The new cabinet’s plans to shift responsibilities from national to local government while cutting council funding are unworkable, the head of the local authorities association VNG said on Tuesday.

The government wants to transfer more employment, youth and care services to councils but also wants to slash hundreds of millions of euros in funding.
While the transfer of tasks is a good idea, councils need ‘the policy room to carry out these functions as they see fit,’ Ralph Pans told news agency ANP. If that is not the case ‘they will pass on this opportunity,’ he said.
The VNG hopes to hold talks with ministers on the plan next month.
The new government’s plans to slash spending on the arts and culture have already come under attack. And on Tuesday, the Telegraaf reported that plans to stop earmarking income from gas sales for infrastructure spending threaten road building plans.

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