Three departing councillors in De Ronde Venen awarded royal honours for decades of service
Three long-serving councillors in De Ronde Venen have been honored with royal distinctions for their dedication to local democracy. Their departure marks the end of an era, with contributions spanning over 12 years each, shaping policies and community initiatives in the municipality.
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Honoured Councillors | Eelco Doorn (D66), Wim Stam (ChristenUnie-SGP), Ernst Schreurs (GroenLinks-PvdA) |
| Honour Awarded | Member of the Order of Orange-Nassau |
| Years of Service | Stam: 15 years (since 2011), Doorn: 20 years (since 2006), Schreurs: 32 years |
| Municipality | De Ronde Venen, Utrecht |
| Council Meetings | 47 meetings held, 329 decisions made in the last governing period |
| Departure Date | 31 March 2026 |
The municipal council of De Ronde Venen plays a crucial role in local governance, representing citizens' interests, overseeing policy implementation, and ensuring democratic decision-making. The council works closely with the mayor and aldermen to address community needs and shape the municipality's future.
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Honours awarded to three councillors on departure from municipal council
In the council chamber of the town hall, the old municipal council was bid farewell on Tuesday evening, 31 March. On 18 March, a new municipal council was elected. Fourteen councillors from the old council will not return to the new council, which will be installed on 1 April. Councillors Eelco Doorn (D66), Wim Stam (ChristenUnie-SGP) and Ernst Schreurs (GroenLinks-PvdA) received royal honours upon their departure.
The farewell to the municipal council marks the end of the governing period that began in 2022. At the start of the meeting, alderman Maarten van der Greft briefly reflected on this on behalf of the college. “Being a councillor is anything but self-evident. It requires time, energy and, above all, a strong sense of responsibility,” he said. “Your commitment has greatly contributed to strengthening our local democracy. On behalf of the college, I express my appreciation and respect,” Van der Greft concluded.
Mayor Rosan Kocken also paid tribute to all councillors who will not return as councillors, with brief, personal speeches. She too expressed appreciation for the extensive work carried out by the councillors and their commitment during the past governing period. “A period in which much has happened and in which constructive cooperation has taken place,” Kocken summarised. “A period in which the municipal council met 47 times and made 329 decisions on a wide range of topics.”
Royal honours
Mayor Kocken took a closer look at the departure of councillors Ernst Schreurs, Eelco Doorn and Wim Stam. All three have been appointed Member of the Order of Orange-Nassau because they have served on the municipal council for at least 12 years. Wim Stam has been a member of the municipal council since 2011. Mayor Kocken described him as an enthusiastic, expert and committed councillor who is sometimes referred to as the “conscience of the council”. “You are known for your calm style, your carefully chosen words and your ability to consider matters from multiple perspectives. You are meticulous in your work and meticulously review financial documents and regulations. If you said it was correct, then it was correct.”
Eelco Doorn began his career as a councillor in 2006, first on the municipal council of Abcoude and, after the municipal reorganisation, on that of De Ronde Venen. Before becoming a councillor in 2006, he served as an alderman in the municipality of Abcoude from 2002 to 2006. With Doorn’s departure, a “highly experienced” councillor with extensive knowledge of Abcoude leaves the council. “A councillor who, with humour, a sharp eye and a great deal of honesty, was not afraid to step outside the beaten path, not only in word but also in deed. Several years ago, the lack of maintenance of art in public spaces was so important to you that you personally took up a brush and oil to give the sculpture De Schone Baadster in Abcoude a makeover,” Kocken said.
Longest-serving councillor
Ernst Schreurs is taking his leave from the municipal council after 32 years and is thus the longest-serving councillor in the province of Utrecht. Kocken: “For three decades, you have tirelessly championed numerous issues that touch the heart of our local community. You fought for affordable housing for starters, for facilities for residents on lower incomes, and for safer traffic in our villages. But you also advocated another important ideal: cooperation. You emphasised that political factions should not oppose each other but should strengthen one another. Each from their own political vision, but always with the shared goal of advancing the municipality.”
Mayor Kocken also noted that Ernst Schreurs has served for a long time as vice-chair of the municipal council, a role that, in her view, underscores his authority and experience. Although Schreurs has never served as an alderman, Mayor Kocken believes he would have been perfectly suited to the position. “Ernst Schreurs is the best alderman De Ronde Venen never had,” she said, giving a new twist to a well-known quote by former politician Hans Wiegel.
The departing councillors (from left to right) Wim Stam, Ernst Schreurs and Eelco Doorn received royal honours from Mayor Rosan Kocken upon their departure from the municipal council.