VILA VERDE – In a year of “all records”, Vila Verde Municipality accounts approved by majority

With eight votes against, from the opposition PS, and three abstentions, the municipal assembly of Vila Verde approved, last night, the activity report and the management account for the year 2023. “A record year at all levels”, said the president of the Vila Verde municipal council, during the presentation, highlighting the increase in execution to 76%, with investment having increased by 6.5 million in the last year.

The municipality has its own capital, currently close to 60 million euros.

According to the Accounts Rendering report, the Municipality of Vila Verde had a global expenditure of 43,679,240 euros in 2023, which corresponds to almost 6.5 million euros more compared to the previous year. The execution rate also rose from around 70% (71% in 2022 and 70% in 2021) to 76%.

In the main point of last night’s agenda, the PS made a different reading, highlighting the weak revenue compared to expenditure, justifying the management balance as a forecast of future community funds. “Concrete facts and figures”, said the leader of the socialist bench, Filipe Silva.

«The management balance actually exists», retorted Júlia Fernandes, noting that «the management balance is cash that allows us to continue investing and planning investments without resorting to the 20 million euros of debt capacity that we have».

The mayor highlighted, in this regard, the reduction in debt by around more than 2.5 million euros, from just over 13.7 million euros to just over 11 million euros.

On the topic, the Bloco de Esquerda (by deputy Ricardo Cerqueira), which abstained, shared some concerns about the areas of culture – «lack of future investment» -, education – «against the delivery of services to third parties», naming the case of AECs -, housing – «pressure and lack of public supply» – and road network, «it is urgent to change the paradigm and invest in public transport».

In an extensive municipal assembly, it was up to Manuel Barros – from the PSD bench – to make the biggest intervention of the night, returning ‘pennants’ to the PS power-point and praising the “record” report of the orange majority in the municipality.

«The PS has not yet realized that we are changing the paradigm», he said.

In a political marathon that lasted until around 2 am, there was also ping-pong over the opening of the international public tender for the provision of public services for the collection of solid urban waste in the municipality of Vila Verde.

A proposal approved by majority, with 12 votes against.

MORE DETAILS IN THE MAY PRINTED EDITION OF THE NEWSPAPER ‘O VILAVERDENSE’

DAY 02 ON STANDS!