News: La Isla - Newsletter December 2025
Dear neighbors,
With only a few days left to say goodbye to 2025, it's time to take stock of the year.
Many things have happened since that disastrous summer of 2024, when the residents of La Isla decided to rebel against the situation that had left our lake rotting and the lawns and trees throughout Condado on the verge of dying. That was the result of continued neglect by the Urban Development Entity and the City Council, both responsible for the proper functioning of the infrastructure that comprises said entity.
Today, a year later, the situation has taken an unexpected turn. Alan Burge and Neil Simpson are no longer in their positions as presidents of Level 1 and the Urban Development Entity, respectively. Nor is the City Council led by the same political group as before.
In Condado, to fill the vacant positions, new people with a different and more democratic approach to selfless service to our neighbors have stepped forward. Certainly, we all hesitated before accepting the commitment because the level of involvement needed to do it well is almost incompatible with the day-to-day. But it was now or never. A unique opportunity to try to get our resort back on its feet and steer it in a new direction.
We've had to deal with a property manager who was often absent,
due to a lack of staff or because the newly hired manager didn't yet have the necessary training. We've also had to deal with many irregularities that have surfaced, a consequence of the previous management by N1 and EU. Some have meant a considerable increase in workload. But the worst has been the financial imbalance. In La Isla alone, unpaid STV invoices dating back to 2022 have appeared, totaling over €20,000. Apparently, they were found abandoned in a drawer at Inmho. Surprising.
Now we have to pay them, with the consequent disruption to our 2025 budget. Even so, it seems we're going to end the year with healthy accounts.
Following the Ordinary General Meeting in February 2025, the newly elected group of presidents of La Isla set ourselves some objectives which, little by little, we have been achieving.
The first challenge we faced was to finalize a budget which, despite the substantial community fees we pay, always seems insufficient. The first stumbling block was the cleaning contract. Even choosing the most economical option, the price of the service contracted with the company Konserta far exceeded our estimate. Furthermore, there have been numerous complaints about their poor service.
Fortunately, there was a change in management at the company, and the situation has improved considerably. A few days ago, we secured their commitment to add another person to the cleaning staff, including during the winter months (Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays). They will also be responsible for removing swallow droppings from the facade as much as possible. All of this will be for the same price we've been paying, at least until the contract ends in late April 2026.
To minimize expenses, we renegotiated the electricity and building insurance contracts, as well as the elevator maintenance contract. We've achieved significant savings on the first two. Regarding the elevators, we're waiting to assess the necessary modifications that will be required in 2027 before making a decision. This year, we finally obtained Level 1's approval for the installation of pedestrian access to La Isla, as approved in the 2023 General Meeting. The gate is installed and awaiting the automation system to complete its functionality. This is an important tool for Security to carry out its work more effectively.
Another important step we have taken is the installation of windows in the hallway openings next to the elevator. This was a long-standing request from many residents whose homes have been affected by the heavy rains that sometimes hit the Region of Murcia. The installation has been timely, as it has been raining heavily in La Isla for a week. We are confident that this decision will also result in savings on elevator maintenance, which has been affected by rain on several occasions in the past.
We know that excellent landscaping is highly valued by the residents. We all like to see our lawns looking their best. This year, the pool area has been scarified and reseeded in an effort to improve its appearance. Unfortunately, the island has a problem with its irrigation system, which prevents us from achieving the desired results. We are considering changing this system. Once we have quotes, we will consult you about its feasibility.
Something we are particularly proud of is the increased awareness of the importance of protecting the ornamental lake. Today, no one doubts that it is essential to maintain the lake with sufficient water and ensure that it is clean and properly oxygenated.
After many complaints, we have succeeded in having the aeration fountains installed and the invasive carp, which posed a significant threat to the ecosystem, removed. Now we must continue to press for the implementation of the remaining proposals included in the Byocima report.
As you know, I was recently elected president of the Urban Development Entity. Despite my initial reluctance to accept the position, I considered it a matter of responsibility, as I had been performing this role since September and can contribute my limited experience. Furthermore, from this position, I will be able to closely monitor the needs of the lake to ensure it never again falls into a vulnerable state.
Since I took office, and thanks to collaboration with the City Council, we have managed to recover €200,000 of the debt owed to the Entity by Agrofruits and Alhama Nature. It is a small amount, but we are confident that we can continue this progress. The priority now is for the EU to overcome its current financial stagnation due to its own debts to suppliers.
However, there is still much to be done, and we cannot become complacent with the progress already made. For all these reasons, I have decided to run again for president of La Isla at the Ordinary General Meeting in March 2026. Several circumstances would have to align for me to hold this position again. First, you would have to vote to elect a Level 3 president within your respective blocs, and I would have to be elected in my bloc (Block 2). Then, a majority of these representatives would have to choose me as Level 2 president.
Of course, nobody knows what will happen. I am excited to continue contributing my bit to the growth of the shared project that all the presidents of Condado de Alhama dream of. It could be something big. A turning point. I certainly haven't lost hope. As the resilient Martin Luther King said, "If I knew the world was ending tomorrow, I would still plant a tree today."
Finally, please remember that this year the General Assembly will be preceded by an information meeting, in which all the points that will later be put to a vote will be explained.
The dates for LA ISLA are as follows:
- Saturday, March 14, 2026 - INFORMATION MEETING (from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.).
- Saturday, March 21, 2026 - ORDINARY GENERAL MEETING, in which the voting will take place (from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.).
In addition, on Friday, March 13, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., the LEVEL 1 AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT ENTITY INFORMATION MEETING will take place, to which all owners in Condado de Alhama are invited. There, you can ask questions and resolve doubts about the agenda items relating to these two groups, which will be put to a vote on Saturday the 21st.
That's all for now. I just want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous 2026, when we can meet again on La Isla, enjoying our little paradise.
Warm regards,
Ana Isabel Santos,
President of La Isla.