On 29 August 2018, Evelyne Planet announces the dissolution of the Unidos por Planas association and a change of strategy for the months ahead.
The group had secured one seat on Pratdip Town Council. However, according to the statement published at the time, its representatives believe they have not succeeded in establishing satisfactory cooperation with the mayor and that, on its own, the organisation no longer has sufficient influence to continue its action effectively.
They therefore announce closer cooperation with the Planas Collaboration Group and their intention to focus their efforts on the municipal elections scheduled for May 2019.
In simple terms: the dissolution of Unidos por Planas does not mark the end of its members’ political involvement. Rather, it reflects a reorganisation of the groups seeking to represent the interests of Planas del Rey at the time.
One seat on the Town Council
Unidos por Planas had secured one seat on Pratdip Town Council.
This institutional presence had made it possible to raise a number of issues concerning Planas del Rey directly within the municipal council.
However, in her statement of 29 August 2018, Evelyne Planet explains that attempts to reach an understanding with the mayor have not produced the expected results and that the association considers itself too weak to continue acting on its own.
This assessment reflects the position expressed by the representatives of Unidos por Planas at the time.
Closer cooperation with the Planas Collaboration Group
Following the dissolution, Evelyne Planet announces that the members concerned will join the Planas Collaboration Group.
The stated objective is now to prepare for the municipal elections of May 2019 and strengthen the representation of Planas interests in the political life of Pratdip.
The statement also indicates that cooperation with the Les Planes del Rei Residents’ Association, also known as SOS Planas, is expected to continue.
This announcement shows that, by the end of summer 2018, several groups active in Planas are seeking to coordinate their efforts more closely ahead of the next municipal elections.
Differences remain over the future of Planas
In her statement, Evelyne Planet also refers to disagreements with some former members of Unidos por Planas.
She claims that some of them are considering a different model for the future organisation of the development, including the creation of a new structure comparable to a conservation entity and a financial contribution from property owners towards the cost of future works.
These claims reflect the position expressed by Evelyne Planet in her statement and are not accompanied, in the original article, by any document establishing the existence or precise content of such a project.
They nevertheless illustrate the differences that existed at the time among property owners over how Planas should be organised following the dissolution of the former EUCC.
Looking ahead to the 2019 municipal elections
The disappearance of Unidos por Planas comes during a particularly turbulent year for the development: a water crisis, disagreements over services, the continuation of the land readjustment process and continuing uncertainty over the division of responsibilities following the dissolution of the EUCC.
From the end of summer 2018 onwards, the municipal elections scheduled for 2019 become increasingly important in the initiatives of several Planas residents and groups.
The dissolution of Unidos por Planas therefore marks less the end of a mobilisation than a stage in its political reorganisation.
Source
This article is based on the statement signed by Evelyne Planet and published by La Tribune de Planas on 29 August 2018. The statement announces the dissolution of Unidos por Planas, its closer cooperation with the Planas Collaboration Group and preparations for the municipal elections of May 2019.
Jim – La Tribune de Planas
