Minutes of the AGM – 17 February 2020

Committee member	Position	Representative	Present(P)/Apologies(A)
Louise Kirkley	President	M18/M19	P
Angie Dickinson	Vice-president	M1A	P
Peter Bayliss	Membership Secretary	M2	P
Paul Elvey	Treasurer	M9	P
Gill Parker	Secretary		P
Jim Wilford		M1B	P
Pete Whitbread		M3	P
Anne Williams		M4	A
Steve Hartney		M8	P
Andy Robson		M10	P
Kathy Thompson		M12A	A
Maria del Valle Arroyo		M13	P
Ian Rogers		M14/M15	A
Sigmund Bang		M16	A
David Cox		M20/M21	P
David Endeacot		M24	A
Paul Trunchion		M6	P
John Byford		M12B
No representation		M7/M11/M1C

There were 41 attendees with 21 households being represented.

Louise Kirkley introduced the Mayor Josep Signes Costa and the Vice Mayor Toni Signes to the meeting and thanked them for coming to address the questions submitted by residents.

Q1. Is there an agreed schedule of works to be completed before the site is adopted or is that still to be finalised? [Ken Cook]

1. The council are still waiting for the court outcome before any action can be taken. After the court case the council will need to make a contract with another building company. They are estimating that once they have checked on what needs to be repaired it will take one year for the preparation, six months for a contractor to complete the works and one year to complete the adoption.

Q2. Tree planting.

1. There are two possibilities: the empty holes could be filled with concrete until the trees are ready for planting to keep the weeds down or the council could spray more often. They hope to plant trees as soon as possible, but this needs to be investigated as the trees chosen need to be low maintenance and local with limited water requirements.

Q3. IBI tax?

1. The IBI tax is paid by all households dependant on the size of the house. Decisions are made every year as to where the money is spent and a breakdown of this is available at the council should anyone wish to see it. A copy of the budget for 2020 was handed over for information.

Q4. Action over adoption?

1. There are three scenarios regarding the court resolution. If the court find in favour of Bertolin the council will have to pay Bertolin between 50,000 and 514,000 euros. However, should the court find in favour of the council they won’t pay anything.

The council do not know how it will work if they must collaborate with Bertolin. The council do not know when the court case will conclude however they were given an estimate of three years at the start of the appeal and that was two years ago so hopefully they will get a result early next year.

Toni explained the original case was an oral hearing whereas the appeal is all on paper. Five judges sit for the appeal which is why it is such a lengthy process however the council are hopeful that when all the paperwork is studied the judges will have a better understanding of the situation and will find in favour of the town hall.

John Harding asked if  the town hall will lose the AVAL if they lose the court case.  However Toni was unable to answer this. He was also asked if the town hall will take responsibility for all the works if there is no AVAL left as they have stated they will do in the past, Toni is unable to answer this. The Mayor stated that hypothetically if the AVAL was not enough to complete the works the town hall would still find the money.

Q5. How much is left in the AVAL?

1. 1.400.000 euros. The town hall believes this will be enough to complete the works but can’t be sure until the court case is concluded.

The works required include a new “road” on M22 for access to the main drainage.

All roads need to be checked and repaired where necessary including drainage work on Del Pins/Garofers.

All the wooden stairs need to be replaced with concrete.

Playground equipment needs replacing/repairing.

All road signs that need painting or repairing as well as other small jobs.

Q6. When will the second licence of occupation be received?

1. Any houses that have illegal works once the site is adopted will not receive a second licence. This will be assessed a house at a time. Toni urges anyone who wishes to undertake work on their property should consult the town hall first.

Q7. What action will be taken to maintain the parks and trees?

1. This matter was addressed at the previous committee meeting, the town hall is hiring workers to complete these tasks.

Q8. M8 Rockface?

1. This matter cannot be included in the general works because it is on private land.

The town hall is asking for a meeting with the M8 residents to see if this matter can be taken forward and it was agreed that this is too complicated a matter to further discussed at the AGM.

The question of who would be liable should anyone be injured by the rockface could not be answered.

Q9 Wooden steps?

1. This was addressed in a previous question.

Q10. Bins?

1. Toni explained that in the future as the bins break, they will be replaced with bins which are easier and cheaper to clean and maintain. Also, extra bins will be added with a new organic waste bin on a trial basis for some households. The organic waste will be recycled and if this is profitable, they will be placed everywhere.

Q11. Mailboxes?

1. If any individuals have an issue with their mailbox they should attend the town hall to sort it out. Mailboxes should have been provided for all houses on the urbanisation.

Peter Bayliss states that M21 and M17 apparently do not have mailboxes.

Q12. Bricoman junction safety issues?

1. There are plans to improve this junction, but access from will no longer be available from the Pedreguer road however the old road behind Bricoman will be reopened with a new roundabout so that anyone from gata residential must take this road to Javea.

Q13. Sale on empty houses on M20?

1. These houses are owned by the bank and cannot be sold prior to the conclusion of the court case.

Activities of 2019

1. Walks with Sally Merrett – Big thank you to Sally for organising the many different walks.
2. Barmy Bingo – Several evenings were organised by Karen Hubble and the team. Well attended and a great opportunity to meet new residents.
3. Quiz night – well attended again and well over 200 euros raised for APROP animal shelter.
4. Barraca – Well supported with a Mexican evening and cocktails. Thanks to all who helped set up and dismantle the Barraca.
5. Xmas Santa – Thank you to Angie for organising this with her team of helpers this event is very popular with the Spanish children and parents alike.
6. Ladies Lunch – Thank you to Anne for organising these very popular events. A great way to meet new people.
7. Library – Thank you to Sue Hartley, Michael Pinfield and Linda Lockwood for running the monthly library.
8. Scheduled meetings with council – The meetings have allowed us to raise issues that need attention.

• Strimming of weeds from the roundabout up to the top of Garofers. Louise takes this opportunity to personally thank Pete Whitbread for his help in working with the council.
• Removal of advertising board SAREB.
• Request for new notice board at the top entrance.
• Request for directional signs displaying Gata Residential.
• New Gata Residential signage on the roundabout.
• Requests for dog fouling signage.
• Replacement of children’s play equipment.
• Maintenance of the orange trees in the streets.

Minutes of previous AGM

No comments minutes approved.

Numerous apologies were received for the AGM.

Treasurers report

Bank balance at 1^st January 2019                       9.134.55 euros

Bank balance at 31^st December 2019                9.335.44 euros

Petty cash available at 31^st December 2019    59.91 euros

The accounts were duly audited by Mr Peter Whitbread and Mr Graham Ackers.

A breakdown of expenditure is available if requested.

This report was approved by Steve Hartney and Dave Cox.

Members report

Out of 600 available houses there are 323 members with 19 new member households.

Breakdown: UK 12, Netherlands 3, Belgian 2, Swedish 1, French 1.

Paddy Kenmore asked for more detail about the income from membership. See Appendix A

Election of Committee members

All members of the current committee were voted in by John Harding this was seconded by Gailen Parker.

Louise Kirkley – president

Angie Dickinson – vice president

Peter Bayliss – membership secretary

Paul Elvey – treasurer

Gillian Parker – secretary

Patrick Price has stood down as the rep for M5.

There are no reps for M1C, M5, M7, M11 and M17.

The committee was thanked by attendees and the regular meetings with the council praised.

AOB

Angie Dickinson wanted to let members know that there is a 10K race taking place in Gata on Sunday 15^th March and for the first time the route will include part of Gata residential on the back road. Should anyone wish to go and watch or volunteer to be marshalls they can speak to Angie and would be welcome.

Appendix A

Income from members 2019

New Members       380€

Renewals     1100€

Voluntary donations  70€

Total     1560€