Three North Holland municipalities explore merger after local elections
Residents of Bergen, Uitgeest, Castricum, and Heiloo may soon see their municipalities merge into one. Council members are exploring the feasibility of this administrative change, which could impact local services, taxes, and representation for thousands of citizens.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Municipalities Involved | Bergen, Uitgeest, Castricum, Heiloo |
| Number of Council Members | 4 from each municipality (total 12) |
| Next Steps | External bureau to guide process, starting early April 2026 |
| Timeline | Decision expected after municipal elections |
| Province | Noord-Holland |
The municipal councils of Bergen, Uitgeest, Castricum, and Heiloo are responsible for local governance, including infrastructure, social services, and taxation. Their exploration of a merger aims to assess potential efficiencies and improved service delivery for residents.
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Council members of BUCH municipalities continue joint exploration of administrative future
On February 17 and March 4, 2026, the exploratory group on the administrative future of the municipal councils of Bergen Uitgeest, Castricum, and Heiloo met. This group will discuss with each other after the municipal elections whether there is sufficient basis to form 1 new municipality together in the future. The group consists of 4 council members from each municipality.
Guidance
Before the discussions on the content can begin, a few practical matters need to be agreed upon and arranged. The exploratory group wants to seek help from an external bureau. This bureau will guide and support the process. During the meetings of February 17 and March 4, 2026, it was discussed what the exploratory group expects from this process guidance.
Start beginning of April
The municipalities are now jointly looking for a suitable bureau. They expect this bureau to start work at the beginning of April. It was also discussed which documents can be prepared in advance and how the communication will proceed. This way, the exploratory group can quickly start with the substantive discussions after the elections.