The terraces in Viana do Castelo that are open every day of the week, preferably between 09:00 and 24:00, and that guarantee entertainment are exempt from paying fees, the value of which varies depending on their size.
The measure integrates the changes to the regulations for the settlement and collection of municipal taxes, approved this Monday by the PS majority, the PSD councilor and the independent Eduardo Teixeira.
The CDS-PP councilor, Ilda Araújo Novo, voted against and the CDU councilor, Cláudia Marinho, abstained.
Speaking to journalists at the end of the ordinary meeting, the mayor of Viana do Castelo, Luís Nobre, explained that if an economic agent “occupies redeveloped public space, with everyone’s resources, it is natural that they assume this occupation from a positive perspective”.
Among the criteria for exemption from paying fees, the socialist mayor highlighted animation, extended operation on weekends and even later.
“Those who are more proactive in the animation of public spaces benefit from those who have a more passive attitude. Anyone who only wants to benefit from the summer period and does not commit to the winter period, weekends or extended periods cannot receive the same treatment”, he highlighted.
According to the mayor, the current regulations already exempt “a large part” of the terraces in the historic center of the city from paying fees, “as part of the commitment to entertainment that practically does not always happen”.
“This commitment already exists and is not always fulfilled. There are few economic agents promoting entertainment on terraces. There will be more demanding monitoring. We cannot want people in the city on Sunday and have the terraces, the vast majority of them, closed. This dynamic has to go both ways. If I give a benefit I have to receive a benefit. In this case the benefit is to liven up the public space,” he said.
Tags: REGION Entertainment extended opening hours guarantee exemption fees terraces Viana
