The plenary supports the motion of the local government so that the Generalitat allows the taxi sector to have 7-seater vehicles

The plenary session of Benidorm City Council has unanimously supported the proposal of the Councilor for Mobility, José Ramón González de Zárate, to urge the Department of Territorial Policy, Public Works and Mobilitty to modify the Taxi Law of the Valencian Community so that the sector may have 7-seater auto-taxi vehicles, including the driver. De Zárate recalled that this proposal stems from a "vindication of the sector" transferred by the two associations of the city taxi, which represent 232 licenses.

The mayor has explained that this modification would match the conditions of the taxi sector to which VTC platforms have now; while "improving the quality of the service offered and provided to tourists and residents".  Zárate pointed out last week, VTCs - whose licenses are the responsibility of the Generalitat - are allowed to “move seven people in the same vehicle”, while the autonomous legislation “does not allow taxis to transport more of four passengers ”. This circumstance "leaves the taxi sector at a competitive disadvantage compared to VTCs, since it cannot perform certain services". Hence, a modification of the Law is demanded so that taxis can offer a service similar to that of the VTC.

Also unanimously, a proposal by the Board of Spokesmen has been approved to enable 25,000 euros of emergency economic aid to the Vega Baja to help "the most pressing needs of the affected population" by the severe storm last September. As the proposal recalls, Benidorm City Council “has participated in the first attention and emergency work” after the storm, making available to “affected local entities” municipal resources and concessionary companies. In addition, he participated in the campaign to collect educational material launched by FAPA Gabriel Miró.

However, "the reality and consequences that this catastrophe leaves in the affected municipalities requires that this City Council maintain its spirit of collaboration", with that extraordinary contribution of 25,000 euros, which will be deposited in an account authorized by the Provincial Council of Alicante.

With the same result, the Corporation has approved an institutional declaration of support and recognition of the work carried out by the State Security Forces and Bodies in Catalonia, and in which the City Council “declares its strongest condemnation of the violent acts carried out in the last days ”in that Community“ for radical elements ”. In the declaration, the local administration expresses “its solidarity and encouragement to the millions of citizens who are suffering from this terrible situation”, and shows “their unconditional support to the State Security Forces and Bodies, as well as to the Catalan Autonomous Police, and especially to all those of its members who have been injured in the performance of their duties, for their impeccable work and the professionalism demonstrated for the defense and protection of the rights and freedoms of all ”.

With the support of all the councilors, it has been agreed to make available to the EPSAR (Public Entity of Wastewater Sanitation of the Generalitat Valenciana) the land necessary for the execution of the Works of adaptation of the drives and pumping stations of Benidorm and l'Alfàs del Pi. The councilor of Water Cycle, José Ramón González de Zárate, has indicated that these are key works to “end important problems that occur at points such as Elche Park or Montecarlo Avenue when it rains with intensity”, and that “ the Generalitat Valenciana must solve through the EPSAR ”. De Zárate recalled that the City Council has “since 2016 in direct contact with EPSAR and saying yes to the availability of the land for these works”, which have been budgeted in successive years and that it seems that they will be tendered in 2020 .

Unanimously, the Corporation has approved the proposal of the Councilor for Citizen Security, Lorenzo Martínez, to initiate the procedure for the Generalitat Valenciana to grant 'Public Congratulations' to an officer and three agents of the Local Police who on September 11 stopped in the public road to an armed man.

On the other hand, with the vote of the local government, the budgetary modification number 12 necessary to cover the position of an Orchestra professor at the Municipal Conservatory ‘José Pérez Barceló’ has been ratified.

In the same session, he has realized the segregation of the road cleaning service contract and waste collection from FCC to FCC Environment; and of the resolution of the Department of Education on the readjustment of the annuities of the ‘Edificant’ program for the construction of a multi-purpose pavilion at Leonor Canalejas public school.

It has also been noticed the transfer to different superior administrations of two plenary agreements last September regarding the change of regional financing model and compliance with economic and financial obligations contracted by the Government of Spain with local entities. Likewise, several opinions of the Consell Jurídic Consultiu, and the operational audit report made by the Sindicatura de Comptes regarding the management of water sanitation in the 2015-2017 fiscal years, have been reported.

Extraordinary motions

Outside the agenda, and by way of urgency, two extraordinary motions agreed at the Board of Spokespersons have been approved. In the first of these, the Government of Spain is urged to “launch” a “Comprehensive Alzheimer Plan 2019-2022, in coordination with the regional and local administrations”, which includes eleven specific measures, including the creation of a census of patients afflicted with the disease, increase the number of professionals, guarantee comprehensive care, the creation of multidisciplinary units in hospitals, boost cognitive stimulation treatments and increase places in day centers.

This motion stems from the claim of CEAFA (National Confederation of Family Associations of People with Alzheimer's) so that attention to this disease is raised to 'State Policy', in view of the fact that this pathology “already affects approximately 5% of the population over 60 and 20% of those over 80 ”. Likewise, the proposal recognizes “the unimpeded work” that “for almost 25 years” has been carried out by AFA Marina Baixa “in the care of people affected by this pathology and in support of their families”.

The second of the motions of the Board of Spokesmen approved today by way of urgency, refers to accessibility during the Majors Patronals Festivities. Specifically, it has been agreed that from the Tourist Offices information people know about the accessible streets to reach the points where the events take place, and the adapted routes, schedules and events that are published on the municipal website www.benidorm.org. It also proposes that a space be reserved for people with functional diversity in the Entrance of Bands and the parades of Humor and Floats; that the possibility of establishing a noise-free or smaller-volume schedule for people with autism spectrum disorder enjoy it is studied; and to coordinate with Fesord to establish a sign language translation service in the acts deemed necessary.