Westland bids farewell to 16 councillors, three honored with royal distinctions
The municipality of Westland honored 16 departing councillors for their service, with three receiving royal distinctions for over a decade of dedication. Their contributions shaped local policies and community representation, marking the end of an era for local governance.
| Key Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date of Farewell | 31 March 2026 |
| Number of Departing Councillors | 16 |
| Royal Distinctions Awarded | 3 (Members of the Order of Orange-Nassau) |
| Honored Councillors | Ms J. Vermeer-de Smit (CDA), Mr A.P. van der Meer (LPF), Mr D. van Koppen (LPF) |
| Municipality | Westland (Zuid-Holland) |
| Mayor | B.R. Arends |
The municipality of Westland is responsible for local governance, including council appointments and civic honors. Municipal councillors play a key role in representing residents, shaping local policies, and overseeing municipal operations.
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Farewell to municipal councillors
On Tuesday, 31 March 2026, a special council meeting was held to say farewell to 16 municipal councillors of the municipality of Westland. Mayor B.R. Arends thanked all departing councillors for their dedication. Three councillors received a royal distinction.
Mayor Arends presented the royal distinction to the councillors who had served for 12 years or more. The councillors were appointed as Members of the Order of Orange-Nassau.
- Ms J. (Jenny) Vermeer-de Smit (CDA Westland) from ’s-Gravenzande has been a councillor for CDA Westland since 2014, serving as faction leader from 2018 onwards.
- Mr A.P. (André) van der Meer (LPF Westland) from Naaldwijk has been a councillor for GemeenteBelang Westland (GBW) from 2006 to 2010 and for LPF Westland from 2018 to 2026. He also served as an alternate councillor for GBW (2004–2006) and LPF Westland (2014–2018) for several terms.
- Mr D. (Dave) van Koppen (LPF Westland) from Naaldwijk has been a councillor for the LPF Westland faction since 2014. From 2010 to 2014, he served as an alternate councillor for this party.
A personal farewell was also given to the following 13 councillors:
- Messrs J. (Jan) de Nooy, A. (Arie) Bongaards, R.M.A. (Ralph) Nederpel (Westland Verstandig);
- Ms K. (Karin) Jansen-van Voorthuizen and Messrs S.A.M. (Stefan) Kester and R.G.A. (René) Lelieveld (GBW);
- Mr C. (Cor) van der Mark (CDA Westland);
- Ms G.J.M. (Trudy) de Munck-Schoordijk (LPF Westland);
- Ms B.A. (Bianca) van Dijk (VVD);
- Ms E.M.J. (Ilse) Daalhof and Mr B.M. (Benjamin) Hofland (D66);
- Mr W.H.J. (Jan) van der Wilk (PVDA Westland);
- Ms A. (Angelique) van Vliet (Fractie Van Vliet).