B&W decisions 30-03-2026

Present

• Ms S.A.E. Poepjes, Mayor
• Mr S. van den Berg, Municipal Secretary
• Mr H. Olthof, Alderman
• Mr M. Blind, Alderman
• Mr H. Engberink, Alderman

Absent

1. Adoption of B&W decisions dated 17 March 2026

DECISION:

To be adopted as proposed.

2. Received

3. Final conclusions of the pilot area-focused maintenance

DECISION

• To take note of the results of the pilot area-focused maintenance.
• To express a preference for Scenario 2.
• This topic can be included in the upcoming coalition negotiations and serve as a starting point for a new 2026-2030 municipal programme. The financial impact can then be assessed by the municipal council during the consideration of the 2027-2030 budget.

SUMMARY

A periodic survey on waarstaatjegemeente.nl in Olst-Wijhe revealed dissatisfaction with the public space. In response, the municipal executive decided in the coalition agreement to adopt a project-based, area-focused approach to the top 5 nuisances in the public space within three pilot areas, with the aim of improving liveability in the villages. Available resources were leading, and active involvement of residents in the neighbourhood was expected. The results of the pilot ‘area-focused maintenance’ showed that a slight improvement in maintenance quality had little effect on residents’ overall appreciation of the public space, but that personal contact, customised solutions and visible presence made the difference.

Based on the pilot evaluation, the municipal executive has expressed a preference for Scenario 2 (improved communication and explanation) and wishes to include its implementation in the negotiations for the new 2026-2030 municipal programme. This scenario focuses on greater visibility in the neighbourhoods, better explanation of management choices and consistent feedback on reports, without directly expanding capacity. The financial impact of this scenario will be submitted to the municipal council during the consideration of the 2027-2030 budget.

4. Tolerance of Easter bonfires

DECISION

• To tolerate the burning of collected untreated wood and pruning waste for Easter bonfires;
• To agree to this approach until 1 January 2028 at the latest;
• To actively share this proposal with the municipal council via a council information letter.

SUMMARY

The entry into force of the Environment and Planning Act on 1 January 2024 changed the legal framework for organising Easter bonfires. Since then, the burning of collected pruning wood and untreated wood for larger Easter bonfires has been classified as a permit-required environmentally harmful activity under the Activities Decree (Bal).

Previously, a (combined) exemption under the General Local Byelaw (APV) and the Environmental Management Act (Wm) was sufficient, but an environmental permit is now required in addition to the APV exemption. However, a workable and legally sound permit system has not yet been established. Easter bonfires have a long tradition in Olst-Wijhe and play an important cultural and social role in the village communities. Abruptly ending this tradition is considered socially undesirable. At the same time, environmental and health interests require careful consideration.

It is proposed to temporarily tolerate the burning of collected pruning wood and untreated wood for Easter bonfires pending a structural arrangement, whether or not in the Environment and Planning Plan. The policy rules for lighting a bonfire and the APV remain fully applicable. This proposal aligns with the approach followed regionally, including by the municipalities of Deventer and Raalte.

5. Further elaboration and explanation of the HWBP Programme 2026-2033

DECISION

• To inform the council via the 2027-2030 policy framework of the wish to structurally allocate €343,119 per year – including indexation – until 2033 for the implementation of the municipal HWBP programme, in accordance with the earlier municipal executive proposal and in line with the earlier council decision.
• To request the council, via the 2027-2030 budget, to agree to this structural budget request.
• To update the programme management plan annually and include any adjustments in the regular budget cycle.
• To take note of the programme management plan for the purposes of the Flood Protection Programme (HWBP) as the overarching structure and framework for the implementation and management of the municipal involvement in dyke reinforcement and other related (sub)projects.

SUMMARY

The municipality of Olst-Wijhe faces a multi-year task along the IJssel River as part of the Flood Protection Programme (HWBP), better known as the dyke reinforcement between Zwolle and Olst. The planning of the leading stakeholder (IJsselwerken) runs until 2033. To remain a reliable partner and avoid disrupting the established collaboration, it is necessary to structurally secure capacity and resources.

The required input was already outlined in the earlier municipal executive proposal (see also case 7477-2025). In line with the council decision taken on this, the policy framework is currently leading for decision-making. This aligns with the administrative line: now integrated and structural, in line with the programme’s duration.

6. Increase in subsidies for primary welfare organisations

DECISION

• To agree to a structural increase in the base subsidies for MEE, Evenmens, Vriendendiensten and Ut Huus to compensate for the accumulated underfunding, so that these organisations can continue to fulfil their social mission.
• To include a structural increase of €50,000 in the autonomous developments for the 2027-2030 policy framework.

SUMMARY

The welfare organisations MEE, Evenmens, Vriendendiensten and Ut Huus are facing structural underfunding due to rising wage costs that are not covered by municipal indexations. Temporary GALA and IZA funds provided only limited and incidental solutions. At the same time, demand for support is increasing sharply due to, among other things, Welfare on Prescription and the growth of the Welfare Desk, leading to higher workloads and waiting lists. The municipal executive has chosen to structurally increase the base subsidies to ensure quality, continuity and preventive action. This contributes to municipal goals regarding strengthening the frontline and preventing heavier care. The increase requires structural resources to guarantee the service provision of these organisations.

7. Adoption of the VTH annual report 2025 and the definitive VTH implementation policy 2026 of the IJsselland Environmental Service

DECISION

• To adopt the VTH annual report 2025.
• To adopt the VTH information letter.
• To send the VTH annual report 2025 to the municipal council for information.
• To send the VTH annual report 2025 to the Provincial Executive of Overijssel.
• To adopt the definitive VTH implementation programme 2026 of the IJsselland Environmental Service.

SUMMARY

Under the Environment and Planning Act and the Environment and Planning Decree, an annual evaluation must be prepared showing the extent to which the activities from the VTH implementation programme have been carried out. In addition, the definitive implementation programme for the Environmental Service tasks, regarding the execution of tasks in 2026, has been included.

8. Local procurement by the municipality of Olst-Wijhe

DECISION

• To inform the municipal council via a council information letter about the results of local procurement in the municipality of Olst-Wijhe.

SUMMARY

The Mayor and Aldermen have agreed to the council information letter on the results of local procurement in Olst-Wijhe and to sharing this letter with the Municipal Council. The Olst-Wijhe business register, launched in collaboration with the Olst-Wijhe Entrepreneurs’ Circle in 2024, supports the municipality in targeted local and regional procurement and strengthens collaboration with entrepreneurs. Currently, over 43% of procurement is local or regional, of which 18.5% goes to companies in the register. With a targeted approach, entrepreneurs who already receive orders but are not yet in the register are being involved to increase the reliability of the register and further enhance engagement. The register currently contains 95 companies, while there are approximately 2,300 entrepreneurs active in the municipality. The council information letter will be sent to the council after the council decision to address the motion.

9. Sale of plots 3 and 4 at the De Meente Noord business park

DECISION

• To sell business plots 3 and 4 at the De Meente Noord business park, totalling approximately 3,300 square metres, for a total purchase price of €396,000.00, to B.H. Wesselink Zwolle B.V.

SUMMARY

The municipal executive has decided to sell plots 3 and 4 at the De Meente Noord business park to B.H. Wesselink Zwolle B.V. This decision contributes to the further development of this business park.

10. Collaboration with ROVA and expansion of tasks to an integrated coherent package – Tranche 2

DECISION

• To agree to the expansion of the task package and to include it in the DVO with ROVA.
• To mandate portfolio holder Marcel Blind to sign the DVO.
• To inform the council about the formal transfer of the task package and the deployment of employees from the various target groups under the Participation Act, via the attached council information letter.
• To propose to the council to allocate a structural budget of €47,956 at the 1st Supplementary Budget 2026 to cover autonomous developments (indexation and area expansion), and to include these budgets structurally in the 2027 Budget and the 2028-2030 Policy Framework.

SUMMARY

Since 2023, various developments have led to the search for broader collaboration in the area of management and maintenance of public space. To address these developments and changing relationships, the municipal council decided in May 2025 to formalise the partnership with ROVA. When deciding on this first tranche of tasks, it was expected that a second tranche of tasks could be added during 2025. Since June 2025, ROVA, Konnected, Het Groenbedrijf and various teams from the municipality of Olst-Wijhe have been working hard to ensure a smooth transition as of 1 January 2026.

11. Municipal executive proposal for co-creation opportunity 1: improving accessibility of the Infocentre Den Nul – Duursche Waarden

DECISION

• The municipal executive decides:
• To agree to one of the first concrete projects from the co-creation agreement (improving the accessibility of the IJssel Infocentre Den Nul) by realising a cycling connection between Den Nul and Wijhe, including a crossing of the Lange Kolk.
• To take note of an overspending of €147,000 of the budget reserved for this within the MJIP.
• To report the financial deviation within the total MJIP at the 2nd Supplementary Budget 2026.
• To take note of the variant study “Crossing Den Nul” (from Buro Hoogstraat).

SUMMARY

Administrative agreements have been made about co-creation opportunities within the dyke reinforcement HWBP project. One of the co-creation opportunities of the dyke reinforcement is to improve the accessibility of the Infocentre Den Nul and the Duursche Waarden by creating a cycling connection, including a safe crossing of the Lange Kolk. This will fill a missing link in the recreational cycling network and strengthen traffic safety and recreational quality along the IJssel riverfront.

Further technical elaboration and a variant study show that the costs of €347,000 exceed the budget of €200,000 reserved for this within the MJIP. This financial deviation must be included in the broad update of the MJIP for the 2027-2030 policy framework. It must then also be included in the 2027-2030 budget.