This evening came with the celebration of Formentera's 2018 Gala de l'Esport (“Sport Gala”), an event where the deeds of individuals, associations, sport clubs and private entities are recognised and honoured for their devotion to sport.

The following distinctions were delivered:

-Best sponsoring organisation: Trasmapi. For supporting Formentera's sport entities; helping organise and promote sporting events on the island; offering boundless support for Formentera's sport schools.

-Award for trajectory in sport:  Juan Zapateria “Zapa”. This distinction answered to one individual's efforts over an entire lifetime, competing and practising sport in an array of fields. For promoting sport on the island; the years of support he has altruistically given to the world of sport. From 1983 to 1987 Zapa served as the local minister of culture and sport. For a career of tireless efforts as athlete, leader and meet organiser. For promoting values like hard work, commitment, participation and respect for others.

-Best athlete of the 2018 season: Andrea Romero. The athlete was the 1,500m indoor track national champion. First national ranking for club cross-country. Romero one 41st in Europe's cross-country championship and the top ranking in the Balearics for 3,000 metres.

Awards regulations allow “proposal to the jury of certain special distinctions for people whose particular trajectory makes them deserving of honour”. This year, the jury found clear reason to award this special distinction to one local athlete with an exceptionally long career in sailing, still active in competitions and the 2018 winner of World Raceboard Championship, Alex Buchau.

The panel of jurors, comprised spokespeople from a range of sports entities and political parties represented on the Council, was presided over by the CiF sport councillor. Administration chair Jaume Ferrer, honorary panel chair, was responsible for picking winners. The award ceremony took place in the evening of Friday February 1.

Today local decision makers gathered for the Formentera Council's monthly plenary session, a gathering that was marked by new motions to regulate tourism which will enable additional lodging to be classed for holiday rental.

Participants came together to give initial approval to a tweaking of a tax bylaw underpinning a levy related to administrative services in tourism. Department head Alejandra Ferrer described the new mechanism as “a €300 fee, valid five years, for administrative processing of a vacation rental permit” and a “€150 fee for remodels”.

Unanimous backing was also secured for a bylaw regulating the per-bed cost of permits to rent out accommodation. “Each household will be charged €70 per year per bed”, explained Councillor Ferrer, “plus five per cent for each additional bed”. Hence, the first bed will require payment of a €70 fee; the fee for a second bed will be €70 plus five per cent (€73.5); a third bed, €73.5 plus five per cent, and so forth. The maximum cost is set at €119.72 for twelfth beds.

Cross-party support was scored by the first vote on the so-called “Plan for Quality in Vacation Rentals” which involves setting guidelines for single- and multi-family homes. Ferrer described the Pla de Qualitat d'Estades Turístiques as “baseline standards for furniture, hygiene and the conditions that a particular home must comply with to be eligible”. Some of the guidelines contemplated within the Consell d'Entitats would require homes to use renewable energy, or provide space to park a bicycle. Twenty-six of the preconditions are non-negotiable; other criteria, of which there are 20, would be applied distinctly, and only 14 would be required for a dwelling to be eligible for rental.

One last order of business on tourism, a measure to modify a piece of legislation already approved by the Govern balear, scored approval as well. Councillor Ferrer described the measure as “covering a large swath of the 'Plan for Quality' preconditions as well as the non-negotiable parts of the regional tourism legislation such as possessing a 'habitability cell' or other similar document; presence of stand-alone water metres; and other green measures”. Councillors sought summary treatment of the motion, which passed with “yes” votes of the senior councillors from Gent per Formentera, the abstention of the Socialists and Compromís and “no” votes from PP party members.

Other measures

Assembly members were united in their support of the terms of a 2019 partnership between the Formentera Council and the island's Audiovisual Cultural Association (ACAF) regarding content for Ràdio Illa, Formentera's public radio station.

Cross-party support also came for a proposal to adhere to two regional protocols concerning children, one on sexual abuse (ASI) and another on sexual exploitation (ESI). The Council participated in drafting the proposed measures, which CiF social welfare councillor Vanessa Parellada said included “one in particular that streamlines coordination between branches of the public administration that intervene in cases of child abuse or sexual exploitation”. According to the councillor, “it is imperative that we act with minors' best interest in mind and that the Council continue working to raise awareness among local groups about this issue”.

The assembly also came with unanimous support for two proposals formulated by PP party members. The first calls on Madrid to modify its spending plan for 2019 to include more money for local road upgrades. The second would urge the government in Palma to fund a direct line of school transport between Sant Ferran and Sant Francesc as well as improved general funding for Formentera schools.

Cross-party backing was likewise given to a Socialist measure to urge the Formentera Council to “put in place a push to educate dog owners about the need to use leads”.

Report to the assembly

Mobility councillor Rafael González appeared before the assembly to give account of his departments' operations during the current legislative term. He drew particular attention to the regulation of vehicle ingress, which he described as “of the most time- and energy-consuming initiatives under [his] charge, including for other members of the assembly, outside entities, staff and collaborators”. The work has given way to “a piece of legislation for Formentera's environmental and financial sustainability”.

After describing the path to approval, González described forward efforts to take up more small-bore aspects of the measure, such as:
-the application period
-the nature of the vehicle cap
-an associated fee, as well as discounts and exemptions
-the processing portal
-permits and decals
The councillor announced that the week of March 4-8, gatherings would be convened with the Consell d'Entitats and the so-called “Spokespersons' Committee” (Junta de Portaveus) to explain the proposed parameters of application.

González added: “If approval is secured, we'll be on track to have a system of regulation in place in time for the high-traffic summer months”. Until then, the councillor asked for optimism and patience “while the administration works on delivering on the proposal”.

Unanimous support also came for the administration declaration on World Cancer Day, Monday February 4.