Coalition Agreement 2026–2030

Leading with Confidence

A strong municipality requires a strong culture of governance. Trust does not arise on its own. It grows through openness, reliability, and a willingness to work together. Differences of opinion are a natural part of politics. We always seek to engage in dialogue with one another, listen to different points of view, and prioritize the common good of Voorne aan Zee party-political or personal interests.

Integrity forms the foundation of our actions. Governing with integrity means more than simply complying with rules. It requires a culture in which dilemmas can be openly discussed, in which we address one another respectfully, and in which transparency is a given. The discussion about integrity, conduct, and cooperation therefore remains a regular part of our governance. In this way, we ensure stability, administrative continuity, and a reliable municipality.

Services

Public service is all about trust—in every interaction with the municipality, whether it’s a passport, a neighborhood report, or a Wmo application. We approach things from the perspective of residents, business owners, and organizations. Not every request is the same. That’s why we provide fast service whenever possible, and personalized assistance and tailored solutions when needed.

Here are some of the things we'll be doing to achieve this:

• We tailor our services: fast and efficient where possible, personalized and customized where necessary.
• We are improving access to municipal services—both online, by phone, and in person—including for those with limited digital skills.
• We are reducing wait times for Wmo services and debt counseling.
• We bring services close to home in villages and neighborhoods, through libraries, living rooms, and our facilities.

Participation

We involve residents, business owners, and organizations early on in the development of new policies—not only after the plans are already finalized. Not every issue requires the same approach. Sometimes a community meeting is appropriate; other times, a survey or a discussion in the neighborhood is more suitable. We are clear from the outset about what will happen with the input we receive and provide feedback on how we take it into account.

Here are some of the things we'll be doing to achieve this:

• We are clear from the outset about the scope for input and show how we use that input.
• We are improving the implementation of environmental management within the municipal organization.
• We are strengthening youth participation through approaches that resonate with their experiences.
• We are continuing to develop village and neighborhood councils and are also involving other local networks, with a specific focus on Hellevoetsluis.

Housing and Living Environment

Pressure on the housing market is high, and space is scarce. There are also challenges, such as grid congestion and nitrogen pollution. This calls for tough decisions. We want to provide space for people of all ages and help facilitate mobility in the housing market. In our housing vision, we set out a path toward affordable housing, faster construction, and space for new forms of housing. 

Here are some of the things we'll be doing to achieve this:

• We are developing a housing vision based on the “three-thirds” principle: social rental and owner-occupied housing, mid-range rental and affordable owner-occupied housing, and the private sector. We are paying special attention to people with ties to Voorne aan Zee.
• We are accelerating construction through a two-year pilot program with an “accelerator” and are focusing on increasing housing supply and providing affordable, energy-efficient homes.
• We are strengthening the Woonbedrijf, including its mid-range rental housing, home purchase guarantee, and housing for priority groups.
• We are implementing a more proactive land policy, adding vacant properties to Map will make a decision in 2027 on whether to renovate or build a new city hall.

Asylum and Migration

Asylum and migration are a legal responsibility and a major challenge. We have chosen to take the lead ourselves, rather than wait and see. We are realistic about the impact on public services and quality of life. The current asylum and Ukraine-related challenges affect less than one percent of the population of Voorne aan Zee.

Here are some of the things we'll be doing to achieve this:

• As a municipality, we are taking the lead on the childcare challenge ourselves.
• We are honoring the agreements regarding the reception ship and are working on an alternative location that will accommodate 150 asylum seekers as of January 1, 2027.
• We will choose multiple locations spread throughout the municipality, with no more than about 175 spots per location. No large asylum seeker centers. We will directly involve local residents at each location.
• We provide quick access to language instruction, daytime activities, and, where possible, employment.

Work, Entrepreneurship, Tourism, and Recreation

Voorne aan Zee in a thriving economic region, close to Rotterdam, the port, and industry. This offers opportunities for employment, innovation, and development. At the same time, our municipality itself has much to offer: an attractive place to live and work, excellent recreational opportunities, and committed business owners. We collaborate within the region and foster sustainable entrepreneurship and tourism.

Here are some of the things we'll be doing to achieve this:

• We are strengthening Voorne aan Zee ’s position and voice Voorne aan Zee the region and are collaborating with the Port of Rotterdam Authority.
• We are committed to high-quality tourism that is in keeping with the character of Voorne aan Zee all year round.
• We are strengthening the link between education and the labor market at the regional level and promoting internships, work-study programs, and talent development.
• We are committed to creating future-proof business parks and suitable commercial space, and we are accelerating the development of the Kickersbloem 3, Phase 4 environmental plan to attract as many local businesses as possible that will contribute to the economic development of Voorne aan Zee.

Sustainable and forward-looking

We face major challenges related to sustainability, energy, and climate. These challenges affect all residents and have an impact on housing, the economy, and mobility. We are working to ensure a reliable and affordable energy supply, with energy security as our top priority. Currently, we generate about 25% of our electricity from renewable sources. We are also preparing our living environment for heat, drought, and heavy rain.

Here are some of the things we'll be doing to achieve this:

• We remain committed to the goal of becoming climate-neutral by 2050. To this end, we are exploring all renewable energy sources, with local nuclear energy being added as a last resort.
• We are strengthening our collaboration with the national government and the region on issues related to energy, grid congestion, and sustainability, and we are supporting initiatives such as geothermal energy and district heating networks.
• In our approach to the energy transition, we are focusing first on neighborhoods where energy poverty is most severe.
• We are committed to preserving the identity of our coastline and the seaside resort of Rockanje. We are investigating whether the natural accretion of the Hinderplaat toward the coast can be accelerated in a responsible manner so that opportunities for nature development, recreation, and coastal reinforcement can be fully utilized.

Connected and Accessible: Voorne aan Zee

Good connections and smooth traffic flow are essential for a pleasant living, working, and recreational environment. We do not view mobility in isolation from other challenges. Housing, the economy, traffic safety, quality of life, and nature are all interconnected. In the coming years, the focus will be on implementation. We cannot do everything at once, so we are making choices and phasing projects. We are working together with the region on this.

Here are some of the things we'll be doing to achieve this:

• We are focusing our efforts on implementing the mobility vision and analyzing the bottlenecks. Based on this analysis, we determine which measures contribute to traffic safety, quality of life, and smooth traffic flow.
• We are working with village and neighborhood councils to develop future-proof parking solutions for our historic fortified towns, with a special focus on the fortified town of Brielle.
• We encourage walking and biking for short distances and invest in good public transportation, such as the bus route between Hellevoetsluis and Schiedam.
• We will ensure better follow-up and feedback on reports regarding public spaces.

Living Together in Voorne aan Zee

A strong community starts with people who look out for one another. Clubs, volunteers, informal caregivers, and organizations form the social foundation of our municipality. They provide opportunities for people to connect and offer support, often before professional help is needed. By strengthening this social foundation, we are investing in the well-being of our residents and in a future-proof social sector.

Here are some of the things we'll be doing to achieve this:

• We support community organizations, volunteers, and informal caregivers as the foundation of a strong society.
• We place special emphasis on prevention, the mental health of young people, loneliness, and suicide prevention.
• We ensure that youth services are high-quality and affordable, with a focus on the family and a single point of contact.
• We are developing a comprehensive policy for the elderly and remain committed to poverty reduction and debt counseling services.