Four long-serving councillors in Hof van Twente awarded Royal honours at farewell ceremony
Last night, Hof van Twente bid farewell to 14 outgoing councillors, four of whom received Royal honours for their decades of service. Their work shaped local policies on housing, safety, and youth care, directly impacting residents' daily lives.
| Name | Role/Party | Years of Service (Total) | Honour Received |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yvonne Nijhof | CDA, Faction Leader | 25+ years | Member of the Order of Orange-Nassau |
| Andre Elbert | VVD, Faction Leader | 18+ years | Member of the Order of Orange-Nassau |
| Fred Rijkens | PvdA, Faction Leader | 20 years | Member of the Order of Orange-Nassau |
| Bennie Nijenhuis | Councillor | 32 years, 9 months | Member of the Order of Orange-Nassau |
Key Facts
- Location: Hof van Twente, Overijssel
- Outgoing councillors: 14
- Council meetings (2022–2026): 94
- New council installation: 1 April 2026, 19:30
The municipal council of Hof van Twente is responsible for local governance, including decisions on housing, youth care, and safety. The mayor, as the council's chair, oversees the implementation of these policies and represents the municipality in ceremonial duties, such as awarding Royal honours.
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4 Royal honours awarded at farewell to municipal council
Last night marked the farewell of the outgoing municipal council. Fourteen members of this council will not return to the new municipal council. Mayor Ellen Nauta-van Moorsel: “People often say so beautifully, ‘the voters have spoken,’ and of course that is true. The results mean loss for some and victory for others, and that must be accepted.”
The mayor reflected with the councillors on the 2022–2026 council term, the first months of which were still marked by Covid regulations. This council met 94 times in the council chamber to make decisions or receive information. And that is only a small part of the council’s work.
With the interests of residents in mind
Mayor Nauta addressed the councillors: “An incredible amount has been accomplished in these four years. You have discussed and decided on youth care, zoning plans, the environmental vision, housing construction, subsidies, and safety. You have covered it all, and I was privileged to finalise these decisions on your behalf. (...) Sometimes the debate was fierce, sometimes you agreed quickly. Yet every evening, you were able to conclude your work well together. That is how we do things in Twente. With the interests of our residents at heart.”
Farewell to 14 councillors
Yesterday evening, farewell was said to, among others, Onno Bordes, Riekele Bijleveld, Hanneke van Groningen, Herman Kalter, Henrike Klaassen, Sascha Koster, Antoine Mordjaneh, Willemien Schoneveld, Clemens Vinkelvleugel, and Marleen de Wilde. The mayor had personal words of thanks for each of them.
Due to their political activities, several outgoing councillors received Royal honours. They were appointed Members of the Order of Orange-Nassau:
Ms Yvonne Nijhof – After a political career at provincial level, she joined the municipal council of Hof van Twente in 2014. Not only as a councillor but also as faction leader from 2015 to 2022. After nearly three years as a councillor in the former municipality of Stad Delden and a brief break, she had represented the CDA in the Provincial Council of Overijssel since 2003. After more than 25 years of active involvement in provincial and local politics, she is now stepping down from her political duties.
Mr Andre Elbert – In the final council term of the former municipality of Diepenheim, he took a seat on the municipal council for the local VVD faction about six months after the elections. From January 2003 to 2006, he held a seat on the municipal council of the new municipality of Hof van Twente. He returned in 2014 and remained after the 2018 elections. Since 2022, he has served as a councillor and faction leader. Over the past eight years, he has also been a member of the presidium.
Mr Fred Rijkens – Since 2006, he has been a member of the municipal council of Hof van Twente, and until last year, he served as faction leader for the PvdA. He was elected to the municipal council of Hof van Twente in 2006. After 20 years as a councillor, he said farewell yesterday—coincidentally on his birthday. He will become chairman of the BIZ and will support the entrepreneurs in Goor with dedication.
Mr Bennie Nijenhuis – The longest-serving councillor, both in age and years of service. From May 1990 to 31 December 2000, he was a member of the municipal council of the former municipality of Markelo. Since 26 May 2004, he has been an uninterrupted member of the municipal council of Hof van Twente. Last year, he announced he would not stand for re-election in the 2026 municipal elections. For his council membership spanning a total of 32 years and nine months, the mayor honoured him on behalf of His Majesty the King by appointing him a Member of the Order of Orange-Nassau.
Gratitude to all councillors for their dedication
Mayor Nauta concluded with heartfelt thanks to the councillors for all their work and dedication. She also acknowledged their loved ones: “The families at home wait after a meeting, step in when things go wrong, and are used to silence when reading. The families are patient, tolerant, and proud. Thank you for that.”
Installation of the new municipal council
Tonight, 1 April, at 19:30, the 25 members of the new municipal council will be installed. You are very welcome to attend. You can also watch online via the livestream: Gemeenteraad 01 april 2026 19:30:00 (externe link)
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