Category Archives: Useful Information

Newsletter 2020

The Old School House

Vales,  CP205

Administrator Steve Scott

Mobile 934809043

Email. info@amovate.com

This note is a way of passing on information, that the Residents and Businesses of Vale Da Telha, Vales, Arrifana, Espartel and Monte Clerigo hopefully will find useful.

Amovate, have for some considerable time, had the opportunity to speak on a regular basis to the Aljezur Camára and through our meetings have tried to influence certain decisions, especially on Waste Management and Wild Camping as well as badgering for road repairs amongst many other items.

Abandoned cars spoil the street scene and several already have been removed.  There is a procedure for this which includes several other authorities and it can be a lengthy process before they can be legally towed away.

Amovate pushed for a waste site that dealt with all forms of waste and the Camára have responded by extending their plans to include this although it might be a while before it deals with builders debris as certain licences are required.  Early in March Algar, the contractors, will be planting trees on International Tree Day to some of the boundary to the site for visual protection, and work will start to form this much needed facility.

The Wild Camper situation is a more complex situation and recently the Minister for Tourism has visited Aljezur to witness the problems caused by many of these tourists. To have any real control on the situation National Laws have to be changed that will allow the Authorities to fine people who break the law. They will also need to alter the tax situation of these vehicles, this will take a while but hopefully should be in place for next year.

Concerning the Proposals and new Plan for VDT these have now been completed and are with certain bodies as the consultation procedure commences.

The Camára use Amovate as the source to inform its membership and others of any improvements that might be taking place.  Through our website www.amovate.com we pass this information on.  However with the finalisation of the new plan for VDT some of the plan will have some affect on the residents and businesses.  Having seen the most up to date version it is easy to see that this area will have the ability to have up to another 5,000 people and in the summer the numbers could be 2 fold.

The Camára have informed Amovate that they will meet with them to talk through the proposals in the very near future so watch this space.

Amovate asks residents that they support the organisation and join as members as the more members we have the louder we can talk through the problems that might affect you when it comes to Public Participation of the plan.

Secondly, we also urge residents of whatever nationality, to register with the Aljezur Junta da Freguesia, so you will then have the ability to vote in the elections, thus having a real say on what happens in Aljezur.

If a 1000 people were registered to vote that live here, then there would be a real case for this area to have its own Junta de Freguesia which would bring a Pharmacy amongst other things.

Amovate are a Registered Charity and will always stay that way and if a Junta evolves here then we would let the politicians get on with that business.  We would step back to being  just a Charity raising funds for good causes, so please get registered to vote.

Proof of Life Verification

pension-service-2

From time to time, the Pension Services in the UK need to see a “proof of life” document, called a Life Certifcate, signed and stamped by a registered professional, confirming that you haven’t yet popped your clogs and are, indeed, still in the land of the living.
Previously, if you did receive one of these letters  you were able to have it signed and stamped by a bank in Aljezur, but unfortunately, we understand that some banks no longer do it.

Our local pharmacist, Solange Escobar, tells us that as she fulfils the registered professional requirements, and she is happy and willing to provide this signing and stamping service at her pharmacy opposite the Bombeiros…free of charge.  Please take your Proof of Identity (Passport) with you.

It’s a generous offer and we’d like to thank Solange for once again being so helpful to the British people living here.

You can find her here:

FARMÁCIA ALJEZUR .                 Tel: 282 994 438
Av. General Humberto Delgado S/N
8670-001 Aljezur

Summer Hours (June-September):

Monday to Friday:            9:00 hrs  ——–  20:00 hrs

Saturday & Sunday:          9:00 hrs  to 13:00  hrs ——– 15:00 hrs to  20:00 hrs

Winter Hours (October-May):

Monday to Friday:            9:00 hrs  ——–  20:00 hrs

Saturday:                         9:00 hrs  to 13:00 hrs ——– 15:00 hrs to  20:00 hrs

Bank Holidays:               9:00 hrs  to 13:00 hrs ——– 15:00 hrs to  19:00 hrs

 

 

Brexit – The Withdrawal Agreement

Amovate has become aware of some extremely useful information explaining the Withdrawal Agreement.  This information can be found on the www.britishineurope.org website, and has come to our attention via the Brits in Portugal Facebook page, posted by Tig James.  Well worth a read.

Here are some useful links:

The Withdrawal Agreement – An Explanation

https://britishineurope.org/2020/01/21/the-withdrawal-agreement/

Withdrawal Agreement Part 2 – Residence, Rights & Procedures

https://britishineurope.org/2020/01/25/wa-residence-rights-procedures/

Withdrawal Agreement Part 3 – Health, Pensions & Social Security

https://britishineurope.org/2020/01/25/wa-health-pensions-social-security/

Withdrawal Agreement Part 4 – Working Rights, Professional Qualifications & Future Family Reunification

https://britishineurope.org/2020/01/25/wa-working-rights-professional-qualifications-future-family-reunification/

The Withdrawal Agreement – What’s Not Covered

 

https://britishineurope.org/2020/01/25/wa-whats-not-covered/

And the Last One……..Frequently Asked Questions

https://britishineurope.org/2020/01/25/withdrawal-agreement-faqs/?fbclid=IwAR3tQ-OQyyYn0UQh3pSJebIeb4n3FZueTvbDdLNkqA0ERh89r-mrqHIZPII

Drones in Portugal

This article has been taken from the Portugal Resident:

In this new monthly column, afpop, Portugal’s largest foreign residents’ association, aims to answer some of the most frequently-asked questions by members.

Question: One of my neighbours has recently bought a drone which they fly around the gardens. Are they permitted to fly these things without a licence?

afpop answers: The use of drones is permitted in Portugal, with, of course, some restrictions. If you want to fly a drone in daylight, you can do so without any operating licence or without any liability insurance, although the latter is highly recommended for obvious reasons.

The maximum weight of a drone that can be used without permission is 25kg, which probably includes all of the recreational drones that we see in use. The maximum height that they can be flown to is 120 metres and they must remain within the line of sight of the operator. We have tried to ascertain if there is a minimum height that they can’t be flown under, but, at the moment, we have not been able to obtain that information. The answer seems to be that as they have to land, there can’t be a minimum height, but clearly that doesn’t answer the question of flying over people’s property.

There are restrictions as to where drones can be flown. For example, they can’t be flown over groups of people (identified as being 12 people or more in the legislation), or near airports, military or police facilities, educational centres or prisons. There is in fact an app in Portugal for smartphones that can be downloaded free of charge and which gives rules in the area that you are intending to fly a drone. The app is called ‘Voa na Boa’ and is available from Apple and Android stores.

The governing body for drones in Portugal is the National Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC), which is where applications to use drones outside of the permitted parameters must be addressed. For example, night flights, flights that are beyond line of site or higher than 120 metres, or drones that are larger than 25kgs must be authorised by ANAC.

Taking images, still or moving, from drones is not allowed unless authorisation has been obtained to do so. Application must be made to the National Aviation Authority (AAN) via their website www.aan.pt and if you are intending to take images over beaches or the sea, you must contact the Capitania in that area with proof of authorisation from AAN. The Capitania may charge for a licence to film over the coast.

The organisation responsible for policing the use of drones is the GNR and any complaint about their use should be directed to them.

Of course, it’s not always possible to know who is operating a drone, but that’s up to the police to look into and shouldn’t stop you from reporting what you believe is an illegal use of drones or an invasion of your privacy.

There is a maximum height for drones to fly, but we have not been able to find out if there is a minimum height that they can fly, for example over gardens.

These guidelines refer to the recreational use of drones and there are other rules for those operating them commercially.