José Manuel Bolieiro recalls that investing in local power leads to "social and territorial cohesion" - Communication

Presidência do Governo Regional

The President of the Regional Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, presented the proposal for a technical and financial cooperation scheme for parish councils to the Azorean Parliament on Wednesday, stressing that investing in local government leads to "social and territorial cohesion" with the aim of "overcoming inequality and defeating depopulation."

"We strongly believe in the technical and financial cooperation between the autonomous regional administration and our local authorities. Cooperation is needed to share financial resources from the regional budget for parish investments. Each year, there will be the certainty of transparent criteria and the stability that comes from the rules everyone knows," stressed the President of the Government.'p

He continued, speaking before the vote which approved the document today: " Therefore, there will be sharing based on objective and equitable, transparent and verifiable criteria, which will ensure predictability and stability in the regional government's institutional and financial relations with parish councils. A transparent non-party approach. A partnership that treats everyone, as it should, with equal democratic respect."

The proposed plan not only ensures greater financial stability but also contributes to strengthening the capacity of Azorean parish councils to recruit human resources or procure services, enabling them to carry out their competences efficiently."

"We acknowledge the need to invest in greater training for local authorities. The current demands of public activity require it. Local elected representatives are also managers of local public interests. They are also advocates for the interests of their communities. The economic development of each parish is also a regional goal. 
This longed-for progress will only be achieved with the interaction of both levels of power, ensuring the coherence of the various actions, which presupposes a coordinated, participatory and collaborative process, with each one taking on the implementation of projects or activities according to their competences and responsibilities," added the President of the Government. 

The document approved by the Regional Legislative Assembly, says José Manuel Bolieiro, "provides for a technical and financial partnership between the Region and the parishes" based on "stability, consistency and predictability."

"This is a transparent, predictable, consistent and solid system. Without prejudice to the initiative and proactivity of each individual, it is recommended that the scheme provide transparency and fairness in the allocation of support to regional parishes, starting with the definition of objective, previously known, criteria for the allocation of support," he said.

With the new scheme, there is a "clear increase in the areas of collaboration" between parishes and the Regional Government, namely regarding the improvement, upgrading, maintenance and cleaning of public infrastructures, including the coastline and beach areas, as well as environmental education and awareness campaigns on marine litter, aside from the specific scheme for Eco-Parishes.

"The improvement, upgrading and maintenance of public infrastructures in agriculture and animal welfare infrastructures will also be covered by this new scheme as well as investments and other public expenditure in tourism and the digital transition. This new cooperation scheme entails the creation of a Fund for the Development of Azorean Parishes. This fund is included in each year's Regional Plan and Budget. Each year, the amounts provided for in the Fund are allocated to each technical and financial cooperation measure. For this year, the second half of the year, the Fund will receive an appropriation of two million Euros," he announced.

An electronic platform will be created:  "The Portal for Cooperation with Local Government." It will ensure "permanent monitoring by parish councils and all those who oversee the Government's actions" on the applications submitted.

"The new Technical and Financial Cooperation Scheme between the Autonomous Regional Administration, Parishes and Parish Associations that has now been proposed is, in fact, another step forward in this new paradigm of governance in the Azores. Today, we are taking an important and historic step that meets the wishes of local communities," declared the President of the Government.