We seek a new and forward-looking Bédar with new opportunities and a new way of doing things.The Popular Party is welcoming under its banner for Bédar, a group of independents and other residents, some with previous political participation and some without, who seek a new beginning for the town of Bédar.
We bring together the generation of young Bédarenses who love their village and the generation of foreigners who now call Bédar their home. We offer our enthusiasm, our proven expertise, and our experience in leadership, working closely as a team with a social and political program designed for the benefit of all residents.
Our vision and program will allow the young people to continue living in their village whilst retaining the rural charm so attractive to its foreign residents.
We recognise the challenges facing the Spanish economy and we will encourage a mindset of community cooperation such that new programs and activities based around the social, historical and environmental resources that we are so fortunate to enjoy can still be carried out. At the same time, we will attempt to increase and make the best use of whatever funding exists. Resisting the temptation to give false promises, our program lies around the following areas which we will make every effort to carry out.
Ana Rubio and David Horton
Candidates for Mayor and Deputy Mayor
Where the word Bédar is used, it also includes the villages of El Pinar, Serena, Los Pinos, El Campico, El Albarico, Los Giles and Los Matreros.
A FAIR DEAL FOR ALL!
OUR PRINCIPLES
This candidacy of the Popular Party will endeavour to realise its commitment to all the residents of our town, a commitment that revolves around these five principles of government :
Austerity
- Our village needs government that is efficient and which makes careful use of financial resources. The current difficult times demand that we do more with less, that we eliminate the non-essential, and that we act responsibly to achieve better government with resources which belong to everyone.
- All activity of our Town Hall must be transparent. Our governing team is committed to supplying information about its activities on a constant basis.
- We promise to improve the town’s image, to act responsibly and openly, and in accordance with the highest standards of public office as well as government by rule of law.
- We believe in continuous dialogue and will work towards finding the best solutions, in broad-based political agreements that join together and benefit all our residents.
- We believe that a freer society is also more equitable. That is why we must ensure that when we act in the name of freedom, in whatever form it might take, that that freedom is real for all the citizens of our village.
OUR PROPOSALS
TOWN PLANNING AND HOUSING
Ensure that the future development of Bédar be planned and supervised according to the real needs of current residents, not based on short-term and unsustainable speculation.
- Provide maximum advance information and transparency in all future decisions, making use of new technology such as the internet in order to do so, publicising plenary meetings, carrying out public consultations, etc.
- Improve the town nucleus, without forgetting to invest in and maintain the outlying areas which have traditionally been overlooked.
- Promote opportunities for local construction companies and businesses wherever feasible.
- Attempt to accelerate the provision and construction of official low-cost housing.
EMPLOYMENT AND LOCAL BUSINESSES
Encourage the creation of sustainable employment, particularly in sectors related to the development of tourism and the town’s historic heritage, sustainable construction and maintenance, or workshops in new ecological activities, etc.
- Coordinate the town’s tourism plans such that local businesses are supported.
SERVICES
Work towards improving services, including postal and those related to new technologies (broadband), exploring all avenues to rectify inadequate services to the outlying areas.
- Review problems related to incomplete infrastructure such as the sewage and waste disposal system of El Pinar and attempt to resolve them.
- Work towards improving existing local health services, especially in regards to the needs of the elderly.
- Endeavour to open a day centre for the elderly.
- Increase activities for young people.
- Improve road safety and conditions.
- Look into the possibility of a minibus transport service to connect the town to other destinations.
- Lobby for the reclassification of the municipal school into a rural school so that it cannot be closed.
ENVIRONMENT
- Study solutions to improve solid waste management.
- Promote the use of renewable energy.
- Create a professional workshop for the introduction of and experimentation in ecological agriculture in the area.
- Promote the reforestation of the Sierra de Bedar with indigenous species.
TOURIST DEVELOPMENT AND PROMOTION
- Create a guide and webpage, in Spanish and English, to promote tourism.
- Design a comprehensive tourism plan highlighting the town’s historical and ecological value, encouraging participation of all commercial sectors of the town.
- Lobby for and promote usage of a municipal campsite built according to ecological and sustainable principles.
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION AND TOWN MANAGEMENT
- Attempt to reduce administrative expenditures of the town whilst increasing revenues, including the collection of property taxes (IBI) on houses which are currently not paying.
- Endeavour to ensure maximum transparency in the municipal budget, as well as equitable allocation of services and funding.
- Encourage participation of citizens or consulting committees in matters related to town finances.
- Increase citizen participation in all major decisions affecting the town, encouraging attendance at plenary meetings
- Provide English translations of important information whenever possible.
- Increase activities to facilitate meaningful integration of the different groups of residents.
