Lagoa council has announced a €600,000 tidy up and is to employ only local building companies.
In danger of contravening a raft of fair competition rules, the council states that its two step process for the rehabilitation of its public spaces will be restricted to local architects and then local builders only may apply.
"Aware of the economic and social effects of the crisis that is still being felt in the construction business, Lagoa council will carry out a revitalisation programme with the object of renovating municipal public spaces and will use only private businesses based in the municipality of Lagoa," reads today’s statement.
The programme aims to include projects in Lagoa, Parchal, Calvario and Porches to a total of €600,000 with the conditions that each job is for less than €150,000 and no builder can have more than one contract.
The local authority claims that this programme 'will comply with all the rules relating to public procurement.'
It appears doubtful that the council has read this legislation in great detail and the fear is that local builders now will be meeting up in bars across the Lagoa area to decide who gets what.
Comments