Veïns de Parcent – Newsletter Nº 69 – 30th September 2007

Dear Friends,

Minutes of the General Meeting held on Friday, 28th September

• Forty-five people attended the reunion, which started at 20:20.
• Joan Carles Poquet and Jenny Bussey jointly chaired the meeting. Jenny welcomed everyone and thanked them for attending.
• Joan Carles commented on how well things had progressed since Veïns de Parcent was formed 18 months ago, and that back then no one would have predicted that we would achieve so much success. However, the fight was not over – the PAIs are still in Valencia awaiting the Consellería's decision on whether to pass them or not, and everything else the Council wishes to do depends on this decision. He also confirmed that the draft General Plan put in by the previous administration has been withdrawn.
• He also explained why he and Jacqui Cotterill had resigned from the Committee following the CDP's entry into the town hall. They felt there could be a clash of interests. Already he is finding that he has to approach matters in a different way, now that he is a councillor. However, they are both still members of Veïns and will continue to give help in whatever way they can, including helping to prepare press releases and with our European Parliament connections.
• Jenny made a statement regarding the financial position of Veïns at present: €7.123,80 is held in the CAM bank account, and all the payments for the CDP's lawyer have now been made, in total €6.803,66. However, money may still be needed for a lawyer in the future, depending on how the plans for Parcent progress. The sale of tee-shirts and umbrellas continues and there is money in hand from sales, as well as payments to be made for goods received, not included in the above figure.
• Names were put forward for the new Committee: Vicent Balaguer, Anita, Bea, Encarna, Jenny Bussey, Alison Byrne, and Gerry MacIntyre. There being no further volunteers, these seven people were unanimously elected to serve. They will decide on the posts they will fulfil at a meeting (to be held on Wednesday, 3rd October). Brian Grew suggested that a review of the Committee and its effectiveness be made in 3 or 6 months time. It was agreed to do this in 6 months time at another General Meeting.
• When posts have been allocated, the Committee will open a new account in the name of Veïns de Parcent at CAM Bank (the present one is in the name of L'Aixevega). The official registration of Veïns has finally come through, so we are now a completely legal, non-profit making association.
• Joan Carles pointed out that Veïns still need to make statements to the media about what is happening here in Parcent. The position of spokesperson for the Veïns is most important and needs to be someone with a good command of the points that need to be made and who can put them across clearly and concisely.
• The Committee needs to consider plans for the future and ideas from members were requested. Apart from fund-raising, other more social events will be arranged.
• Tee-shirts: it has been suggested that we register the patent of the logo on the front of our tee-shirts so that no-one else can use it. (The words on the back cannot be registered, as words such as these are considered public property). However, the logo "Soc de Poble" and its translation into the Castillian, Galician and Basque languages can be included with the drawing. Registration will cost about €600-700. This would enable us to market clothing with this logo in shops or on the internet. The meeting approved the registration unanimously, and Ernesto agreed to arrange for it to be done.
• The meeting was thrown open for comments and questions:
  • Peggy Dann commented on how much better the atmosphere now is in the town hall.
  • She also asked about the large electric cables being laid near her. The mayor, Maximo Revilla, replied that they were to supply the pump at the new water well. Ernesto commented that the pump needs a very powerful supply, hence the size.
  • Jo Logan asked if it would be possible for people to be fore-warned if water or electricity cuts or other works were planned. Maximo replied that the companies should notify the town hall of planned work and when possible they try to notify those affected but, of course, sometimes cuts occurred at other times. Both companies have a telephone number for emergencies and he asked for people to use them immediately a problem arises. If no one knows about a cut, it cannot be repaired.
  • Gerry asked if the Agenda 21 report would be presented to the public by the town hall. Joan Carles replied that it will be at the appropriate time, depending on how the PAIs are dealt with by Consellería and the new draft plan that the town hall wish to draw up.
  • Tee-shirts are currently held by Bea and can be ordered from her. We will look for an easier place for them and umbrellas to be sold from.
• There being no further business, the meeting closed at 21:45.

To follow up some of the above –

• I will let you know the full names and contact details of the Committee after the meeting on Wednesday.
• Once the new treasurer has had a chance to examine the accounts, s/he will let us have a more detailed break-down of income and expenditure to date.
• The new bank account details will be notified once it has been opened.
• Plans for the future: Your suggestions are welcome. There is no reason why we cannot raise money or volunteer help for some particular project to benefit the village – we all know that our town hall has been left without funds except for the basics, so any help we can give will be welcome.
• Phone numbers for:
  • AGUAGEST – Emergency no: 902 250 170 Office hours: 96 646 9029
  • IBERDROLA – 24-hour Tel: 901 20 20 20
• Tee-shirts, etc. – A new way of making them readily available will be arranged as soon as possible.
• The town hall is there to serve you – do not be afraid to ask about anything that you need to know about. Jacqui Cotterill is there to help those of you who need someone who speaks English – phone the town hall for an appointment on 96 640 5301. If she is not available, someone else can usually be found to interpret for you.