Parkstad municipalities voice concerns toward The Hague

In a joint letter to Minister Ollongren, the seven municipalities of the Parkstad region express their concerns about the effects of the revision of the distribution of the municipal fund.

They invite the minister to a meeting and ask her not to turn a blind eye to the situation in the Park City region.

Municipalities in the Park City region disproportionately affected

The seven municipalities state in their letter to the minister that in their view they are being hit disproportionately hard by the redistribution of the municipal fund. Although the municipalities understand that a redistribution is always accompanied by pluses for some and minuses for others, however, the situation is now such that the entire Parkstad region is faced with a very substantial and structural financial disadvantage.

Financial foundation approach to multiple problems swept away

Alderman Bert Bejas, Alderman finance in the municipality of Kerkrade, explains on behalf of the seven municipalities why the negative financial consequences of the redistribution in a region such as Parkstad are particularly harsh. "Our region is struggling with multiple problems. For example, there are substantial disadvantages in the areas of health, education and labor participation. These problems are also recognized by Minister Ollongren. However, with the redistribution as it is now before us, the financial foundation to work on these multiple problems is completely swept away. This is at the expense of our residents and we cannot and will not accept that! Hence this joint signal towards The Hague."

Consider compensation for negative impacts

The municipalities are appealing to the minister to investigate the possibilities for compensating the negative consequences for the Limburg region. In doing so, they are seeking a connection to the Minister's initiative to compensate municipalities in Groningen and Friesland due to a weak socio-economic structure and declining population. Alderman Bejas: "As the Parkstad region, we see very strong similarities with the situation in Groningen and Friesland. The redistribution of the municipal fund also puts our region in a hugely vulnerable situation. That cannot be the intention. The minister should not close her eyes to that."

This is a joint press release from the seven Parkstad municipalities; Beekdaelen, Brunssum, Heerlen, Kerkrade, Landgraaf, Simpelveld and Voerendaal.