Son en Breugel Municipality Policy Framework 2027–2030

Cost trends in the social sector call for tough choices

On June 12, the Municipal Executive of Son en Breugel presented the 2025 annual financial statements and the 2027–2030 policy framework to the municipal council. The policy framework, titled “
,” focuses on the situation in the social sector and does not specifically address other policy areas.

While previous years already indicated that the municipality’s financial resources were under pressure, there is now a structural and significant imbalance. Expenditures are rising faster than revenues. The majority of this increase in expenditures is concentrated in youth care and the Social Support Act (Wmo). Furthermore, revenues from the Municipal Fund are failing to keep pace with the municipality’s expenditures in this area.

Alderman Jelle de Jong: “Without additional measures that yield immediate financial results, we will face a structural deficit that will continue to grow in the coming years. With this policy document, we are asking the council to set a necessary course to bring our budget back into balance so that we can continue to carry out our statutory duties in the future and keep our community strong and healthy. This also requires greater self-reliance and collaboration. Our municipality’s financial situation calls for realism and decisiveness. It is the joint responsibility of the executive board and the city council to prioritize and make choices to reduce cost increases in the social sector. And we must realize that this will have a societal impact regardless.’

To establish a sound financial foundation for the 2027–2030 period, the municipality will continue to apply a number of guiding principles when making policy decisions in the coming years. 

Those principles are:

  1. A structurally balanced budget 
  2. The basic level of services and support for residents is adequate
  3. No destruction of capital by calling into question decisions that have already been made
  4. New facts and insights may lead to a reevaluation of previous decisions
  5. Greater self-reliance and personal responsibility among residents who are capable of it
  6. Residents who benefit from a program contribute to the costs according to their ability to pay
  7. Organizations and associations generate grant revenue and seek co-funding wherever possible
  8. In urban development projects, revenue must be generated to facilitate social development.

Financial Statements and Policy Statement Online

The City Council will discuss the annual financial statements and the policy statement on Thursday, July 2, 2026. The council meeting can be viewed live at https://sonenbreugel.notubiz.nl. The annual financial statements and the policy statement are available at https://son-en-breugel.begrotingsapp.nl.