Opposition cannot support multi-year plan: “We see a lot of missed opportunities”

Opposition party GBL has gone through the plan and had prepared many questions. “We see a lot of missed opportunities,” says councilor Sophie Gabriëls. “We also lack a vision around the abandoned fire station and municipal patrimony in Koestraat and Keulemansstraat, among others, being sold, which may be necessary to keep the budget in balance.”

According to Mayor Ooms, it was decided not to give the old fire station an extra-municipal destination. “The fire station could later become part of the town hall, but there are currently no budgets for this. We will study this further during this legislature.”

According to Sander Ooms, the sale of municipal property does not imply impoverishment. “These are sites that are currently no longer in use due to previous purchases and realizations and can therefore be closed.” Sophie Gabriëls and her party colleague Pieterjan Heremans also noted an increase in the municipal debt. “We end up with more than 12 million euros in debt. That means a debt of 1,300 euros per inhabitant. This is an unprecedentedly high debt burden for our municipality.”

“The investments are limited, necessary and thoroughly weighed against others,” says the mayor. “We are not increasing general taxes. The effort to make this happen was far from easy.” With the debt per inhabitant, the municipality would remain below the Flemish average.

Elderly

The opposition is disappointed in the policy on the elderly that the majority wants to implement and which would be at the expense of the number of assisted living homes at the Driane home. “We find this incomprehensible for a board with a competent alderman with a socialist background.”

“The intention is to provide the local service center, social services, a CADO day care center for seniors and a range of assisted living homes in the Huis Driane building. This requires thorough renovations and interventions. We are trying to continue to offer the widest possible range of assisted living homes to our residents,” Ooms responds.

GBL would also have liked to read more about the master plan for the ‘t Kapelleke sports site. Sophie Gabriëls: “The water is already seeping through the roof of our sports hall, the annoyance and frustration will only increase. However, we do not see any concrete action plan or plan of action in the multi-year plan.” Sander Ooms adds nuance. “We provide a budget to take a first step in the realization of the master plan Sports Complex ‘t Kapelleke, which was approved last legislature.”

Burgerbudget

The mayor also indicates that for the first time in Herenhout, a citizen budget of 45,000 euros will be provided. “This will be chosen, decided and implemented for and by citizens. We provide the broadest possible framework to offer maximum possibilities in the development of local dreams and wishes.”