The Consell de Formentera has called on citizens to participate in the next session of the Consell d’Entitats, to be held on Wednesday , February 19 at the Sala de Cultura.
The meeting will have as the only item on the agenda the project of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) on the future of the port of La Savina, an issue that has generated concern in the island government and local society.
Transparency and participation in the concession process
Formentera Council President Óscar Portas has expressed his concern over the renewal of the La Savina port concession and has asked the APB to inform the public directly about the details of the public tender. In a meeting held on February 7 with the president of the APB, Javier Sanz, Portas insisted on the need to ensure a transparent and participatory process.
The meeting, which was also attended by the First Vice President and Councilor for Mobility, Verónica Castelló, allowed to convey the position of the Consell de Formentera, which seeks to prevent the port remains in the hands of large operators without taking into account the needs of residents and local users.
“We are at a key moment for the future of the port of La Savina, and although the room for maneuver is tight, we can still contribute ideas that help improve its management and ensure that its operation responds to the interests of the island,” said Portas.
Challenging the bidding process and requirements of the Consell.
At the same time, the Governing Board of the Consell de Formentera has approved the challenge of the agreement adopted by the APB for the tender of the port of La Savina. This decision was taken after the plenary session of December 20, which rejected the concession model that proposes to grant management to a single marina.
The island government has formally requested that the processing of the public tender be halted until a process of consultation and public participation is opened. It has also demanded that the future concession reserve specific spaces for private boats up to eight meters in length, in order to prevent local users are displaced in favor of large companies.
Another of the key points that the Consell demands from the APB is the guarantee of free competition in the provision of port services, avoiding monopoly situations that harm small operators on the island.
Possible legal actions and citizen consultation
In case their claims are not met, the Consell de Formentera has announced that it does not rule out taking administrative and legal action to stop the tender. This would include the filing of an administrative appeal prior to litigation.
Given this scenario, the Consell has invited citizens and local entities to actively participate in the session of the Consell d’Entitats on February 19. During the meeting, the conversations held with the APB will be reported and the proposals of the attendees will be collected to be transferred to the port agency.
“We ask for the maximum participation of the entities that make up this advisory body to reach a common agreement that we will take to the APB,” the Consell has indicated in its official call.
Also, it was recalled that this Thursday, February 13, the second session of the Consell d’Entitats will be held at 7:00 pm, where the proposals of the government team in relation to the Formentera.eco project will be voted.
