PSD rejects Machico meeting minutes, alleging opposition was silenced
Madeira GuidePSD councillors in Machico said disputed meeting minutes omitted opposition contributions on the PDM, housing funding and the Desembarcadouro area.
The opposition PSD voted as a bloc against the minutes of the 17 September municipal chamber meeting. It accused the socialist executive of refusing to record opposition contributions and of promoting an "institutional gag".
The PSD said the dispute over the minutes concerns the Municipal Master Plan (PDM), social housing funding applications, and the Desembarcadouro area and surrounding streets.
According to the PSD, the revision of the PDM has lasted more than 12 years. It said the municipal president committed, under pressure, to having the process concluded and approved by the end of March 2027.
The PSD said the municipal president argued that the municipality lacks the financial capacity to build housing. The party said regional and European funds are available for public housing and accused the executive of failing to submit applications.
The party said it presented proposals for the Desembarcadouro area and surrounding streets, but the PS majority rejected them. It also said it warned against allocating public money to recover recently built illegal homes and proposed legal support to regularise properties before works begin.
The PSD also criticised a PS majority vote allowing the Machico parish council to redirect unused funds from the Presépio project. It said the money should be returned and redirected to strengthen university scholarships for students.
Sources
Madeira Guide
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