These groups include those with sensory disabilities and the elderly, particularly those who are dependant or who are over 80 years of age and live alone or with another person also over the age of 80 years.

Assistance is only for those who reside in Nerja and further information can be obtained by calling 951707011 or 951707431.

Nerja already has one of the lowest rates of IBI, currently 0.56%. Others in the area include Frigiliana with 0.69%, Algorrobo with 0.78%, Torrox with 0.65% and Vélez-Málaga with 0.85%.

The new IBI rate is expected to be 0.514%. The measures still have to be approved by the government but, with an absolute majority, the odds are slightly in their favour.

The most popular questions related to the Nerja Caves, the Feria and, with Spanish tourists, information about the second series of ‘Verano Azul’ and the ‘Chanquete’ boat.

There were apparently several complaints about the poor quality of street musicians making a ‘noise’ on the streets.

Wonder if a family of four is counted as one visitor (unit) in these figures or as four visitors? Always wondered, must try and find out.

The problem arose due to burrowing under the area, not by moles but by the underground car park. This made the square not strong enough to hold much weight without sinking below. Plans to alleviate the problem were first mooted about six months ago but have only just come to fruition.

The bad news for the local residents, apart from the upheaval and possibility of not being able to carry on their businesses during this period, is the fact that the cost of the reparations is being added to their community charges.

The decorative plants, including a fine specimen in the centre, are all going, much to the annoyance of some local residents.

This second fund is called the Empleo y la Sostenibilidad Local (Employment and Local Sustainability) and is designed to revive employment and boost local economies to help them get through the crisis. Some 8,000 municipalities will benefit under this latest plan.

Granted that construction is considered a vital industry – alternatives not having been developed – it would be good to see other industries benefit from the millions being poured into certain areas.

Personal view.

The vast bulk of these aid packages appear to be being channelled into various small infrastructure projects, renewing plazas here and there, a new roundabout here and there, new traffic signs, renovating various streets etc. Yes, this seems to benefit a few (the same few?) local construction companies but who else?

Does it actually benefit local business, stimulate the economy to any extent other than short term, create new jobs in shops or offices? On the contrary, businesses suffer the consequences of reduced trade due to the area being dug up.

These projects obviously do improve the appearance of the town and in most cases are long overdue, but a broader distribution of the millions in aid to stimulate new enterprises wouldn’t come amiss. Rather than setting up umpteen new municipal bodies, why not a retraining centre or sponsorship of new ideas and businesses?

Improvements have been planned for several years but nothing has actually happened. The roads are full of potholes, the area is badly lit and the general infrastructure is poor with many areas without decent, if any, sanitation.

The head of the Asociación de Empresarios de Nerja (AEN), Gabriel Broncano, has been asking the Council to be more flexible in the redevelopment of the Castillo Alto industrial estate.

The AEN backed a plan to obtain a loan with the the Council acting as guarantor, not questioning the merits of such a plan but merely wanting to get things done.

For his part, the president of Asociación de Empresarios del Polígono Industrial de Castillo Alto, Mariano López, is against such a plan, claiming that the repayment required of the owners of industries in the area is too high. He pointed out that the Council proposed a ‘crash plan’ before the summer whereby certain repairs and improvements would be carried out immediately.

Still waiting on that one.