Fifteen councillors bid farewell as new municipal council takes shape in Voorne aan Zee
Fifteen municipal councillors in Voorne aan Zee will not return to the new council after years of service. Two departing members received royal honours for their dedication to local governance, energy transition, and community engagement. The new 35-member council will be sworn in on 1 April.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Municipality | Voorne aan Zee (formerly Hellevoetsluis, Brielle, and others) |
| Departing councillors | 15 (including 2 awarded royal honours) |
| New council size | 35 members |
| Royal honours recipients | Bianca Verschoor (GroenLinks-PvdA), Wim Smit (ONS Voorne) |
| Years of service (honourees) | 16 years each |
| Swearing-in date | 1 April 2026 |
| Location of ceremony | Sint Catharijnekerk, Brielle |
| Live stream link | voorneaanzee.raadsinformatie.nl |
The municipal council of Voorne aan Zee is responsible for local governance, including policy-making, budget approval, and representing citizens' interests. The transition marks a shift in political representation as new and returning councillors prepare to address local challenges like energy transition and public engagement.
Read the full translated article below
Farewell to municipal councillors
On Tuesday evening, 31 March, the ‘old’ municipal council was bid farewell. Fifteen councillors will not return to the new municipal council. As chairman of the municipal council, Mayor Arno Scheepers addressed these councillors and thanked them for their dedication and valuable contributions over the past years. Two councillors who are leaving, Bianca Verschoor (GroenLinks-PvdA) and Wim Smit (ONS Voorne), received royal honours for their long-standing service as councillors for our (former) municipality/municipalities.
Ms Bianca Verschoor (GroenLinks-PvdA)
Ms Verschoor has been active within the GroenLinks faction in Hellevoetsluis since 2010 and as faction leader since 2014. Throughout her long political career, she has advocated for banning Roundup as a pesticide in public spaces, championed solar panels (including on municipal buildings), and highlighted the energy transition, particularly engaging residents in the process. For her 16 years of dedication as a councillor, Ms Verschoor has been appointed Member of the Order of Orange-Nassau.
Mr Wim Smit (ONS Voorne)
Mr Smit began his political career as a councillor for D66 in Brielle in 2010. In 2021, he switched to the local party ONS Brielle. From 1 January 2023, he served as faction leader for ONS Brielle. This party merged with Vrij Voorne to form ONS Voorne on 1 January 2026.
Mr Smit is described as a dedicated and proactive local politician who remains close to the people. Even in the sometimes impersonal political environment, he always saw the person behind the politician. As chairman of the council communications working group, he has recently worked to ensure the council’s public image is visible. Mr Smit has served as a councillor with distinction for 16 years, ‘serving the people’. He has been appointed Member of the Order of Orange-Nassau.
Other departing councillors
The other councillors who will not return to the new municipal council are:
- Mr Bert Heijndijk (IBV)
- Ms Heleen Boender (VVD)
- Mr Niels Braal (VVD)
- Ms Monique Hamstra (VVD)
- Ms Marijke van der Velden (VVD)
- Mr Wilbert Borgonjen (CDA)
- Mr Jeroen Noordermeer (PVaZ)
- Mr Richard de Zoete (D66)
- Ms Ingrid Dudink (ONS Voorne)
- Ms Margriet den Brok (Fractie den Brok)
- Ms Janneke Krajenbrink-Meinds (EVV)
- Mr Frits de Reus (EVV)
- Mr Bram Voncken (EVV)
New municipal council
The new municipal council, consisting of 35 councillors, will be sworn in on 1 April in the Sint Catharijnekerk in Brielle. This special council meeting can be followed live via voorneaanzee.notubiz.nl.