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Share  The Kalkan Belediye Board met on Tuesday 3rd November 2009, and Kalkan Turkish Local News was there, listening to the proceedings.
Here is our report on the main topics discussed, including a couple of photos taken during the meeting.
The 2010 Budget
The Board went through the draft budget for 2010. The current plans show an estimated annual income of 6,125,935TL. Budgeted expenditure is very close to budgeted income. The planned expenditure for 2010 includes, amongst other things: - 750,000TL for electricity (a significant part of that relates to the cost of pumping water to Kalkan)
- 300,000TL on local roads, and
- 300,000TL on drains and sewers
The Belediye has also put in bids for additional funding from the EU, Social Service organisations, the World Bank and central government schemes.
The Board voted to amend the draft budget by increasing planned income by up to 10%. The Board members will consider potential sources of additional income, and the matter will be discussed at the next monthly meeting.
One potential source that is likely to be discussed is car parking charges in town. It seems highly likely that charges will be introduced in 2010.
Paying Belediye water bills
Kalkan Belediye is in discussion with local banks and the PTT about introducing new ways for customers to pay their water bills. The Belediye would like you to have three new options:
- a direct debit type of scheme
- the option to pay over the counter at banks
- the option to pay over the counter at the PTT
No doubt we will come back to this in future when the results of these discussions are known. At the moment you have to pay for your water at the Belediye office.
The Belediye also wants the banks to accept rent payments for all Belediye owned property, but the banks don't seem as keen on providing this service.
Hotel planning rules
Last month we reported on the Belediye voting to increase the proportion of a plot of land that can be built on by 10%, where the building concerned is a hotel. This is a contentious issue, as was demonstrated by the number of people in the public seats who spoke on the subject at the last meeting.
Whilst a vote was passed last month, the issue is not cut and dried, and the Belediye Board members are still debating it. It was agreed to raise this subject again at the next meeting.
Town Plans
The Belediye is obliged to submit up to date town plans to the Planning Commission in Antalya. The Board voted to seek an extension to the time given for submitting these plans, as they have not had enough time to review them.
Emergency earthquake housing
It transpires that many years ago it was agreed that an area of 6,000 square metres in Kalkan town would be given over to the central government agency responsible for providing emergency accommodation in the event of an earthquake or similar natural disaster.
It would appear that this land is in the area close to the Belediye, and includes part of the area used by the Thursday market, and also land next to the bus station. The Belediye is opposed to the prospect of this land being taken over, concreted and kept clear, just in case of a major disaster.
As it would appear that the government may have a right to take over this land, the Belediye Board voted to take the matter to court, and if required offer an alternative piece of land. No doubt we will hear more on this in future.
Local planning issues
The subject of depots or bodrums was discussed again. It is said that the use of these for living accommodation is illegal. Our understanding is that the Belediye is looking to the Planning Commission in Antalya for advice on how to best deal with this apparently widespread problem. It is not clear what can practically be done about existing situations, however there is a clear signal here for anyone currently building a property, or planning to build one.
The Board also dealt with a specific planning application.
A number of points were raised by the public, who attended the meeting.
One man spoke very elequently regarding his concerns about builders who appear to be ignoring the fact that all land within 50 metres of the coast belongs to the Turkish government. Some new developments are being advertised as having private beaches or jetties, when in fact this is not possible under Turkish law.
This, he argued, was an erosion of the rights of everyone. Parts of the coast are being placed behind walls, which gives the impression that these areas are not open to the public, when in fact they should be accessible. This view was supported by other speakers in the room.
The Mayor agreed with the sentiments being expressed. What this actually means for those developments referred to, is not clear.
A local builder said that as the Belediye had reduced the construction season slightly, compared to last year, it was important that they commence building as soon as possible. He asked if there could be an agreement that they could start to lay concrete down, in anticipation of Belediye permission/approval being granted.
The Mayor refused, saying that the builders still had enough time. Belediye permission must be obtained before the initial concrete is laid.
Members of the public commented on rubbish and in particular plastic litter around town. There was also comment about builders waste being dumped adjacent to plots being developed. Again the Mayor shared these concerns, but said it was hard to police, and that evidence was needed to confront those responsible. If you witness anyone fly tipping, you should take your evidence, such as photographs, to the Belediye.
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