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Letter of the week:

Dear Editor
Recently one of the free papers published a letter from an unnamed individual who, while praising the work of The RBL, then went on to say that they were not legally entitled to collect Poppy money in Spain because they were lacking the Statutes of Association which are a legal requirement for all clubs, associations etc. that handle money and must therefore file tax returns. I have included the letter in full with apologies as I feel that, in the interests of fairness, it is important for your readers to see it in full.
“I read an article recently in your paper regarding The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal here in Spain. A marvelous result BUT Unless I am mistaken The Royal British Legion are in fact breaking the law in this instance.
To make collections by collection box etc from THE PUBLIC, the body carrying out this function MUST be registered in Spain as a Charity or Non Profit making Charitable Organization.
CURRENTLY The Royal British Legion in the North of Spain, (some 18+ Branches North from Roquetas De Mar), are NOT Registered with any Deeds of Association which meet the current Spanish Legislation. The criteria for any charitable organization to be registered also requires them to produce to the Hacienda their annual accounts, this is not a procedure followed by TRBL.
IN the short under Spanish Law, the collection is illegal. The Royal British Legion do a sterling job in UK, BUT to exist legally in Spain without problem they MUST register a Constitution with the Authorities.
Unfortunately the Royal Charter does not comply with Spanish Charity legislation and is the cause of many irregularities in the current TRBL Organization in the north of Spain.
Maybe you could give this project to one of your investigative journalists and eventually find out the truth.”
Best Regards
J P
San Pedro del Pinatar
A short response from the PRO of The RBL (District North) said.....
There have been Statutes of Association for the RBL in Northern Spain for a number of years and only last year, these were updated to take in the whole of Spain. Newsdesk”
It is a great shame that ‘J. P.’ didn’t see fit to check with any of the officers of the Legion whose contact details are clearly displayed on our website (www.spainnorth.legionbranches.net) before dashing off inaccurate, damaging and untrue statements presented as fact. There have already been comments received regarding this and it casts a slur on all those people who work so hard and have contributed so much toward the welfare of serving and ex-service members of the UK Armed Forces here in Spain.
If this person would like to contact myself or one of the other members of the District North of Spain Committee, we can, perhaps, set his/her mind at rest regarding the legality of our operations and they could then place an apology and retraction of the allegations listed. I am quite happy to meet this person at a newspaper office of their choice and show them the Tarjeta de Identificatión Fiscal.
I do not wish to involve The RBL, Spain in a public ‘tit for tat’ but I feel that it is necessary to put a public reply to this rather misleading letter.
The tremendous efforts by ALL our volunteers and contributors ended the Poppy collection of 2009 with a staggering total of €101.615,35c Thank you,
Chris Wyatt,
Vice Chairman,
The Royal British Legion,
District North-Spain

Dear Ed.
Isn’t it about time that these letters concerning the fuel allowance came to an end. It is beginning to get very boring.
We chose to leave the U.K. so why do we think we should get everything that they do in England. I came to live here 10 years ago and did not expect anything but my pension. I brought with me enough money to cover hard times.
All these Brits do is moan, moan, moan. They run England down at every opportunity. If they are so happy here get on with their lives and stop whinging
Happy Pat
Cabo Roig

Dear Editor,
I have an apartment in San Miguel the block consists of 32 apartments, only about 6 owners pay their community fees. There approximately ten have been repossessed by the banks and the owners of the rest mostly live in the UK and rent out their apartments and just don’t pay their community fees. It is so bad the fees that are being paid just about cover the electric bills. The pool is green and out of action because there is no money to have it looked after, the lift has been out of action for about a year because the maintenance company is owed so much money they have switched it off.
Consequently because my apartment is on the top floor and I am in my eighties with failing health and unable to climb the stairs it impossible for me to live in my own home. I have to stay with a friend of mine.
There is no administrator, they gave us up because they weren’t getting paid. The president could not cope so now we don’t have what you could call a community.
I would sell my apartment if I could but who is going to buy into a apartment block like this ( I know I wouldn’t.)
There is no money in the community to go through the courts. Have you or any of your readers any suggestions or advice.
Regards Charles
San Miguel de Salinas

Dear Editor,
The article on this week's front page as well as a reader's letter do not tell the full story about the bills sent out in Urb Oasis in San Fulgencio.
As I understand them, the facts are as follows. This urbanization was begun in wild west fashion long ago in Franco’s day with homemade solutions for fresh water and waste water. Over the years these have repeatedly failed and have degraded the ground water quality for near-by agricultural land, which has led to the municipality being fined several times.
There is no choice. Environmently safe infrastructure systems must now be installed with the villa owners sharing in the costs. The builders of Urb La Marina next door were required to build the necessary infrastructure in addition to the villas. These costs were included in the prices of the houses we purchased. I understand the villa owners' distress but I think it is unreasonable to make us pay a second time for the infrastructure costs for Urb Oasis.
The municipality is already in debt.
It is seeking additional financing within Spain and from EU funds. It has promised to pay back to the Urb Oasis villa owners any funds that might become available.
Several local banks have also promised villa owners long term, low interest loans.
Kind regards,
A neighbour from Urb Marina

Dear Editor,
I recently imported my English plated car & re registered it onto Spanish Plates. For this process I engaged RE PLATE MATE from their advert in one of the free newspapers. They efficiently arranged all the necessary inspections and via their company solicitors sent off all the paperwork. This was not entirely without it’s problems, due to my wife’s NIE number instead of mine appearing on one of the many receipt forms, so the application was turned down by Trafico in Alicante.
A meeting was arranged with Sandra of RE PLATE MATE and their solicitors who explained that this had never happened before and the only way round it was to repay the import tax, resubmit the paperwork and then claim back the first import tax. This came as quite a shock, as the import tax was excess of €2,700.
Thankfully this process is now finally settled, the car is legal and the first tax payment has been returned.
Without the assistance of the solicitors, RE PLATE MATE and Sandra in particular, who kept us in touch and informed at all times, I don’t know how we would have managed.
Thank you again to RE PLATE MATE and Sandra in particular.
Graham Hartley,
Cabo Roig