Communiqué from the Council of the Government

The Council of the Government, which met by videoconference on April 30 and May 2, 2024, adopted the following measures:

1. Decide not to proceed with the privatisation process of Azores Airlines due to significant changes in the economic and financial conditions considered in the initial appraisal of the airline.

2. Adopt the proposal for Regional Legislative Decree approving the 2024-2027 Medium Term Guidelines.

3. Adopt the proposal for Regional Legislative Decree approving the Annual Regional Plan for 2024.

4. Adopt the proposal for Regional Legislative Decree approving the Budget of the Autonomous Region of the Azores for 2024.

5. Adopt the proposal for Regional Legislative Decree amending the current decree that establishes the Azores Vine and Wine Institute, IPRA.

Following the creation process of creating the Azores Vine and Wine Institute, IPRA, entrusted with powers hitherto assigned by the Azores Regional Wine Commission (CVR Açores), it is important to ensure that they do not overlap, which is the aim of the amendments that are now being made to Regional Legislative Decree no.6/2022/A of March 22.

The extinction of CVR Açores, S. A. complies with all the other legal requirements.

As a result of the decision to dissolve CVR Açores, it is necessary to lay down the procedures for integrating the respective workers into the regional public administration.

6. Adopt the Resolution approving public service obligations and authorising the acquisition of the regular maritime transport service for passengers and vehicles between the islands of Faial, Pico and São Jorge, and for passengers between Flores and Corvo.

With this measure, the XIV Government of the Azores is complying with the provisions of the Government Programme regarding the implementation of a transport policy that ensures frequency, predictability and stability, so as to safeguard the mobility of the Azoreans.

This meets the need to ensure the continuity of the regular maritime transport service for passengers and vehicles between the islands of Faial, Pico and São Jorge and passengers between the islands of Flores and Corvo, and the seasonal maritime transport service for passengers and vehicles between the Central Group islands.

The contract, launched by public tender and advertised in the Official Journal of the European Union, for the acquisition of the regular maritime transport service as stipulated by Public Service Obligations will be valid for a 5-year period, with the possibility of a two-year extension, up to a maximum annual amount of €6,600,000.00.

7. Approve the Resolution amending the plot areas identified on the map attached to Government Council Resolution no. 202/2023 of December 5 concerning the ‘Promotion of accessibility, mobility and road safety conditions - Link between Via Vitorino Nemésio and Angra Ring Road on Terceira Island."

The map in question needs to be rectified, as it has been found that plots no. B.1 and L.2, identified therein, have a smaller area than indicated.

Public utility is declared, as a matter of urgency, for the areas in question.

8. Approve the Resolution delegating the powers to process public tenders with international advertising for various housing construction contracts to the Regional Secretary for Youth, Housing and Employment.

The works contracts in question are as follows:

- Achadinha Housing Development: construction of 15 dwellings;

- São Pedro Neighbourhood, Maia, Ribeira Grande: construction of three multifamily dwellings;

- Nossa Senhora de Fátima Neighbourhood, Praia da Vitória: construction of 39 dwellings and demolitions as part of the 3rd Phase of the Urban and Housing Redevelopment.

9. Approve the Resolution authorising the expenditure and procurement of the works contract for the ‘Construction of four dwellings in the Casteletes (Urzelina) Housing Development on São Jorge Island."

The Government of the Azores has already licensed the projects for the construction of four dwellings in the Casteletes Housing Development (Urzelina) on São Jorge Island, having completed the respective construction projects and subsequent revisions.

The public tender has a base price of €810,000.00, plus VAT at the legal rate in force, and a completion period of 540 days.

10. Approve the Resolution authorising the expenditure and procurement of the contract for the "Construction of nine dwellings in Galega Housing Development (Ribeira das Tainhas) on São Miguel Island."

The public tender has a base price of €585,000.00, plus VAT at the legal rate in force, and a completion period of 180 days.

11. Approve the Resolution delegating to the Regional Secretary for Youth, Housing and Employment the powers, on behalf of and in representation of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, to carry out all procedures concerning the implementation phase of the following works contracts:

- "Construction of the Foros Multifamily Housing Development, parish of São Pedro, municipality of Vila Franca do Campo";

- ‘Construction of Single Family Dwellings on Plots 33a, 33b, 33c and 33d in the Prestes Housing Development, parish of São Roque, municipality of Ponta Delgada";

- "Construction of Single Family Dwellings on Lots 1, 2, 3, 6 and 9 in Ginetes II Housing Development, parish of Ginetes, municipality of Ponta Delgada."

The works contract for the ‘Construction of the Foros Multifamily Housing Development, parish of São Pedro, municipality of Vila Franca do Campo’ was awarded to the company Caetano & Medeiros Sociedade de Construção Imobiliária Lda. by order of the Vice-President of the Regional Government on August 14, 2023, for the amount of €2,141,569.23, plus Value Added Tax, with a completion period of 540 days.

The works contract for the "Construction of Single Family Dwellings on Lots 33a, 33b, 33c and 33d in Prestes Housing Development, parish of São Roque, municipality of Ponta Delgada" was awarded to the company CONDURIL-ENGENHARIA, SA; CONDURIL ENGENHARIA AÇORES by order of the Vice-President of the Regional Government on August 23, 2023, for the amount of €731. 076.79, plus Value Added Tax, with a completion period of 300 days.

The works contract for the ‘Construction of Single Family Dwellings on Lots 1, 2, 3, 6 and 9 in Ginetes II Housing Development, parish of Ginetes, municipality of Ponta Delgada’ was awarded to the company Caetano & Medeiros Sociedade de Construção Imobiliária Lda. by order of the Vice-President of the Regional Government on September 22, 2023, for the amount of €880,109.39, plus Value Added Tax, with a completion period of 360 days.

However, due to changes in the organisational structure and competences of the members of the XIV Regional Government of the Azores, it is now necessary to delegate the powers to represent the construction owner during contract implementation to the new member of the Regional Government responsible for housing matters.