The local authorities are taking over government tasks but things are not running smoothly. NOS Nieuws explains.

What is the decentralisation accord?
In April, the government signed an accord in principle with the provinces and local and regional authorities outlining a transfer of tasks formerly undertaken by the ministerial departments and other central government services. The aim is to create a more efficient, local government but is also a cost cutting operation: the government is expecting to save €1.8bn.
The provinces will be taking on regional economic policy, the environment and transport. The local authorities will be in charge of youth care and the execution of a new law called ‘Werken naar Vermogen’ (Working according to ability) which lumps together a number of measures for disabled people. The law, described in the so-called ‘social paragraph’ is now threatening to derail the accord.
What is the problem?
Many local councils, among which Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht and Den Haag, do not agree with the cutbacks on sheltered workshops proposed in the new ‘Working to ability’ law. They are afraid people whose disability makes it impossible to find jobs elsewhere will suffer.
On Wednesday, sheltered workshop employees expressed their concern at the cutbacks.
Chairman of the association of Dutch local councils VNG Annemarie Jorritsma signed the accord because she didn’t think she would be able to negotiate a better deal and expected most local councils to come round eventually. She also pointed out that she had managed to wangle a proviso: a re-evaluation of the accord in two years’ time.
The association has now called on its members to support the accord minus the social paragraph. The cabinet has earmarked €400m for the transition but the local authorities claim this is not enough to safeguard sheltered workshop jobs.
At this moment around 100 of 418 local councils are expected to reject the paragraph at Wednesday’s VNG congress. This includes the larger local councils which have more sheltered workhops. Their vote also counts for more than that of the smaller association members.
What if the social paragraph is rejected?
Home minister Piet Hein Donner has warned that the accord has to be agreed to in full. The prime minister has said that the accord will have to be implemented come what may although ‘it would be enormously helpful if the accord was supported by all.’
The VNG has ruled out further negotiations on the social paragraph if it is rejected by its members. As far as it is concerned the ‘work’ part should remain a central government responsibility.
This is an unofficial translation