On March 18, the Netherlands will go to the polls to elect more than 8,000 members for 340 local councils. European nationals and others who have lived here for more than five years can also vote – here’s what you need to know:

• What you need to know about the local elections on March 18
• A quick guide to the biggest political parties

The big city issues
Housing and litter dominate in Amsterdam
The housing crisis is the main issue in The Hague
A close race and hard choices in Rotterdam
Housing tops the concern list in Utrecht
Groningen is grappling with growth
Liveability is the focus in Leiden
High tech Eindhoven is growing fast
Feeling at home, and having one, top the Amstelveen list
Housing in Delft is again the biggest issue
In Maastricht, the big concerns are housing and tourism

Other election news: Follow the local election section on the website

Voting aids
In total, 258 local councils have commissioned a Stemwijzer voting aid this time round and 50 have opted for a Kieskompas. Here are the English options:

• Amsterdam
• The Hague
• Diemen
• Haarlemmermeer
• Oegstgeest
• Veldhoven 
• Wageningen 
• Eindhoven
• Groningen
• Maastricht
•  Zaanstad