What do municipalities decide on?
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The Netherlands has 342 municipalities. A municipality is the administrative body of a town or village. Municipalities are allowed to make their own decisions on many matters, such as housing, healthcare and employment. In this article, you can read about what municipalities decide and what this means for you as a resident.
The duties of a municipality
Registering residents
The municipality keeps track of who lives in the town or village. This is done in the
Issuing official documents
The municipality issues important documents such as passports, identity cards and driving licences. You can apply for these documents at the town hall.
Arranging benefits and income
The municipality assists individuals who do not have sufficient funds to live on. If you are unemployed, you may apply for
Help and support for residents
The municipality is responsible for providing assistance and care to residents. This is set out in legislation such as the
Supporting education
The municipality provides school buildings and helps pupils who need extra support. For example, the municipality contributes to the cost of extra support for children at school and special education for children with disabilities.
Deciding on construction and space
The municipality makes plans for the use of land. These plans specify where homes, nature areas and businesses may be located. For example, a new residential area or an industrial estate.
Monitoring housing construction
The municipality supervises the construction of housing. It also makes agreements with housing associations. For example: agreements on the construction of social housing.
Constructing and maintaining roads and streets
The municipality is responsible for streets, roads, pavements and cycle paths. They also take care of maintenance.
Managing the environment and waste
The municipality implements the Dutch Environmental Management Act. This act concerns waste and the environment. Example: collecting waste and separating it into containers for plastic, paper and residual waste.
Granting subsidies
The municipality can give money to organisations that are important to residents. Such as a swimming pool, a library or a community centre.
Supporting businesses and work
The municipality ensures that business parks are easily accessible. This is important for work and the economy. For example, good roads to an industrial area.
Who makes decisions in the municipality?
In a municipality, decisions are not made by one person. There are three main groups that govern the municipality together.
Municipal council
The municipal council consists of elected residents of the municipality. They are elected during municipal elections and are members of a political party.
The municipal council:
Decides what is important for the municipality
Makes plans and rules
Checks on the mayor and aldermen
The municipal council decides, for example, whether funds will be allocated for more social housing.
Mayor and aldermen
The council consists of the mayor and the aldermen. They ensure that the plans of the municipal council are implemented.
The council:
Implements decisions
Manages day-to-day administration
Makes decisions on practical matters
For example, the council has cycle paths constructed or organises waste collection.
Mayor
The mayor is the chairperson of the council. He or she is not elected by residents, but appointed by the
The mayor:
Ensures safety and public order
Works together with the police and fire service
Is the face of the municipality
The mayor may, for example, take decisions in the event of unrest or major events.