Municipality Presents Balanced Budget for 2025–2028
About halfway through the council term, the “ executive board ” (Action Plan for the Future) presented by the mayor and aldermen of the municipality of Voorschoten outlines a structurally balanced budget for 2025–2028. Much has already been accomplished. In the coming years, the “ executive board ” intends to continue making significant progress at a rapid pace. Key priorities include affordable housing, the Ambachts- en Baljuwhuis, the Fortgensschool, and the Kruispuntkerk.
In recent years, the “ executive board ” has completed or made significant progress on various projects. These include the sports facilities policy, projects such as the redevelopment of the Adegeest neighborhood and the roundabout in front of the “ town hall,” the housing vision, the development vision for “ centre ,” and various housing construction projects. Other important projects are in the planning stages, such as those for the Kruispuntkerk, the swimming pool, the “ town hall ” with a library, and the sports hall.
Much has already been accomplished
“We’ve already accomplished a great deal, and we want to keep moving forward at a brisk pace,” says Hans van der Elst, Alderman . “For example, over the past year, we’ve made significant strides in developing and strengthening our own civil service organization—something that’s very important for the future of Voorschoten. However, we can’t achieve everything else we have in mind as quickly as we’d like. As a “ executive board ,” we have to make choices. For the coming years, we’ll be focusing on a number of priority areas where decisions really need to be made now. These include more affordable housing, the future of the Ambachts- and Baljuwhuis, the new Fortgens School, and the transformation of the Kruispuntkerk into a multicultural “ centre.” So there will also be ambitions that we’ll have to postpone for the long term.”
Making Choices
The fact that the “ executive board ” must make difficult choices is due, first of all, to federal budget cuts. Starting in 2026—the so-called “fiscal cliff year”—the federal government will reduce funding to municipalities, while the “ executive board ” still wants to and must continue to meet all its legal obligations and goals. Second, it is not yet clear what the future will hold regarding the reception of displaced persons and the funding provided to the municipality. Third, the municipality is also facing a shortage of housing on the labour market.
Coalition Agreement Remains in Place
Even in the face of necessary budget cuts and reallocations, the coalition agreement remains intact. For example, the “ executive board ” initiative is committed to ensuring that Voorschoten remains a wonderful and thriving residential community, with engaged residents, business owners, and organizations. In addition, people who need a little extra help will continue to be able to count on the “ executive board .” Finally, the “ executive board ” initiative will work on solutions that contribute to climate adaptation.