How does municipal government work?

The municipal council is the highest body of the municipality. The council sets policy. The college implements those policies. The council controls the college.

So the municipal government works pretty much the same as our government. The city council can be compared to the House of Representatives and the college can be compared to the Cabinet.

Task distribution

The council acts on behalf of the population, provides frameworks ("we, or rather the people of Kerkrade, want this to happen in this area") and controls the municipal executive. This can be compared to the Lower House at the national level. The college 'governs', executes the measures and is accountable afterwards. This is done on its own initiative - based on the legal obligation to provide information - or at the request of the council. Once the council has set the broad outlines for policy, it is up to the college to decide how to implement it.

City Council

Kerkrade City Council consists of 29 members. They are directly elected by the residents of Kerkrade. A representation of the people, in other words. Just like the House of Representatives. The council adopts rules of procedure for its meetings.

The College

The college implements policies adopted by the council and acts as the day-to-day administration of the municipality; just as the Cabinet does nationally. The municipal council monitors the policies implemented by the college using council instruments.

The Seniors' Convention

The president of the City Council is the mayor. Council members have been appointed as deputy chairs. Together with the party chairmen of the parties and the deputy chairmen of the council, the mayor forms the council's Seniors' Convent. This Seniors' Convent decides on matters, which have to do with the functioning of the council.

The presidium of the council

The mayor as chairman of the city council is also the chairman of the presidium. Together with the chairmen of the council committees and the deputy chairman of the council, they form the presidium of the council. The presidium compiles the council agenda and committee meeting agendas.

The council has three main roles:

• popular representation: acts on behalf of the people;
• provides frameworks ("we, or rather the Kerkrade people, would like to see that happen in this area") and
• controls the College of Mayor and Aldermen.

The council has the power to:

• make ordinances. These are municipal rules that all citizens must abide by.
• Adopt the budget and financial statements and set the level of municipal rates and taxes. For rates, consider, for example, the level of parking fees. Taxes include dog taxes and property taxes.

Instruments of the council

To fulfill its role as controller, the council has the following tools at its disposal:

• The right of initiative. A council member can bring a proposal of his own to the council.
• The right of amendment. A council member can ask to amend items.
• The right of information. A council member may ask both oral and written questions.
• The right of interpellation. A council member may ask the council to hold a debate with the college on an issue that is not on the council agenda or has been discussed in committee.
• The right of inquiry. The council can conduct a thorough investigation on a particular subject (right of inquiry).

Further, any council member may make a motion. A motion is a brief statement on an issue expressing an opinion, wish, request or command.

Council Committees

Council work by no means always consists of attending council meetings. Much of the preparatory work is done in council committees.

Council committees advise the City Council based on the Municipal Law They are established by the City Council. The council also adopts rules of procedure for council committee meetings. On average, committees meet as often as the full City Council.