerrero Merchan and Dña. Kathryn May would therefore be invited to the June meeting.
AOB
Jim R. asked what was know of town hall hampers for pensioners. Lyndsey E. confirmed that these existed and included ham and wine.
Jim R. raised the issue of water bills for El Casar properties. According to Maurice F. these are only issued after the installation of water meters.
Next meeting
Friday, June 20, 10.30am
Meeting 3
El Casar Club House, Benahavís, Friday, April 25 2008
Present
Neil Pettifer, Chairman (Las Mozas); Jim Robertson, Vice-Chairman (La Pacheca); Peter Rogers, Secretary, and Filiberto Puente Martin (El Mirador); Peter Letters, Town Hall Liaison (La Aldea & Ribera del Guadalmina); Sue Rand (El Casar); Malcolm & Gabrielle Ward (La Torre—Los Arqueros); Alison Bewsey (Cerrado del Regidor); John Lomas (Torre Halcones)
Apologies for absence
Edgard Bladen (Los Arqueros); Paco Reyna; Maurice Foster (El Casar); Ferry Wilson (Vivihabis II)
Matters arising
Empadronamiento campaign
Peter L. said information for English speakers on how to register was now on the website www.benahavis.es, and that a flier had been approved for a mail-shot.
Sue R. said all owners in El Casar had been emailed to encourage them to register and explaining how; she would copy their notes to the Secretary for distribution.
Malcolm W. said that in order to get some of his owners to register, they would need ‘taking by the hand’. There was support for an idea a day in the week, say Tuesday (market day), when individuals would find someone at the Town Hall front desk to take them through the process.
Community rules
Peter R. has received copies of Normas de Regimen Interior (house rules, by-lawys) from El Casar, La Pacheca, Vivihais II, El Mirador and La Torre. These differed widely but certain themes were common.
Jim R. said it was important to differentiate between community ‘statutes’ that were largely immutable, and ‘by-laws’ which were implemented at community agm’s.
The ‘dog menace’ problem that seems to afflict most communities gave rise to a debate on the legitimacy of community ‘fines’. This suggested that while many communities adopt a process of fining defaulters, some lawyers advise using the word ‘surcharge’ as only courts and official bodies can impose ‘fines’, while others say any system of monetary penalty is dubious in law. Some communities surcharge through the annual fees those who infringe the rules. Some uplift community fees by 25% each year, discounting 20% for early payment and extracting any penalty payments at that stage. Penalties typically run from € 100 to € 600.
Website
Sue R. was congratulated on her efforts in creating the new website. Neil P. suggested that this should be restricted to general information and not items like AdB minutes; this was agreed. The possibility of a second utility site was considered.
Peter L. confirmed that the Town Hall had agreed to allow AdB to put items on www.benahavis.es
Language Exchange Evening (Wed. May 7 El Casar Club House)
Filiberto P. M. said there had been a ready response from Spanish-speakers he had approached. Neil P., who has sent out a bi-lingual email about the evening, also anticipated a good turn-out.
Neil P., Jim R. and Peter R. to meet to plan the format for the evening.
Initiatives
Preferred Suppliers
A suggestion by Neil P. for a list of businesses that members had used and found satisfactory or better – typically builders, plumbers, electricians, etc, but also suppliers of goods and services – was agreed. This would not be a form of endorsement, merely an expression of individual satisfaction. Malcolm W. cautioned that any dissatisfaction with particular firms should be expressed in private.
Peter R. to draw up a format for the list; members to email him company names along with contact details and specialities.
Sponsorship
Neil P. suggested the time was coming when AdB activities might benefit from sponsorship. Malcolm W. said potential sponsors would want to know what the benefit would be for them. Peter L. agreed that the Town Hall might be approached; he would ask the appropriate councillor, Dña. Isabel Maria Guerrero Guerrero. Other obvious targets were the local banks.
Contact List
The list of communities involved in AdB now numbers 14 although if Los Arqueros is regarded as a ‘corporate’ member the number is much higher. New contacts are emerging and Peter R. is maintaining a list which can be circulated.
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
Involvement with village events
Neil P. suggested that the AdB should contribute to events being planned by the Town Hall such as the annual feria. Peter L. thought that would be welcomed and suggested that the AdB could provide editorial for the feria ‘magazine’.
It was also suggested that the AdB could help by drawing up a calendar of events for the municipality.
Talks
Neil P. suggested that expatriates might welcome occasional talks on the cultural, social and natural history of Benahavis. Peter L. said the Town Hall was planning a Cultural Week into which this might be incorporated; he would convey the AdB’s interest.
TOWN HALL ISSUES
Roadworks
Peter L. reported that the link to San Pedro should be finished by the end of the year. He did not know why work on the road beside Las Mozas had suddenly stopped.
Jim R. raised the state of the road and pathway opposite the new town hall building.
Other items
Jim R. asked what was the Town Hall’s policy on responding to complaints; also whether the Town Hall had public liability insurance and, if so, were its insurers aware of the state of the main road opposite the new town hall.
Malcolm W. asked when the Town Hall proposed making sewage provision for new communities neighbouring Los Arqueros.
John L. queried the timing of Licences of First Occupation for newly constructed communities.
INVITED SPEAKER
Neil P. proposed inviting guests to future meetings of the AdB and that the first such invitation should be to the Mayor who would be asked to outline his vision for the future of Benahavis and answer some questions. Alison B. said that, to be fair, the questions should be submitted to the Mayor’s office beforehand. This was agreed. Peter L. to take the invitation to the Mayor.
Other business
Jenny & Vince of El Casar Club House were once again thanked for their hospitality
Next meeting
Friday, May 23, 10.30am El Casar Club House
Meeting 2
El Casar Club House, Benahavís, Friday, April 25 2008
Present
Neil Pettifer, Chairman (Las Mozas); Jim Robertson, Vice-Chairman (La Pacheca); Peter Rogers, Secretary, and Filiberto Puente Martin (El Mirador); Peter Letters, Town Hall Liaison (La Aldea & Ribera del Guadalmina); Sue Rand (El Casar); Malcolm & Gabrielle Ward (La Torre—Los Arqueros); Alison Bewsey (Cerrado del Regidor); John Lomas (Torre Halcones)
Apologies for absence
Edgard Bladen (Los Arqueros); Paco Reyna; Maurice Foster (El Casar); Terry Wilson (Vivihabis II)
Matters arising
Empadronamiento campaign
Peter L. said information for English speakers on how to register was now on the website www.benahavis.es, and that a flier had been approved for a mail-shot.
Sue R. said all owners in El Casar had been emailed to encourage them to register and explaining how; she would copy their notes to the Secretary for distribution.
Malcolm W. said that in order to get some of his owners to register, they would need ‘taking by the hand’. There was support for an idea a day in the week, say Tuesday (market day), when individuals would find someone at the Town Hall front desk to take them through the process.
Community rules
Peter R. has received copies of Normas de Regimen Interior (house rules, by-lawys) from El Casar, La Pacheca, Vivihais II, El Mirador and La Torre. These differed widely but certain themes were common.
Jim R. said it was important to differentiate between community ‘statutes’ that were largely immutable, and ‘by-laws’ which were implemented at community agm’s.
The ‘dog menace’ problem that seems to afflict most communities gave rise to a debate on the legitimacy of community ‘fines’. This suggested that while many communities adopt a process of fining defaulters, some lawyers advise using the word ‘surcharge’ as only courts and official bodies can impose ‘fines’, while others say any system of monetary penalty is dubious in law. Some communities surcharge through the annual fees those who infringe the rules. Some uplift community fees by 25% each year, discounting 20% for early payment and extracting any penalty payments at that stage. Penalties typically run from € 100 to € 600.
Website
Sue R. was congratulated on her efforts in creating the new website. Neil P. suggested that this should be restricted to general information and not items like AdB minutes; this was agreed. The possibility of a second utility site was considered.
Peter L. confirmed that the Town Hall had agreed to allow AdB to put items on www.benahavis.es
Language Exchange Evening (Wed. May 7 El Casar Club House)
Filiberto P. M. said there had been a ready response from Spanish-speakers he had approached. Neil P., who has sent out a bi-lingual email about the evening, also anticipated a good turn-out.
Neil P., Jim R. and Peter R. to meet to plan the format for the evening.
Initiatives
Preferred Suppliers
A suggestion by Neil P. for a list of businesses that members had used and found satisfactory or better – typically builders, plumbers, electricians, etc, but also suppliers of goods and services – was agreed. This would not be a form of endorsement, merely an expression of individual satisfaction. Malcolm W. cautioned that any dissatisfaction with particular firms should be expressed in private.
Peter R. to draw up a format for the list; members to email him company names along with contact details and specialities.
Sponsorship
Neil P. suggested the time was coming when AdB activities might benefit from sponsorship. Malcolm W. said potential sponsors would want to know what the benefit would be for them. Peter L. agreed that the Town Hall might be approached; he would ask the appropriate councillor, Dña. Isabel Maria Guerrero Guerrero. Other obvious targets were the local banks.
Contact List
The list of communities involved in AdB now numbers 14 although if Los Arqueros is regarded as a ‘corporate’ member the number is much higher. New contacts are emerging and Peter R. is maintaining a list which can be circulated.
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
Involvement with village events
Neil P. suggested that the AdB should contribute to events being planned by the Town Hall such as the annual feria. Peter L. thought that would be welcomed and suggested that the AdB could provide editorial for the feria ‘magazine’.
It was also suggested that the AdB could help by drawing up a calendar of events for the municipality.
Neil P. suggested that expatriates might also welcome occasional talks on the cultural, social and natural history of Benahavis. Peter L. said the Town Hall was planning a Cultural Week into which this might be incorporated; he would convey the AdB’s interest.
TOWN HALL ISSUES
Roadworks
Peter L. reported that the link to San Pedro should be finished by the end of the year. He did not know why work on the road beside Las Mozas had suddenly stopped.
Jim R. raised the state of the road and pathway opposite the new town hall building.
Other items
Jim R. asked what was the Town Hall’s policy on responding to complaints; also whether the Town Hall had public liability insurance and, if so, were its insurers aware of the state of the main road opposite the new town hall.
Malcolm W. asked when the Town Hall proposed making sewage provision for new communities neighbouring Los Arqueros.
John L. queried the timing of Licences of First Occupation for newly constructed communities.
INVITED SPEAKER
Neil P. proposed inviting guests to future meetings of the AdB and that the first such invitation should be to the Mayor who would be asked to outline his vision for the future of Benahavis and answer some questions. Alison B. said that, to be fair, the questions should be submitted to the Mayor’s office beforehand. This was agreed. Peter L. to take the invitation to the Mayor.
Other business
Jenny & Vince of El Casar Club House were once again thanked for their hospitality
Next meeting
Friday, May 23, 10.30am El Casar Club House
Inaugural Meeting
A group of Presidents from various communities met on the 6th March 2008 at the Gran Hotel in Benahavís and agreed to form a society with the objectives listed below. It was also decided to call the society 'Amigos de Benahavís'. The main reason for forming this society is that we are all homeowners dedicated to preserving and promoting the interests of Benahavís.
Having decided to form 'Amigos de Benahavís' it was agreed that this would be steered by a Committee and a Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Secretary were elected as officers:
¨ Chairman - Neil Pettifer - Las Mozas
¨ Vice-Chairman - Jim Robertson - La Pacheca
¨ Secretary - Peter Rogers - El Mirador
Structure and Objectives
- To bring together the Communidades de Propietarios within the
- Membership of the society will be open to Communidades de Propietarios within the municipality represented by one person (normally the President) on the Committee. One Communidad de Propietarios will have one vote.
- To act as a forum for issues of interest to members and their neighbours and to bring those issues to the attention of the Town Hall.
- To foster channels of reciprocal communication between the communities and the Town Hall with the proviso that Amigos de Benahavís is strictly apolitical.
- To share information on the administration of communities and provide mutual support and advice.
- To initiate, support and participate in social events and activities
- To encourage homeowners to register to vote and, from time to time, to canvass their opinion on relevant issues.
Currently the Committee has representatives from:
Las Mozas - La Pacheca - El Mirador - La Aldea - Ribera de Gaudalmina - El Casar - Las Lomas - El Cercado del Regidor - La Aldaba - Montemar - La Torre - Torre Halcones -Monte Mayor - La Quinta Hills - Valle de Guadalmina - Vivihabis II - Monte Halcones
