Communiqué from the Council of the Government
Horta
The Council of the Government, which met on July 10, 2024, in the city of Horta, adopted the following measures:
1. Approve a Resolution creating the "+ Youth" Package.
a) The payment of two trips per year, round trip, between the student's place of residence in the Region and the school establishment, whether located in the Azores, in the Autonomous Region of Madeira or Mainland Portugal;
b) The awarding of a "Book Voucher" amounting to 100 (one hundred) Euros to young people who reach 18 years;
c) The creation of a Support Office for Displaced Students;
d) The creation of a mechanism for the simplified registration of young people in an employability database promoting recruitment opportunities from companies and the social sector;
e) The return of the amount equivalent to tuition fees and Personal Income Tax for all young people who commit to working in the Azores for 5 years, up to the age of 35;
f) The creation of a system for students enrolled in a Higher Education Institution and studying outside the Region, who will only pay the maximum amount provided for, within the scope of the social mobility aid, per round trip to Mainland Portugal and the Autonomous Region of Madeira, without the need to request subsequent reimbursements;
g) The creation of a measure for short-term professional traineeships for young students wishing to improve their employability profile.
2. Approve a Resolution authorising the permanent and free transfer of a rural property located at Rua Ilha de São Luís, parish of Angústias, Horta, to the University of the Azores.
The University of the Azores has requested the definitive transfer of the aforementioned rustic property for the construction of a building to provide affordable student accommodation, comprising 24 double rooms and two single rooms for people with reduced mobility, corresponding to a total of 50 beds in the municipality of Horta.
3. Approve a Resolution extending the "Birth Plus" programme to 2024, covering all of the municipalities in the Region.
Considering the problem of demographic ageing and the consequent desertification of some areas, the Regional Government has made a commitment in its action programme to create conditions to encourage births to reverse the trend of population ageing seen throughout Europe.
With a view to mitigating this social problem and bridging the gaps identified on the different islands, the "Birth Plus" Programme was created in 2022 and extended to 2023, intending to provide non-refundable financial support to meet the health and well-being needs of Azorean children in their first moments of life.
The implementation of this programme has proved to be an important tool for young people who have decided to start and/or expand their family, demonstrating the Regional Government's commitment to promoting public policies capable of developing and strengthening the economic and social fabric of the Autonomous Region of the Azores.
While the "Birth Plus" programme results have been very positive in recent years, there is still a long way to go to promote the desired intergenerational balance as a factor and indicator of a Region's development. As such, it is urgent to extend the programme to 2024 and cover all of the municipalities in the Region.
4. Approve a Resolution delegating to the Regional Secretary for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructures the power to authorise the expenditure and procedures necessary for the development of the projects and public works contracts required for the installation of the modular hospital at the Hospital do Divino Espírito Santo.
On May 4, 2024, a fire broke out in a technical area of the Divino Espírito Santo Hospital, which caused a dysfunction in the functioning of the Regional Health Service, resulting in the declaration of a state of regional public disaster.
As part of the necessary repair measures, as well as restoring the normal operation of both the Divino Espírito Santo Hospital and the Regional Health Service, the measures and actions to be carried out are being considered in the context of a medium and long-term strategic vision. This will ensure that HDES is remodelled to align its capabilities with the mission and function of the Regional Health Service.
As already announced, the Regional Government intends to install a modular hospital on the grounds adjacent to the Ponta Delgada Health Centre. It has identified the need to carry out various specialised contracts, including earthworks, construction of support walls, construction of external roads and pedestrian accesses, cold water supply network, hot water production systems, medical gases and compressed air networks, sewage network, fire fighting systems, power station and ground network, telecommunications network and external lighting.
As such, the Council of the Government decides to authorise the expenditure and the procurement of the public works contracts necessary to install the modular hospital at the Hospital do Divino Espírito Santo, through direct award procedures, up to a maximum amount of €3,000,000.00, with the completion periods that prove appropriate, for each procedure for the installation of the aforementioned modular hospital.
5. Approve a Resolution authorising the Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Food (SRAA) to open the procedure for the preparation of a public works contract, through public tender, with a view to carrying out the works contract for the "Remodelling and Expansion of the Pico Slaughterhouse", with an estimated base price of €5,699,070.00, plus VAT at the legal rate in force, divided into four lots, with a completion period of 17 months.
Resolution no. 77/2022 of May 6 authorised SRAA, through the Institute for Food and Agricultural Markets, to open a procedure for the preparation of a public works contract, through public tender, with a view to carrying out the works contract for the "Remodelling and Expansion of the Pico Slaughterhouse."
The base price established in the aforementioned pre-contractual procedure was estimated at €4,325,000.00, plus VAT at the legal rate in force, with an estimated completion period of 18 months.
Subsequently, there was a need to revise the implementation project, which meant that the authorised procedure was not opened.
Given the international situation, there has been an increase in the price of construction materials, along with an increase in energy and fuel and the cost of construction labour, all of which are reflected in the general costs of construction and, consequently, in the value of the estimated base price for construction.
6. Approve a Resolution authorising the signing of an investment-value cooperation contract between the Regional Government and Santa Casa da Misericórdia das Velas.
This investment-value cooperation contract provides for a financial contribution of up to €4,362,562.80, with the aim of ensuring the necessary funding for the renovation of the Daycare Centre and Free Time Occupation Centre of the Santa Casa da Misericórdia das Velas, São Jorge Island.
7. Approve a Resolution authorising the signing of a contract-programme between the Autonomous Region of the Azores and the NONAGON Association - São Miguel Science and Technology Park Association, with a maximum amount of €592,000.00, for 2024.
The contract-programme aims to regulate the terms of financial aid, with a view to supporting activities to boost collaboration and liaison with the scientific and business community, promoting research and development (R&D) activities and their implementation in the business world. It also intends to stimulate and support the creation and/or development of companies, fostering entrepreneurship and innovation.
The São Miguel Science and Technology Park - NONAGON is a host for innovation, fostering business competitiveness on São Miguel Island and in the Autonomous Region of the Azores by providing support services for companies, and by integrating them into R&D networks and partnerships, with a view to their national and international projection.
8. Approve a Resolution authorising the signing of a contract-programme between the Autonomous Region of the Azores and the Terceira Island Science and Technology Park Association - PCTTER, Terinov, with a maximum amount of €440,000.00, for 2024.
It is important to underline the context and relevance of the Terceira Island Science and Technology Park - PCTTER, which operates in the fields of agroindustry, agrifood, cultural and creative industries, green economy and information and communication technologies.
This infrastructure promotes interaction between the business community, educational institutions and research and development (R&D) centres. It plays an important role in promoting scientific exchange and facilitating the growth of synergies, creating advantages and complementarities capable of making the best use of results and fostering science and technology-based entrepreneurship.
It also hosts innovative production activities, boosting business competitiveness on Terceira Island and in the Azores by providing support services for the creation and development of companies, while supporting their integration into R&D networks and partnerships, with a view to their national and international projection.
9. Approve a Resolution authorising the signing of a contract-programme between the Autonomous Region of the Azores and the RAEGE Açores Association - Atlantic Network of Geodynamic and Space Stations, for 2024, allocating a financial contribution of up to €400,000.00.
The programme of the XIV Government of the Azores envisages "Making the Azores an Atlantic Hub for Space," namely through the development of the "Santa Maria Space Ecosystem" and the existing equipment in Flores to leverage the potential of the location of Santa Maria and the potential installed in Flores. This will promote innovation, and attract and establish companies as well as qualified human resources capable of leveraging the potential of the Region, fostering the creation of jobs by private initiative in a sector with high resilience and added value.
With the signing of a contract-programme between the Autonomous Region of the Azores and the RAEGE Açores Association - Atlantic Network of Geodynamic and Space Stations, for 2024, the Government intends to ensure cooperation between both entities and, thus, secure the development and increase of scientific and research activities. It also aims to guarantee the operating costs and investments necessary to ensure the normal functioning and operation of the RAEGE Açores Association's equipment, as part of the Region's commitment to pursuing scientific and technological development and implementing the Scientific Development Plan, which will enable the Region to gain added value.
10. Approve a Resolution recognising the relevant public interest regarding the Expansion of the Pico Vermelho Geothermal Power Plant, located at Canada das Vinhas - Pico Arde, parish of Conceição, municipality of Ribeira Grande, São Miguel Island.
The infrastructures of the Pico Vermelho Geothermal Power Plant Expansion project are located in an area classified as a Regional Agricultural Reserve and, as such, must comply with the Legal Framework for Regional Agricultural Reserves.
Land within the Regional Agricultural Reserve must be used exclusively for agriculture, and any action that diminishes or destroys its agricultural potential or results in its use for non-agricultural purposes is banned, without prejudice to the exceptions provided for by law.
This is the case for developments and constructions of significant public interest, recognised as such by Regional Government Council resolution, and for which there is no technically or economically acceptable alternative.
11. Approve a Resolution determining, for 2024, the amounts to be allocated to each of the support measures provided for in the Legal Scheme on the Regional Support Programme for the Private Media - PROMÉDIA 2020. The global amount of support is set at 680 thousand Euros.
12. Approve a Resolution authorising the opening of a restricted tender, by prior qualification, for the signing of a contract granting the operation of a space for the establishment of a shop selling Azorean products, solely and exclusively for the purpose of selling and showcasing regional products in Lisbon.
Under an urban sublease contract for non-housing purposes signed on June1, 2014, with A.N.P - Sociedade de Mediação Imobiliária, Lda., through the Regional Directorate for Investment Support and Competitiveness, the Region leased the unit "A" corresponding to Shop 14-C located at Rua Viriato, 14-C, 1050-235 Lisbon, with an area of 1000 square metres, which has been successively renewed.
On July 6, 2015, a concession contract was signed between the Region and Fábrica de Licores Eduardo Ferreira & Filhos, Lda. for the operation of a shop selling Azorean products in the same space, solely and exclusively for the purpose of selling and showcasing regional products, following a restricted tender procedure by prior qualification.
The concession contract for the operation of this space between the Region and Fábrica de Licores Eduardo Ferreira & Filhos, Lda. expired on May 31, 2024.
Therefore, a new procedure must be conducted for the concession of the said space and the same purposes.
13. Approve a Proposal for a Regional Legislative Decree adapting the Decree-Law approving the Energy Certification System for Buildings to the regional law, as well as adapting the Decree-Law establishing the requirements for access to and performance of qualified expert duties in energy certification and as an installation and maintenance technician for buildings and systems.
Regional Legislative Decree no. 4/2016/A, of February 2, and its respective regulations, do not incorporate the new requirements set out in the abovementioned legislation, making it imperative to update the regional legislation on the matters in question.
14. Approve a resolution appointing Isabel Alexandra de Melo Quadros Marques Fernandes Dutra, as President, and Ricardo Manuel Soares Batista, as Executive Member, to the Board of Directors of Atlânticoline, S.A.
The former President of the Board of Directors, Francisco Duarte da Silva Bettencourt, was appointed Regional Director for Mobility, who in due course requested his resignation.
Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that the Board of Directors of Atlânticoline, S.A. has full management powers to pursue the essential activity of that company and, consequently, appoint the Board of Directors, under the terms of the Regional Public Manager Statute.
15. Approve a Resolution mandating the representative of the Autonomous Region of the Azores at the General Meeting of SATA Holding, S.A. to approve the membership board of directors of SATA Holding, S.A. as well as mandating the representative of SATA Holding, S.A. at the General Meetings of SATA Internacional - Azores Airlines, S.A., SATA Air Açores, S.A. and SATA Gestão de Aeródromos, S.A. to approve the membership of the boards of directors of each of the aforementioned companies.
The new Board of Directors of SATA Holding, S.A., will include Rui Miguel Furtado Coutinho, as President, Sandro Manuel Botelho Raposo and Tiago Alexandre Carvalho dos Santos, as Directors, and Bernardo António Oliveira and João Crispim Carvalho Lourenço Borges da Ponte, as Non-Executive Directors.
16. Approve a Resolution authorising the granting of financial support and other forms of financial aid by the Presidency of the Government to public and private entities to support social, economic, cultural, sporting and religious activities and projects aimed at preserving traditions, regional heritage or promoting the Region.
The approval of this Resolution arises from the need to publish a new resolution, based on the regional legislative decree approving the budget of the Autonomous Region of the Azores for 2024.
17. Approve a Resolution authorising the Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Food to grant financial support, with a budget limit of €2,300,000.00, to regional non-profit organisations aimed at agricultural, agrifood or forestry development.
Regional Legislative Decree no. 2/2024/A, which approved the Budget of the Autonomous Region of the Azores for 2024, authorises the Regional Government to grant subsidies and other forms of aid to public and private entities as part of the development of initiatives and projects aimed at improving the quality of life and in line with the goals of the Regional Plan, specifically in the areas of agriculture and animal husbandry.
It is crucially important for the Region's agricultural and forestry sectors to continue the support measures for producers' associations in these sectors, whose activity is decisive for their development.
18. Approve a Resolution authorising the Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Food to grant financial support, with a budget limit of €1,000,000.00, to regional organisations in the cooperative sector whose goals involve the development of the agricultural or agrifood sector.
This Resolution repeals Resolution 156/2023 of September 27, 2023, which authorised the allocation of support with a budget limit of €1,600,000.00.
19. Approve a Resolution authorising the Regional Secretariat for Youth, Housing and Employment to grant subsidies and other forms of support for initiatives and projects to promote the Autonomous Region of the Azores.
The approval of this Resolution arises from the need to publish a new resolution, based on the Regional Legislative Decree approving the Budget of the Autonomous Region of the Azores for 2024.
