An official document dated 23 December 1968 sheds important light on the first steps taken towards transferring certain infrastructure and public services in Planas del Rey to Pratdip Town Council.
It shows that, following a decision by the property owners and a formal request from the developer, Francisco Lebasque Belloncle, Pratdip Town Council had agreed in principle to take over several public services in the development.
A collective decision by the property owners
On 8 August 1968, the property owners of Planas del Rey, meeting in assembly, unanimously agreed to transfer the management of several public services in the development to Pratdip Town Council.
The document refers in particular to:
- the road network;
- water supply;
- sewerage;
- street lighting.
A few weeks later, on 21 September 1968, the developer Francisco Lebasque Belloncle submitted a formal request of his own to the Town Council.
He proposed the transfer of the development’s roads, water supply and drainage networks, street lighting, waste collection, security and surveillance services, as well as other services falling within municipal responsibility.
An agreement in principle by the Town Council
Following these requests, Pratdip Town Council considered the proposal.
The document dated 23 December 1968 states that, by a decision taken on 18 October 1968, the Town Council agreed in principle to take over the services concerned.
This arrangement was due to take effect on 1 January 1969.
The Town Council nevertheless stated that it wished to obtain the opinion of the Provincial Inspection and Assistance Service for Local Authorities in order to confirm that the proposed procedure complied with the applicable rules.
An important step, but not yet a final transfer
This document confirms that the possibility of transferring Planas del Rey’s public services to the municipality was not an interpretation developed decades later.
As early as 1968, the property owners requested it, the developer formally submitted the proposal, and the Town Council gave its agreement in principle to take over the services concerned.
However, it is important to distinguish between this agreement in principle and the final legal acceptance of all the development’s infrastructure.
The document itself shows that the Town Council was still seeking advice from the provincial authorities. The material currently available does not, on its own, establish what response was given to that request or whether the entire procedure was ultimately completed.
A key document in the administrative history of Planas del Rey
Read alongside the letter sent by Francisco Lebasque to the Town Council on 21 September 1968, this document makes it possible to reconstruct a clear sequence of events:
- on 8 August 1968, the property owners vote in favour of transferring several public services;
- on 21 September 1968, the developer formally submits the request to the Town Council;
- on 18 October 1968, the Town Council gives its agreement in principle;
- on 23 December 1968, the mayor asks the provincial authorities for guidance on the procedure to be followed.
These documents are important sources for understanding the relationship between Planas del Rey and Pratdip Town Council from the early years of the development.
Jim – La Tribune de Planas
Translation of the original document
The undersigned, Mayor-President of this Town Council, has the honour to inform you of the following:
On 8 August of this year, the property owners of the Planas del Rey development, located within this municipality and the great majority of whom are French nationals, met in assembly and unanimously agreed to transfer to Pratdip Town Council the administration of the public services relating to roads, water supply, sewerage and street lighting.
Likewise, the developer of the development, Mr Francisco Lebasque Belloncle, in his letter dated 21 September of this same year and following the decision adopted by the above-mentioned property owners, organised as the Planas del Rey Property Owners’ Club, requests that this Town Council accept the said transfer covering the roads, water supply networks, drainage networks, street lighting, waste collection service, security and surveillance, as well as the other services falling within municipal responsibility.
This Town Council, in view of the decision thus expressed both by the property owners and by the developer of the said development, agrees in principle, in accordance with the decision taken on 18 October last, to take over the above-mentioned services, which were due to come into effect on 1 January 1969, without prejudice to informing the Provincial Inspection and Assistance Service for Local Authorities in order to obtain the necessary guidance.
I therefore request that you advise this Corporation as to whether this procedure is in accordance with the applicable requirements.
May God preserve you for many years.
Pratdip, 23 December 1968
The Mayor
