Unfortunately, KTLN could not be present at this month's Belediye Board meeting, as we were in the UK at the time.

However, we have now had a chance to catch up with a couple of Board members, and we can bring you a Belediye update for February.

In truth, the Board meeting was quite brief and there is not that much to say, but whilst speaking to the Board members, we did pick up a few other interesting things.

Belediye staff
In last month's meeting, we said that the Belediye had permission to recruit 8 more staff. This subject was covered again in February. The number of full time staff may be increased from 24 to 32, and in addition, 7 temporary staff may be recruited. This reflects the maximum number of people they can employ - it does not mean that this many people will actually have a job.

Planning matters
In January, the Board discussed the issue of people building pools too close to the property boundary, next to a main road. A motion was passed, making it a legal requirement to leave a minimum distance of 1 metre, between a pool and the property boundary.

This month they covered a similar subject - where builders actually encroach on to a local highway. The Belediye is aware of a number of instances where construction has exceeded property boundaries, on to local paths and roads. They now intend to take a firm line on this.

Where they become aware of such instances, they will issue an order to the property owner to remove such parts of the property, which are built on the highway. If the property owner does not co-operate, the Belediye has the legal right to do the work, and then bill the property owner.

Other Belediye matters
Here are a few other matters that we discussed, which were not covered at the Board meeting.

The Belediye is on track to get Blue Flag status for the town beach, in time for the tourist season.

A new footpath is being developed from the town beach to Kömürlük, and beyond to Club Patara. It is hoped that this will be usable this summer, but it may take a little longer to lay a proper, and permanent surface. See photo below.