Lelystad appoints two interim aldermen to ensure stable local governance
Lelystad residents will see experienced administrators Tjeerd van der Zwan and Jan-Nico Appelman temporarily join the city’s Executive Board. Their appointment aims to maintain smooth governance during the transition to a newly elected council, ensuring continuity in local services and decision-making.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| New Aldermen | Tjeerd van der Zwan (72) and Jan-Nico Appelman (57) |
| Appointment Date | 31 March 2026 (proposed) |
| Duration | Temporary, until a new board is formed by the newly elected council |
| Current Board Members | Mayor Baltus, Alderman Kruis, Alderman Van der Zwan, Alderman Appelman |
| Vacancies Filled | Three vacancies following resignations of Grimbergen, Messelink-Dijkstra, and Van Dijk |
| Previous Roles | Van der Zwan: Former mayor of Heerenveen; Appelman: Ex-Provincial Executive of Flevoland |
| Portfolio Distribution | To be announced soon |
The municipality of Lelystad is responsible for local governance, including the appointment of aldermen to ensure administrative continuity. The Executive Board, led by the mayor, oversees daily operations, policy implementation, and service delivery to residents during transitional periods like elections.
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Tjeerd van der Zwan and Jan-Nico Appelman appointed to the Executive Board of Lelystad
The municipality of Lelystad will soon have a new Executive Board consisting of the mayor and aldermen. At the council meeting on 31 March, the council will be presented with proposals to temporarily appoint two aldermen: Jan-Nico Appelman and Tjeerd van der Zwan.
Experienced administrators and engaged Lelystad residents
Jan-Nico Appelman and Tjeerd van der Zwan are highly experienced administrators and engaged residents of Lelystad. Both have been asked to strengthen the Executive Board until a new board can be formed. They will do so based on professional administrative principles rather than party politics. Mayor Baltus stated: “I am confident that the board will continue to provide services to the city in a professional manner.”
Administrative continuity
From the perspective of administrative continuity, workload management, and balanced distribution of responsibilities, the board considers it desirable to fill the vacancies quickly on a temporary basis. The board will then perform its duties pending the formation of a new board by the newly elected council. To this end, the mayor has approached two candidates and consulted with the council factions regarding their appointment.
Sufficient support
It has been established that the proposed candidates have sufficient support within the municipal council to serve in their roles for a temporary period. The candidates are expected to be appointed by the council in its current composition, ensuring a stable municipal administration over the coming months. This will allow the new council to form a new board with the necessary time and care. The board will temporarily consist of: Mayor Baltus, Alderman Kruis, Alderman Van der Zwan, and Alderman Appelman. The portfolio distribution will be announced as soon as possible.
Tjeerd van der Zwan
Tjeerd van der Zwan (72) served as a councillor in Lelystad from 1990 to 1998 and as an alderman from 1998 to 2007. He then became mayor of Achtkarspelen (2007–2011) and Heerenveen (2011–2023). After retiring, he returned to live in Lelystad. In 2025, Van der Zwan served as acting mayor of the municipality of Ommen. Currently, he is Chairman of the Supervisory Board of UMCG Ambulancezorg and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Welzijn Lelystad. He will step down from the latter position for the duration of his aldermanship. Van der Zwan stated: "I am honoured to be able to assist the city during this administratively challenging period."
Jan-Nico Appelman
Jan-Nico Appelman (57) is an experienced entrepreneur from Lelystad with regional administrative experience. From 2003 to 2011, he served as a member of the Provincial Council of Flevoland, and from 2011 to June 2023, he was a member of the Provincial Executive of Flevoland. He is currently Chairman of the Regional Consultation Commission for Lelystad Airport, a position he will step down from for the duration of his aldermanship. Appelman stated: “As a native Flevolander, I feel a strong connection to the development of Flevoland, and Lelystad in particular—the city where I have lived and worked since 1979.”
Procedure
The Municipalities Act requires the council to fill vacancies in the Executive Board as soon as possible. As of 5 March 2026, a total of three vacancies have arisen in the board following the resignations of Aldermen Grimbergen and Messelink-Dijkstra on 27 January and Alderman Van Dijk on 5 March. The council has requested the mayor to provide information on how the board intends to manage the period between the municipal elections and the appointment of a new board.