Alderman Denise Kunst of the People’s Party Dongen (VPD) has announced the Dongen City Council that she immediately puts down her position. In her letter of resignation, Alderman Art writes that she stops because she does not experience sufficient support from the city council. “I have been alderman for almost three years and have not felt any certainty that I had the support of the coalition.”
The position of alderman Kunst came under pressure by Blunders in the preparation of the new construction of primary school De Biezenkring in Dongen. Originally this amount was estimated at 5.4 million euros. Later it turned out that the new construction would become 3.25 million more expensive. But due to a calculation error, another nine tons is in danger of being added. The 252 square meter needed for childcare are not included in the calculation. That led to fierce criticism from the opposition.
Art had been under fire for some time. In October 2023 a motion of no confidence was submitted against her. She was accused of not sharing student numbers for six months. Due to the delay that caused it, the new building became more expensive. This is because the construction costs had since risen.
The alderman survived this motion of no confidence, but not long after it was hit again. When it turned out that she needed seven million euros extra for the new construction of the Biezenkring and the childcare center in Gravenmoer. This was promised, but art was then accused by the opposition of ‘mismanagement’.
Trust
In her letter of resignation, Alderman Art writes that she ‘missed the cooperation in this council and the coalition’. “The starting point that we trust each other and together one of the best results for our municipal arrives seems to be released for me. I have been alderman for almost three years and have not felt any certainty that I had the support of the coalition,” the alderman writes .
Mayor Hans Slagboom regrets her decision: “I think the departure of Denise Kunst is very unfortunate. I see that she has achieved important things, for example with the realization and preparations for a number of primary schools. But of course I also understand Denise’s choice. “
The Commission ensures that the current affairs from the portfolio of Alderman Art are arrested.