Rural Dutch council to abolish 80% of its local laws: RTL

The mayor in the rural Dutch district of Hollands Kroon wants abolish 80% of local laws, scrapping fines for public urination and leaving dog mess, RTL news said on Monday.

Mayor Jaap Nawijn says locals should solve such problems between them and take more responsibility for their own and others’ behaviour. This mean villagers will be happier and the council will save money, Nawijn told the broadcaster.

‘I am a liberal and I believe people can sort things out themselves,’ Nawijn said. ‘Councils have too many rules and councils need an army of people to control it all. That costs time and money. But it is not just about money. All those rules are patronising as well.’

The mayor’s plan still has to be approved by the city council. If councillors back the scheme, locals will be able to park shopping trolleys by their home, spy on each other using binoculars, smash the ice in ditches if it freezes over and hold a Christmas market without a permit.

Hollands Kroon in Noord Holland was formed in 2012 through the merger of four separate villages: Anna Paulowna, Niedorp, Wieringen, and Wieringermeer. It has a population of some 48,000.

Thank you for donating to DutchNews.nl.

We could not provide the Dutch News service, and keep it free of charge, without the generous support of our readers. Your donations allow us to report on issues you tell us matter, and provide you with a summary of the most important Dutch news each day.

Make a donation