Council Committees

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Kerkrade City Council has three council committees. Each committee deals with one or more policy areas. Most issues are first discussed in a committee before being considered by the council.

For example, the committee often has more opportunity to discuss an issue in detail and officials are often present to provide further clarification.

A council committee is chaired by a council member appointed by the City Council for that purpose. The committee does not make decisions, but gives advice to the City Council and the College. Decision-making always takes place in the municipal council.

The committees generally meet according to a meeting schedule, which is already established before the start of the new year. In doing so, they follow the Rules of Procedure for meetings of council committees municipality of Kerkrade 2024

General Affairs and Resources Committee

General administrative matters; security and enforcement (public order in general, disaster relief, crime prevention, enforcement and supervision, implementation of special laws and local ordinances); public affairs, international relations, cross-border cooperation (Eurode/EuRegio); intermunicipal cooperation (Parkstad Limburg); general financial policy; information provision and automation, personnel matters council registry; general legal protection, PR and marketing; communications; events, markets and fairs; sports and recreation; development cooperation.

Council members and citizen committee members of the General Affairs and Resources Committee

Citizens and Society Committee

Employment and labor market; social security; integration policy; welfare and socio-cultural work (library, community centers, volunteer work); social participation and Health; public health and target group policy; education and education; youth.

Council members and citizen committee members of the Citizens and Society Committee

Land and Economic Affairs Committee

Building and living (spatial planning, housing, neighborhood development, nature, landscape and greenery); traffic and transport (infrastructure in general, automobility, public transport, bicycle/pedestrian); environment (environmental management, waste, cleaning); economy and tourism (employment, revitalization of business parks, tourism) arts and culture (cultural events, cultural associations, exhibitions, music education); water; management and maintenance (sewerage, roads, streets, squares, traffic installations, municipal buildings, cemeteries, green spaces, maintenance of sports and recreational facilities, geo-information).

Council members and citizen committee members of the Land and Economic Affairs Committee

Speaking Rights

A regular agenda item of every committee meeting is the "public speaking time" where you, as a citizen, can give your opinion in the form of a speech on substantive topics on the agenda. 

If you wish to address the committee, you must notify the Municipal Clerk’s Office Office prior to the start of the meeting. The Municipal Clerk’s Office Office will be happy to assist you by providing explanations and answering any questions beforehand.

In addition, you will have the opportunity to speak at one of the information meetings. During these information meetings, the presentations and informational meeting for committee members will take place. If you wish to exercise the right to speak at an information meeting, you must notify the Municipal Clerk’s Office Office 2 business days prior to the meeting. In the case of an exploratory meeting, the provision applies 5 working days. 

In all three cases, exceptions apply when call-in is not possible. 

The floor cannot be taken:

  • On proposals or topics on which comments have already been made at a previous meeting, unless new information is available on which comments were not possible at that time.
  • Appointments, choices, nominations or recommendations of persons.
  • A decision of the municipal government that is or has been subject to objection and appeal.
  • If a complaint referred to in Article 9:1 of the General Administrative Law Act can or could be filed.
  • Personal/individual issues or issues between two or a few citizens and/or organizations.
  • Concerning the budget, the rates for municipal services and taxes referred to in Chapter XV of the Municipal Law.
  • If the implementation of a policy proposal is so urgent that public participation cannot wait.

Should you wish to exercise your right to speak, you must provide your name, address, telephone number and the subject and whether you are speaking in a personal capacity or on behalf of someone. 

In general, you will have 5 minutes to speak. However, the total speaking time (for the entire agenda item) is limited to 30 minutes for the committee meeting and 15 minutes for the information sessions. So if more than one person uses this opportunity, the total speaking time must be divided.

If you wish to exercise your right to speak, please contact Ms. J. Wetzelaer. She can be reached at the general telephone number 14 045. You may also mail to: Municipal Clerk’s Office