100 local councils must go, says minister

The number of local councils in the Netherlands should be reduced by 25, home affairs minister Ronald Plasterk said in a briefing document for MPs on Tuesday.

There are currently around 400 city, town and district councils in the Netherlands, but their number should be cut by 100 by the end of this cabinet period in four years’ time, Plasterk said.

The government is planning to transfer more responsibility for the long-term sick, elderly and problem youth to local authorities. It is therefore essential they are big enough to cope, Plasterk said.

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