The Leiden city council met until late. (Photo: Chris de Waard)
It was night work on Thursday in Leiden, where the city council discussed the budget for next year from 4 p.m. But ultimately this was adopted without major changes, with only the votes of the Sleutelstad Party and the VVD against. In total, Leiden will have to spend around 740 million euros next year.
The budget process was not accompanied by any major financial changes, despite around seventy amendment proposals, more than half of which were adopted. With twice an extra budget of 55,000 euros for the insulation offensive of the Energiefixers071, the SVL proposal, co-submitted by the PvdD, VVD, SP, PS, CU and GroenLinks, was the most far-reaching. Next year and in 2026, more money will become available to insulate not only social rental properties, but also those of private owners.
SVL councilor Mitchell Wiegand Bruss about the extra money for the Energiefixers071.
Priority
Other proposals that were adopted related, for example, to the priority allocation of housing to teachers, police officers and healthcare workers. For the first group, an agreement will also be signed on Friday afternoon between the Leiden educational field and St. Huisvesting Werkende Jongeren, which will allocate ten homes to teachers.
A proposal by CDA councilor Tobias Sandoval Garcia received sufficient support. There will be a priority arrangement for the allocation of social and medium-priced rental housing for education and healthcare staff and police officers.
Guide strips
Keeping the guide lanes free for people with visual impairments during Leiden’s Relief also receives extra attention. During the last celebration, there appeared to be all kinds of things on those strips at Stationsplein and the fair area.
Vaccination rate
There will also be additional municipal efforts in the field of vaccinations. In some Leiden neighborhoods, the number of children being vaccinated for DKTP-Hib-HepB, for example, is lagging behind and the declining vaccination rate is worrying a large part of the council. This increases the risk of outbreaks of serious and highly contagious diseases such as measles and whooping cough.
An increase in the spread of misinformation about negative consequences of vaccinations is an important reason for this. Alternative options for offering vaccinations will now be investigated.
Sustainability Leiden Society Politics
Leiden’s Budget Shenanigans: A Comedy of Council Meetings
Ah, the city council of Leiden—where serious matters are debated passionately, and yet, if you squint hard enough, it looks suspiciously like a sitcom set. Picture the scene: the attendees gathering at 4 p.m. with the same enthusiasm as a cat being taken to the vet. They stuck it out until late, discussing the budget like it was the most gripping plot twist known to mankind. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t! The budget for next year got approval without major drama. Imagine that; a council where the biggest shock was the Sleutelstad Party and VVD not being on board. How *dare* they!
This year, Leiden’s financial plans come as a whopping 740 million euros. If you’re wondering what could possibly cost that much, just remember: it’s not just about the pizza and coffee for those marathon meetings. But even with around seventy amendment proposals, you could feel the collective yawn echo through the council chambers. More than half of those proposals were adopted, and not a single person fainted! Oh, the resilience!
Insulation and the Energiefixers071
Let’s talk about the “insulation offensive”. Sounds like a poorly-timed military operation, doesn’t it? Thankfully, it’s about keeping homes warm without melting in the process. The proposal spearheaded by SVL councilor Mitchell Wiegand Bruss—who we can only assume has a superhero cape hidden under his blazer—received double funding to insulate properties. This move does have substantial benefits for both social rental properties and private homes. Two extra budgets of 55,000 euros—because nothing says “we care” like allocating funds for insulation while debating until midnight!
Priority Allocation: Teachers, Police Officers, and Other Heroes
Now, let’s sprinkle in a bit of heroic flair. Teachers, police officers, and healthcare workers will receive priority for housing allocation—because, you know, they might actually *need* a place to decompress after dodging flying pencils and poorly-timed emergency calls. They’re getting ten houses allocated just for them! Is it a housing arrangement or an episode of Survivor? Only time will tell!
Blind Spots and the Visual Impairment Initiative
And speaking of blind spots, let’s discuss keeping guide lanes free for our friends with visual impairments. This is crucial so they can navigate through the city without stumbling across a rogue hotdog stand at Leiden’s Relief celebrations. Imagine explaining that to your kid: “No, darling, that’s not a solidified art installation; it’s just where the guide stripes went to die!”
The Vaccination Wagon
On a more serious note, council members are understandably worried about declining vaccination rates in various neighborhoods, particularly for DKTP-Hib-HepB. This is particularly concerning, considering that misinformation is spreading faster than an internet meme. If only dodging measles outbreaks could be as easy as dodging the latest TikTok dance trend!
The council plans to investigate alternative vaccination methods because apparently, “just tell them to get vaccinated” isn’t cutting it anymore. They need to perform a delicate balancing act between getting shots into arms while tackling misinformation, which itself has become an epidemic in its own right. Let’s see… could a celebrity endorsement help? Surely someone can lure people in with free donuts and a catchy jingle!
In Conclusion
So there you have it, folks! The fun-filled and action-packed tales from Leiden’s city council meeting. You’d think budgets were designed to be a bore-fest; instead, they turned out to be a raucous game of “Who Wants to Be a Council Member?” full of politics, priorities, and, of course, a hint of absurdity. Who knew budget meetings could produce such rich material for comedy? If only they could keep the laughter alive as they tackle their ever-growing challenges ahead!
Brainly
Welcome to our special segment on the recent happenings in Leiden’s city council, where bureaucracy meets a touch of comedy. I have with me Mitchell Wiegand Bruss, the SVL councilor who played a key role in advocating for the recent budget adjustments. Thank you for joining us, Mitchell!
**Interviewer:** So, Mitchell, it was quite a long night for the council, yet the budget sailed through with relatively few hiccups. What was the atmosphere like?
**Mitchell Wiegand Bruss:** Thank you for having me! The atmosphere was surprisingly calm, considering the number of amendments on the table. Many of us were ready for a debate marathon, but there wasn’t the major contention some expected. I think everyone recognized the importance of getting our financial planning right.
**Interviewer:** Speaking of financial planning, the budget for next year is set at a hefty 740 million euros. That’s a substantial amount! What are the highlights or key initiatives that excite you in this budget?
**Mitchell Wiegand Bruss:** Absolutely, it is a significant budget! One of the key initiatives I’m thrilled about is the additional funding we secured for the Energiefixers071. The extra budgets for insulation—55,000 euros each—are essential for making our housing more energy-efficient. It’s not just about comfort; it’s about sustainability and reducing our carbon footprint.
**Interviewer:** Very true! Now, among the proposals that received support, one focused on priority housing allocation for teachers, police officers, and healthcare workers. Why do you think this initiative is important?
**Mitchell Wiegand Bruss:** This initiative is crucial because these workers play vital roles in our community, often underappreciated and overworked. By ensuring they have access to housing, we can help improve their quality of life, and hopefully, attract more talent to live and work here in Leiden.
**Interviewer:** There was also mention of keeping walkways clear for those with visual impairments. Can you elaborate on that?
**Mitchell Wiegand Bruss:** Yes! This is an important aspect of making our city accessible. During events like Leiden’s Relief, we noticed that certain pathways can become cluttered, making it difficult for individuals with visual impairments to navigate. We’re committed to finding solutions to keep those pathways clear and ensure that everyone can participate in our community activities safely.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like there are positive moves being made in various facets of city planning. With the vaccination rates being a concern as well, what steps is the council taking to address that issue?
**Mitchell Wiegand Bruss:** We’re aware of the declining vaccination rates and the misinformation surrounding vaccines. The council plans to explore alternative options for offering vaccinations to improve access and education for our residents. Protecting public health has to be a top priority.
**Interviewer:** Thanks for sharing your insights, Mitchell! It seems like despite the humorous tone, the city council is quite serious about tackling a variety of important issues in Leiden. Good luck with the upcoming initiatives!
**Mitchell Wiegand Bruss:** Thank you! It was a pleasure to discuss these important topics. We’re dedicated to making Leiden a better place for all its residents.
