MEETING OF THE DREAM HILLS COMMUNITY COMMITTEE  AT THE COMMUNITY CENTRE ON FRIDAY 10th SEPTEMBER

Present:        Stefan, Roger, Mags, Christine, Peter, Gerry, Christopher, Linda.

Apologies    Bill and Kath

The minutes of the previous meeting were unanimously approved.

1. The meeting opened at 0930 with a general discussion on the way in which the pools had functioned over the summer period. There had been one complaint about the pool hours, taken from the DH website, and it was confirmed that the hours are 0900 to 2100. The Guards start at 1100 and remain until 2000, unless the pool is vacant before that. We are unable to increase their hours. It was agreed that the behaviour in the pools was much better than last year as a direct result of employing the Guards. A review of the Guards and their performance will be made for next year as they end their stint with us on 15th September.

2. The Committee's attention has been drawn, by a resident, concerning the road at the top of Houses No. 221 -222 which does not have a retaining wall. The lack of which, may, in the opinion of this particular resident, allow subsidence. The President will contact this person and inspect the alleged problem although it was generally felt that such subsidence would be unlikely.

3. There is a form of subsidence, however, adjacent to houses 334, 335 and 336 on the opposite side of the road; land, in fact, which belongs to the Ayuntamiento. Given that this is a Town Hall matter, and they have been informed, we will await their further action. This may come when the school is built. However, should their be a lengthy delay in any action we will consider a small retaining wall - but one resident has opposed this stating that it would spoil his view!

4. Once again, it was highlighted that each resident in a quatro, or both residents in a semi, are responsible for any sewerage or effluent caused by blocked drains in their building, in particular should this spill onto the main roads. A company called Unblock-A-Rod on ph. 618 356 270 charges €90 for the first hour and €60 any hour after that, but will also keep the price as low as possible for more complicated jobs. The President also holds telephone numbers of Spanish Companies, and if necessary, will adjudicate on public or private disputes over responsibilities. The discharge of effluent is illegal and there will be no hesitation in calling the Public Health Inspector if individuals do not face up to their responsibilities.

5. Water from private gardens and from (illegal) car washing collects on the pavement above the pools. This has caused slime as it does not drain away. If a Committee Member sees jacuzis or other water effluent, from pools etc. being discharged, the President is willing to call the police.

6. There are pavements cracked in the area of the 800's caused by heavy lorries. The Pres. will approach Torrevisa whose Trucks caused the damage.

7.  We are awaiting the completion of the new and final phase, before ordering ceramic street signs and a ceramic urbanisation map. The name of the MAIN ROAD through the centre of DH is Calle Lagunas de Ruidera.

8. VIA PARK V  No Entry signs and Residents Only signs are being erected for the adjacent private roads. After the recent articles in the local newspapers, the local Green Party, agreed to attend the Project and Plan Parcial office with the president. It was discovered that the builder is within his rights to build the proposed centre but he has not yet received his licence to do so. It is expected that the documentation required by the builder in order to receive this license will be acquired although he may well be fined in the meantime. The President has asked for influence on the final plans for the building, but he is unlikely to achieve anything. Nonetheless, the Denuncias are still with the Town Hall and perhaps they may have some effect. Don't hold your breath!

9. The Fence and Gates for VIA PARK III are expected to be erected shortly. Delayed because of the contractors illness.

10. Traffic congestion caused by the parking of vehicles by VIA PARK III was discussed, and the Pres. has agreed to approach the Town Hall for yellow lines to be painted, particularly on the corners where vans park. These vans are also parking on the corners by the DH private roads thus restricting the views of drivers exiting their roads. Naturally, any sensible white van man would park at least three metres from a corner. Wouldn't he?  Terms and Contradictions come to mind!

11. The new owners of The Royal Oak (formerly that infamous joint The Copacabana) have done a good job in cleaning and maintaining the area, and most importantly, restricting the noise level. A letter of thanks from The Pres on behalf of the Committee and Residents will be sent.

12. There was one complaint over the summer regarding a topless female sunbather in one of the pools. We will look at the problem and examinine it. We should certainly keep abreast of the situation before the next AGM, in order that the residents may decide if they find this offensive.

13. The Committee decided that we spend an extraordinary amount of time on the subject of effluent and particularly on Dog Poo. We hope that Residents will once again read these Minutes - as we are repeating much of what has been said in previous Minutes regarding Poo. Members of the Community, i.e.YOU, should approach offenders if YOU see them. There is little else one can do other than reprimand them. Notices are ignored so it seems pointless to have them and complaining to the Committe members, who can take no action unless the perpetrators are in the act and are witnessed by us, means that we waste a good deal of time discussing the issue.

14.  A. Complaint about the lack of weeding in community areas has been made, and again this will be referred to the Maintenance company. However please note that it is incumbent on all residents to deal with small day-to-day problems, like pulling up the odd weed outside their house.

15. The President has contacted the Junk Mail/Flyer distributors and the problem has decreased. There are two companies still placing their advertising in unwanted areas and these will be followed up.

16. The Eco Park, near Carrefour, is not being used for old bedding, batteries, hazardous waste etc. This is being dumped in the bins, which are purely for household waste. The Committee expressed their displeasure at this and many stated that as this does not happen in the UK, why should this reprehensible act happen here. The number and a map of the Eco Park, where all such rubbish other than household, will be placed on the Notice Board.

17. The Telephone Boxes have been vandalised allegedly by British Teenagers who have rattled them to obtain the money. There are only two still in working order. The President will call the relevant companies to report this.

18. There are a few small open areas around DH at which it is planned to place plants and other greenery to make them into pleasing garden areas. In some cases, residents have said they would be willing to look after them. We do hope so. The Committee will help, of course, perhaps with the supply of weed killer etc, but essentially we agreed that the onus is on you to make DH a community that you are proud of, vandalism is stopped if you see it happen, and the rules of the urbanisation are implemented.

The meeting closed at 1210hrs.

The next meeting will be on Friday 1st October at 0930 to discuss the Community Centre Use. Please contact a Member with your ideas and suggestions. Remember no commercial activities allowed.

The next general Committee Meeting will be on Friday 8th October at 0930hrs.

RH 10th Sept 2004