Merging with another municipality may, in their own words, be a ‘realistic and mature decision’, but it visibly hurts the local politicians of Wijdemeren to merge into a new municipality in a few years. “We’re not cheering here,” he said. But there is no other way than to abolish the church. “There are bumps on the road that we can no longer handle.”
The council members have taken a close look at the situation of the municipality in all its silence.
Last September, alderman Gert Zagt announced that Wijdemeren is under the financial supervision of the province of North Holland. The housekeeping book turned deep red and the predictions for the coming years were not anything but rosy either.
Facts versus emotions
The intervention of the province was a ‘hard reality check’ for the politicians, but it was immediately the reason to talk to each other about the situation in which the municipality finds itself.
With the help of an external agency, local politicians have started separating facts from emotions. In their own words, after an ‘intensive and also emotional process’, the realization has come that the only and best option for the residents is a merger with another municipality. The large majority of the council intends to merge into another municipality as early as 2026. A very small number are still not convinced.
This proposed decision, which will be on the council’s agenda next month, is a major blow to politicians. This can be clearly seen today in Mayor Crys Larson, Margriet Rademaker (The Local Party), Patricia IJsbrandij (Village interests), Marga Wind (PvdA/GroenLinks) and Sorrel Hidding (VVD). But if they look purely at the business side, there is no other option than to dissolve the municipality, which was created in 2002 after a merger between Loosdrecht, ‘s-Graveland, and Nederhorst den Berg. This is the best for the inhabitants, is their view.
The price
“What do you want in terms of service and what do you want to pay for it?”, is the question Larson asks. If Wijdemeren wants to continue independently at all costs, the price will be too high for the residents. The services have been under pressure for years and the municipality does not want to increase the bill for WijdeMVers and entrepreneurs.
In addition, the municipality is not financially sound at the moment and many more tasks are coming to the municipality, without enough money for it. For example, with the climate objectives, the tough task in housing, accessibility and a healthy living environment, it is difficult to keep our heads above water. This certainly applies to an official organization that is struggling with a shortage of personnel. “It is virtually impossible to keep this up for Wijdemeren,” it sounded this afternoon.
‘Ugly Bride’
Although Wijdemeren is not secretive about the problems, this certainly does not mean that the municipality is an ‘ugly bride’. In the town hall they continue to work hard to improve the financial problems as well and quickly as possible. The bureaucratic organization also still needs to be given a boost.
In addition, Wijdemeren has plenty to offer the as yet unknown, new partner. From six attractive village centers and the lakes to recreation and tourism. And the list is much longer, according to the town hall.
Enter into negotiations with interested neighboring municipalities as attractively as possible. That’s the plan. That is precisely why it is important that there is a sound financial recovery plan and that the organization is stronger. Wijdemeren wants to conduct these conversations proactively and with realism.
Next fall
It is not yet clear which municipality Wijdemeren will merge with. This will not be discussed until after the council meeting on October 5. Then the council will most likely say yes to a reclassification. In the meantime, the residents have been extensively questioned, as the mayor and the four party chairmen present emphasize on Monday.
Whether or not to merge administratively is not an issue in these discussions yet to be held. There will also be no referendum. However, the Wijdemoor residents are given ample opportunity to indicate what absolutely must be preserved. What are the core values of the villages? The municipality will take all this with it after the summer and that will play a role in the political decision at the beginning of October.