At the April plenary session of the Consell de Formentera held today, GxF-PSOE cabinet councillors and opposition members of Sa Unió unanimously passed a local plan to manage cultural heritage on the island in 2022 and 2023. Raquel Guasch, Councillor of Heritage, framed the proposal as "a continuation of the previous plan, adopted in January 2020, but it is also innovative because it will put the focus on researching new candidates for protected heritage status, like Es Monestir de la Mola".

Councillor Guasch enumerated priority actions like documenting intangible cultural heritage; conducting an interdisciplinary study of La Savina penitentiary and of Es Monestir; studying the process of forestation that Formentera underwent in the 18th century, and conducting a historical-archaeological study of properties in advanced state of deterioration as well as new non-invasive archaeological interventions in previously excavated sites. The cultural heritage plan also includes what Guasch called "the path to the future Museum of Formentera": an outline of the proposal for the development and approval of the refurbishment of the Can Ramon estate.

Unauthorized street vending

The plenary also secured unanimous initial support for an ordinance creating fines for unauthorized street vending. Ana Juan, President and Councillor of Trade, explained, "This ordinance is about making the rules easy to understand and easy to apply and closing the door to distinct interpretations so we can tackle the unauthorized street vending that is so harmful to local commerce".

This ordinance prohibits the unauthorised public sale of food, drinks and other products or services, and also prohibits collaboration with street vendors. It also requires organisers of public events, meetings and activities to ensure that no street vending takes place at such functions. Should such activity occur, the ordinance requires organisers to inform the police. Violations of the ordinance are considered serious and are punishable by fines of €1,600.

Regulating Caló des Mort and Es Ram

The GxF-PSOE cabinet overcame Sa Unió representatives' abstention endorse special regulations for the access roads to the areas of Caló des Mort and Es Ram. "This is an area that receives many visitors during the summer season", said Rafael González, Councillor of Mobility. He described the situation as "a source of problems affecting the environment, parking, traffic and access by emergency vehicles".

To prevent such problems, regulations will affect how motorists drive and park in the areas of Caló des Mort and Es Ram between 1 June and 30 September. "The space will be signposted and a parking attendant will inform visitors that they cannot park in these areas, redirecting them to the nearby urban area where parking is available", said González, who pointed out that vehicles would be allowed to stop long enough for passengers to get off. Attendants will be able to sanction and remove rule-breakers, and Formentera Local Police can intervene as well, in addition to the Civil Guard, until now the only authority with jurisdiction in this protected area.

Cooperativa del Camp

Assembly members came together again behind a concerted action involving the Cooperativa del Camp. "This proposal aims to continue with the public programme supporting the Cooperativa del Camp's work to recover local agriculture and improve rural spaces and landscapes in 2022", said Bartomeu Escandell, Councillor of Economy and Finance. The measure sets aside €130,000 to enable the Cooperativa, in the words of the councillor, "to continue reactivating the Formentera countryside, a vital mission for our island".

Telecommunications

The plenary session also brought cross-party backing for a proposal regarding telecommunications services and infrastructure. As explained by Vanessa Parellada, Councillor of New Technologies, "though perhaps unrelated and incidental, incidents during the first half of April once again highlighted the enormous dependence we have on telecom services and infrastructure".

Under this proposal companies that offer telecommunications services on Formentera are asked to adapt the resources that they allocate to the island, maintain infrastructure in optimal conditions and take into account the island's situation of compounded insularity. They are also urged to respond to service disruptions as quickly and efficiently as possible to minimise impact on islanders. "The Consell de Formentera wants to collaborate with these companies to facilitate and minimise the impact of deployment in our territory and to continue burying overhead cables taking advantage of the various improvement works which are currently underway", said Councillor Parellada.

Other proposals

The distinct political groups came together behind a proposal presented jointly by the cabinet and the opposition to budget for the transfer of waste generated on Formentera. Assembly members urged the central government to provide the necessary annual budget to send waste Formentera to the Ca Na Putxa plant on Eivissa and called for compliance with legal programmes and provisions to make associated funding effective.

Unanimous support was also secured for a Sa Unió proposal related to the cafeteria of the sports centre. Assembly members agreed on the need to tender the new concession contract for the bar-cafeteria at the Antoni Blanc Sports centre as soon as possible and said that the terms of the tender should envision areas for children and youth and incentivise a menu that promotes healthy eating and other considerations, particularly among children.

Cross-party backing also came together for an urgent joint motion on oncology consultations on Formentera. Assembly members urged the Balearic Health Service of the Regional Ministry of Health and the Health Department of Eivissa-Formentera to quickly resume local appointments for oncology medical consultations and, secondly, urged the Balearic Government to continue working to protect the right to quality public healthcare, a fundamental right for which all political forces must continue to work.

Susana Labrador department report

Susana Labrador, Deputy Vice-President and Councillor of Culture and Education, offered a report to assembly members. In education, the councillor highlighted this year's opening of the Sant Ferran escoleta, which on 2 March launched a new infant group (with seven children born in 2021), an essential service for Formentera families. She also underscored the ample course offering at the Formentera School of Music and Dance (EMDF) and all the assistance that the Office of Education offers local students and schools.

As for culture, Labrador stressed that despite these two years marked by COVID-19, efforts remain focused on offering an uninterrupted and quality programme of cultural events, and supporting artists and cultivating the local creative fabric. In this connection, Labrador also gave special thanks to all cultural associations and festival committees that work for culture and organise cultural events and festivals on Formentera. Among the office's current priorities is the drafting of the culture plan. Labrador also stressed that, "as we open Sant Ferran's Espai Cultural, we will also work on what must be the final project for the town's Centre for Culture and the Arts".

29 April 2022
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera