The Office of Heritage of the Consell de Formentera has put out to tender the restoration and redevelopment of Sa Capella de sa Tanca Vella and its surroundings, a project drafted by architect Marià Castelló.

Included in Formentera's Cultural Heritage Management Plan 2022-2023, the upgrades are, according to Raquel Guasch, councillor of heritage, "a necessary intervention to elevate this heritage site by improving its protection and accessibility." Councillor Guasch described the restoration of the surrounding area as "essential as well", and said that, considering the Sant Francesc location of the monument, the changes would make it "more visible and visitable for tourists and island residents." The fences encircling the area were removed in January 2021.

Traditional materials and environmental integration
In general terms, the project would restore Tanca Vella chapel, including replacing unsuitable materials like industrial cement with traditional ones such as mortar, limestone and wood. Plans also include removing non-original features associated with past interventions which involved materials and building systems aggressive with the historic building. These plans would also focus on the area immediately surrounding the monument, leaving it undeveloped and in some places allowing the original rocky outcropping of the soil to show through.

Plans also include urbanising the perimeter of the current plot, upgrades which would offer a transition between the monument and the rest of the public urban space.

The base bidding budget for the works is €203,902.38, including VAT, and work must be complete within six months. The project has obtained €84,874 in funding through the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan financed by the European Union – Next Generation.

18 February 2023
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera

The Language Advisory Service of the Consell de Formentera is pleased to report that enrolment in the latest round of Catalan courses is open from 20 February to 2 March. In this second module of the 2022-2023 term, nine courses offered at the A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2 levels will help students prepare for the next official test in May 2023.

As last year, classes will last 90 minutes and be held in the Catalan classrooms of the Espai Cultural de Sant Ferran. Groups will meet twice per week, with options available in the morning and evening. "The SAL's goal is for these courses reach as many people as possible, so we tailor the offer of levels and schedules to the wide demand", explains Raquel Guasch, language policy councillor.

Space is limited and students may only enrol in one group at a time. Once registration has been completed and before the start of classes on 6/7 March, students will receive an e-mail confirming enrolment in their requested group. The courses are free of charge.

Registration: 20 February to 2 March
The registration period for the courses begins Monday 20 February and ends Thursday 2 March. Interested parties may register online via the Virtual Citizen Information Office (OVAC; https://ovac.conselldeformentera.cat) and in person at the Citizen Information Office (Carrer de Ramon Llull, 6, Sant Francesc).

This second module of the 2022-2023 school year will include two groups of beginner level Catalan (A2), two groups of B1, two B2, two C1 and one C2. Course days and times can be consulted at the time of registration.

Details:

A2
- Tuesday/Thursday; 9.15am to 10.45am
- Monday/Wednesday; 6.30pm to 8.00pm

B1
- Tuesday/Thursday; 10.45am to 12.15pm
- Monday/Wednesday; 5.00pm to 6.30pm

B2
- Monday/Wednesday; 10.30am to 12 noon
- Tuesday/Thursday; 5.00pm to 6.30pm

C1
- Monday/Wednesday; 10.30am to 12 noon
- Tuesday/Thursday; 6.30pm to 8.00pm

C2
- Monday/Wednesday; 5.00pm to 6.30pm

Registration: 20 February to 2 March 2023

Free courses
Start: 6/7 March 2023

Location: Aules de Català; Espai Cultural de Sant Ferran

End of term will be adjusted to dates of the official tests organised by the Balearic Directorate General of Language Policy (www.dgpoling.caib.cat).

Groups may be modified or cancelled depending on the number of participants/attendees.

For more information:
Language Advisory Service
sal@conselldeformentera.cat

17 February 2023
Office of Communications
Consell de Formentera

Alejandra Ferrer, vice president and tourism councillor, has participated in "Moving Towards Sustainability", a conference at the Chamber of Commerce of Mallorca organised by the Economic and Social Council of the Balearic Islands. Ferrer, who is also head of the Formentera Data Observatory, took part in a round-table discussion titled "Carrying Capacity and Insularity" which was aimed at addressing issues affecting islands, insular territories and economic, social, environmental and demographic dynamics in the Balearic Islands. The event took place yesterday afternoon.

Ferrer explained efforts under way at the Formentera Data Observatory and data being collected there "are key to future decisions that will help highlight issues stemming from Formentera's twice compounded insularity, particularly around prices and the cost of living." The vice-president also stressed the importance of Formentera having its own services on the island, and if they cannot be provided, to compensate for the extra costs, as is the case of students who must pursue higher education off the island.

On the island's carrying capacity, Ferrer spoke about formentera.eco, a project to regulate in-bound vehicles, which she described as "an example of a measures that can be taken to regulate carrying capacity." "Now, this regulation should be extended to our coasts, which clearly have their carrying capacity exceeded", she insisted, "but only with collaboration from every level of government will the path to sustainability in the islands be real."

17 February 2023
Office of Communication
Consell de Formentera

The immigration department of the Office of Social Welfare, part of the Consell de Formentera, is pleased to announce that the 19th Course on Social and Cultural Integration for foreign nationals residing on Formentera will be held evenings, 7 to 30 March, in the Escola d'Adults.

Individuals who complete the course can receive an integration report from the Balearic Government as well as preparation for the CCSE citizenship test.

The course is free and enrolment is open through 6 March at the new site of the Office of Social Welfare, Venda des Brolls, inside the Formentera Day Centre (Centre de Dia). For more information, please call 971 321 271 or send an e-mail to immigració@conselldeformentera.cat.

17 February 2023
Office of Communications
Consell de Formentera