What can be said about the road to the decision?
This is experienced as ‘confusing’ by many involved. For example, when it comes to an agreement that Mayor Jan Nieuwenburg signed on January 21 with the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA).
This already discussed the reception of 50 people at the Johannes Poststraat location, provided that the municipal council agreed to this. “I thought to myself: ‘what a nice mayor we have’,” says councilor Menno Jas van Hart van Hoorn.
“I was reassured when the proposal on asylum reception was rejected because of that resolutive condition. But apparently such a piece has little value.”
Arnica Gortzak from HOE?!: “The process has been very confusing. The agreement was about 50 people, during the information evening about 100 and ultimately 50 was presented as a compromise. If we find that confusing, what must this be like for the residents? If the outcome is already known in advance, it feels very unpleasant. Who is being fooled here?”
And now?
Opposition party Hart van Hoorn has requested an interpellation debate in response to the council decision on emergency shelter. Also Social Hoorn, Fractie Tonnaer, HOW?! and the VVD wanted an extra meeting. This debate takes place tonight.
According to the municipality of Hoorn, it is a ‘heavy political tool’, with which the municipal council can request more information and thus check how the decision was made. “It goes further than asking written or oral questions to the council,” the municipality says.