Other points from the budget:
According to mayor Eric van Oosterhout, the number of boas will be further expanded. The number is currently 13 employees, which should increase to 20 next year. The boas are mainly used in the neighbourhoods. “You can imagine that they are needed sooner in Angelslo than in Roswinkel, for example.”
In addition, the station area comes into the picture, where in the recent period there has been nuisance from safe residents and the homeless. Arming boas remained and still remains a bridge too far for Van Oosterhout. “The so-called monopoly of violence remains a matter for the police.”
Children’s mayor and youth council
The investigation into the low turnout during the municipal elections is almost complete. The aim is to see, based on the results, how the absent voter can still be involved again. The municipality mainly focuses on the youth.
That is why a children’s mayor is elected around the turn of the year. It would be the third in Drenthe. In the municipalities of Borger-Odoorn and Assen, a youthful counterpart of the local mayor has already been installed. A children’s council is also planned.
The municipality wants to continue to invest in neighborhoods and villages, according to alderman René van der Weide. But since there are currently major investments in Emmer-Compascuum (including a new sports hall, child center and community school), the pot is empty to pick up large-scale projects elsewhere.
In 2023, therefore, the focus will mainly be on planning and replenishing that pot. The next villages that come into the picture are Nieuw-Schoonebeek (sewerage and increasing road safety) and Erica (continued approach to the village centre.)
Youth help remains the eternal concern for the municipality. It is one of the largest cost items within the social domain, for which there is a national focus on cutbacks. Emmen has to work on the budget for more than four million euros in the next two years.
Alderman Dewy Leal says that consideration is being given to introducing a personal contribution. This will be looked into more closely later this year.