The Dommelstroom municipalities of Nuenen, Son en Breugel, Geldrop-Mierlo, Valkenswaard, Cranendonck and Heeze-Leende are working together to make themselves more resilient against undermining crime. One of the ways they are doing this is through joint policy in the area of the Wet bevordering integriteitsbeoordelingen door het openbaar bestuur (the Bibob Act). Legislative amendments gave cause to update this Bibob policy. This has now been done.

Why update?

On October 1, 2022, the Bibob Act was amended (the so-called second tranche). Among other things, this legislative amendment resulted in an expansion of the possibilities for information sharing between the Landelijk Bureau Bibob (LBB) and administrative bodies and between administrative bodies themselves. The entry into force of the second tranche also expanded the scope of the Bibob Act.

In addition, the Omgevingswet came into force on January 1, 2024. References to the Environmental Law (General Provisions) Act had to be removed from the policy rule and these had to be replaced with references to the Omgevingswet. These legislative changes prompted the updating of the Bibob policy.

What is the Bibob Act? 

The Bibob Act is an administrative law instrument to protect the integrity of municipal government. The use of the instrument helps to tackle undermining crime and organized crime. The Bibob Act can be applied to a large number of government decisions, such as permits, subsidies, government contracts and real estate transactions. Investigations can be conducted under the Bibob Act. If there is a serious risk that, for example, a permit or subsidy will be used to commit criminal offenses or exploit benefits obtained from criminal offenses, a permit or subsidy may be refused or withdrawn. Serious danger of such abuse may also be grounds for terminating negotiations or dissolving an agreement.

Collaboration makes resilience greater

Because the six Dommelstroom municipalities are working together, together we become more resilient against undermining. Criminals are not deterred by municipal boundaries and often look for weak spots. Because the policy rule is determined jointly by the Dommelstroom municipalities, we keep the dikes equally high and prevent the waterbed effect. The waterbed effect means that criminals move their activities to other (nearby) municipalities, where the policy is less strict. 

What does the Bibob policy apply to? 

To resist undermining as much as possible, it is important that the basics are in order. The new policy rule fulfills this requirement. The policy rule oversees: decisions (such as alcohol licenses and environmental permits), subsidies, real estate transactions and government contracts. 

From when does the new Bibob policy apply?

The policy rule "Wet Bibob gemeente Nuenen 2025 " will take effect on January 1, 2025 after publication in the digital Municipal Gazette on overheid.nl. It is not possible to object to a policy rule. 

For more information on Bibob investigations within the municipality of Nuenen, please visit our webpage Bibob investigations.