City Presents a Balanced Budget for 2024
The 2024 budget is based on the coalition agreement. Here are a few of the measures planned for the coming year: preserving our village’s green character, providing more affordable housing for young people, first-time homebuyers, and seniors, and taking further steps toward climate adaptation.
Councilman Hans van der Elst is satisfied with the budget for 2024 and 2025. But he is concerned about 2026 and beyond. “We now have a realistic and structurally balanced budget for the next two years. After that, we will have to deal with, among other things, decisions made by the national government that will lead to structural deficits. This means that, starting in 2026, we will not have sufficient funds to carry out our current responsibilities.”
A Major and Urgent Housing Challenge
Due to the looming shortages, the municipal executive will have to make even clearer choices regarding its priorities and financial expenditures. The alderman said: “One of the most important challenges we face is the housing crisis. Many residents are affected by this—if not for themselves, then for their children. This challenge is significant, but above all, it is urgent. That is why, for example, we have set aside additional funds for the construction of flexible housing.”
Development Vision for the City Center
In 2024, the Downtown Development Vision will also be finalized. The municipal executive will do this by realistically scheduling various subprojects. High priority will be given to developing the area around the Kruispuntkerk. The church will become the new home for the users of the current cultural center on Prinses Marijkelaan. A new building for the Fortgens School, including an integrated child care center and housing, will then be constructed on Prinses Marijkelaan.
Sports
The municipal executive also plans to actively focus on sports. For example, funds have been set aside to build a new track and field facility and to contribute to a combined ice-skating and inline-skating rink. The municipal executive has even more ambitions, but those plans can only be worked out after the city council has approved the budget.
Sustainability and the Environment
“Of course, no budget is complete without a section on sustainability and the environment,” the alderman concludes. “Next year, among other things, we will implement the Local Energy Strategy, which is designed to promote sustainability and conserve energy. We will also strengthen our collaboration with the Leiden region to establish a district heating network. Through these and many other initiatives, we remain committed to making Voorschoten a sustainable and future-proof residential community.”