La Asociación de Gata Residencial

Minutes of the 35th Meeting

29th May 2011

Store in Bosque Del Duende

Those present

In Attendance

Absent

No Representative 

1.     Those present and apologies

The signing in form was circulated and apologies taken. Ken Cook, John Wardle and David Endeacott were welcomed to the meeting.

2.    Minutes of the previous meeting

These were taken as read, agreed and signed by the President and Secretary with the following amendments and clarifications:

i. Caixa Catalunya (CC): Should read – “DM ASKED if CC could keep La Asociación informed regarding the use of the aval but he reported that they would have to contact Madrid to ascertain if this was possible.”

ii. Membership: Remove reference to “21 who have not yet renewed.”

iii. CFIP: a) DM proposal should read “different prices” instead of “flat rate”.  b) Reference to water connection by PS should be an action point.  c) Last sentence should read “…………had taken ON the organisation………”

vi. Committee present: English minutes should have Treasurer by SJ’s name & Tesorero on Spanish minutes.

3.     Matters arising 

i. Caixa Catalunya: SJ reported that the Member’s Benefit entry had been drafted and it was now being treated as any other offer to members.

Action: SM to check with RB regarding its posting on the Benefit’s site.

Action: SJ to check with bank re: a) Tax status of La Asociación in relation to any donations from CC and to ascertain charges should we set up a deposit account.

ii. Data Protection Act (DPA) information: SM reported that this had not come from PS.

Action: SM to follow-up.

iii. Roles document: SM confirmed that the document link had been posted to members and AW confirmed that she was happy with the wording.

iv. Introduction letter: PB stated that this had been updated and a link sent out for reps to use with prospective members. He stated that it may need further amendment and would welcome suggestions.

v. Map: PB confirmed that Hazel Kerslake had been working on it.

vi. Adopt-a-zone scheme: PB confirmed that he had sent out the link to members and that he had had some feedback. DM stated that it was obvious where individuals were making a difference. He cited the example of Tony Kerslake who had volunteered to keep the Fairy Park weed free and said that individuals, including those who are here for just a short time, should be encouraged to keep, at the very least, their frontages tidy.

4.     Correspondence

There was none.

5.     Treasurer´s report

a. SJ reported that:

• The current financial state is 11336.08€ in the bank.
• Cash in hand is 315.06€        
• PB reported an additional 120€ in membership fees.
• Commission charges have ranged between 2.99 and 3.33€ a month.

b. Assets: SJ stated that he had donated a Garden Vac to La Asociación to be available to members on loan. Anyone wishing to use it should contact SJ direct.

6.     Membership report

PB reported that there are 220 fully paid up members and a few who had not renewed from last year. The previously circulated list of 3 new members was ratified. It was noted as a positive that there has been a significant increase in Spanish and other nationalities on Gata Residencial.

Action: Reps to push membership with new owners.

7.     Site Issues

i. Reparations: DM updated the situation stating that the contract has now been signed and  preparation for the reparations is obvious on site. SJ stated that a complaint had been received from members on M1A regarding concerns about possible problems arising from positioning of the offices at the Pedreguer entrance. He stated that he had spoken to a person from Bertolin who assured him that it was solely there for administrative purposes. It was accepted that logistically it is in a strategic place and that an instancia had already been submitted to the council. It was noted there will be a site manager with whom to liaise regarding such issues and should the situation warrant, appropriate action will be taken.

ii. Riego Well Instancia: SM explained that she had not now submitted an instancia regarding support for the council’s court application to take control of the well. Originally she had been told that there was a deadline and a need to submit it by the 23rd May. To that end, she had drafted wording “on behalf of the committee” because a few reps had expressed concerns that full consultation of the membership had not taken place.  SM stated that PS had written a suggested wording which could now be put to the membership.

Action: PB to set up a poll. SM to send him the exact proposed wording of the instancia.

DM noted that we would have no control over pricing. SB expressed concerns if there was a water shortage and a business decided to use the facility for wider commercial use resulting in a number of lorries on site. PB stated that Hans Portzgen still has a legal charge on the property which the council are trying to cancel. Hence the request to La Asociación for their support. SM stated that the council has submitted papers to the Jucar Water board in order to obtain control of the water. AW asked what the position is in relation  to the water hydrant in the parks.

Action: SM to check with the council what type of water is being used and if it is connected.

Extraordinary Item

SM explained that within the past 3 weeks she had received a verbal complaint regarding the status of Angie Dickinson’s membership. SM stated that this had highlighted an anomaly within the statutes which she felt needed to be addressed. The following points were made in discussing the issue:

a. In writing the statutes, the intention had been to exclude financial bodies and business organisations in order to prevent block voting by them over individual owners. It had never been intended to exclude family members of owners being part of the membership.

b. The majority felt that the current statutes do need to be made more specific though some reps felt that this was an unnecessary waste of time.

c. The principle of 1 vote per household should be maintained.

d. It was for manzanas to establish their chosen representative.

Proposal: To amend Article 6:iv:

“Members will be either:

a. Households consisting of the plot owner(s) and their nominated family members (Full Members).

b. Those renting property …..etc. (Associate Members).”              Proposer: Sally Merrett

For: 14                               Against: 1                    

It was acknowledged that this vote is taken under Art 17:x and would need to be brought to the membership at the following AGM for discussion and ratification.

8.     Social Issues

Party in the Park 2011 (Caribbean Fiesta): AD updated stating that PS had obtained a better insurance deal (Allianz 168€) but that it would cover only the stated 24 hours up to the end of the party. Should the date need to be altered due to bad weather, a second premium would need to be paid. She stated that bank details would be needed. The tickets are being printed and a small team has been assembled for door-to-door selling. She asked for more volunteers to help. Mike Hubble is building the bar.

Action: SJ to provide AD with bank details.

Action: If any member has any spare brightly coloured paint they could donate they were asked to contact AD or Karen Hubble.

9    AOB

i. Liaison and communication with the Town Hall: There seems to be some confusion over the hand over date for the council as both 11th & 14th June have been quoted. However, DM explained that until such time as the council personnel and their respective responsibilities have been agreed it is not possible to decide on a way forward for La Asociación. This also applies to Bertolin but he stated that regular meetings are planned. SM asked reps to check / give her their mobile phone numbers so that information could be distributed quickly through them, if needed. Reps were reminded of the agreement not to distribute contact details to 3rd parties outside the committee if handing on communications.

Action: Reps to ensure SM has a current mobile phone number.

ii. Stone benches in the park: AW reported that there has been some damage and asked if it was possible to get Bertolin to deal with it.

Action: SM to submit an instancia.

iii Wild boars: AW wished to alert members to the fact that several wild boars have been seen at the bottom of Pedreguer Hill at night and stressed the need for alertness.

iv. Programme of Reparations: NP asked if there is a published order for the reparations. SJ stated that he had seen Bertolin's documents and that drains and  steps appeared to be the first items for repair. SM stated that this was consistent with what had been stated before but that we did not know the areas which would be affected first. SJ stated that he had left his and SM’s mobile numbers with the Bertolin office so that we can be contacted if necessary.

v. Elections: Congratulations were given to AD on her election to the council.

10.      Date of the next meeting

*** Note: A date was agreed but due to other commitments needs to be changed. However SJ agreed to chair it, if necessary.

President .......................................                    Secretary ......................................

Date: ........../ ................/ .............