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Formentera becomes first island to pass guidelines for tourist use of private homes

aperitiu ple2This morning, in the plenary hall of the Formentera Council, representatives of local political groups came together to celebrate the March plenary session. Of particular importance at the morning assembly: definitive and unanimous ratification of a set of guidelines (labelled 'reglament 1/2015') intended to regulate the commercialisation of home rentals for tourists.

According to Alejandra Ferrer, councillor of tourism, trade and transport, the code of regulations serves two different purposes: “For one, ensure that homes being rented adhere to a set of established criteria. And second, for those dwellings currently rented for tourist-use but which for whatever reason cannot receive authorisation under the new law and guidelines, augment the supply of homes available to rent on a year-round basis”.

Receiving the 'yes' vote of the government coalition (Gent per Formentera and Partido Socialista) and GUIF but abstention from Partido Popular, another measure that saw approval was a call to reject aggressive methods of treatment and control for the pine processionary caterpillar. As environmental councillor Silvia Tur explained, the measure was conceived as part of an effort to block “fumigation with diflubenzuron or any other aggressive action that lacks the support of the Formentera Council and residents”.

Tur reported that technical assessments have placed the gravity of the current pine processionary caterpillar plague between zero and one on a five-point scale, “which means that such aggressive action is certainly uncalled for”. The councillor reminded plenary attendees that, according to European Union directives in place, fumigation should be avoided whenever other options are available”.

Both receiving unanimous 'yes' votes, two more motions were made official at the plenary: acceptance of ownership of the Formentera Day Centre facilities and the initial approval of a directive on the management of cultural heritage sites, known as II Pla insular de gestió del patrimoni cultural de Formentera.

Representatives at the FiC plenary were called on to make a rush decision regarding public tender of four different tracts of hammocks, still unclaimed after an initial call for bids. Silvia Tur explained that the allotments had remained undesignated because the necessary permits weren't delivered from the Balearic coastal authority until 23 March, which made necessary the rush treatment of the measure.

Responding to queries from the PP and GUIF, Councillor Tur explained: “The Es Caló beach bar has not been put up for tender nor is it going to be this summer”. This decision was due to “neighbour complaints concerning activity at the quiosc”

Neighbour complaints concerning activity at the Es Caló quiosc and a desire to “ensure that a similar situation is not repeated” mean the Council will “plan carefully before another bid is accepted”.

Plenary attendees also voted unanimously to ratify the Council's declaration of adherence to 8 March, International Day of the Working Woman.

Report by Santi Juan

Councillor of infrastructure, agriculture, livestock, fishing and hunting, Santi Juan, stood before the plenary to report on his offices' work over the past year.

In infrastructure, Councillor Juan called to mind road improvements along the es Cap de Barbaria highway and in la Savina along Avinguda Mediterrània, carrer de sa Màquina (sa Màquina road) and carrer de s'Estany (s'Estany road).

Speaking of his office's work in local agriculture, Juan affirmed, “we've started down what I hope will be a long road”, alluding to the administration's work restoring activity in the island's rural zones and natural landscapes. Councillor Juan referenced the work that has been done to re-form the Farmers' Cooperative, the untilled land use project and the construction of the new industrial space for the Farmers' Cooperative.

GUIF spokesman Javi Serra was critical of the Council's management of fishing and cited the need for increased inspections while Jesús Villar of the Partido Popular alleged technical problems that required attention, such as “the asphalting of the main highway and manoeuvrability around the roundabouts”.