Good news for the Monumentenwacht Noord-Holland: the judge has put an end to the bankruptcy. That was pronounced on March 1, a few days after the festive fiftieth anniversary. The foundation can continue to exist, partly because the staff has to hand in their salary.
The foundation has been offering monument owners help and advice in the management and preservation of monuments for fifty years. The company Bouwadvies Groot-Holland acts as the direct implementing party.
Turbulent weeks
These were turbulent weeks, the foundation writes in a press release. The foundation says it received many sad reactions from monument owners, who did not know what to do without the help of the Monumentenwacht. That is why the staff decided to get together and see how they could come up with a solution, says director Marianne de Boer.
“The staff has indicated that they are willing to take a step back in salary,” says the director. “This, together with the completion of a number of expensive contracts and streamlining of operations, means that there is still light on the horizon.” She is proud that the fifteen-member staff is willing to sacrifice salary to save the foundation’s survival.
Financially tough weather
According to the foundation, when De Boer took office in September 2022, there was a lot wrong within the organization. For example, there was little structure and the accounting was not in order. In addition, far too expensive contracts had been concluded, for example for software. Due to the discontinuation of the subsidy by the province, equity has also been eaten up for years. All these things ensured that the foundation was in financial trouble.
“The costs simply exceeded the benefits,” says De Boer. “In addition to a reorganization, through the gesture of the staff and the cooperation of a number of suppliers, including the cooperation of the supervisory board, we now have the opportunity to set up a healthy organization.”
Which monuments does the foundation manage?
The foundation manages a large number of monuments in the province. Spokesman Reneé Korver – Michan tells NH Nieuws what the most special monuments are that the foundation manages. “For example, we have the Beurs van Berlage and the Nieuwe Kerk on Dam Square in Amsterdam and the Molen van Piet in Alkmaar. But also canal houses on the Prinsengracht.”
The spokesperson explains the relevance of the foundation. “By keeping track of the maintenance and the state of the monuments, you are quick to act if something needs to be done. This prevents high costs and ensures that the monuments remain in better condition. That is quite important.”