Committee of Reps meeting – 22nd Oct 2023
| 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 | A | |
| Pete Whitbread | M3 | P | |
| Anne Williams | M4 | ||
| Mavis Evans | M5 | ||
| Paul Trunchion | M6 | P | |
| Steve O’Donovan | M8 | ||
| Paul Elvey | M9 | P | |
| Marian Holden | M12A | P | |
| John Byford | M12B | ||
| Richard Tytheridge | M13 | ||
| Ian Rogers | M14/M15 | A | |
| Sigmund Bang | M16 |
No representation: M1B, M1C, M10, M20, M21, M24
Apologies
Ian Rogers and Gillian Parker
OPENING STATEMENT
This has been a difficult year to hold meetings due to the local elections held at the end of May, then the inauguration of the Mayor in Mid-June. This was then followed by the fiestas and then the holiday period. The results were.
Mayor – Josep Signes (Compromis party)
Vice Mayor Toni Costa Signes (PSOE)
This is no change to the last 4 years; Toni still remains as our contact.
1 Update from Toni Signes
Squatters/Okupas
The council are aware of this problem, they have been trying to explain to SAREB who manage the properties that this situation is not good and requires action by SAREB. The properties are falling into disrepair and are being damaged by the squatters and thieves which is not good for the urbanisation. Toni has spoken with the Guardia Civil and they have advised him that in other places owned by SAREB the action has been that as soon as properties are offered for sale they can then take steps to evict the squatters. Toni added that if a squatter or unknown suspicious individual is in the area of your property then you should immediately call the Guardia Civil, not the local police. If you see anything suspicious no matter how little call the Guardia as the more information they hold on the Squatters/Okupas the better the case against these illegal occupants becomes.
TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Gata Guardia Civil – 965756055
Emergency – 112
Guardia Civil 24hour – 062
Gata Local Police – 965757432/629666222
Perimeter Clearance
This work has been undertaken by the Forestry Commission for safety against fire. Toni said that the Council will try to keep these areas clear as possible.
Tree Pruning
The responsibility for the pruning of the trees rests with the town hall and it should not have to be done by residents . Since the recent elections there have been some changes and new decisions have been made on routine maintenance but work to continue the pruning will restart in due course.
Park Maintenance
The parks will continue to be maintained as in the past. Toni has added that at least one park will have new children’s play equipment installed.
Speed Bumps at the entrance to Gata Res.#
Toni has said the Pedreguer Police will not remove the speed humps as vehicles coming out of our urbanisation are speeding. Louise stated that she has raised the problem of a serious accident happening due to drivers driving on the wrong side of the road to avoid the speed humps. Pete Whitbread asked if a speed hump could be placed near the roundabout on Arborcers as this road regularly suffers speeding traffic across the junction. Paul Trunchion added there a similar problem at the bottom of pins.
Louise said she would raise this with Toni.
Bins
At this moment there have been no complaints. Currently there are no plans to make any further changes however, Toni has said he will talk to us prior to any future amendments. A question was raised about there being only one, small brown organic bin on the urbanisation, it was asked if we could have an additional organic bin on the urbanisation.
Anne Williams raised the issue that rubbish is being left around the old underground bins opposite M4. Louise said she would raise this issue with Toni to see what can be done.
Reception of the urbanisation
Toni has spoken with Manuel the Architect; he informed Toni that everything is on schedule. Toni thinks it will take 4 years to complete the process of Reception. Toni added that he will keep me informed of any changes, but he wants everyone to know this is one of the priorities of his 4 year term. The process is as follows. Firstly a civil engineering company will carryout a survey of what is required for reception, then there will be tenders from companies that will cost the work, then the decision will be made by the Council and Architect which company will be awarded the contract.
2. Whatsapp Gata Res alert Group
The purpose of this group is to inform people of Emergency situations, such as water, electric, gas issues and suspicious incidents. This group is not for chatting, we have our email group for this or you can contact the individuals on whatsapp.
3. Treasurers Report
January 2023 to Sept 2023
Amount spent this period – 525.95 (this was due to website renewal and bank charges)
Income 70
Petty cash 46.72
Bank balance – 11,202.24
4. Members Update
239 households
13 new members
A.O.B
Security Patrols/CCTV
Louise said that recently there has been a lot of communication on Security Patrols and CCTV. This urbanisation is not private it is public. You are not allowed to install CCTV in public areas, even if you have cameras on your property, you should not be filming pubic areas. Friends of Gata, Formally La Asociacion does not include within its remit security cover of the urbanisation/properties and will not participate in securing any of the options that have been suggested such as patrolling guards or cameras. There are many security companies that will visit your home and give you advice on internal and external security systems that back up to the Police. However, if there is anyone that wants to investigate security patrols/CCTV then you are free to explore this as an option and set up your own group which will run independently of La Asociacion/Friends of Gata.
Item Discharged.
FUTURE SOCIAL EVENTS
Saint Patrick day
Toni would like to hold a Saint Patricks day event on the 17th March 2024 which would include a meal and a concert, he has been given a small funding for this however he would like to know via Friends of Gata how many would like to particpate.
Wine tasting/Beer and Gin tasting
Pepe Mendoza winery in LLiber offer tours and tasting for a small fee
There is a Dutch company on the Benissa industrial estate that do Artisan beers and make their own Gin.
I will send out a separate email asking if anyone has any interest in either of these items
A personal message from Toni
Toni would like you all to know he has had health issues which are now under control with medication. He wants you to know that he will continue to work as hard as he has during the previous 4 years. His goal is to finish the urbanisation for reception. The maintenance of the estate will continue as normal.
Message from Louise
I would like to remind everyone that this committee is made up of volunteers who give up their time freely to help. We currently have some areas that have no representation. If anyone is interested in being a representative, please contact Peter Bayliss.
For the last 5 years I have assumed the role of President, as with the rest of the committee and manzana reps I give my time freely to help improve this urbanisation. However, if there is anyone that wants to take over as President, there will be an opportunity put their name forward at the next AGM scheduled for Feb or March 2024.
The next date for committee meeting to be advised.