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roundtownnews.com
Issue 745
24-30 JAN 2014
Election deadline approaches
Common sense keeps roundabout open
Plans to close two slip roads leading off the La Zenia roundabout have been set aside for the moment p5
Cash in at the Currency Clinic
People are invited to make an appointment at the Currency Clinic to discuss all aspects of foreign exchange with Moneycorp p15
by Jack Troughton
The event of the year is here for 2014! The Homes Gardens & Lifestyle Show is open for business p25
It’s time for the 720 again
The 720 is a form on which foreigners must record assets of a specified value held in other countries p29
Romeo loves Juliet
Footlights Youth Theatre is bringing West Side Story to the Costa Blanca stage p39
Vicente del Bosque
Over 2,000 people greet Vicente del Bosque
By Keith Nicol Spain’s National Football coach Vicente del Bosque came to Torrevieja on Tuesday and was welcomed by more than 2,000 people. Read the full story on page 17.
EXPATS WISHING to cast a vote in May’s key elections for the European Parliament have until 30th January deadline to register their intention to join the ballot. According to Spanish government figures there are more than 2.1 million EU citizens who are entitled to vote in Spain – yet by the end of last November just 322,000 – 15% of the total – were on the electoral roll. And to vote it is necessary to first register on the town hall census – the ‘Padron Municipal’ – and fill in the paperwork regarding an intention to vote. Expats who were registered to vote in the UK within the last 15 years can choose to cast their vote in Britain as long as they are on the electoral register – a form is available from www.aboutmyvote.co.uk and must be returned before 7th May. Jacqui Cotterill, Deputy Mayor and Councillor for Finance in Parcent, is urging people to take up their democratic right and vote in the elections – she also underlined the importance of registering on the Padron. “The Padron is not a tax register – people are always anxious about that and it is important to point that out,” she said. “And apart from being a legal requirement to register and get a NIE number, it gives benefits. “It gives access to health care, social services, and education. Any bureaucratic action and administrative procedure will ask for a Padron certificate.” Continued on page 8