Summary of "REUNIÃO DE CÂMARA ORDINÁRIA | 16.12.2025"
Azambuja Municipal Council Meeting Summary
Date: December 16, 2025
The municipal council meeting of Azambuja covered a broad spectrum of local governance issues, public concerns, and administrative matters. Below are the key points and discussions from the session.
Public Participation and Local Issues
Infrastructure Concerns
- Mr. Pires raised issues regarding poor road drainage on a heavily trafficked road near Vila Nova cemetery, which causes asphalt damage during rainy seasons.
- Traffic congestion on National Road 3 was highlighted, particularly problems related to company parking lots and ineffective roundabouts that fail to improve safety or traffic flow.
- The council acknowledged these concerns and plans to include road improvements and drainage works in upcoming urban contracts with local companies.
Land and Development Projects
- Questions were raised about the stalled Novo Banco land subdivision project.
- Concerns were also expressed about the lack of response to Iberian aggregates regarding landfill reopening and landscaping restoration.
- The council promised to follow up on these issues, noting the complexity of property access and legal permissions.
Local Media Relations
- A councilwoman from Chega clarified her limited engagement with a local newspaper, citing privacy concerns and a preference for formal written questions rather than unsolicited calls.
Public Safety and School Violence
- The PSD opposition group presented a detailed request for information and action regarding school violence at Zambuja Basic School.
- They emphasized insufficient operational assistants and the need for coordinated preventive measures.
- The council committed to providing a comprehensive response.
Council Members’ Interventions
Health and Education
- Several councilors expressed concerns about:
- The lack of family doctors in certain areas.
- Poor condition and underutilization of old health center facilities.
- Teacher shortages affecting local schools.
- The council is engaged in ongoing discussions with health authorities and planning improvements, including the construction of a new health center expected to be completed by March 2026.
Community Facilities and Recreation
- Debate occurred over proposals to build new padel courts near the municipal pavilion versus preserving existing parking spaces.
- Discussions also covered renovating abandoned skateboarding ramps and improving neglected public spaces.
Housing and Urban Development
- Calls were made to address the deterioration of state-owned housing linked to former prison facilities in Alcoentre and Vale Judeus.
- The council has been in contact with relevant ministries to explore solutions, including potential acquisition or redevelopment.
Transport and Accessibility
- Concerns were raised about the safety and adequacy of the Alcoentre rail transport station, especially for children waiting for school transport.
- The lack of passenger shelters at certain bus stops was also noted.
Cultural and Sports Recognition
- The council congratulated local athletes and dance pairs for recent international achievements.
- They acknowledged the donation of musical works by local musicians to the municipality, enhancing cultural heritage.
Administrative and Legislative Matters
Approval of Minutes and Urban Planning
- Minutes from previous meetings were unanimously approved.
- A material correction to the municipal master plan was presented and approved.
Code of Conduct Update
- A new municipal code of conduct was introduced, aligning with updated legislation on transparency, ethics, and accountability.
- The code was approved unanimously.
Annual Subsidies
- The council approved annual financial subsidies totaling approximately €74,000 to various local associations, including:
- Volunteer firefighters
- Cultural groups
- Sports clubs
- Recreational organizations
- Some council members abstained from voting on subsidies related to associations where they hold governing roles.
Health Units and Waste Management
- A draft regulation supporting the creation of model B family health units was approved for public consultation.
- The urban waste management action plan (Paper Sul) was withdrawn for further technical assessment due to concerns about increased costs and tariff impacts on residents.
Emergency Plan
- The external emergency plan for CLC, required due to local industrial risks, was approved following public consultation.
Support for Social Institutions
- Funding support was granted to local social and parish centers for equipment purchases.
Financial and Procedural Updates
- The council reviewed budget execution reports, available funds, procurement procedures, and commitments.
- PSD councilors requested full access to the acquisition process documentation for a municipal property as part of their oversight responsibilities.
- Future meetings were scheduled, including an extraordinary session and municipal assembly, with date adjustments to accommodate the holiday season.
Closing Remarks
- The president emphasized the importance of collaborative governance, oversight, and constructive criticism across political lines to serve the municipality’s interests.
- Thanks were extended to municipal employees, council members, and the public watching the live broadcasts.
- The next meeting was scheduled for December 23, 2025, with holiday greetings to be extended then.
Presenters and Contributors
- Mr. Pires (Public participant)
- Mr. Zé Braz (Councilor)
- Mr. Luís Navente (Opposition Councilor)
- Mr. José Queitano (Public participant)
- Mr. José Manuel Pratas (Councilor)
- Ms. Ana Sofia (Councilor, Chega Party)
- Mr. António Morgado (Councilor)
- Ms. Ana Coelho (Councilor)
- Ms. Margarida Lopes (Councilor)
- Mr. António Torrão (Councilor)
- Mr. Pedro Fragoeiro (Engineer, Urban Waste Management)
- Dr. Irene (Legal/Code of Conduct presenter)
- Vice-President of the Chamber (Name not specified)
- Mayor of Azambuja (Name not specified)
- Other council members and municipal officials
The meeting was comprehensive, addressing infrastructure, social services, cultural support, urban planning, and administrative transparency, reflecting active civic engagement and ongoing efforts to improve municipal governance.
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News and Commentary
