A recently released audit report by the Court of Auditors (TdC), has detected 39 situations of illegal exercise of functions inherent to management positions in the Funchal City Council between 2018 and 2022. These relate to the substitution regime, in violation of the provisions of paragraph 3 of article 27 of the Statute of Management Personnel.
According to the TdC, the Funchal City Council spent more than 5.6 million euros on overtime between 2018 and 2022, representing 3.3% of the overall value of personnel expenses in this period.
The audit focused on the analysis of the legality and regularity of procedures, acts, and contracts related to the management of human resources and personnel expenses in the years 2018 to 2022, a period that covers two municipal executives, one led by the Confiança coalition (PS/BE/MPT/PDR/Nós, Cidadãos!), until September 2021, another led by the Funchal Sempre à Frente coalition (PSD/CDS-PP), from that date.
“The internal control procedures implemented in terms of overtime, accumulation of functions, and appointment of directors did not sufficiently prevent the risks of irregularities occurring,” the audit reveals.
The Court of Auditors therefore recommends that the members of the Funchal City Council “implement internal control procedures aimed at correcting the deficiencies identified in terms of the appointment of leaders on a replacement basis and accumulation of functions.”
It also recommends that the municipal executive, chaired by Cristina Pedra, proceed with the “timely development of tender procedures to fill management positions, in case of vacancy of the post or impediment of its holder, and cessation of any designations on a replacement basis.”
The objective is to prevent the holders from extending beyond the period established in the Statute of Management Personnel.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
