Local elections and decentralisations - Main contents

Please note that this event was held in Dutch

In 2015 municipalities will be responsible for youth care, employment and income, and the care of elderly and those suffering from chronic illness. At the moment, municipalities are already partially responsible for these tasks. The remaining tasks are currently carried out by the national government, but will be carried out by the municipalities in the near future. This is called decentralisation.

What will the effect of decentralisation be for job-seekers and those who depend on care? And how do local political parties want to implement these changes?

During the Politics Café of 20th February the consequences for city of The Hague were discussed. What will change for the residents of The Hague? On which points do the opinions of the city councilors differ?

It was an evening with:

• - 

  Music performance by a jazzduo of the Royal Conservatory The Hague
• - 

  The facts: expert Arno Visser will talk about decentralization
• - 

  Politicians meet practitioners: with Robert Vermeiren (child psychologist) and Charlie Ortega (manager at PEP, organisation for volunteers and (home) care)
• - 

  Debate on the following statements from the StemWijzer Den Haag

  • - 

    Voluntary work in home care (such as grocery shopping and ironing) can be held mandatory for those receiving social assistance.
  • - 

    Municipalities should financially contribute to bear the government's budget cuts on health care.

Politicians who participated:

• - 

  Marieke Manschot (city councilor PvdA)
• - 

  Ingrid Michon-Derkzen (candidate city councilor VVD)
• - 

  Ingrid van Engelshoven (D66, city council member The Hague)
• - 

  Daniële Koster (candidate city councilor CDA)
• - 

  Daniëlle de Winter (city councilor PVV)
• - 

  Fatima Faid (party chairman Haagse Stadspartij)
• - 

  Esther Punte (candidate city councilor GroenLinks)