Participation

Participation policy 'It's the move together'

The Municipality of Voorne aan Zee has drawn up a participation policy entitled: "Samen aan zet". The policy shows what we can expect from each other when it comes to involving residents and/or entrepreneurs in policy, projects and processes. In all phases: from agenda-setting of policy to evaluation of projects. On this page you can read a summary of what is in the policy.

Download the full policy "Together for the Move" (pdf 879 KB). Please note that this document does not meet accessibility requirements. Do you need assistance? Please contact the municipality by phone at 14 0181

By participation in this policy we mean the active involvement of residents, entrepreneurs, social institutions or others in activities and topics that play a role in the municipality. Sometimes the initiative lies with the municipality and sometimes the initiative lies with society.

Why do we think participation is important?

With participation, we as a municipality of Voorne aan Zee want to ensure that the needs and interests of residents, entrepreneurs and social institutions are properly considered and taken into account in the municipality's policies and services.

We believe it is important to involve and allow participation by all stakeholders, especially in subjects that directly affect their living environment. Sometimes participation is not possible or only possible to a limited extent, in which case we are also clear about this. The degree of participation can also vary depending on the phase of a project.

The fact that participation takes place does not mean that everyone is always satisfied with the outcome. There may be different or even opposing wishes or interests. It is up to the municipality to ultimately weigh in all those interests, and decide on the general interest. However, it is important that the municipality shows that there was attention to the input and considerations and provides good feedback on decisions to the people who participated.

We like to see residents participate and think along in improving their own living environment and the municipality as a whole. We think this is important; together we come up with better solutions and plans. There are also several laws that emphasize the importance of participation, including the Omgevingswet that took effect on January 1, 2024.

Principles in participatory processes

If participation is possible in a project or topic and the goal of participation has been determined, we elaborate on this in a participation approach. Below you will find (summarized) a number of principles that are important in our participation processes:

  • We encourage the active involvement of our residents, entrepreneurs, village and neighborhood councils, advisory councils and social institutions.
  • We communicate actively and in clear language about all steps in our participation processes.
  • It is clear to all involved what level of influence they have (expectation management).
  • Known is how much money, time and commitment the process demands from the organization and stakeholders.
  • During and after the conclusion of a participation process, we evaluate how everyone experienced the process and whether there was sufficient participation.
  • All stakeholders have a voice in the process. We offer everyone the opportunity to participate and provide online and offline opportunities to do so.
  • The municipality welcomes initiatives and approaches initiators with an open attitude.
  • It is important to have an open conversation.
  • All stakeholders are aware of the timeline surrounding the participation process. As a government, we pay attention to adjusting our pace to those involved. As a government, we sometimes go too fast (we have an information advantage) and sometimes too slow (decision-making processes take a long time).
  • All involved act on the basis of trust, in each other and in the process. All parties actively share the information needed for the process.

The Omgevingswet and participation

The Omgevingswet is about the physical environment. This is about everything you see and feel in the outdoor space. Such as greenery and nature, air and water, roads and buildings. The law aims to contribute to four improvements:

1. Ensure transparent laws and regulations.
2. From fragmented to integrated decision-making.
3. Faster service provision (especially in the licensing process).
4. Room for local customization (in regulations).

Participation is important under the Omgevingswet . In a number of cases participation is mandatory, such as when drafting new policies, for example the environmental vision. Participation is also mandatory when amending the environmental plan. The municipality must demonstrate the results of the participation and how they have been incorporated into policy or regulations. The manner in which the participation takes place is up to the municipality to decide. How much influence residents have and how the participation is implemented depends on the topic.

It is also possible that a party other than the municipality is the initiator, such as a developer. If the initiator has a plan, which does not fit within the existing policy or regulations (an out of plan initiative), participation is desirable, but not obligatory in all cases. In a number of cases it is. The Participation Policy discusses this further (see page 19 of the Participation Policy). The City Council has also adopted a list of types of off-plan initiatives where participation is mandatory. You can read this list in the document List of categories of out-of-plan environmental plan activities. However, the initiator may decide how to do the participation; the municipality may not impose any requirements on this.

However, the Municipality of Voorne aan Zee has drawn up policy rules for the assessment of a participation process for an environmental permit by an initiator. You can read these policy rules on the Overheid.nl website. They also describe the requirements for a participation report. 

There is also a manual for initiators, with tips and advice on how to get started with participation: Brochure Participation in Environment Initiatives.

Implementation of the participation policy

The City Council passed a resolution on October 3, 2023, on the Participation Together Policy. The municipality trains and guides employees to use participation in policies and projects.

Based on the participation policy Samen aan Zet, a participation regulation has been drawn up. This ordinance regulates the involvement of residents, entrepreneurs, civil society organizations, (chain) partners and other stakeholders in the development of municipal initiatives and policy. It explains the role of the mayor, the municipal executive and the municipal council in these processes. 

The ordinance also describes how the municipality responds, supports and/or decides on initiatives in which the municipality is not the initiator. These may include initiatives by residents, entrepreneurs, developers, civil society organizations, (chain) partners and other stakeholders. 

You can read the participation ordinance on the official notices website.