Executive board The Municipality of Voorschoten is committing to a new plan for the cultural sector

This week, the Mayor and Aldermen’s “ executive board ” proposed that the “ municipal council ” (Voorschoten Cultural Council) present a new substantive plan regarding the future of the library on Wijngaardelaan. They are also re-examining how the other cultural organizations can be accommodated within the “ centre ” (Voorschoten Cultural Center). This proposal follows a more in-depth analysis of the expected costs and responsibilities of the “Bibliotheek+,” which was conducted in recent months in collaboration with the relevant partners. The “ executive board ” concludes that the costs are high and that there are also many risks and uncertainties involved, the scope of which has not yet been clearly defined.

The “ executive board ” believes that the current “ ” plan does not strike the right balance between costs, risks, and social benefits. The proposal to the “ municipal council ” is therefore not to proceed with the current “Bibliotheek+” plan. An alternative plan to accommodate the remaining cultural functions will be presented in the second quarter of 2023, which will better anchor culture across society as a whole. The municipality will continue to engage in dialogue on this matter with various stakeholders, such as the library, the film theater, and the users of the cultural centre.

Alderman Paul de Bruijn (Real Estate):“A great deal of time has been invested in planning the Library+, and we truly appreciate that. It’s certainly not a bad plan. However, when annual costs amount to nearly a million, with many unresolved risks for the municipality, it’s better to take a step back now and come up with a proposal as soon as possible that better aligns with current societal needs, without jeopardizing other services. Of course, we understand that this will also cause disappointment among some parties, but ultimately, a plan will emerge that better anchors the future of the cultural sector in society and thus prepares it for the future.”

Follow-up Process

The municipal executive’s proposal was presented to the “ municipal council ” this week. The aldermen responsible will meet again in November with the relevant organizations in the Multifunctional Accommodation Voorschoten (MFA) steering committee. The Citizens & Administration Committee will discuss the proposal on December 1, and a final decision will be made at the council meeting on December 8.

Continuity

The cultural organizations will continue their activities at their current locations until a final decision is made by the Municipal Council ( municipal council ) in 2023. This means that the library will remain in its current location, and that users of the cultural center ( centre ) can continue to visit it until a suitable alternative is found.