Archaeologists and Geologists look to Bédar

One of the oldest archaeological remains in this region has been found in an old Moorish watertank in Bédar. When archaeologists from the University of Almeria cleaned this water tank in 2005, they found fresco wall paintings depicting people, animals and other shapes and believe it dates from the 10th to 12th Century. The lead archaeologist prepared a complete study of their findings and a copy was sent to the Town Hall. Since 2005 no effort has been made to protect or restore the water tank. This is becoming more and more important in view of the fact that the watertank and frescoes are included on the Water Walking Route and more and more visitors are visiting the site. It is for this reason that we, the Bédar Independent Party, have put down a motion - at the next Council Meeting on Wednesday 27th June at 8.00pm - asking the Town Council to restore, protect and promote these ruins.

We have also put down a second motion. We live in an area of enormous geological interest.  Now, we understand that scientists from the Henri Poincaré University in Nancy, France have been carrying out a number of studies related to the geological formation of Bédar and they are designing a project to bring 16 students and professors to Bédar every year for a period of two months to further their studies. We believe that this project will be beneficial to Bédar. Local accomodation will be occupied during the low season, their findings can be used for the promotion and development of tourism in the area and their interest confirms the enormous potential of the municipality. So we have submitted a motion asking the Town Council to begin whatever procedures are necessary (we name these) to ensure that the study project is approved and takes place.

Also the local PSOE party have put down two motions for the Council Meeting on Wednesday but at the moment we are unable to understand what they are proposing. The agenda items are very vague and we will only know more after our spokesperson, Ana, has visited the Town Hall to look at the papers. Unfortunately we get very short notice of the agenda before a council meeting.

We believe our motions are worthy of support by the ruling party and we are hopeful that they will accept them. We will let you know.

Pleno Meeting - Friday 27th January at 7.30pm

Yesterday (Tuesday 24th Jan) we were notified of an Ordinary Plenary meeting of the Town Council next Friday at 7.30pm in the Town Hall.(27th Jan). We want to tell you what is on the agenda and, as far as we can, try to explain it. The agenda is always very vague and leaves us guessing about what is being proposed until we get to the meeting. We are able to access Town Hall documents to attempt to shed light on the Agenda, but often this is a very difficult task in the very short time available to us. We would like you to come to the meeting to see what happens. We want to encourage a greater participation in the way that our municipality is governed. We would like you to see for yourselves.

So here is the Agenda:

1. Approval of the Minutes of the previous meeting.

2. Acknowledgement of sentence passed by No. 2 Court of Contentions in Almeria. Ordinary Proceedure 602/2007, and adoption of agreements for execution of same.
(This refers to a suit bought by John and Joyce Bowling and Alan and Kate Keeling of Casa Tortuga, El Pinar, against the developer and the Town Hall for incorrect construction of the Junta of Compensation and other matters related to their "land grab" case. The court gave judgement in their favour and against the Town Hall)

3. Acknowledgement of Sentence passed by Hall of Contentions of the Superior Justice Tribunal of Andalucia, seated in Granada, Ordinary Proceedures 610/2007, and adoption of agreements for execution of same.
(This refers to the suit bought by Casa Tortuga against the Town Hall for allowing proposed construction in El Pinar on protected land. The court found in favour of Casa Tortuga)

4. Modification No 2 of PGOU and adaptation of Normas of Bedar.
(At the moment we are unclear as to what this means.)

5. 2012 Employment Workshop for Bedar.
(We believe that this will be to train metal workers to make boilers and other similar equipment.)

6. Motion from Popular/Independent Group to change the location of the proposed mining museum.
(We have put this motion forward as we understand that this is planned for an isolated location in Serena which lacks any parking facilities, has bad access along the narrow winding Serena Road and is remote from other facilities.)

7.  Motion from Popular/Independent Group to change the location of the Bedar weekly market.
(We have put this motion forward at the request of local business people whose business has been adversely affected by the market in its current location.)

8. Motion from the PSOE on supporting"Encamina2" plan.
(We think this relates to Junta de Andalucia plan for the construction of roads and access to agricultural farms)

9. Motion from PSOE on supporting plan related to agricultural employment(currently PFOEA)

10. Motion of PSOE in defence of agriculture in Almeria.

11. Urgent motions

12. Request or questions.

We will be reporting back and commenting in this blog on the discussion and decisions that are taken on Friday.