Minutes of the Meeting dated the 03/02/11
Minutes of the Meeting dated the 03/02/11 at 6pm in the Association office with questions, requests and suggestions, and minutes of the meeting dated the 11/03/2011 at 5pm that took place in the headquarters of the Carvoeiro parish, in the presence of the Junta President "Jorge Pardal, " two members of the GNR "Sergeant Rodrigues and Cabo Silva", founders of the Association and some local foreign residents with answers for the previous meeting questions.
Subject: To obtain answers to the questions and suggestions submitted by the local foreign residents and business owners at the last meeting dated the 03/02/11 and discuss new items of public interest.
1º Security in Carvoeiro (the assaults to the houses and to people on the streets after certain hours of the morning), was the main concern of the meeting. It was suggested by the participants more policing/low enforcement with more attitude / presence. Because the insecurity is not good for those who live in, neither for the tourism of Carvoeiro.
-Reply from GNR member
-Regarding the police reinforcement for Carvoeiro, this has already been requested, but for the time being this won’t be possible.
- However, the Carvoeiro GNR appreciates all the help that the Carvoeiro citizens can provide. In other words, everyone should communicate to the GNR any situation outside the norm (no matter how insignificant it may seem) all that can be reported to the GNR in advance can help in the future. This system is known as "Neighbours watch" Carvoeiro GNR contact 24 hours a day are: Tel 282 356 460 or Mobile 962 093 030.
- It was suggested by one of the participants to prepare a "Security Guide" with tips on safety and cautions that residents and tourists must take, to be distributed throughout the local shops (management and rentals Agencies, rent-a-cars, bars and other establishments).
- In the meantime, to tackle some concerns regarding security, Project - Seniors in Security is already in operation, this project has the partnership between the GNR, the City Council and all the local Parish who intend to raise awareness and prevent the safety of citizens over 65 years. The project specifically aims to warn the elderly population and raise awareness about safety issues and dangers associated with their age, as this makes them more vulnerable, and also explains about relevant laws, useful tips and procedures to be followed by the victim.
-Besides the above mentioned project, a program called "Safe Homes" for isolated
properties is also being set up - This program requires the collection of all data such as: addresses, GPS coordinates and contact of the homes owners considered "isolated" so that these can be recorded in the database and helps quick access to the houses. Therefore providing a more direct contact between the GNR and the residents of these homes.
2º was requested for future meetings the presence of members of the parish, the town council, and from the GNR.
As promised, the association has managed to have Junta President's Jorge Pardal, two members of the GNR Carvoeiro "Sergeant Rodrigues and Cabo Silva present, only the presence of a city council member was not possible.
3º It was requested that all the changes in transit to be indicated some time in advance to citizens of Carvoeiro to avoid accidents or traffic violations.
A response was given by the Junta President and by the GNR; unfortunately some of these traffic changes are carried out and determined by the City Council, and both the Junta as the GNR are not always aware of these changes in advance. In future they will do their utmost to inform the Association Vozes Intensas whenever they know beforehand of any traffic changes. Vozes Intensas will also do everything possible through the means they have in order to report them.
4º- In overall opinion the modification of traffic from Monte Dourado road makes no sense, this road should not be one way, as there have never been any kind of accidents beforehand. Therefore it was requested that this road, go back to having a two-way system (it's important to have more exit options from Carvoeiro).
Response; the President of Junta confirmed that this road will maintain the two way system, once the car park has been completed.
5º it was suggested by the participants in order to emphasise the one way system behind the Restaurant “O Castelo” on Rua do Casino, “ NO ENTRY “or “ONE WAY” traffic signs should be put up as the drivers do not realise this and continue on, which may cause possible accidents.
Response; The Junta president informs that there are already 2 “NO ENTRY” traffic signs on each side of the road, but drivers keep ignoring them, and since it is still not enough, the more logical solution would be to put a “ONE WAY” sign.
The GNR agreed.
6º it was suggested having parking meters in the square for short periods of time (located in front of the "Soares” off- licence)
Response: The Junta President informed that this option is not viable as the installation of a parking meter is a very expensive process for the number of parking spaces involved. The president offered another suggestion; during the winter months from October to March, the pedestrian zone between the restaurant “3 Jotas” and the J&B off-licence situated in rua do Barranco could be altered into parking spaces. For the remaining months (March to September), these parking spaces would no longer exist and return to a pedestrian zone.
The GNR also agree
7º It was suggested to have the removable metal street pins in Rua do Barranco and rua dos Pescadores, so that in emergency situations, e.g. road accidents / breakdown of vehicle on these streets, and any other cases ... these pins could be removed so the traffic could still circulate.
Response; the Junta president explained that this is not the best suggestion, due to safety reasons (removable pins can become dangerous, as they could be used as a weapon).
However a new option has been suggested; in some emergency cases in which the circulation of vehicles is completely blocked for a long period of time, the pins could be removed by officers of the GNR and allow the traffic to circulate.
Response from the GNR; they don’t see any problem with this suggestion, in fact being a good solution to avoid traffic problems in emergency situations.
8º - Several business owners have complained about the prices to pay in 2011 for the occupation of public space (they would like to know how this licence is calculated, whether this is by sqm, location etc…)
Response; The Junta president informs that the price tables are set by the Municipal Council of Lagoa, and the price of the outside seating is calculated at 2.01 € per sqm times the number of months (12). Awnings and all illuminated advertising material is charged at 7.41 € per sqm. If any queries persist about the value you are paying for advertising and occupying public license, please approach the parish office within their working hours (from 9am until 3:30pm) for clarification.
Other items of public interest raised at the meeting
1º after several requests made by residents, business owners and the Association Vozes intensas regarding, the lack of illumination in public roads, the junta President announced that;
- one of the main roads, the “in road”, Rua dos Pescadores already has street lights in place.
- The same applies to the street lights between the Tivoli Almansor Hotel and Centeanes beach
- And until April /Easter the illumination work should be completed up to Clube Atlantico.
- The President informed that it has also been requested to put street Light on the Road section between the entrance of Carvoeiro and Poço Partido traffic lights.
2º should anyone need to complain about not having street light on your home road, you no longer need to contact the parish.
Please dial directly the EDP number 800 506 506, (option to speak in English available) indicate your location code (nº de codigo de localização) which can be found on your electricity bill, your street / address, and within 2 / 3 days the situation will be resolved.
3º Vozes Intensas Association suggested putting “PARKING” street signs indicating the existing parking areas.
Response: The Junta President, confirmed that these signs have already been ordered.
4º it has been requested a solution to end with the Palm trees problem,
The Junta President replied by saying that “All the Palm trees in public areas in Carvoeiro will be cut down before the start of the summer season.
While it is possible to treat palms infected by the weevil, it is a very costly process, so we have decided to remove all the palms affected in the town and these palms will be replaced by other trees that can offer shade”. He also said “regarding infected Palms in private gardens, the parish won’t be cutting them down, this is the owner’s responsibility, but the Parish will have available every Tuesday, transport (truck or tractor) to collect the cute palm trees FREE OF CHARGE. This service is available by request at the Junta
The Junta President Jorge Pardal appeals to all Carvoeiro citizens not to get the village and the surroundings dirty.
- There is a facility “waste deposit” located in Lagoa behind Fatacil where anyone can deposit rubbish up to 900kg FREE OF CHARGE, above 900kg you will pay 0.9€ per each 100kg extra.
The Junta also provides another service:
- To avoid the deposit of massive waste i.e. (old furniture, refrigerators, stoves and other items) by the public dustbins or just anywhere else, the Junta provides FREE OF CHARGE a collection service on Thursday of each week from your property. You just need to request it by the Junta.
The Junta President announced that at the end of April the Carvoeiro Parish will have an internet page with online “call center” (during working hours) to answer your questions.
Other events to be held in Carvoeiro discussed in the meeting
1º Vozes Intesas Association with the support of the Junta and the GNR are working together with the Portimão cruises organization to add in the route of the cruises bus tours a “visit to Carvoeiro”
2º The 1st CARVOEIRO EASTER FAIR beguines Friday the 22nd until Monday the 25th April, and opens at 2pm, it will take place in the square. The fair will have live music, tends with local crafts, candy floss, popcorns, chocolate cakes, drinks, entertainment for kids and much more.
All this has the support of the Junta and the GNR
3º Summer beach Party, to be held on Saturday the 25th June, only waiting for approval of the responsible departments, further information on this party will be given
Using this meeting the Junta President confirmed the plans/works to be carried out in Carvoeiro during 2011
- Plans are under way to tidy up the entrance to Carvoeiro, with a small garden being made.
- The rubbish bins near the Fabrica Velha building are also going to be replaced with underground ones.
- Zebra crossings are to be placed along the “in road” rua dos Pescadores to stop drivers from speeding down the town’s main entrance road. (Similar to the ones already existing in the Rua do Farol by the Totta Bank).
VOZESINTENSAS –ASSOCIAÇÃO COMERCIANTES
Pessoa colectiva 509184820 – Sede Beco do Galeão nº 7 Carvoeiro, 8400-511 Carvoeiro LGA
Telem. 919 469 285 email: vozesintensas@gmail.com
www.carvoeiro.com/vozesintensas
