Deputy Jelle Beemsterboer (BBB) acknowledges that he made a mistake by promising the residents of Zwaagdijk-West that the plan for 120 flexible homes would not go ahead. He said this during an emergency debate at the Provincial Council, which was requested by JA21. There was considerable criticism of Beemsterboer from the parties, although he eventually gained the confidence to continue. “But we will give him the yellow card,” said JA21 faction leader Daniël van de Berg.
The possible arrival of 120 flexible homes, where status holders and emergency seekers can live, is a sensitive subject. The local residents, but also the municipality of Medemblik, are not interested in the plan. That Beemsterboer agreed in discussions with those involved that the plan would not go ahead, but four days later had to take back his wordscost him dearly.
‘He sees how far he can go until he is punished’
“We had previously expressed doubts about the way he conducts politics. Then we gave him the benefit of the doubt, but that is now starting to waver,” said Sijmen Mülder of D66. “He sees how far he can go until he is punished. Where does the council draw the line?”
The big question was also how it could have gone so wrong. Deputy Beemsterboer from Tuitjenhorn acknowledged that he had not coordinated the conversation with local residents and the municipality of Medemblik with his colleagues within the Provincial Executive. “I should have done that. I’m disappointed that trust was broken, because I was sent to restore trust.”
According to the province, Beemsterboer was premature, because it is ultimately up to the Provincial Council to make a decision about what should happen to the area on the Balkweiterhoek, owned by the province.
Confidence lost
CDA faction leader Dennis Heijnen said he spoke with residents of Zwaagdijk-West during a working visit last week. “It became clear that the fragile trust has been completely lost. They had to hear from the newspaper that the deputy had been dismissed. They have not heard from him since then and no follow-up meeting has been planned yet. That is administrative failure.”
JA21 and the PVV felt that it was enough reason to stop the plan. But that was not the case. Although coalition parties BBB, VVD, GroenLinks and PvdA are also not happy with the turn of events, they did indicate that they were happy that Beemsterboer had acknowledged his mistake.
Invitation for a follow-up meeting will follow soon
Beemsterboer indicated that he wanted to wait for this debate before inviting the parties involved again for a follow-up discussion. He also had ‘a good and intensive’ internal conversation and it was determined that he can continue.
He also received that confidence from the Provincial Council, although he is on edge. JA21 faction chairman Daniël van den Berg. “We had a motion of regret ready, we are not submitting it. But this is a yellow card.”