New officers

Nine new local police officers are to be recruited to work in Nerja.  Five are already trainees and will now receive specialist training to prepare for their new role.  Other posts will be advertised as soon as the new establishment is confirmed in the Official State Bulletin.

Nerja mill

The former olive oil mill in Nerja’s calle Animas is to become a visitor centre.  The municipality paid almost a million euros for the building in 2021 to avoid its demolition, and mayor José Albert Armijo has now announced details of the project.  He said the centre would breathe new life into the town centre and highlight Nerja’s industrial heritage.

Budget approved

Nerja’s budget for 2023 was approved by councillors on April 19.  The figure of €41.9 million drawn up by the Partido Popular received approval of Ciudanos and the independent Jeffrey Taylor, while PSOE and Unidas Podems abstained.  Finance councillor Ángela Díaz said the budget focused on employment policies, training, housing policies, social spending and lowering taxes.

Regional News - May 2023

Voting day

More than 65,000 foreign residents in Andalucía are eligible to vote on May 28.  The government’s electoral census office says over 414,500 such voters could participate across Spain, a quarter of them originally from Romania.  The next biggest groups are from Italy and Germany, with the UK’s 36,500 foreigners in fourth place.

Golfers warned

Golfers have been warned that they have become targets for thieves who create false greens in secluded spots where they can steal belongings and then make a quick getaway.  Courses around Palma on Majorca have been targeted, along with others in Magaluf, Santa Posa and Andratx.  Luxury watches and cash have been stolen from golfers who have been distracted while concentrating on their game.

Tourist taxes

Hoteliers in Madrid have been angered by reports that former tourism minister Reyes Maroto wants to introduce tourist taxes in the city if she becomes its mayor in this month’s elections.  Madrid’s Hotel Business Association says the city is booming and there is “no need” for such a tax.  Similar measures have already been introduced in Cataluña and on the Balearic Islands, with other popular holiday destinations reported to be considering a similar move.

Rural internet

Brussels has awarded a Spanish satellite operator almost €75 million to give Internet coverage to remote inland areas.  Hispasat says it will provide connections up to 100 Mbps which will retail at around €35 per month by the end of the year.  Connections to 100% of the country have been complicated by the mountainous nature of Spain’s terrain.

Low-cost rail

Avlo, Renfe’s low-cost high-speed rail service, will begin running from Madrid to Sevilla and Málaga on June 1, and by mid-April ticket sales had broken all records for the region.  Some 17,000 seats priced at just €7 for travel during this year went on sale on April 12 - with a fifth sold on the fifth day - for journeys in the first two weeks of next month.  The daily Avlo service will leave Málaga at 9.45am, returning from Madrid at 5.50pm.