The Ayuntamiento (council) in Pruna
In 2011 Pruna got a new Mayor and elected council, all from the political party the PA, The PARTIDO ANDALUCISTAS
Their main aim is the self-determination of Andalusia and the recognition of Andalusia as a nation within the Europe of the peoples. In local politics it is extremely active, and tries to improve the lot of residents in their elected towns and cities.
In Pruna they have massively improved the physical appearance of the village, new pavements, tree planting, underground bins, and a general sprucing up of the village. They have started free exercise classes every morning at the sports pavilion. Sponsored many more cultural events, particularly Flamenco dance and music, and worked very hard to improve employment opportunities fro the residents.
The council; finds employement for the villagers, good employment, and also employs the local unemployed, at union rates, for projects in the village. (There are very few benefits in Spain). It operates the Food Bank, which gives an amount of food which appears to be massive to our eyes in comparison to UK food banks (in the UK it is usual for it to be five items every two weeks). The food for the food bank is apparently provided by the Lotto, but administered, stored, and distributed by the council.
They also provide school materials for the poorer families, and subsidised music lessons. In February 2017 they even held electricity advice days when people could bring their bills in to check they were on the right tariff, getting the best deal, and how to save on usage.
All of the sewage system has been replaced, and a new water supply installed throughout the vilage, this meant digging up all the roads and replacing them, so there was the added bonus of new roads and pavements, smartening up the village immeasurably.
New parks have been built, increasing the outside space and pleasant outside seating areas. The swimming pool, which is gorgeous, is also getting a facelift. The sporting facilities have been upgraded to an impressive level. All in all they have managed the villages resources and public amenities very well.
Elected by proportional representation, every party has a list of names and depending on their share of the vote they get members taken from the list in the order on the list, to be elected representatives.
The Mayor is Francisco Lopex Sanchez, the deputy Mayor is Salvador Jesus Medina Garcia, the councillors are Josefina Herrera Rojo, and Gloria Borrego Lopez.
If you need to speak to the council just pop in and have a chat, dictionary or google translate in hand. They are very nice and helpful, but speak very little English (and why should they?). Pruna has no British councillor, or council employee. And if you need more specialised help with any matter to do with the council, the council has arranged with the Director of Education, Juan Jose Pavon Garcia, to give free assistance and translation! You can call into see Juan in the big white and yellow silo building near the schools. The council does everything it can to help us ex pats live happy informed lives.
There is a facebook page: Ayto Pruna, (there was a facebook page Ayuntamiento Pruna, but that got hacked in May 2016, and is no longer able to be accessed, so check you have the right group).
It has become far more organised, ensuring that permits are issued for work to be done, planning permission and building regulations are now more rigerously enforced. All the good of the village, but after the years of laissex-faire they can feel a bit irritating. The fees for the permission all help the village coffers, and it does mean that building standards are more strictly adhered to.
Does the council reflect the village? Or the village the council? All I know is that Pruna has an effective and fair council that has improved the lives of all residents.