A village council is an umbrella term for citizen initiatives that are committed to the quality of life in a village. A village council can make its own contribution, but always has an advisory role for the municipality.
Reviving
The village council in Hippolytushoef was created after a quality of life study was carried out in several villages in Hollands Kroon, partly on behalf of the municipality. The aim of the research was to find out what is a good way for residents to shape citizen participation. The answer? Revitalizing the village council.
After the quality of life study, nine residents of Hippolytushoef indicated that they were open to a village council and together formed the board. The council is still fresh and the members still have to get used to their new position, but they are already certain about the role of their council. And that is ‘building a bridge between the residents and the municipality of Hollands Kroon’, says board member Maaike Tijsen.
Clear vision
A village council is free to choose what position it takes, which can be either wait-and-see or activist. The village council of Kreileroord has been active since 2013 and has a clear vision: “We are there for the village and by the village,” explains chairman Jaring Dam.
The council is used to keep a finger on the pulse of plans that the municipality of Hollands Kroon makes for the village. Dam gives an example: “Last week we had a conversation with deputies about the arrival of beet transport, which wants to drive straight through our village every hour. We don’t want that, so we are working hard for that.”