Election candidates in Jávea outline their policies
Costa Blanca News contacted four candidates in Jávea about issues affecting the town – however, only two had sent their answers at the time of going to press
TWO of the candidates standing in the municipality are Carme Català (CC) from Compromís per Xàbia; and José Chulvi (JC) from the Socialist party (PSPV-PSOE).
What is the principal policy or project for the next legislature which could really interest the voters?
CC. At Compromís we have a great interest in the environment in general – and give equal importance to natural areas and urban zones.
JC. We are going to continue putting people at the centre of all the actions taken by the town hall, as we have shown by the reduction in property tax (IBI) or removing the bin tax for residents and companies. We will also have social housing for rent, having started the procedure to build the first 118 of these properties without any of the cost falling on the town hall. We also give great importance to sustainability and, for this reason, we will approve a Town Plan (PGOU) that will protect 10 million square metres of land. And we will put an end to the problems of flooding in the Arenal thanks to the ‘flood park’ that will be constructed in the Saladar. But, the most important is maintaining stability, confidence and harmony between the people who live in Jávea/Xàbia, regardless of where they come from
Do you have a ‘pothole plan’ to improve the streets and lanes?
CC. Investment in the infrastructure of the town is a very important point for us. We have already promoted spending large sums of money on improving the roads such as in the Old Town, on the Paseo Marina Española, Plaza Adolfo Suárez etc. – starting with these because they were the most deteriorated. Improvements for mobility, social cohesion and comfort for elderly people are in our plans. And, on top of this, it is necessary to maintain tracks and footpaths, so that the forested areas are properly managed.
JC. Yes. Since we have been in power we have launched several projects to resurface the roads in the town and urbanisations. In total we have spent nearly €5 million and we have resurfaced 420,000 m2 of streets in the municipality. In the next legislature we will continue to do this. It is possible because we have cleared up the town hall finances and debt and we have the economic and technical capacity to do it.
What is your plan for the new auditorium? Is it possible to improve the area around it, such as the pavements, etc?
CC. We definitely need an auditorium. The wide cultural agenda of the town demands that we have a fitting place for events. We need spaces that can cater for all sorts of events. Of course, with the construction of the auditorium it is vitally important to have the surrounding streets in a proper condition and to restructure the zone so that it is totally accessible and comfortable for residents. We also have to do other things such as adapting the ‘Riurau’ and completing the reform of the Surco building.
JC. The project has been delayed twice, as you know, because the contracted companies abandoned the job. These are difficult situations which we can do little about, but we have fought against it and the courts have sided with us. Now we are going to put it out to contract again. We have the plans, we have the money, and we have the firm conviction to finish it. I have promised to continue working to make sure that it is completed in this coming legislature and I am certain that we will achieve it, the same as with other important projects such as the new sports pavilion, the municipal swimming pool which is nearly finished and ready to open to the public. For the area around the auditorium, of course, this will be refurbished when the works are restarted so that it is worthy of a cultural installation that will be unique in our town and the surrounding area.
Do you have plans to create more parking areas? If so, where?
CC. The biggest area of demand at the moment is in the Arenal area, which is linked to the increase in tourism, above all in the summer. Another consequence is for access to the coves, especially Portitxol and Granadella. These are the areas that we need to look at.
JC. We have to think about mobility in an integrated way. And our plan is to ‘pacify’ traffic, make it sustainable and recover spaces for pedestrians. Xàbia/Jávea has two covered public car parks, which are cheap to use. I don’t know of any that are cheaper. And in the port we have a new open-air car park, which is surfaced, well lit and with recharging points. For places which are popular with tourists such as the coves, we are going to install paid-for parking, along with public transport to put an end to the congestion that occurs every summer. And in the port, by the fish market, we are going to ask the regional government for a new high-rise car park which will have a public vantage point which is open to the sea.
Rents are very high in the municipality. How can the balance be maintained between tourism and the right to an affordable place to live?
CC. It is down to the governments to legislate and take action so that property speculation does not continue to cause social exclusion, especially amongst young people
who are finding it more and more difficult to access affordable housing. The local authority needs to pass a housing bylaw which regulates the sector and that social housing is created. We have to ‘mobilise’ the empty homes, provide rent aid, as well property tax (IBI) reductions for young people, etc.
JC. As I said, we are going to immediately create the social housing, which will rise to 153 when the project is finished. These properties will be for young people and those with low incomes. We are also aware that tourism lets are a factor which increases the price of rents, making them almost impossible for residents to afford. And this is something that we are determined to regulate.
There is more pressure on water. More properties and residents, less water, more tourism. Does the town hall have a role to play in this matter?
CC. Yes, it is important that we take action to prevent water shortages in the future. The town hall made a big effort with the construction of the desalination plant and it is possible to extend it and we should not delay this any longer. We can also use less water and be more efficient with usage
JC. Yes we have a big role to play in water management. And, Amjasa is the only public water with a desalination plant which is paid for entirely by the people of Xàbia/Jávea which guarantees that we have water, even in the drought situations like the present one, or when we have a lot of tourists. This does not mean that we are not bothered about saving water and managing it correctly. But having done things
correctly in the past means that we can face the future with all the guarantees. Also, Amjasa is an example of good management in the region. It not only offers water without restrictions but also carries out social programmes – and this is without putting up prices in the last 12 years. Our next challenge is to use recycled water for farming.
How does your party view the new legislation for pets? Will you carry out campaigns so that residents understand their obligations, with the regional law now in operation and the national law in the pipeline?
CC. In general we think that the people who live in Jávea/ Xàbia are responsible and fulfill their obligations. But we have to consider how to prevent owners leaving excrement in public areas and private zones of public use and make them pick it up and clean the area. The council’s job is to educate people about this so that they understand their obligations in all matters as the legal owners of pets
JC. The new law is a reflection of the sensitivity of the PSOE over pets and we are convinced that this is the direction that we have to go in as a society. The way we treat our animals says a lot about who we are as people. And we want a loving, caring and sustainable society, which is capable of living in harmony with pets and with nature – and which will end animal suffering. As a town hall, with the actions of the local police, we are making sure that the law is complied with. And we will carry out campaigns so that all residents understand their obligations