MINUTES OF URBANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING HELD AT LA CASITA, FRIDAY 24^TH FEBRUARY, 2006.

 

 Present : Stefan, Jeff, Maggs, Chris, Angela,Tid, Peter & Mick.

Apologies : Linda

 

1.   Minutes of previous meeting were agreed.

 

2.   Pools.   Installation of new showers to the pools almost completed.  New shower base installed in top pool.  Expenditure on these items will be below budget.

 

3.   New Bungalows & Quads.   The bungalows/apartments became part of the urbanisation on the 1^st of February, 2006.  The committee were very disappointed by the lack of greenery or planting in the new phase.  Cavalier attitudes by developers (and a love of tarmac) do nothing to enhance local environmental appeal.  The committee were astonished to learn that the new bungalows/apartments would be paying a smaller community fee.  This is in line with la Ley de Propiedad Horizontal (the Law of Horizontal Property), Chapter 2, Sections 3 & 5, where the “cuota” is calculated in relation to the useful surface area.  (This can only be changed by unanimous vote of all members.)  Accordingly, the current community fees payable for six months on the apartments would be either Euro 66.40 or Euro 60.48, depending on the relevant size.

 

4.   Proposed meetings with Mayor of Orihuela Costa.   The attached sheet gives the background to this.  Stefan and the English speaking committee of Presidents have already applied for a formal meeting with the Mayor and have proposed the following agenda –

a. Introduction of the Presidents Committee.

b. Padron.

c. Security.

d. Public Health Issues.

e. Action Plan for future meetings.

 

       Stefan will also liaise between the German and English speaking committees.

There have been attempts by the opposition political parties to draw-in and influence the English speaking committee.

 

5.   Income/Expenditure.   Current account is showing a surplus of Euro 11,000.  Although this is a healthy position it would be considerably stronger if the community fee arrears of more than 12,000 Euros were cleared.

      Community fees on the bungalows/apartments for the period Feb to May now due.

      A number of queries in relation to income/expenditure were answered.  It was requested that, in future, “out of course” expenditure on pools be identified as to which pool it relates.          

 

6.   A.G.M.   Expenditure items to be included in the A.G.M agenda were discussed.

      A budget cost for secure lockable doors to the existing mail-boxes (excluding new phase) would be approx. Euro 6,419 plus I.V.A. plus keys.

      To fit proper locks to the existing doors would cost approx. Euro 1,165 plus I.V.A. & keys.

      With regard to the new phase, the installation of secure lockable doors would cost approx. Euro 1,496 plus I.V.A & keys.

      A security guard from a reputable company would cost approx. Euro 10 plus I.V.A. per hour.  A possible daily security rota could be as follows –

One guard, motorised, would cover the hours 17.00 to 21.00.

Two guards, one motorised – one on foot, to cover the hours 23.00 to 06.00.

This would equate to Euro 180 plus I.V.A. per day, and approx. Euro 16,200 for a three months period of say mid June to mid September.  The single guard could cover both pools during his 17.00 to 21.00 shift.  A single additional pool guard could then cover both pools between the hours of say 11.00 to 17.00 at extra cost.

      Security guards could also be hired for variable days and times each week to provide additional cover to the urbanisation.   Although the costs are significant, it is up to the owners to vote for and pay for additional security if they feel it is appropriate.

      The President again encouraged the committee members to obtain additional quotes or indeed recommend suitable contractors.

 

7.   A.O.B.   More processionary caterpillars reported near top pool.

Traffic calming measures and outgoing mail-box already applied for.

Street cleaners are omitting to clean one area.

The smaller mural due to be placed at the top of the urbanisation was damaged by thieves.  It will be repaired by the artist at no additional cost.

The President will provide feedback on his surgeries to the committee.

A new Padron application form has been launched.  It includes the option to vote in certain elections.  Owners should advise the President if they are experiencing obstruction when applying for or renewing their Padron.

 

Builders Guarantees.   For houses/dwellings where building licences were issued after May 2000, the guarantee period is as follows –

1 year for defective construction which has an adverse effect on the finish of the dwelling, i.e. electrical and plumbing installations, painting, varnishing, etc.

3 years for defective construction which has an adverse effect on habitability conditions, i.e. humidity, hygiene, smells, noise,etc.

10 years for defective construction of the structural elements.

Spanish law also provides a time limit of 2 years to claim for construction defects from the date on which the defect was apparent and known to the owner, provided the defect arose during the guarantee period described above.   

 

Owners are encouraged to make full use of the Presidents surgeries prior to the A.G.M. or to contact their appropriate committee members with any queries.   Hopefully, this will free the A.G.M. from minor, obvious or mundane issues and make it less of an ordeal for all.

 

The meeting concluded at 12.45 p.m.

 

The President, Stefan, will be holding surgeries at La Casita on Saturdays at 12.00 noon, on the 4^th and the 11^th of March, 2006.