Wijdemeren can no longer exist as an independent municipality. The merger strengthens the administrative capacity of both Wijdemeren and the Gooi and Vechtstreek region. This viewpoint is included in the merger advice and is submitted together with the advice to the Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations.

Viewpoint 

The viewpoint addresses support, administrative capacity, and internal and regional cohesion. There is sufficient local, societal, and regional support. The internal cohesion, as indicated in the action plan, is guaranteed by agreements on a village- and district-oriented approach. Furthermore, in anticipation of the administrative merger, the civil service organizations will be merged by January 1, 2026. The financial position of the new municipality of Hilversum is assessed as sufficient. The Governance Committee of the province of North Holland is also positive and supports the viewpoint. 

Arthur van Dijk, Commissioner of the King: “Both municipalities have worked hard on this joint path towards a merger. And not without result; the advice has been adopted by both municipal councils. It is important that such a municipal merger is initiated and supported from the ground up, with combined efforts by the municipalities themselves. It is nice to see how this has turned out for Wijdemeren and Hilversum. The Gooi and Vechtstreek region is also pleased with this development, so that it maintains sufficient mass as a region.”

Follow-up

If the Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations decides to propose a merger regulation (merger law), this proposal will be submitted to the Council of Ministers within 4 months of receiving the merger advice.