In response to widespread demands, on 15 February C.L.A.R.O. held an open information meeting in the Abbey Tavern, about Orihuela Costa. The meeting was attended by some 70 persons including C.L.A.RO. members and supporters, representatives of associations in Orihuela Costa and members of the public.
C.L.A.R.O. President Antonio Cerdan recalled the political context following the May municipal elections and its unfortunate past experience of electoral alliances. As such the party decided to support the Popular Party, in Orihuela, under the leadership of Pepe Vegara.
C.L.A.R.O collaborated with the PP in drawing up an ambitious programme for Orihuela Costa including the restoration of the position of Councillor for the Coast. Unexpectedly, the results of the election did not produce a PP majority but a PP-Vox coalition.
The position of Councillor for the Coast went to the Vox leader Manuel Mestre, who is also Deputy Mayor, adding to the potential weight of his influence in ensuring fulfilment of the ambitious programme for Orihuela Costa.
The President of C.L.A.R.O was appointed as Coordinator of the 11-strong team of local Orihuela Costa representatives (pedaneos) of the Mayor, Pepe Vegara, who will play an important role as intermediaries between residents of the coast and the Orihuela government.
Cerdan described the poisoned inheritance of the new government with millions of euros of unpaid bills and unfinished contracts and the stalemate in awarding a contract for maintenance of parks and gardens.
The lack of financial resources has made it difficult to draw up a budget for 2024 with the present budget hopelessly out of date.
As a consequence, disappointingly few achievements for the coast have been possible in the past 7 months. However, the team of mayoral representatives are actively making progress in road signing and potholes, pending funds for asphalting. New contracts for beach bars are being finalised and a much-strengthened parks and gardens maintenance contract with a non-profit municipal organisation IILDO has been launched.
A new centre the street cleaning brigade in Pau 26 should be completed shortly. A Festival Commission for the coast has been established and has already made an impact with the Christmas celebrations and this weekend’s Carnival. A budget for 2024 is imminent.
Despite a slow start due to the situation inherited by the new government, the C.L.A.R.O. President said he remained positive and optimistic for the future implementation of a programme of major improvements for the coast. The realisation of some of the projects, including a second health centre, a day centre for seniors, a cultural centre with auditorium and library, a new contract for street cleaning and rubbish removal, the pedestrian footbridge over the motorway in Lomas de Cabo Roig and many others will take time, and will be a test of the credibility of the new government and its commitment to major improvements for residents of Orihuela Costa.
A lively debate followed including subjects such as street cleaning and rubbish removal, the platform for public health and its campaign to expand the capacity of the Torrevieja hospital and a second health centre, Cala Mosca, cat colonies and the importance of the election on 28 February to district boards.
C.L.A.R.O is satisfied with this meeting and convinced of its usefulness in providing information and transparency regarding work in progress and future plans of the local government which are so important to the quality of life of residents of Orihuela Costa.
