Newsletter from Minority Delegado, Margaret Arnup, April 2008.

To all Cabrera Owners,
Welcome to the “News Letter” from the Junta in Cortijo Cabrera. We hope this news letter finds you well. It´s certainly been busy here in Cabrera and lots of things are happening. As you may know in the majority of cases this news letter will be sent via email, however, if you receive a printed version of this, and you DO have an email address, could you please forward your email address to me at . This enables us to keep the cost of posting to a minimum.

Surgery Meetings
The last surgery meeting was held on the 6th March and again it was well attended. The next surgery meeting will be held on Thursday 1st May at 5:00pm in the Community room at Los Pastores. Please come along if you can. As usual we would ask if you have any questions, that require any research, could you please submit them to us via email or by post, before the meeting. This enables us to deliver a solution and answer to your questions/problems that may not only benefit you but all at the meeting.

Reminder – Job Roles of the delegados
Please note you don’t have to wait for the surgery meeting to report problems or issues, so I thought I’d just remind you of the job roles that the delegados hold and if you have any queries or issues you can contact them directly:-

At the surgery meeting the following were discussed:-

The unsatisfactory state of the centre of Cortijo Cabrera
A signed petition was handed to the Junta stating that they were not happy with the current state of Cortijo Cabrera. It covered 3 main areas and they were:-

1. Fatimas Tent - The arch is a centre point of Cortijo Cabrera and along side this is Fatima´s tent. This tent had been left to fall into a state of disrepair; it is ripped and looks very unsightly. In addition to this there also appears to be an old fridge/freezer possibly stored here, but looks like it has been dumped there. The Junta has written to Fatima to request that she either repairs the tent or removes it as it detracts from the aesthetics of Cabrera, and to tidy up this area. We are currently waiting for a reply from Fatima I’m sure I’m not alone when I say that I can’t wait for something to happen in this area, as we all remember the lovely evening, coffee mornings that we enjoyed when the Café/Bar was open. The Junta would like to assure you that we are pressing hard and following correct procedures in order to receive a good outcome for Cabrera. We will keep you posted about this current problem and will let you know of any developments as they happen.
   (Since writing this letter Fatima has now removed the tent, however, the structure still remains.)
2. Storage of Infrastructure Material in the main area of Cabrera – This material is for the infrastructure of Cortijo Cabrera, but as there is currently a delay on this project the material has not been moving. It is difficult to be able to store this material in a safe place, to ensure that none of it goes missing, but your points have been taken on board and the material will be moving to another location away from the centre of Cabrera.
   In addition to this we have decided to move the skip to the same area as the garden rubbish. It is felt that by having both sites in the same area we may negate the skips usage as a dump for garden refuse. By placing the skip in a less central area we may also avoid its use by people from outside Cabrera who are non-contributory to the cost of maintaining it.
3. Abandoned building at the side of Casa Fairwinds – This building project was abandoned when the company that was constructing it went into liquidation. However, Lucas Marquenie has since been contacted by a gentleman that wishes to continue with this project and he is now in talks with Segundo Ramirez, so it looks like that this will moving again.
   When asked what insurances were in place to ensure that Cabrera does not become a “graveyard of abandoned incomplete building projects”, the Town Hall replied that each building license is granted not only with a starting date, but also a date that the works must be completed within, usually in the case of villas for example, that of three years. If the project is not completed within that period of time a letter is issued by the Town Hall stating that the license will be revoked if the work is not completed within the given time and the promoter will have to start procedures over again and reapply for a license to build. As this is costly it usually ensures that a project is not abandoned.
   In the case of liquidation, the Junta would have to make a denouncement against whoever owns the land.

Update on the progress of the approval for the next phase of the Infrastructure of Polígono 1 – We are still awaiting an updated detailed study (Estudio Detalle) by the technical architect of the whole of the plan Parcial for Polígono I in order that there is clear definition of the areas that will be unable to comply with the designated width of roads, pavements etc. required by the Junta de Andalucía. As this is a very comprehensive study it is likely to take a considerable length of time to be completed. Also as mentioned at the Surgery Meeting, there are many roads in Cortijo Cabrera, that many of us don’t realise that they exist, this is because they have become overgrown over the years and are not always visible. The Plan Parcial is a plan that shows all these roads. It is in the office and is there for anyone that wishes to view it.

Broadband/Internet Telephone connections – Telefonica have brought up the cable needed for broadband via the telegraph poles to the Cabrera Arch. This cable will exist here on a temporary basis, until the infrastructure project has been completed. The hardware for the system is being installed in a room under the arch. José informs me that the newly tarmac area that runs along the area that leads to the horse ranch and the new houses past this will be able to be connected to broadband / internet and telephone in the very near future. Telefoncia and The Junta will also be looking at providing a way to deliver this facility to other areas in the very near future.
Meanwhile there is free internet facilities at Los Pastores, via the computer in the community room or via your laptop using wifi access – just ask at the bar for the username and password. Los Pastores just asks if you could respect other users of the community room and of the internet. It is available during normal restaurant openin hours.

Electricity – Future plans for electricity supply to Cortijo Cabrera. Sevillana have stated that they need to be able to supply 11 kw of electricity per household. Cabrera therefore needs new ring linked transformers to be able to do this. There are a number of options that Sevillana have proposed and decisions and meetings are still ongoing. Options are:-

1. To run a cable up the mountain in the “Turre Back Road Area” and through La Pilica.
2. Other option would be via Cortijo Grande, and José Jerez is meeting with Colt properties to talk about this option.

Whichever option is taken by Sevillana, The Junta has made provisions for either route and is ready and waiting. The meetings with Sevillana are progressing, albeit very slowly. Sevillana however, do recognise that there is a transformer that is currently under subscribed. At present this transformer only supplies electricity for a well and a treatment plant and could supply those houses without mains electricity in Zone I (area towards the ranch). We are therefore trying to assert pressure on Sevillana to use this transformer and supply electricity to those houses.

Turre Town Hall – We had a positive meeting with the new mayor of Turre Town Hall, Francisco Ortega Soler (Known to his friends as Paco) and they have agreed to put in place an additional form for anyone applying for a building licence to build in Cabrera. The form must be signed by the Junta, stating that the project is in keeping with the aesthetics and Moorish tradition of Cabrera. Please ote that there is no legal obligation on the part of the Town Hall to seek the Junta’s approval for any building project and they take this step as they are as keen as we are to maintain the ambience of this beautiful area. All the usual rules and regulations will still stand and will follow the normal procedure in Turre Town hall and the Junta de Andalucía.

Obligations for the Owners of Cortijo Cabrera – This has been revised and will be coming out to you very shortly

Accounts for 2007 – The accounts ave been approved for 2007 and will be posted to us soon. At the surgery meeting a question was asked ow much do the developers of new building contribute to the Junta. The developers currently pay 10 € per m2 for the construction size of the building. In the accounts you will clearly see their contribution for 2007. Also in the accounts you will clearly see:-

1. a)      The costs of asphalting the new section of road
2. b)       The cost of asphalt used in the normal repair (i.e, filling in the holes); please note this cost is low, due to the fact that in 2007 filling in the holes was deliberately kept to a minimum, as at that time the infrastructure project (which included totally re-tarmacing the roads) was well underway.
3. c)        If you didn’t already know you can view the accounts in more detail by visiting the office and asking to see the accounts.

Zones in Cabrera – The plans submitted by the architect Don Javier Herrero for the zoning of Cortijo Cabrera into 19 zone areas were approved by the delegados and have also been approved by the Town Hall. A copy of these plans is held in the Junta office and is available for any proprietor to view. They will also be open for inspection at the next surgery meeting on 1st May.

Water – As you know we are extremely lucky to have two natural springs in Cabrera, and we are currently investigating other areas for additional good water – one of them is the road at the top of Cabrera.
We normally experience low quality water, when the level of water in the deposito is too low and has to be filled using water from the new well. Although this is run for 15 minutes to clear sandy deposits before topping up the deposito it is still of an inferior quality (although inferior water is better than no water!) The Junta recommends that you replace any plastic filters with a better fibre micro filter. These types of filters will need to be replaced on a more regular basis, than the plastic ones, but the benefits received are much better. As the water is hard we would also recommend that you use Cal tablets in your washing machines and dishwashers.
As the summer months are approaching we would ask that you are mindful of water wastage. Leaking taps, toilets etc, please get them repaired as soon as possible. Do not allow swimming pools to overfill etc. and check that water systems to gardens are functioning correctly and are not over-watering. Make sure your guests and renters are also aware of this.

Direct Debits – It has been decided, to reduce costs and time, that the water bills will be presented for payment in two direct debit orders rather than 4. These will be applied at the same time as the maintenance charges on 1st January and 1st Of July

General

Street Signs are still not up near Mr & Mrs. Baynhams – Antonio & Paco are aware of this and have this in their work chedule.

Street Lights along the new road that runs past the horse ranch – currently has yellow and white lights. The street lights come with white bulbs, and the opinion is now to wait for the white bulbs to burn out (i.e finish their life cycle) and then replace with yellow bulbs.

Manhole covers – In the newly tarmaced area, these are noisy when driven over. This is proving difficult to resolve, but we haven’t given up, please bear with us whilst we try to find a solution.

Yellow & White P.O.Box in the Post Room – There are two yellow boxes and one white box

1. Yellow Box inside the post room – This was originally meant for post to be returned to Turre Post Office. (i.e, post that is not for anyone in Cortijo Cabrera). – However due to confusion, this will be sealed and we ask that you if you need to return mail please use the Yellow box utside.
2. Yellow Box outside the post room - Is for normal mail with a stamp to be posted AND mail to be returned (see 1 bove.)
3. White Box  - Is inside the post room on the right hand side, behind the entrance door, this is for internal mail to be distributed to each other. The office or a Junta delegado will check the white P.O.Box for mail and distribute to the relevant p.o. box number, as agreed at the AGM last year.

Cabrera Dinner Dance was a great success lovely food and great music. It was held at Vera Hotel. Many thanks to Anne Viccars and Jo Chambers for organising this.

Cabrera Open Gardens ay – organised by Sheila Golding and Jo Chambers, was held on Sunday 20th April 2008 and was a roaring success and although the weather was still windy, it wasn't anywhere near as windy as it had been and the sun shone for most of the day. As well as the Gardens, there was the Art Exhibition, Cava, Cabrera Poster Competition, Second hand book stall, Tea & Cakes. All proceeds from the ticket sales are going to MACS Cancer Support Group www.macscancersupport.com and proceeds from the Tea & Cakes will be donated to the Cabrera Fiesta Fund. Many thanks to everyone who participated.

The date of the Cabrera Fiesta and the sporting events: The Town Hall has once again pledged a minimum donation of 3,000€ towards the fiesta and has asked for a breakdown of the budget for the fiesta before making a commitment to payment of any other invoices. The date of the fiesta will be 14th June 2008. Tournament dates are as follows: -
Tennis 4th May with the final on 18th May (Sunday mornings only)
Darts 31st May (Saturday Afternoon)
Petanca 1st June (Sunday afternoon)
Bowling                     

Melchor Navarro is responsible for the sporting activities in Turre and has promised to invite residents of Cabrera to participate in future events.

Library open Tuesday 12:00 – 2:00pm and Thursday 3:00pm to 5:00pm

Cabrera Tennis Club – Welcomes members & non-members.  Contact Sybil Robson on Tel: 950 528 170

Bridge – Informal Bridge every Thursday 7:30pm at the community room at Los Pastores Bar/Restaurante. Contact Sybil Robson on Tel: 950 528 170.

Petanca – Please contact Roger Chambers

The Junta would like to offer of condolences and deepest sympathy to the friends and family of Jean Dean, Ellis Upshall and David Wynn, who recently passed away, they will be sadly missed. Our thoughts are with you.

Goodbye, until the next time! 

If you have any comments or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact any of the Junta delegados.

Best Regards
Margaret Arnup
Junta de Compensación de Cortijo Cabrera – Minority Delegado.

See the previous newsletter from Margaret here.