Zevenaar welcomes new municipal council with expanded seats and royal honors for departing members
Zevenaar bids farewell to its outgoing municipal council and installs a new, larger council of 29 members due to population growth. Residents can attend the transition events or watch online, marking a key moment in local democracy and governance.
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Farewell Event | March 31, 2024, 7:30 PM at Cultuurhal, Turmac Cultuurfabriek |
| Installation Event | April 1, 2024, 7:30 PM at Cultuurhal, Turmac Cultuurfabriek |
| Departing Council Members | 10 members leaving, including Pascal de Winkel (VVD) and Anita van Loon (WijZZ) |
| Royal Honors | Dorien Riswick-Keultjes and Nathani Niebuur-Sluiter for 12+ years of service |
| New Council Size | 29 seats (up from 27) due to population growth (>45,000 inhabitants) |
| Returning Members | 17 members re-elected |
| New Members | 12 new councillors, including Micha van Aken (GroenLinks) and Roel van Bommel (Forum voor Democratie) |
| Election Date | March 18, 2024 |
The municipal council of Zevenaar plays a crucial role in local governance, representing residents' interests, approving policies, and overseeing municipal operations. As the legislative body, it ensures democratic decision-making and accountability in the municipality.
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Farewell and installation of the Zevenaar municipal council
On Tuesday, March 31, the municipal council in its current composition will bid farewell. The following day, Wednesday, April 1, the new municipal council will be installed. Both meetings begin at 7:30 PM and will take place in the Cultuurhal of the Turmac Cultuurfabriek. You are cordially invited to attend. It is also possible to watch online.
Farewell to the municipal council 2022 – 2026
After four years, the 2022–2026 council term is coming to an end. Of the 27 councillors, 10 are saying goodbye. They are:
- Pascal de Winkel (VVD)
- Eric Vernes (VVD)
- Martin Bloemberg (VVD)
- Anita van Loon (WijZZ)
- Dorien Riswick-Keultjes (WijZZ)
- Martin Witjes (ONS Zevenaar)
- Guido Ariessen (Sociaal Zevenaar)
- Berend Metz (PvdA)
- Nathani Niebuur-Sluiter (PvdA)
- Lotte van der Velden (Lijst van der Velden)
Two of these councillors are being awarded a Royal honour upon their departure: Dorien Riswick-Keultjes and Nathani Niebuur-Sluiter. Both have served as councillors for more than twelve years. In recognition of their long-standing political commitment, they have received a royal distinction.
17 councillors will return in the new municipal council and will be officially installed on Wednesday, April 1.
Installation of the new municipal council
On March 18, residents of Zevenaar cast their votes in the municipal council elections. The results and seat distribution can be viewed on the results page.
Notably, the municipal council will consist of 29 seats in the upcoming term, instead of 27. This is due to the growth in the number of residents. The municipality of Zevenaar now has over 45,000 inhabitants. According to the Municipalities Act, a municipality of this size is entitled to a municipal council of 29 members.
Of the 29 council seats, 17 will be filled by councillors who were also active in the previous term. In addition, the municipal council welcomes 12 new councillors. The new municipal council consists of:
- Micha van Aken (GroenLinks)
- Koen Godschalk (GroenLinks)
- Geert Wieggers (PvdA)
- Maaike Jansen (PvdA)
- Toon Albers (Lokaal Belang)
- Harry Staring (Lokaal Belang)
- Tjeerd Boekhorst (Lokaal Belang)
- Britte van Die (Lokaal Belang)
- Stijn Reintjes (Lokaal Belang)
- Peter Pollmann (Lokaal Belang)
- Roel van Bommel (Forum voor Democratie)
- Jacqueline Kramer (Forum voor Democratie)
- Wendy Lokhorst (Forum voor Democratie)
- Cindy Roelofs-Hermsen (Forum voor Democratie)
- Nanne van Dellen (WijZZ)
- Jelle Hugen (WijZZ)
- Hans Winters (WijZZ)
- Willy van Dinther (CDA)
- Frank Evers (CDA)
- Freek Jansen (CDA)
- Martijn de Vries (CDA)
- Jojanneke de Nooij (CDA)
- Wim Reijmer (CDA)
- Ingrid van Helvert (D66)
- Erik Verkampen (D66)
- Huub Meijer (Sociaal Zevenaar)
- Peter Vos (VVD)
- Glen Stokman (VVD)
- Berno Stokman (VVD)