Measures needed for financially healthy Son and Breugel

The municipal executive committee of the municipality of Son en Breugel today presented the 2023 annual accounts and the 2025 - 2028 framework memorandum to the municipal council. The framework memorandum is not balanced. This has to do with cost increases of youth care, WMO and maintenance of public spaces and buildings. The payment that the municipality receives from the municipal fund lags far behind this. 

 "A healthy financial position is an important basis for keeping sight of future developments in and desires for our community. In order to have a healthy financial budget for 2025 and beyond, it is necessary for us to take measures and with that make difficult choices," said Alderman Finance Jan Boersma.

'The priority in this framework memorandum is to identify retrenchment opportunities. We have not included funds for new plans. This would increase the deficit even further and we think that is irresponsible.'  

Savings and working differently

Among the redirection options, the college looks at possible savings and examines what the municipality can do differently so that it costs less money.

The college has formulated eight principles for this purpose:

  1. A structurally balanced budget from 2025 onwards (preceded by a non-closing Framework Memorandum)
  2. Basic level of services and support for residents is in place
  3. No capital destruction by questioning decisions already made
  4. New facts and insights may lead to reconsideration of previous decisions
  5. Greater self-reliance and ownership of residents
  6. Residents who benefit from something help pay for it
  7. Organizations and associations generate grant income and co-financing where possible
  8. In area developments, income must be generated to enable social developments. 

"We are eager to discuss with the City Council the proposed principles and the measures we need to take together for a healthy financial future of our municipality. We will elaborate on the outcomes of the talks in the upcoming budget," Boersma said.

Financial statements and framework memorandum online

The College of Mayor and Aldermen has now presented the framework memorandum to the City Council. The council will discuss the financial statements and framework memorandum on Thursday, June 27 and Wednesday, July 3, 2024.
The council meetings can be followed live at https://sonenbreugel.notubiz.nl.
The financial statements and framework memorandum can be found at https://son-en-breugel.begrotingsapp.nl.