Regulations for village and neighborhood councils in the municipality of Nuenen and surrounding areas, 2025

Effective from November 18, 2025 to present

Regulations for village and neighborhood councils in the municipality of Nuenen and surrounding area 2025;
The Municipal Executive of the municipality of Nuenen and surrounding area;

Chapter 1 | General provisions

Article 1 | Definitions

In these regulations, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

a. Village or neighborhood council: a group of residents formed on the basis of these regulations who jointly represent the interests of a parish or neighborhood and who act as an advisory committee;

b. Council: the council of mayor and aldermen of the municipality of Nuenen c.a.;

c. Area: the area covered by the village or neighborhood council, as specified in Article 2;

Article 2 | Classification into areas and districts

These regulations apply to the areas listed below (see also Map attached Map, Appendix 1):

  1. Eeneind Neighborhood Council: The area enclosed by the A270 (Helmondweg) and the southern municipal boundary.
  2. Nederwetten Village Council: The area of the southern intersection of Soeterbeekseweg and Blekerdijk, further enclosed by the northwestern municipal boundary and the eastern high-voltage power line.
  3. Gerwen Village Council: The area north of the Hooidonkse stream, east of the Broekdijk, east of the south-north high-voltage pylon, south of the Wilhelmina Canal to the municipal boundary, west of the municipal boundary to Smits van Oyenlaan-Stiphoutseweg.

Article 3 | Publication of recognized village and neighborhood councils 

  1. The recognized village and neighborhood councils are published on the municipal website.

  2. The publication shall contain at least the following information:

    a. The name of the village or neighborhood council;

    b. The area;

    c. Contact details of the village or neighborhood council.

  3. Changes to contact details or the composition of the village or neighborhood council will be communicated to the municipality as soon as possible and updated on the website.

Chapter 2 | Establishment, composition, and termination

Article 4 | Establishment of a village or neighborhood council (first time)

  1. No later than October 1 preceding the year in which municipal elections are held, residents of a district may submit a request for the establishment of a village or neighborhood council.
  2. The board will decide within two weeks whether the request is admissible.
  3. Within eight weeks of declaring the request admissible, the council will determine the area and instruct the initiative group to organize the required election.
  4. No later than six weeks after the decision to organize the election, a list of candidates, containing only residents of the district who are eligible to vote, must be submitted to the board.
  5. The election will take place at the same time as the municipal elections.
  6. The municipal executive appoints the members of the village or neighborhood council in accordance with the results of the election in the area no later than eight weeks after the election date, unless Article 3, paragraph 7 applies.
  7. If the number of votes cast in the elections is less than 35% of the number of eligible voters, the village or neighborhood council will not be appointed.

Article 5 | Composition

  1. Members of the village or neighborhood council can only be residents of the area who have reached the age of 18 and are not disqualified from being elected.
  2. Members of the village or neighborhood council must submit a valid Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG), no older than six months, prior to their candidacy. Without submission of a valid VOG, the appointment will not be confirmed. This VOG must be requested from Justis. They are the only organization in the Netherlands that issues the VOG.
  3. The costs of applying for a Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG) are reimbursed from the budget available to village and neighborhood councils.
  4. The village or neighborhood council consists of at least 5 and at most 7 members.
  5. The village or neighborhood council can only be established if no village or neighborhood council has yet been recognized in the area.
  6. The members of the village or neighborhood council are appointed by the municipal executive for a period of four years on the basis of the elections to be held.

Article 6 | Elections

  1. The village or neighborhood council is responsible for organizing the election of the members of the village or neighborhood council.
  2. The election of members of the village or neighborhood council takes place at the same time as the municipal elections.
  3. The order of the candidates for the elections on the electoral list is determined by drawing lots.
  4. When applying for a position, it is stated that a valid Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG) is required for appointment.
  5. When a vacancy arises in the village or neighborhood council, it shall be filled, if possible, by the candidate who received the most votes after the elected members in the election of the members of the village or neighborhood council.
  6. If the list of candidates consists of fewer people than have been elected, or if the candidates are not interested, the incumbent village or neighborhood council will look for a replacement member.
  7. If one or more members are absent from the village or neighborhood council, the remaining village or neighborhood council members shall form a village or neighborhood council, provided that the number of village or neighborhood council members does not fall below five.
  8. The Dommel Valley Service prepares the voting passes. The voting passes are delivered by members of the village and neighborhood councils.
  9. The ballots used are kept by the board in sealed envelopes for three months after the newly elected members have been appointed, after which the ballots are destroyed.
  10. If the number of voters who turn out in the elections is less than 35% of the number of eligible voters, the village or neighborhood council will be dissolved.

Article 7 | Termination of membership

  1. The membership of a member of the village or neighborhood council shall end: 

    a. upon expiry of the term of office;

    b. upon death;

    c. upon written resignation at their own request;

    d. when moving away from the area;

    e. in the event of guardianship;

  2. In the event of serious misconduct, the village or neighborhood council may decide to request the municipal executive to dismiss the member concerned. This decision must be taken by a two-thirds majority.
  3. Council members, citizen council members, college members, and civil servants of the municipality of Nuenen cannot be members of a village or neighborhood council.

Article 8 | Day-to-day management

  1. At its first meeting, chaired by the oldest member, the village or neighborhood council elects a chairperson, deputy chairperson, and secretary from among its members. Together, they form the executive committee.
  2. The chairperson of the village or neighborhood council is also chairperson of the executive committee.

Article 9 | Seeking advice

If a village or neighborhood council requires expert advice, the municipal executive may decide to appoint one or more experts from the civil service to provide the village or neighborhood council with advice free of charge.

Article 10 | Repeal

  1. The council decides to dissolve a village or neighborhood council if:

    a. the village or neighborhood council requests it;

    b. special circumstances exist, as a result of which the existence of a village or neighborhood council is no longer necessary or desirable.

  2. Prior to making a proposal as referred to in paragraph 1b of this article, the council is obliged to consult the relevant village or neighborhood council.

Chapter 3 | Tasks, working methods, and participation

Article 11 | Purpose and status

  1. The village or neighborhood council represents the collective interests of the residents of its area and has the powers set out in this chapter for that purpose.
  2. The village or neighborhood council is an advisory committee of the municipal executive and does not have its own independent interests as administrative bodies or legal entities. It is therefore not considered an interested party in objection or appeal proceedings (Article 1:2 of the General Administrative Law Act) and any objection or appeal submitted by it will be declared inadmissible. Only an interested party can lodge an objection (Article 7:1 of the General Administrative Law Act) and lodge an appeal (Article 8:1 of the General Administrative Law Act).
  3. The village or neighborhood council can make use of the opportunity to address the municipal council. Because the council is an advisory committee of the municipal executive without any independent interest, it must be aware of the limits of directly approaching the council, partly from the point of view of integrity. Even when individual members speak in a personal capacity, it is important to make clear whether they are speaking on behalf of the village or neighborhood council or as private individuals.

Article 12 | Advisory topics

  1. The village or neighborhood council can provide solicited and unsolicited advice on matters including: 

    a. the preparation, adoption, amendment, and implementation of structural and environmental plans for the area;

    b. the construction of dwellings, commercial premises, and other structures;

    c. het onderhoud, de verbetering en aanschaf van eigendommen van <..>, zoals straatverlichting, riolering en wegen;

    d. traffic measures;

    e. the improvement, maintenance, and cleaning of streets, roads, green spaces, and parks;

    f. street naming (advice requested by the street naming committee).

Article 13 | Advisory procedure

  1. If a recommendation deviates from the council's proposal, the village or neighborhood council shall justify its recommendation.
  2. The council submits (if applicable) the advice of the village or neighborhood council to the municipal council at the same time as the proposal.
  3. In the event of a deviation from the advice of the village or neighborhood council, a reasoned statement shall be communicated to the village or neighborhood council and, if necessary, to the municipal council.
  4. The village or neighborhood council may, on its own initiative, issue advice to the municipal executive.
  5. The council may set a deadline for the village or neighborhood council to issue its advice, with a period of six weeks applying in principle. This period gives the village or neighborhood council the opportunity to deliberate, consult residents, and involve experts. The six-week period is a procedural deadline and may be adjusted by mutual agreement. In urgent situations, the municipal executive may set a shorter deadline.
  6. The council will respond in writing to questions and recommendations from the village or neighborhood council within six weeks of receipt. The response may also consist of interim feedback on the progress of a decision.

Article 14 | Openness and participation

  1. The meetings of the village and neighborhood council are open to the public, unless otherwise decided by a majority vote.
  2. Reports, annual reports, recommendations, and minutes are actively made public by the village or neighborhood council.
  3. At least twice a year, the village or neighborhood council organizes a public meeting for residents of the area they serve.
  4. The board or members thereof may attend meetings and participate in an advisory capacity.
  5. With regard to every request for advice submitted by or on behalf of the municipal executive to a village or neighborhood council, a public meeting will be held to discuss the subject in question. This meeting will be organized in such a way that interested parties and other residents are given the opportunity to attend the consultation.
     

Chapter 4 | Organization

Article 15 | Agenda

The chairperson sets the agenda, partly on the basis of the topics proposed by the members of the village or neighborhood council.

Article 16 | Summons

The chairperson shall convene the members in writing at least three days in advance, except in urgent cases, sending them the agenda and accompanying documents.

Article 17 | Meeting quorum

The village or neighborhood council can only deliberate or decide to give solicited or unsolicited advice if the attendance list shows that at least half of the members are present at a meeting. 

Article 18 | Signature

All documents issued by the village or neighborhood council are signed by the chairperson and the secretary.

Article 19 | Minutes

  1. The minutes of the meeting shall be drawn up by the secretary, or under the secretary's responsibility, by a minute-taker from the local population appointed by the village or neighborhood council.
  2. The secretary is also Health drafting documents originating from the chair of the executive committee and the village or neighborhood council.
  3. The minutes of the village or neighborhood council meetings are finalized at the next meeting and sent to the municipal executive.
  4. Every year before April 1, the village or neighborhood council sends the municipal executive a report on its activities during the previous calendar year and a financial report. 

Article 20 | Internal regulations

  1. The village or neighborhood council may draw up regulations to further detail its internal organization. Decisions regarding these regulations are made within the village or neighborhood council.
  2. The internal regulations of a village or neighborhood council may not deviate in any way from the provisions contained in these regulations. 

Article 21 | Committees

The village or neighborhood council may establish one or more committees, task forces, or working groups, which may include individuals other than members of the village or neighborhood council.

Article 22 | Contacts between village and neighborhood councils and the municipality

  1. If desired, the mayor and aldermen will pay an annual working visit to the village or neighborhood.
  2. The portfolio holder meets with the members of the village or neighborhood council twice a year to discuss general matters.
  3. The council appoints a contact person for the village and neighborhood councils. This person is appointed to improve cooperation and communication between the village and neighborhood councils and the municipality. This official has a stimulating, supportive, and advisory role but no decision-making authority.

Article 23 | Complaints and dispute resolution

  1. Complaints from residents about the functioning of the village or neighborhood council or of individual members are initially dealt with by the village or neighborhood council itself.
  2. If the complaint is not resolved satisfactorily, the village or neighborhood council concerned or resident(s) may request a neighboring village or neighborhood council to mediate.
  3. If this does not lead to a solution either, the mayor may be asked to mediate.
  4. In the event of disputes concerning the implementation of this regulation, consultation shall take place between the parties concerned. If this does not lead to a solution, the portfolio holder shall decide after hearing both sides.

Chapter 5 | Financial resources

Article 24 | Budget

  1. An amount is estimated annually in the municipal budget to cover the costs associated with exercising the powers and duties assigned to the village and neighborhood council under these regulations. This amount is fixed for the four-year term of office. Deviations from this amount are possible in consultation with the portfolio holder.
  2. The village or neighborhood council reports annually on the use of the funds received in the form of an annual report, including a financial statement. This report is sent to the municipal executive before April 1.
  3. In consultation with the board, deviations from the provisions of the second paragraph are permitted.

Article 25 | Personal compensation

  1. Members of the village or neighborhood council receive a fixed annual allowance for their work.
  2. If a member has only been in office for part of the year, the allowance shall be granted on a pro rata basis.
  3. The amount of the compensation and the method of payment will be communicated to the village or neighborhood councils annually before March 1.

Chapter 6 | Final and transitional provisions

Article 26 | Interpretation

In cases not covered by these regulations or in cases where any provision is open to different interpretations, the council shall consult the village or neighborhood council. The council shall then take a reasoned decision.

Article 27 | Amendments/additions

Amendments and additions to these regulations may only be made after consultation with the village or neighborhood council.

Article 28 | Repeal of old regulation, citation title, and entry into force

  1.  The "Regulations for Village and Neighborhood Councils in the Municipality of Nuenen and Surrounding Areas 2014" are hereby repealed.
    1. These regulations may be cited as: ‘Regulations for Village and Neighborhood Councils in the Municipality of Nuenen c.a. 2025’;
    2. These regulations shall enter into force one day after their publication, simultaneously repealing the previous regulations.

Signature

Thus decided at its meeting on November 18, 2025.

THE ABOVE-MENTIONED BOARD,

the secretary,

H.P.C. Verbruggen

the mayor,

F.G.F. van Genugten