Two long-serving Veenendaal council members awarded royal honours at farewell
Willem van Braak and Theo van Iperen, dedicated council members of Veenendaal, were honored with royal distinctions for their years of public service. Their contributions to local governance, youth, education, and social support have left a lasting impact on the community.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Honorees | Willem van Braak, Theo van Iperen |
| Honour | Members of the Order of Orange-Nassau |
| Municipality | Veenendaal |
| Service Duration | Willem van Braak: 16 years, Theo van Iperen: since 2014 (second term) |
| Focus Areas | Youth, education, economic affairs, support, work, and income |
| Previous Council Role | Theo van Iperen: Barendrecht |
| Date of Award | March 30, 2026 |
| Award Presented By | Mayor Gert-Jan Kats |
The municipal council of Veenendaal plays a crucial role in local governance, representing citizens' interests and overseeing policy implementation. Royal honours, such as the Order of Orange-Nassau, are awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to society, often at the local or regional level.
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Council members Willem van Braak and Theo van Iperen receive royal honours
Willem van Braak and Theo van Iperen were surprised with a royal honour during their farewell as council members on Monday evening. They have been appointed Members of the Order of Orange-Nassau.
During the council meeting on March 30, council members Willem van Braak and Theo van Iperen were presented with a royal honour during the farewell council session. Mayor Gert-Jan Kats surprised them during his farewell speech in the council chamber. Both were appointed Members of the Order of Orange-Nassau.
Willem van Braak served on the municipal council for the Christian Union for 16 years. He was involved in youth, education and economic affairs, where he advocated with conviction.
Theo van Iperen has been a member of the Veenendaal municipal council since 2014. This was his second council membership; previously, he served as a councillor in Barendrecht. Theo was involved in a wide range of topics, often focusing on support, work and income.
- Municipal council