New municipal council takes office in Kapelle as long-serving members step down
Residents of Kapelle will see fresh faces in local governance as a new municipal council is installed, replacing long-serving members. The transition marks a shift in local policies, with outgoing councillors praised for their contributions to traffic safety, sustainability, and healthcare.
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Municipality | Kapelle |
| Outgoing Councillors | Ernest Francken (CDA), Eelke de Jong (PvdA), Henk Keurhorst (SGP), Peter Ganseman (Ganseman faction), Marc van Opstal (D66) |
| Years of Service | Francken: 12 years, Keurhorst: 16 years, Ganseman: over 30 years |
| New Councillors | VVD (4), Gemeentebelang (3), SGP (3), CDA (2), GroenLinks-PvdA (2), ChristenUnie (1) |
| Informateur | Marga Vermue (Mayor of Sluis) |
| Installation Date | April 1, 2026 |
| Farewell Date | March 30, 2026 |
The municipal council of Kapelle is responsible for local governance, including policy-making, budget allocation, and representing residents' interests. The transition of councillors reflects democratic processes, ensuring continuity and renewal in local leadership.
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Farewell to the old council and installation of the new council
On March 30, 2026, we said goodbye to the old municipal council. On April 1, 2026, the new municipal council was installed.
Farewell to outgoing councillors
The following councillors did not stand for re-election:
- Ernest Francken (CDA);
- Eelke de Jong (PvdA);
- Henk Keurhorst (SGP) and
- Peter Ganseman (Ganseman faction)
Marc van Opstal (D66) left because his party did not receive enough votes.
Tribute to outgoing councillors
Mayor Jansen op de Haar personally addressed the departing councillors. He also gave them a personal gift: a wine glass with an inscription, featuring the name of the councillor and the council period 2022-2026.
Eelke de Jong
Eelke de Jong was praised for his commitment to traffic safety. He established the children's council through a motion and remained involved in it. Now, he continues his work by giving Democracity lessons to groups 7 and 8 of primary schools.
Marc van Opstal
Marc van Opstal received compliments for his focus on green spaces and sustainability. He believed that council discussions should be about more than just money. He will continue his efforts in refugee work.
Ernest Francken
Ernest Francken was well-suited to health care themes, aligning with his background. Having served as a councillor for 12 years, he was appointed as a member of the Order of Orange-Nassau. He is proud of the municipality of Kapelle.
Henk Keurhorst
Henk Keurhorst was commended for his work as chair of the finance committee. With his experience at the Tax Administration, he always provided clear feedback. He described his 16 years on the council as a beautiful and educational time.
Peter Ganseman
Peter Ganseman has been active in the municipal council for over 30 years and served twice as an alderman. He spoke about the different mayors he has worked with. He also expressed personal appreciation for the current mayor.
Installation of the new council
Ms. Marga Vermue (Mayor of the Municipality of Sluis) is assisting as an informateur in forming the new coalition in Kapelle.
New councillors installed
The municipal council convened on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, for the installation of the new councillors:
- VVD: Jon Herselman, Sandra Jebbink, Iman Vleugel, Sacco Westdorp;
- Gemeentebelang: Jordy van Leeuwen, Tiny van Loon-Noussen, Jordy Bosman;
- SGP: Pim van Dijk, Jeanet Kamerik-Hoekman, Pieter Paardekooper;
- CDA: Maarten Hage, Ruby Hoorenman;
- GroenLinks-PvdA: Annebeth Evertz, Cobie van Zetten;
- ChristenUnie: Pierre Kruizinga.
We wish the councillors a pleasant and successful term.