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In a press release today the Spanish media have announced the availability of this tracking system on the worldwide web for the first time. It is now possible to use the satellite technology to find the location of a mobile phone in conjunction with the earth map facility within Google. A trial system has been released today and can be accessed at: http://www.sat-gps-locate.com/english/index.html All that is required to confirm the exact location of a mobile phone is to enter the phone number, the system will then do the rest. Have you ever wondered just where someone is calling you from? Well you can now confirm their exact location! Courtesy of www.abril-engañan.es. (01/04/08). |
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The Spanish Prime Minister, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, has promised an in-depth investigation into the errors which led a known paedophile, Santiago del Valle, arrested for the death of Mari Luz Cortés, to still have been a free man when the five year old died, despite firm sentences imposed for previous cases of sexual abuse. One of the girls del Valle was found guilty of abusing was his own daughter, who was the same age as Mari Luz when the abuse took place. Santiago del Valle leaving court in October 2001 in Seville. |
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The Prime Minister telephoned Mari Luz’s father, Juan José Cortés, at his home in Huelva on Saturday night, in what the five year old’s grieving father described as an emotional conversation of more than 20 minutes, during which Zapatero also spoke to Mari Luz’s mother, Irene Suárez. Señor Cortés said the Prime Minister passed on his condolences from one father to another, and also those of all members of the government, admitting to the mistakes which have taken place, and promising that responsibility for the chain of errors will be assigned. Zapatero also said he would keep the young girl’s parents informed at all times, and spoke of his deep admiration for Juan José Cortés, as an example to all of Spain. He said he would like to arrange a meeting in person. Another phone call came from the Justice Minister, Mariano Fernández Bermejo, on Sunday afternoon, who said much the same as the Prime Minister, and added that an investigation is already underway. Bermejo, according to comments by Juan José Cortés to El Mundo newspaper, apologised for not calling before and said the reason was because he was waiting to have all the pertinent information to hand. El Mundo noted one comment from Juan José Cortés, referring to the Minister, ‘It’s difficult to give an accurate evaluation at this stage, but I believe that he is indirectly responsible for what happened.’ |
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Five year old Mari Luz Cortés disappeared from her home in the El Torrejón district of Huelva City on the afternoon of Sunday 13th January, during a short trip to the local sweets kiosk, and her body was found floating in the Ría de Huelva estuary on 7th March, 54 days after she disappeared. The main suspect in her disappearance is said to have confessed to his involvement in her death, saying she went with him voluntarily, and died when she fell down the stairs to his block and accidentally hit her head. Mari Luz Cortés. Photo – www.mariluzcortes.es |
(31/03/08).
The judge, Rafael Tirado Márquez, in Penal Court 1 in Sevilla had claimed he had no assistant and that this was why a prison order against the main suspect in the Mari Luz case was not issued in March 2006.
The Justice and Public Administration department of the Junta de Andalucía has denied claims from Sevilla Penal Judge Rafael Tirado Márquez, that some of the civil servants in his court were off sick for five months. This is the judge who oversee the first guilty sentence against Santiago del Valle, the main suspect in the Mari Luz Cortés case, when the accused was found guilty of the sexual abuse of his own daughter, five years old at the time. Many consider the judge the main responsible for the fact that Santiago del Valle was not sent directly to prison.
The Junta de Andalucía says that only one civil servant assigned to the judge’s court was away, for a 43 day period because of a sprained ankle, and that this person was replaced by the Provincial Government forty days later.
The Junta de Andalucía statement says it is hoping that the General Council for Judicial Power, CGJP, will complete its investigation into the case quickly.
Judge Rafael Tirado Márquez had claimed last Friday that the civil servant was off work for five months, and that he had the use of a replacement for only three days. He said that this was the reason for the delay in issuing the order to send Santiago del Valle to prison at the time, in March 2006.
The argument over the civil servant however does not explain why Santiago del Valle had not served a single day in prison on this and and second confirmed sexual abuse charge, until his link to the Mari Luz case was established. (31/03/08).
Following twenty letters sent by the British Expats Association (Spain) to the E.U. Justice, Freedom and Security Commission, the Round Town News is now pleased to announce that the BEA, assisted by us, has received a 4-page response from the Commission, wherein they uphold all of the listed complaints. The complaints, as most readers are all to well aware, are regarding the lamentable way in which we have all been treated over Residence status, documentation and the due process. |
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In the Commission's reply, they also reminded us that the 'Infringement' procedure, which was commenced against Spain in June 2006, remains 'open' and therefore Spain will now be asked to explain her conduct. This could be the final protocol leading to Spain being brought before the European Court of Justice where there is no limitation as to fines that may be imposed.
Also contained in the response was the comment that "The removal of the residence card was decided with the purpose of facilitating the life of E.U. citizens and not of complicating it." The Commission stated, "On the basis of the information you have provided, the Spanish authorities would appear to have breached Community Law." The Commission then set out the following points, about which the BEA had laid formal complaints, the result of which are summarised as follows:-
(1) The €6.70 fee charged for registration does not comply with the Directive and is therefore illegal.
(2) The registration cannot depend upon presenting a valid extract of the 'Padron' (or some other 'formality')
(3) That where a citizen has already fulfilled the 5-year residence qualification, then they must be issued with a certificate of permanent residence as soon as possible.
(4) The registration must be in one's place of residence. Not a Provincial capital or even a nearby city police station etc.,
(5) They agree that any demand for the production of the now abolished residence card by anyone is illegal.
(6) That Spain has failed to carry out any proper awareness campaign, as demanded by Article 34 of the Directive.
(7) The Commission agree the failure by Spain to implement any procedure to guarantee that disabled Union citizens can register as a resident; indeed the current Spanish legislation (240/207) incorrectly demands that every citizen attends personally.
(8) It is illegal for Spain to request any supporting documents other than those listed in the Directive when making the registration. (These are: I.D. card or passport, proof of health care cover, plus a document, when requiring proof of a family relationship. Demands for names of parents are also not allowed. Demands for fiscal numbers etc., are not permitted.) Further, whilst one must satisfy the Member State that they have sufficient resources for themselves and their family members, so as not to become a burden on the host State, requiring proof must not be routinely carried out and a declaration to that affect should be all that is normally required.
(9) The Commission will now also seek an explanation from Spain over her failure to transpose the Directive into her national law by the due date of 29 April 2006. The full story plus the response, in its entirety, received from the Commission will also be posted on the BEA website www.ukgovabusesexpats.co.uk Please be aware that the website is restricted to members only, although membership is 'free'. The work by both David Burrage and Peter Woodall of the BEA cannot be understated and they should be congratulated on their voluntary unpaid efforts on our behalf. They have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to secure this vital decision by the EU Commission which represents all EU citizens and in this case Spain. Courtesy of Round Town News. (29/03/08).
If you live in Altea and are a European citizen (or as the Spanish insist a Foreigner or Alien) you are between a rock and a hard place. Brewery and booze-ups come to mind when deciding the competence of those elected to represent us. If you want to register on the 'Padron' you need a Residence certificate but you CANNOT get a Residence certificate without a 'Padron' and vice versa. Having spoken to one of the Council members, we have been informed that not only are the Altea Ayuntamiento acting illegally under Spanish law (They are being asked by the E.U. Justice Commission to explain their failure to transpose EU law into Spanish Law) they are also acting illegally under European law. Confused? You should be!
We can confirm that Union citizens are being refused registration on the Altea Padron in breach of Community law, without the registration certificate, whereas most offices carrying out the registration will not do so without the production of an extract of the Padron. Registration on the Padron is also governed by Community law, since Article 8(b) of the Maastricht Agreement 1992 allows for Municipal and EU Parliamentary voting (suffrage). Therefore registration on the Padron cannot be subject to some other formality, other than satisfying your authority that you do live within their municipality. A local authority may require a citizen to satisfy them that you actually reside within that municipality and you may be asked to produce an 'Escritura,´ rental contract etc., but they have no right to prevent you registering.
Also you will recall that being required to go through all the current formalities when seeking to register one's residence, including the production of an extract of the 'Padron' is in violation of Articles 7 and 8 of the Directive and we recently published an extract of the EU decision on this. Do not be put off by petty bureaucratic bumbling and when you need to register, demand your rights, quoting the above pieces of EU legislation. The Justice Commission of the EU is behind you and entirely upholds all the complaints and infractions shown here in the Round Town News and provided by the British Expats Association. Courtesy of Round Town News. (29/03/08).
Comments: It may be wise to keep a note of the above article.
Postal chiefs have ordered that all mail which does not carry the correct postal code will be returned. The new automatic sorting office in Alicante was the focal point of the announcement which will affect thousands of letters every day. Officals envisage that areas most affected will be Torrevieja, Benidorm and Elche.
Letters which do not display a post code will also be returned.
The new sorting office will handle an average of a million letters per day and it is for this reason, say officials, that regulations regarding post codes are being tightened.
The sorting office is not yet in operation as it has not been issued with a municipal licence, but the new stricter regulations have already taken effect in preparation for its opening.
Postal workers unions have criticized the “systematic return” of thousands of letters and parcels.
Information on individual post codes can be obtained by phoning 902 197 197 (in Spanish) or by logging on to correos.es . Courtesy of CoastRider. (29/03/08).
Benijófar’s town hall wants to transform the town’s Avenida Garcia Lorca into a main shopping street, it was revealed this week.
New investment into the aesthetics of the street amounts to €350,000 as the town hall plans to install new street lighting and improve the general appearance of the street.
According to the town’s socialist Mayor, Daniel Padilla, the street will undergo a thorough remodelling with a view to transforming it into one of the main shopping thoroughfares of the region. Courtesy of CoastRider. (29/03/08).
Two Britons, a married couple from Alfaz del Pia have been admitted to prison yesterday without chance of bail. They are accused of the alleged crime of reckless homicide, as well as injury and failure to stop at an accident.
The couple, about 50 years old and resident of a housing estate of Polop, were for for more than three hours yesterday, before magistrate No. 3 in Benidorm. The court considered them the alleged perpetrators of a tragic and macabre accident.
Sources of the High Court of Valencia indicated, however, that this initial indictment could be amended later with increasing severity, depending on the outcome of investigations which are still continuing by the Civil Guard.
During his statement, the man, who was the one who was behind the wheel of the vehicle when the collision occurred, thought at first thought it might be a dog but then subsequently realized that the body the car was dragging was a person. The man did not react because he suffered a panic attack, sources close to the case reported yesterday.
The lawyer Jose Luis Benedict, which represents the parents of the 17 year old boy, explained that while the woman remained "cool and calm" during their appearance, the husband, collapsed before the judge when he recognised the facts.
One of the issues that remains to be determined is the degree of involvement by the wife, because she was not the driver of the vehicle but was aware a crime was being committed. It needs to be established whether she a innocent party or an accomplice in the fatal collision.
Regarding the parents of the 17-year-old who died as a result of this brutal action, the lawyer said that "they are shattered and are unable to comprehend what has happened."
Friends and colleagues of the boy will meet on Saturday, at 12 am, to march from the Municipality of Alfaz to the place where the abuse took place to honor his memory and support his family. (28/03/08).
Comments: We are mortified that Brits could apparently do such a thing! For what it is worth, our thoughts and heartfelt condolences goes out to the family of the boy.
Neighbours known as "pisos amarillos" of Rojales, located in the neighborhood of Lo Torre, near the cemetery in the town, have decided to take their grievances to the street and to the City Council. Some 200 people protested yesterday at the doors of the town hall to demand more police presence in the area, following a spate of robberies that have hit the area in the past four months.
One neighbour said, "My house was emptied last week, I was at work and my son was eating outside, the thieves took everything they could including gold and my laptop".
Neighbours claim they know the criminals, but they can do nothing because "The criminals threaten us." The mayor of Rojales, Antonio Martinez, stated that the Ayuntamiento will find "solutions" as soon as possible. (26/03/08).
A man and wife, believed to have been neighbours of the little girl, have been arrested in Huelva in connection with the disappearance and death of the five year old Mari Luz Cortés, whose body was found floating in the Ria de Huelva on 7th March. She had vanished when going to buy some crisps on 13th January in the Torrejón district of Huelva.
Reporting restrictions are in force in the case. (26/03/08).
The couple are believed to have been driving the second car which hit him, and dragged him along the road for 2 kms while he was still alive.
It’s been reported by the EFE news agency that a British couple are in custody for the death of a 17 year old boy who died after a moped accident en La Nucía last Friday night. The teenager was hit by a first vehicle while he was driving along the CV-763 road towards Alfàs del Pi, and was then hit by a second car, believed to have been driven by the British couple, and dragged along the road for some 2 kms.
Pedro Lloret, the Acting Mayor of La Nucía, spoke of a trail of blood which was left along the road and which led local police officers and a witness to the spot where the young boy lay dying. It’s understood that security cameras installed by the Town Hall on a roundabout in the area identified the British couple’s car, a grey Hyundai Matrix, as a suspect in the tragic death of J.A.C.B.
They are said to be in their 50s and are resident in Polop. Their arrests took place on Monday. The man is being held by the Guardia Civil in Alicante, while his wife has been taken to the Civil Guard barracks in El Campello, where they are both being questioned separately.
The Civil Guard say that they are to be kept out of the public gaze and reporting restrictions have been placed on the case. It’s not known when the couple will appear before the judge or the charges they will face. (26/03/08).
The special operation for Easter traffic has concluded with 63 killed in 54 accidents on the roads, nearly 40 percent less than in the same period of 2007. (26/03/08).
More than 15,000 of theVega Baja Region are unemployed, according to the latest official data for the month of February 2008. The figures are especially heavy in the construction sector and activities such as real estate, commercial and lodging.
This is the first time in over two decades, even before the "other" crisis of 1993, the number of unemployed has exceeded this figure. Of the total 15,000 unemployed job seekers 3,470 are in construction, 2,665 in the field of real estate and rental of homes and offices, 2,105 in the commerce sector and repairs, closely linked to the previous ones, and 1,572 others in the hotel sector.
These figures were unthinkable data for the area a few years ago, when the construction boom brought full employment. For example, in mid-2003 records barely exceeded 6,200 unemployed in the region, are now more than doubled to 15,064, according to data from Servef. (26/03/08).
As the dollar continues to slide against the Euro, some Spanish media have noted that a dollar is now worth no more than 100 of the old pesetas. Compare that to the rate in October 2005 when a dollar would have cost 201 pesetas. The cheap dollar has meant that many Spaniards travelling to the states over the Easter break have had more than ever to spend for their Euros. I am indebted to José Alberto Valverde Mordt, who wrote to the Editor of El País on Sunday for giving me the numbers which I have been wondering about for some time.
Most of us have noticed over the years how the price of petrol and diesel at the pumps increases rapidly in line with the price of a barrel of Brent, but takes far longer to fall in price when the wholesale price falls. It’s an easy way for the petrol companies to make some extra profit, and they have been doing so for years.
It has been suggested in the Spanish press that when the news reports speak of the latest oil price in dollars per barrel, they should also give the cost in €. Even though we all know that oil is priced in dollars on the international market, we should be told the € cost so we can make a real price comparison.
That was the point of Sr Valverde’s letter to El País. He notes that in the year 2000 the Dollar was worth 1.2 € and oil was 60 dollars a barrel – that’s to say 72.00 € a barrel – Diesel was 65 cents at the pumps at the time.
Now the dollar is worth 65 cents and barrel is 104 dollars – that’s to say 67.60 € - Cheaper in Euro terms now than in the year 2000.
However, as we all know, the price at the pumps has diesel at 1 € 15 cents – 78% more expensive.
Somebody is making a lot of money here, and it’s anyone’s guess what will happen to the pump prices in Spain once the dollar starts to recover in value.
One of the Socialist promises at the last General Election was to establish a new ‘Price Observatory’ to stop such middleman abuses. It’s a welcome move. However it remains to be seen just how affective such a body will be. Let’s hope that one of the first investigations is into the price we are all paying through our noses at the pumps. Courtesy to El Pais (25/03/08).
The Spanish Formula One driver says he will not win any races this season ‘The car does not go, that’s what there is' he said, with the Renault team already well aware of the problems facing the new R28. |
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McClaren is a clear winner, and both Toyota and Red Bull are improving, and Alonso even doubts that the Renault will be able to improve by much more than two or three tenths of a second over the season.
The car has problems with the Bridgestone tyres, has problems with traction on the curves, and also has a lower top speed. Alonso noted they only picked up a point last Sunday in Malaysia because Massa dropped out. In a normal race, he noted, he would have been ninth.
Already the press is speculating that Alonso may be on the move again at the end of the season, and the possibility of him going to Ferrari is gaining ground, where he would be brought in to replace Massa. Already Alonso has said that, speaking to Italian TV this weekend, he would prefer to see Ferrari win this season than McLaren. (25/03/08).
At the recent Seminar organised by Diputación de Alicante on 17th March '08, an information booklet was handed to those that attended the Seminar.
This booklet has been copied and published on this website for ex-pats information regarding Local Taxes. Please click here to view. For easy access, a link to this booklet has been added on the left navigation of every webpage. (24/03/08).
Most Spaniards go back to work on Monday after the Easter holiday Wintery conditions are set to complicate the way home for thousands of Easter holiday travellers in Spain, with fresh snow falls affecting the north of the country. 3.5 million journeys home are expected across the country.
Up to 8pm on Sunday night, there had been 45 fatal accidents across the country, resulting in 54 deaths and 14 serious injuries, according to the DGT traffic authority. The number of fatalities is 45 fewer than it was in Easter 2007.
A snow alert was in place across seven regions on Sunday, including Asturias, Cantabria, Castilla y León, Navarra, Galicia, Basque Country and Cataluña.
One of the most serious accidents was at Cogollos in Burgos on Saturday lunchtime when at least two people died and four more, including two children, were seriously injured when two vehicles were in a collision at the 226 km. point of the A1. And on Sunday, three people died in an accident on the Ma-1120 road on Mallorca, when their car crashed head-on into a tree. A fourth passenger in the car was seriously injured, and lost an arm in the crash.
The return home comes a day later for those in Baleares, Cataluña. Valencia, Navarra, Basque Country and La Rioja, as Monday is also a bank holiday in those areas. (24/03/08).
REVELATIONS about the massive urban development planned for Algorfa in CB News in November generated a storm of debate in the municipality.
However the nature and location of this proposed expansion remained unclear as the draft Town Plan (PGOU) was not yet available for public scrutiny.
CB News has since obtained a copy of part of the PGOU and discovered that the obligatory month during which the public could examine the plan and make objections fell from November 13 to December 12, 2007.
Without any notification from the town hall that the plan had been available for public scrutiny, it has already been passed on to the regional government for final approval.
This week the town hall’s technical office was able to show CB News a map outlining the areas where development had been proposed, but as the public display period had passed said they were not allowed to supply a copy to take away.
The official was keen to point out that these plans have not yet been approved, although a previous draft has been rejected once and amended accordingly.
Mayor Lorenzo Paredes said in November that he expected this version to be approved by the end of 2008.
Currently less than three million square metres of Algorfa’s total 18.78 million square metres of land has been built on.
The Town Plan foresees a massive 6.4 million square metres more land being made available for building, making just over half of the total land in the municipality urban.
Despite the slowdown in the property market, in the PGOU town hall architect Miguel Garulo pointed to ‘enormous interest’ from developers.
“Four property companies have presented proposals for four large sectors to the town hall, all with the resulting reclassification of land, as well as the known intention of the developer of La Rellana… to double the golf course and the residential sector,” he states in the PGOU document.
Areas already earmarked for urbanisations include expansion of the town centre towards La Finca, all around La Rellana, the southern sector that borders Los Montesinos and the massive commercial centre planned next to Montebello.
Should all this not prove enough, a further 3.7 million square metres of the remaining land is classified as being ‘eventually transformable into land for residential building’.
Expats in the La Cascada bar in the La Finca commercial centre had mixed views on the proposals.
The expansion of the golf course was largely welcomed, as was the idea of more shops nearby and more business for local traders.
The potential loss of some beautiful views of open countryside and fertile farmland was a big regret though and the prospect of concrete spreading away to the horizon was distinctly unpopular. Couresy of Costa Blanca News. (23/03/08).
Security forces have in the province close to a hundred boats which are awaiting auction after having been intercepted from drug traffickers, according to the latest inventory made by the Anti-Drug Prosecutor of Alicante.
The inventory has been compiled in the hope of speeding up the judicial auction of the assets and sell them before the drug trafficker receives a final court judgement because, being at sea, the boats are deteriorating fast.
Although the measure is not yet being implemented, the National Drug Plan has been given further impetus to these auctions. The funds received by the Community of Valencia from the sale of assets to fund their drug plans have increased by 131 percent over the past four years and amounted to EUR 775,940 over the past year 2007.
The initiative to shorten deadlines for the auctions is launched to try to prevent the intervened property losing value during the time lag until the final judgement.
In the case of ships, the need is more apparent because in addition to suffering from erosion of the at sea, they occupy a large space in the port facility.
The vessels are moored in the port of Alicante. Some of them are becoming dangerous because rotting wooden decks.
The money from the sale would be locked into a state account and can only be used at the end of the judicial process. If the defendant is acquitted, then he receives the money the vessel raised at action.
It is believes Customs Surveillance has fourteen vessels, the National Police Corps three, and the Civil Guard have 76.
Many of the vessels are used in hashish boat landings, but there are also recreational vessels.
It is believed the Alicante Port Authority would be responsible for organizing the auction of these vessels for the National Drug Plan. The contributions from the Confiscated Assets Fund to Valencia have risen from 295,000 euros in 2004 to 775,940 last year, representing an increase of 130%.
The Fund manages property given to the State by judges passing sentences.
Last year the fund amounted to 20 million euros throughout Spain, 13.5 million raised by auctions plus a sum from the previous year. Of the money received by the Community of Valencia, 542,000 euros were earmarked for drug programmes , while the remaining 233,940 euros went to prevention programmes within municipalities of Alicante, Elche and Valencia.It take more than four years from the initial judicial investigation until a final ruling.
Other products are also auctioned, and the products which arouses the greatest interest are SUV vehicles and vans. Jewelry, home appliances and other products intervened from drug traffickers do not raise so much revenue. (23/03/08).
(Click on imaged for more details)
Stephen John BURNELL |
Andrew Jeremy EDEN |
Peter WHEATHERLEY |
Stephen Mark CLARE |
The above have failed to comply with the Notification Requirements under the UK Sexual Offences Act 2003 and are currently wanted urgently by the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre.
CEOP are seeking your help to locate these individuals, but require the public to behave responsibly as mistaken identity has occurred in the past. Vigilante action is never acceptable and is likely to lead to criminal proceedings. If you believe you have seen any of these individuals, please do not approach them, but report the sighting to Crimestoppers hotline 0800 555 111 or when phoning from Spain 900 555 111. Please do not report directly to CEOP.
The European Commission proposed a new Safer Internet programme to enhance the safety of children in the online environment with a budget of 55 euros.
Last November we asked our website visitors to complete a survey about this website. We wanted to know what our visitors thought about this site, if it was serving their purpose.
At last we have finally completed the results. See Website Survey results.
Thank you to all those that completed the questionnaire and in the main, your kind words and offers of help.
If you are a regular visitor to our Forum, you will probably be aware that we now have an Admin Team of six people who help run the Forum. This makes the Forum much more balanced with a broader outlook. We are so please with the way the Forum is reaching out and the proof is in the steady stream of new members registering.
It is essential that we understand what our members are expecting from the Forum, if they feel comfortable, and their thoughts on how the Forum could be made better. For this reason we have compiled a Forum Survey in the hope that you will kindly complete and submit back to us.
The survey will open until 21st April 2008, after which, the results will be published.
Please could you spend just a few moments of your time letting us know your views?
Please click here for the Survey. Thank you in anticipation! (20/03/08).
The president of the Generalitat, Francisco Camps, witnessed yesterday from a balcony, the unique procession of the Holy Cross, in the Old Town of Alicante. The procession was followed by thousands of people. (20/03/08).
The Green Party of Orihuela, Los Verdes, has denounced the “sparse and contradictory information” provided by the town hall at Orihuela Costa with regards to residence and padron certificates.
Los Verdes stated in a press release that people are unable to fulfil the “absurd and contradictory” requirements demanded of them at the coastal town hall. In particular, the Los Verdes press statement spoke of residents going to register for a residencia certificate at the National Police desk, only to be told they need a padron certificate in order to do so. This has happened despite the law not demanding it.
Rule changes for padron registration were implemented in January at Orihuela Costa town hall, which would now ask for a residence certificate if a resident wished to sign on the padron. There was no prior notice or information given to residents, and for several days, no-one could say for definite what paperwork was required in order to get the residence certificate in the first place. It appeared at the time that the National Police had not received the new instructions for residence certificates.
Los Verdes also pointed out that the information pertaining to the padron is written in three different languages – Castilian, English and German - with each version demanding different requirements.
The opposition party also asks now what happens to those people already on the padron. Will they remain on the register? Or will the town hall inform its citizens of the steps they now need to take? Nothing has yet happened.
The Los Verdes press statement also questions the role of Stefan Pokroppa, calling him “the adviser of what, we do not know”. Los Verdes have previously denounced a website created by Mr Pokroppa which is positioned as the official information source for residents on the coast, yet Los Verdes feel is a political propaganda tool. They condemned Mr Pokroppa’s decision not to have any further dialogue with me due to an article I wrote, saying, “It is not the first time that this adviser has not treated a neighbour of the coast properly.”
It would appear the confusion has led the British Consul to clarify matters with Orihuela, for they have issued three documents to their contacts within the local Neighbourhood Watch group.
The following are instructions taken from those documents:
RIGHTS OF RESIDENCE
The right of residence for more than six months remains subject to certain conditions. Applicants must:
• either be engaged in economic activity (on an employed or self-employed basis);
• or have sufficient resources and sickness insurance to ensure that they do not become a burden on the social services of the host Member State during their stay. The Member States may not specify a minimum amount which they deem sufficient, but they must take account of personal circumstances;
• or be following vocational training as a student and have sufficient resources and sickness insurance to ensure that they do not become a burden on the social services of the host Member State during their stay;
• or be a family member of a Union citizen who falls into one of the above categories.
With regard to freedom of movement and residency within the EU, the following webpage sets out the principles, guidelines and summary of the regulations: europa.eu/scadplus/leg/en/lvb/l33152.htm (Comment: It appears this webpage doesn't exist!).
COMMUNITY RESIDENCE CERTIFICATE
It is the responsibility of the National Police to handle the new residencia application forms. You will need:
(1) Completed application form and 2 copies
(2) Passport or original identity card and 2 copies
(3) One tax sheet Modelo 790* per person (Bank Payment Form)
(4) Original N.I.E. and 1 copy
If you had applied for a Resident’s card prior to April 2nd 2007, you must inform the office about it when applying for the Community Residence Certificate.
If you already had a Resident’s card and it is due for renewal, you must inform the office about it when you present the application for the Community Residence Certificate, giving them a copy of the card.
Later, when you pick up the Community Residence Certificate, you must then handback the original Residencia card.
The office at Orihuela Costa Town Hall does not hand out the certificate on the day of application. You will be advised when to return for it.
To apply for and receive the certificate at the same time, you should present your application and documentation at the Police department in Alicante on C/ Campo de Mirra, 6, Alicante or at Orihuela´s police station on C/ Sol, 34, Orihuela City. Please check with them for correct opening times.
* The Tax Sheet Modelo 790 is available at the coastal town hall. A statutory fee of € 6.80 per person must be paid at a bank before the form can be processed there.
PADRON REQUIREMENTS
Everyone aged 18 or over must sign the registration form personally at the registration office.
All the necessary documents for the registration must be in Spanish.
The following documents are necessary:
If you own the property where you want to be registered:
• Original and a copy of the passport of each person who wants to be registered.
• For Non-Spanish residents, the original and a copy of the Residence Card/Residence Certificate.
• Original and a copy of an Aquagest (Water) or Iberdrola (Electricity) bill. If the bill is still in the name of the previous owner, you need the original and a copy of the title deeds (Escritura) of the property.
If you rent the property where you want to be registered:
• Original and a copy of the passport of each person who wants to be registered.
• For Non-Spanish residents, the original and a copy of the Residence Card/Residence Certificate.
• Original and a copy of the rental contract in Spanish. This must be at least a six-month contract. If the rental contract has been done through a Real Estate Agency, all the pages must be stamped with the official company stamp containing the C.I.F. number. Only people over the age of 18 whose names are stated in the contract can be registered. It is not necessary that dependants under 18 appear on the contract.
• Original and a copy of an Aquagest (Water) or Iberdrola (Electricity) bill.
There is currently no information available to give to those people who have already signed on the padron, but may need to obtain an up to date certificate.
Los Verdes is calling for definitive information to be made available to all citizens, and to be authorised by the Mayor, Monica Lorente, to ensure no further confusion can occur. Courtesy of CoastRider
(Comment: The only reason this article is published - is to demonstrate what a complete fiasco this situation is. We are still awaiting instruction from the Vice Consul. Meanwhile, if anyone can shed any light on the above - we'd love you to explain it to us). (18/03/08).
The Algorfa Policía Local are implementing an initiative called ´Neighbours Collaborate with the Police’. They are reaching out to all Algorfa residents to create a strong line of communication between each other.
Last week it was the Community Presidents of Montemar’s turn to attend a special meeting called by the Chief of Police of Algorfa. For more information, please contact your Community President. Below is just one president’s understanding of the meeting.
| Algorfa has a significant number of troops working in the locality, there are a total of 20 officers. Resulting in one of the best averages (Policeman/per head of the population) within the Vega Baja. Inside Montemar, which is the oldest and the largest urbanisation in Algorfa, there hasn’t been a police incident in over 2 months. Such is the proof that the efforts and strategies of the Local Policía are successful. |  |
‘Neighbours Collaborate With the Police’ Signs and Leaflets
Montemar Presidents were issued with signs, ‘Neighbours collaborate with the police’ and were asked to display them within their community, where they would be most visible.
Leaflets were provided and presidents were asked to ensure that each property within their community receives a leaflet. See Leaflet.
Language Barrier
The meeting was informed that each Algorfa policeman, who cannot speak English, has enrolled on a language course to learn English. If non Spanish speakers do the same and learn Spanish, even if it is only a little, it would be possible using both languages, to make each other understand important information. See a few Spanish words which could help.
Police Telephone Numbers
In an emergency, the Police would prefer you to contact them by dialing their mobile tel. 659 49 04 62.
Should you dial their land line 966 78 18 71, and if after four rings the land line is not answered, the call will divert to one of the 20 Police mobile phones.
Alternatively, especially if you have difficulty speaking Spanish, you can ring 112. By dialing 112 you can request to speak to an English operator. The operator will relay your concern back to Algorfa Police station. Obviously by dialing 112 there will be a delay, as the 112 call centre is based in Madrid.
There is a risk, in a non-emergency situation where you are simply passing on information; that your 112 message could be delayed. For this reason, the Chief of Police asks, if possible, you use the mobile or land line telephone numbers.
It was also stressed for people not to be embarrassed should their call turn out to be false. It is more important for you to call and to leave it to the police to decide if the alarm was false or not.
E-mail the Police
For passing any significant information to the Police, you can e-mail:
police@algorfa.com
Know Your Correct Addresses
A lot of time is wasted because callers requesting police help do not know their correct address. It was suggested that properties, especially rental properties, should have the correct address displayed clearly within the property, alongside police contact numbers.
Surveillance Cameras
It would be wrong to publish on the internet this sensitive topic in full. Except to say the Surveillance Camera project is drawing to completion.
Door to Door Charity Collections
The Chief of Police stressed, it is illegal for anyone to collect money via house to house collection, for charities in Spain. Money for charities is collected within the Ayuntamiento.
If anyone asks you for money to donate to a charity by calling at your property, please telephone the police immediately. It doesn’t matter how official the person appears, or what official paperwork they may have, don't give them any money and call the police.
Dangerous Dog Breeds
In the Alicante Province, since February 2008, the law of keeping animals has been amended.
The following breeds are now considered dangerous and need special licenses and handling:
The owners or holders of the above breed of dogs should keep them permanently under their control, any possible escape should be prevented, even within your own private property. They should always be on a leash in all public areas and they must be fitted with a muzzle to prevent them biting. A non extending short leash (maximum two metres) must be used, this will ensure total control over the animal at all times.
See your veterinarian for more information regarding socialisation tests and licenses.
All dogs must now be on a lead, no matter what the circumstances. Should your dog be found wandering alone, then you could incur a fine. In the pueblo this has reduced significantly the dog fouling on the pavements. Failure to pick up your dogs excreta could result in a hefty fine.
Farmers also have the power to shoot dogs on their land which are not leashed.
We are sure everyone will agree that the Policía Local Algorfa are doing an excellent job and we welcome this new incentive and drive. To quote the Police leaflet “By working together, we can keep our city safe, peaceful and quiet. Making it a place we are proud to live in.” (18/03/08).
The General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) yesterday introduced its new campaign to prevent accidents this Easter. More than fifteen and a half million journeys will be planned throughout Spain and it is expected that approximately two and a half million of these journeys will be occurring in the Valencia region. In turn, the province of Alicante will bear the transit of approximately 800,000 vehicles on the roads between today and tomorrow, according to data from the DGT.
The main objective of this new awareness campaign launched is to reduce the number of deaths that occurred in 2007 on Spanish roads, where 103 people perished during the Holy Week, 2.5 more deaths per day than normal. It is noteworthy that most of the deaths occurred on shorter journeys.
The DGT have equipped 8,900 Civil Guards with a special speeding device, 600 more than last year. In the case of Alicante province, the trafico device will be allocated to 300 Civil Guard officers - 50 more than in 2007. There will also be two helicopters to monitor the status of traffic in the Province.
Across the peninsula there will be 305 Civil Guard cars deployed equipped with radar - of which 262 will be unmarked police cars and they will be mobile, which will join the 317 speed control points already installed.
The DGT plan to curb deaths on the roads during Easter via a public awareness campaign with the slogan "This Easter, We All Count, We All Discount." The campaign will be disseminated through various media, in print and on the radio and television.
Cruz Roja (Red Cross)
For its part, Alicante Red Cross will also strengthen its prevention plan through Easter, called "Prevention is life". Specifically, the plan will be provided with a total of 11 ambulances, five support vehicles, 25 drivers and 58 rescuers and nurses. The Red Cross will also monitor beaches in the province, namely Alicante, Santo Pola, Guardamar del Segura, Xàbia, Torrevieja and Orihuela. (15/03/08).
The bones were found by divers in a reservoir some 40 kms from Praia da Luz. The Spanish detective agency Método 3 say they are bringing some bones found at the bottom of a lake in Portugal back to Spain to have them analysed. First reports say that the bones are more likely to be from a small animal rather than those of the missing British youngster Madeleine McCann, but they are already in the hands of the detective agency for analysis. A search has been carried out in the Arade reservoir all week by seven divers who have been working for the Portuguese lawyer, Marcos Aragao Correia. |
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The March edition of the Algorfa Information Bulletin is now out. Please see left navigation for 'Municipal News Bulletin'. (14/03/08).
Midnight, 1st April, is the date which Formula 1 fans will have the opportunity to purchase tickets for the Grand Prix of Europe, to be held in Valencia on 24 August this year. In total, tickets sold in Spain will go on sale at some 60,000 locations.
Yesterday ticket prices were revealed, ranging from 195 euros to 480 euros.
There are three different options to obtain tickets: telephone, Internet and in El Corte Ingles centres. On Tuesday, 1st April many are expected to sleep outside the doors of El Corte Ingles in order to secure a ticket, others can dial a phone number which can tell them what locations they can purchase a ticket or you can use a keyboard to access the Web.
In addition, businesses may purchase quotas, by contacting the Ricardo Tormo circuit. Although it is feared this way may cause problems. In their attempt to spread tickets far and wide, the company is considering creating a maximum number of locations for business. (14/03/08).
The British Consul in Alicante hosted a meeting last week to give their Foreign and Commonwealth Office colleagues from London an opportunity to speak with the English speaking media on the Costa Blanca.
CoastRider was invited, together with journalists from other local publications, to talk about the issues facing British citizens living in Spain.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office will be using the information to take forward their ongoing “Know before you go” campaign.
The aim is to arm people with as much information as possible before they make the move to Spain so that people can avoid many of the pitfalls we all know about when they finally arrive here. The differing levels of service on offer at different town halls, together with health issues were discussed, as well as abuses by developers and inconsistency in the application of laws.
The British Consul in Alicante is the busiest in Spain, and is thought to be one of the busiest Consuls in the world. Courtesy of Coast Rider. (13/03/08).
We are pleased to introduce an excellent plumber into our Business Directory - Waterline-UK. Dave Rogers comes personally recommended. He is a professional (Corgi Registered), highly efficient, has very reasonable charges, pleasant and a real craftsman. On top of all this, he was punctual!
See information for Waterline-UK.
If you know of a good tradesman - please don't hesitate to let us know. (13/03/08).
White Palm leaves, the symbol of Palm Sunday, have embarked on their journey towards the Christian world.
Each year, the municipality of Elche sends white palms to the Royal Family, the Pope and the president of the Government, and this year to the grandchildren of King Carlos and Queen Sofia.
This gesture is, in the opinion of the mayor, Alejandro Soler, "a wonderful way to view our city, white palms are central to the history and culture of Elche and the palm grove - it is our Heritage to Humanity" .
Soler, who personally oversaw the sending of the palms, indicated that these gifts are also an example of the craftsmanship of the white palm, which has remained "thanks to the work of families like Serrano Valero and Carbonell Galiano, who generation after generation have created wonderful works of art". He added that "a piece of Elche is sent around the world through the white palms".
Comment:
For centuries, Elche has been uniquely treating palm leaves to turn them white. During October time the leaves are stripped from the palm trees (a painful job when you consider the thorns on the leaves) treated and wrapped around a large tube, leaves on top of leaves, until a huge role is created. The role is then carefully wrapped and stored. Months later the now white palm leaves are removed, dried and made ready for making into crosses which are sent around the world. (13/03/08).
One of Spain's biggest private savings banks has slashed lending to property developers which are caught in a looming housing crisis and barely able to sell land or property, its head of property lending told Reuters on Tuesday.
Jose Aguilar Martin, head of real estate at Seville-based Cajasol, said the bank was not lending to firms building holiday homes on the coast nor to property developers planning to build in areas designated as 'rural'.
Cajasol's tougher policy towards property firms is further evidence that Spain's unprecedented construction boom has come to a shuddering halt and of the dire financial straits in which many indebted firms find themselves.
"Real estate on the coast (for second homes) is not being financed, or at least only under very tough conditions. There's no foreign market, the domestic market is really down and there's no investment market either," Aguilar said on the sidelines of a property sector conference in Madrid.
"Promoters don't have income because they are not selling houses, simple as that," said Aguilar, adding it was practically impossible for indebted property developers to sell land either. Several Spanish property developers have filed for creditor protection in the last few months, while Barcelona-based Habitat last month staved off bankruptcy at the eleventh hour by refinancing 1.6 billion euros of debt.
Around 65 percent of loans made by Cajasol are connected with the property market or mortgages. Spain's 45 'caja' savings banks, partly owned by regional governments, have assets of just under 1 trillion euros and make around half of all mortgages in the country.
Aguilar said some 90 percent of property companies borrowing from Cajasol had asked to refinance loans since the property downturn began last year, though he stressed Cajasol had not lent to a handful of well-known developers whose debt woes are mentioned almost daily in national newspapers.
Cajasol's non-performing loans are likely to "almost double" in 2008 compared to 1.17 percent of all loans last year, he said. All Spanish banks have said their level of bad loans will rise this year as the economy slows and as individuals and companies have difficulty meeting interim payments.
Other speakers at the conference also painted a grim picture of Spain's real estate sector, which accounts for around one fifth of Spanish GDP and jobs. Javier Lopez-Ulloa, from infrastructure and property firm Sacyr Vallerhermoso, said Spain's housing sector would likely build 200,000 homes this year -- around a third of the home starts seen in 2006 and 2007.
However Lopez-Ulloa and noted that sales had ticked up in February: "We're not at levels from 2006 or 2007 but there is a substantial improvement. What we don't know right now is if it's a temporary situation," he told sector players.
GOLF TRIP OVER
Aguilar said it was simply too risky to lend to developers who could spend seven or eight years getting permission to build on 'rural' land in a market where sales had plummeted and promoters debt levels were rising fast.
"A year ago we lent to almost all of them," he said. Across Spain, unemployment is rising faster than anywhere else in Europe. Consumer confidence is at its lowest level since Spain's last housing crisis, in the early 1990s, according to Eurostat and Bank of Spain data. Cajasol, Spain's ninth-biggest caja, is also not lending to build new golf courses -- hundreds of which have sprung up across the touristy southern region in recent years. Around 65 percent of Cajasol's loan portfolio is connected to housing -- either to property companies or mortgages.
With a small manufacturing base and little high-tech industry, Andalucia relies on tourism, and to a lesser extent, farming. Spain's biggest banks have emerged relatively unscathed from the global credit crunch, but some analysts fear some of the cajas might suffer the consequences of lax lending requirements, particularly if the Spanish economy slows sharply.
Aguilar said he estimated the bank currently approves only half of all
mortgage applications compared to around 90 percent a year ago and he added
that the overall level of applications had dropped significantly. Courtesy of Guardian/ Reuters: 11/03/08. (12/03/08).
The criminal court number 2 in Elche yesterday condemned a Romanian citizen Marin C. Martin C. was given penalty of two years' imprisonment after he was arrested last March for driving in the opposite direction for 15 miles along the A-7 highway from Los Montesinos and Crevillent. Putting at risk the rest of the drivers moving in the opposite direction. Such a driver is commonly known as "kamikaze"drivers. |
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Spaniards gave the PSOE yesterday voted for Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero to govern a second term, with 169 seats. But with 99.63 percent of votes counted, the PP has managed to reduce the gap between the two parties.
PP candidate, Mariano Rajoy gained votes giving them 153 members in the Spanish Parliament
The general elections were held without any noteworthy incident, although Spaniards voted still stunned by the shock of the assassination of a militant socialist Isaiah Carrasco, who was killed on Friday in his town of Mondragon (Guipúzcoa). (10/03/08).
Almoradí firemen demonstrated on Sunday (2nd March) in protest at the conditions in their station.
Union delegate Juanco Brotons said installations are in a poor condition and lack adequate health and hygiene.
A new station was under construction in 2006 and was scheduled to be ready last year.
“Sometimes they tell us the delay is the builder’s fault and others the provincial government,” he lamented.
They plan to continue protest measures throughout the week. Courtesy of Costa Blanca News. (10/03/08).
Comment: Almoradí Fire Brigade covers the area of Algorfa
Humorist Rodolfo Chikilicuatre receives public support to become Spains representative for the Eurovision 2008 Song Festival, to be held in May in Belgrade. The song entitled "Dance the chikichiki" could become the song of the summer. |
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The Ministry of the Interior, through the Emergency Coordination Centre (CEC), yesterday ordered a level 3 Alert, due to a maximum risk of forest fires breaking out across the Comunitat, even though temperatures remained unchanged or slightly rising.
All troops remain on high alert, via land and air, in case of any attempted arson.
The Ministry of the Interior advises extreme care to the citizens of the Comunitat, so that they at all times, comply with the instructions relating to level 3 Alert because of the risk of forest fires.
This implies the ban on any type of fire, even in recreational zones unless authorized therefore all plans for local agricultural burning has been put on hold, even though the fire has been previously authorized.
Consejos Advice
The Centre for Emergency advised not to smoke while walking through wooded area and to throw, in any circumstances, matches or cigarette butts from vehicles.
Moreover explosive devices or material such as firecrworks and mascletas, among others, should not be used. (10/03/08).
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Updated: November 2008 |
