Residents in the council area of Silves will have an opportunity to suggest local projects for which council funding is required.
The first phase of the so called ‘participatory budget’ for Silves will run between the 11th and 19th of May with several public meetings in local parish halls.
The parish hall venues are: Messines (May 11), Silves (May 12), San Marcos da Serra (May 16), Algoz (May 17), Alcantarilha (May 18), and finally, the headquarters of the Armação de Pêra footie club on May 19th.
The sessions all start at 21h00 and locals will be able to discuss and decide the investment projects that they consider priorities for the parish.
The council will make the final choices, "based on technical, financial and strategic fit."
According to Silves mayor, Rosa Palma, "the involvement and consultation aims to contribute to the better functioning of the council and the efficient use and application of resources by defining and respecting priorities with the ultimate purpose of improving welfare levels of the population and the development of the territory of Silves."
One project funded by the council that is going ahead is the development of a riverside park and walkway in Armação de Pêra stretching along the river, north towards Alcantarilha. Specialist technical analysis is being carried out to sort out the problems of flooding in the area which often causes problems in lower Armaçãao de Pêra. An up-river lagoon and new pumping system is being devised by engineers.
Rose Palma said, "Whenever it rains, especially if this coincides with a high tide, there is flooding in the area,” so engineering and technical advice is being employed to avert future problems.
This first phase will cost €105,000 and will enable a land area of 2.4 hectares in Armaçãao de Pêra by the Alcantarilha river to be turned into an Urban Park.
"It is an area that has been abandoned for ages but we now want to use the land so a recreational area can be used by the local population and by visitors," said Rosa Palma to Sul Informação.
The Armação de Pêra Urban Park project includes green spaces, seating and lighting, and a pedestrian walkway along one bank of the Ribeira de Alcantarilha.
