There are over twenty community associations for urbanisaciones in Almunecar (Almuñécar) and La Herradura, but now twelve of them have joined forces to form a single federation of ‘comunidades’ known as the Federación de Presidentes de Urbanizaciones del Poniente [western] de Almuñécar.

This new entity is chaired by Peter Smith, who is also the Chairman of the Urbanización San Antonio in La Herradura.

The reasoning behind the grouping is because they all share the same problems and have to deal with the same administrations, be they the Town Hall or Fomento.

According to Mr Smith, the federation is responsible for 3,000 people with urbanizaciones from Cotobro to El Nogal in Cerro Gordo. The combined budget for the federation is a healthy 300,000 euros per annum, which is not to be sniffed at.

With this kind of punch; i.e., total residents and budget, the Town Hall will have to be just a tad more ‘receptive’ to their complaints and suggestions.