Municipal reorganization in Netherlands

In the Netherlands there in the nineteenth, and especially in the twentieth century, many municipal reclassifications performed, in which the number of municipalities has decreased considerably.



Contents
*1 Background 
 * 2 History of municipal reorganisations
 * 2.1 Reclassifications in recent decades
 * 2.2 Most recent reclassifications
 * 3 Coming reclassifications
 * 3.1 2016
 * 3.2 2017
 * 3.3 2018
 * 3.4 Other merger talks
 * 3.5   Recent canceled reclassifications

Backgrounds
The Dutch government wants to specific tasks and powers to the municipalities. This decentralization, which is used by Lubbers , is intended to give municipalities more leeway and responsibilities. Based on the idea that many small municipalities do not or insufficiently handle these responsibilities, they are reclassified to larger municipalities. It is expected that larger municipalities provide a more professional and businesslike management. Another motive for municipal reorganization may be that needs a great place more space, for example for housing, and therefore land will be by or merged with smaller communities in the area. The effects of reclassification, however, are up till now controversial.

While there since the nineteenth century reclassifications take place, initially, was very few and very small scale. Especially since the seventies of the twentieth century the number and scale of the reclassifications gradually increased. This is due to the increase in the number of powers which was transferred and transformed ideal image that the government had the municipalities. Was the early eighties a population of at least 5,000 still in the directive reclassifications Purple II strove late nineties to municipalities with 25,000 inhabitants or more.

Meanwhile reclassifications have been made in the Netherlands. Some places have even been through several reclassifications, other managed to be spared. In drawing the new boundaries, much depends on political decisions at national or regional level.

The resistance from the population against reclassifications has always been quite large, especially in cases where small municipalities were merged with large municipalities. The opinion of the population, however, was often ignored in the past, even in referenda. A good example is the reclassification of Vleuten-De Meern at Utrecht . In 1996 there was a plebiscite held, in which a rise of 83% but less than 98% of the population spoke against reclassification. Yet found by January 1, 2001 the reclassification place.

Pim Fortuyn made ​​in 2002 by abolishing municipal reclassification an election issue. Under the influence of the LPF decided Balkenende I reclassifications to no longer impose from above. Scheduled reclassifications around Eindhoven and in the north of England were canceled. Only the reclassification in the Achterhoek could still go; This occurred on 1 January 2005. Although the current policy aims to reclassifications only take place with the approval of the municipalities themselves, it can still prevent a church against her will be reclassified, such as the so-called " administrative power "of a small town turns out to be insufficient. Also regularly voices are still on suburban municipalities, especially in the Randstad (eg Diemen , Rijswijk or Schiedam ) if necessary forcibly incorporate them into big cities. In recent years, spoken especially in the northern provinces again on a new round of municipal reorganisations.

Reclassifications in recent decades

 * 1961 - Schouwen-Duiveland (Zeeland);
 * 1966 - Goeree-Overflakkee (ZH); Walcheren (Zeeland);
 * 1970 - Zeeland and South Beveland (Zeeland); regions Waterland and West Friesland (NH);
 * 1971 - Tholen (Zeeland);
 * 1973 - Overijssel ;
 * 1974 - establishment Zaanstad (NH) from seven churches annexation Hoogland (U) Amersfoort and Bunschoten ;
 * 1978 - Western Betuwe (Gelderland);
 * 1979 - West-Friesland (NH);
 * 1980 - Voorne-Putten (ZH);
 * 1982 - Zuid-Limburg ;
 * 1984 - Province of Friesland ; Hoekschewaard (ZH);
 * 1985 - Krimpenerwaard (ZH), Nijmegen (Gelderland, part 1984);
 * 1986 - Alblasserwaard and Vijfheerenlanden (ZH);
 * 1989 - West Utrecht;
 * 1990 - Province of Groningen, Noord-Holland peninsula ;
 * 1991 - Middle-Holland (ZH); Midden-Limburg;
 * 1997 - Province of Noord-Brabant (some 1993 t / m 1996); Zeeland (part 1995);
 * 1998 - Province of Drenthe ;
 * 1999 - Bommelerwaard (Gelderland) and GulpenWittem (Limburg);
 * 2001 - Province of Overijssel ; region The Hague, Utrecht and Venlo; eastern Betuwe (Gelderland, part 2002), and Sittard-Geleen (Limburg);
 * 2003 - Zeeland Flanders and Echt-Susteren (Limburg);
 * 2004 - Westland (ZH) (see: municipal reorganization Westland );
 * 2005 - Achterhoek , Liemers (Gelderland), Deventer and Bathmen (Overijssel);
 * 2006 - Utrecht Ridge ;
 * 2007 - West-Friesland (NH, partially 2006), Midden-Limburg;
 * 2009 - Bloemendaal and Kaag and Braassem ;
 * 2010 - North, Central Limburg, Zuidplas and Caribbean Netherlands ;
 * 2011 - Súdwest Friesland , De Ronde Venen , Stichtse Vecht , Medemblik , Bodegraven-Reeuwijk , Oss and Eijsden-Margraten ;
 * 2012 - Dutch Crown ;
 * 2013 - Schagen , Goeree-Overflakkee and Molenwaard ;
 * 2014 - The Frisian Lakes , Heerenveen , Leeuwarden , Friesland Súdwest (Friesland) Alphen aan den Rijn (ZH);
 * 2015 - Alkmaar , Groesbeek , Krimpenerwaard , Nisse Waard , Oss and Den Bosch .

Most recent reclassifications
As of January 1, 2015:

In question 16 (old) municipalities were municipal elections in 2014 not held on March 19, but were held on November 19 elections for the sixth form new congregations. [1] [2]

Due to this reclassification, the number of municipalities in the Netherlands fell from 406 to 396 (including the three public entities in the Caribbean).
 * Noord-Holland: the municipalities of Alkmaar , Graft-De Ripe and Schermer merged. The merger municipality has been given the existing name Alkmaar. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-3" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[3]
 * Gelderland: the municipalities Groesbeek , Millingen and Ubbergen merged. The merger municipality called to January 1, 2016 Groesbeek . During the reclassification elections for the new council also a referendum was held on November 19, 2014 the new name of the municipality as of 1 January 2016. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-4" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[4] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-5" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[5] It chose 51% for Berg en Dal and 49% for Groesbeek.
 * South Holland: municipalities Bergambacht , Nederlek , Ouderkerk , Schoonhoven and Vlist are merged into a new municipality Krimpenerwaard . <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-6" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[6]
 * South Holland: municipalities Bernisse and Spijkenisse be merged into a new municipality Nisse Waard . <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-7" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[7] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-8" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[8]
 * Noord-Brabant, the municipality Maasdonk lifted. The village of Geffen is assigned to the municipality of Oss and the villages Nuland and Leek in the town of 's-Hertogenbosch . <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-9" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[9] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-10" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[10]

Coming reclassifications
<p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;">In the provinces of Drenthe , Overijssel , Flevoland and Zeeland are no reclassifications in the discussion. In Gelderland , Limburg , North Brabant , Utrecht , Friesland , Noord-Holland and Zuid-Holland andGroningen over reclassifications discussed in the short or medium term.

2016

 * Noord-Holland: in 2012 by the municipality Zeevang submitted an official request to the neighboring municipality of Edam-Volendam to come to a merger, here is agreed by Edam-Volendam in May 2013. The municipalities have initiated the procedure in October 2013 to to achieve a merger on 1 January 2016. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-11" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[11]
 * Noord-Holland: municipalities Naarden , Bussum and Muiden started a procedure to merge by January 1, 2016. The municipality of Weesp is not involved in the merger, which was previously the intention. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-12" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[12] On October 20, 2014, after a selection of determined people submitted proposals that Gooise Lakes, the name of the amalgamated municipality (Naarden-Bussum ' and 'Naarding Erland' the other candidates were). <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-13" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[13] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-14" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[14]

2017

 * Noord-Brabant: The municipalities Schijndel , St. Oedenrode and Veghel have in November 2013 jointly decided to reclassification process in going to lead to one municipality in 2017. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-15" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[15] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-16" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[16] On November 4, 2014 the merger municipality's name was announced : Meierij City . This was chosen by a vote among the population. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-17" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[17]

2018

 * Friesland: In June 2013, the City Council has Littenseradiel voted for partition of the town towards the neighboring municipalities Súdwest Friesland (15 villages), Leeuwarden (10 villages) and the newly formed congregation in Northwest Friesland (4 villages). This reclassification will take place in conjunction with the two below mentioned reclassifications in Friesland and probably will be completed on 1 January 2018.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-18" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[18]
 * Friesland: The municipalities Menameradiel , Franekeradeel and Bildt The work on the formation of a new municipality in North-Friesland with the working name Westergo. The villages Wjelsryp , Winsum ,Baaium and Spannum in the current municipality Littenseradiel join this new church. Originally the church was Harlingen also involved in the merger but after a referendum this municipality decided to remain independent. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-19" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[19]
 * Friesland: In a referendum on January 30, 2013 the inhabitants of the municipality Leeuwarderadeel ruled overwhelmingly to join the municipality of Leeuwarden and the choice is two weeks later ratified by the city council. During the referendum, the people were able to express themselves on joining the newly formed congregation in Northwest Friesland, or in Leeuwarden . Because Leeuwarden on 1 January 2014 in a reclassification of a portion of the municipality Boarnsterhim experienced that needed to be completed first, a new redeployment could probably not take place before January 1, 2018. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-20" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[20]
 * Groningen: On February 28, 2013, the review committee set up by the province of Groningen and Groningen Municipalities Association presented its final report "Boundless award. It is recommended that the current 23 municipalities by January 1, 2018 to merge up to 6 new municipalities . The working titles of the proposed six new municipalities are: Hogeland ( Marne , Winsum , Bedum , Eemsmond (excluding theEemshaven ) and a piece of Zuidhorn ) Westerkwartier ( Grootegast , Leek , Marum and the rest of South Horn), City of Groningen ( Groningen , Ten Boer , Haren and part of Slochteren ( Lake City )) Eemsdelta ( Delfzijl , Appingedam , Loppersum, part of Eemsmond ( Eemshaven ), part of Slochteren and part of Oldambt )), the Company ( Hoogezand , part of Slochteren , Menterwolde , Veendam and Pekela ) and East Groningen (Part of Oldambt, Stadskanaal , Vlagtwedde and Bellingwedde ). <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-21" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[21] In the coming years, the plan will be by the municipalities and the province concerned should be further developed and finally completed.
 * Vlagtwedde and Bellingwedde have in the councils of January 28, 2014 decided together to form a new municipality under the name Great Westerwolde. The municipalities will merge on January 1, 2018. The province of Groningen has opposed the merger because it would be too small. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-22" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[22]
 * Both the Mayor and Aldermen and the city council of the municipality of Groningen Haren have expressed their preference with Tynaarlo to merge. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-23" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[23] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-24" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[24] This municipality is located in Drenthe, however, so to realize this merger the county should be adjusted.
 * The mayors of the municipalities Hoogezand , Menterwolde and Slochteren have signed a letter of intent on January 6, 2015 to merge. The process should be completed in 2018. There are still looking for a name for the amalgamated municipality, which is going to count 62,000 inhabitants. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-25" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[25]

Other merger talks

 * Noord-Brabant: Land of Cuijk : The municipality of St. Anthonis has indicated in October 2012 to seek a "powerful" community in the Land of Cuijk where on January 1, 2015 the current five municipalities should go. Cuijk , Mill and St. Hubert and Grave however indicated only have an official merger of the to want to examine three municipalities. If a large congregation there (yet) is then aiming St. Anthonis possible for an intermediate step by fusing at first with Boxmeer <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-26" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[26] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-27" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[27]
 * Gelderland: the municipalities of Hattem , Heerde and Oldebroek seek a merger by January 1, 2017, the municipalities will ultimately decide. The municipalities Elburg and Epe will also be involved in the discussions. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-28" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[28]
 * Gelderland: the municipalities of Doetinchem and Old IJsselstreek investigate a merger of the two municipalities as of 1 January 2016. In early 2013, after being commissioned by the two councils that this date was preferred to January 1, 2013, as originally envisaged. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-29" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[29]
 * Friesland: the municipalities Kollumerland , Dongeradeel , Dantumadiel and Ferwerderadiel explore the possibility of forming a municipality in Northeast Friesland. The councils of the four municipalities sit on not yet aligned. Dongeradeel and Kollumerland sit on the line of a municipal reorganization, Dantumadiel and Ferwerderadiel on the line of an administrative merger where the municipalities remain administratively independent. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-30" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[30] After the local elections in March 2014, the new councils here further bent. End of June 2014 it was announced that the municipalities by January 1, 2015 officially merge and then will decide on an administrative merger in 2018. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-31" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[31] As no flex in the delivery of the reclassification advice possible reclassification date is moved to 1 January 2019. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-32" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[32]
 * South Holland: The Hoekse Waard discussions are to come into one large municipality in which the municipalities Oud-Beijerland , Strijen , Cromstrijen , Korendijk and Binnenmaas should go. In December 2013, the municipal councils of the first three churches here before spoken, but the Korendijk and Binnenmaas against. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-33" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[33]
 * South Holland: The region Alblasserwaard - Vijfheerenlanden recommended an inquiry headed by Gert Schutte in February 2014 a merger of Hardinxveld-Giessendam , Giessenlanden and Gorinchem on the one hand and of Zederik , Leerdam and Utrecht Vianen other. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-34" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[34] It is the intention that the newly elected municipal councils in the summer of 2014 a decision. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-35" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[35] In September and October 2014 led the talks between Hardinxveld-Giessendam, Giessenlanden and Gorinchem not to adopt a common vision, creating a fusion between Giessenlanden and Molenwaard a step closer. Before the summer of 2015 to create a research clarity. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-36" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[36]
 * Gelderland: A provincial advisory committee chaired by Fred de Graaf concluded late 2014 after research on the region Rivierenland a reclassification from ten to three municipalities is the most obvious. Lower Betuwe , Neighbors and Tiel could go together, like Culemborg , Geldermalsen , Lingewaal and Neerijnen . Maasdriel and Zaltbommel could form the municipality Bommelerwaard. Perhaps, the municipalitiesDruten and West Maas en Waal join other municipalities in the Land of Maas and Waal, as did the committee Earl. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-37" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[37]

Recent canceled reclassifications

 * South Holland: The province aimed at a merger between the towns of Gouda and Waddinxveen on 1 January 2014 was for Gouda, Gouda against. The province also has the recent merger municipalitiesZuidplas and bodegraven-reeuwijk involved in the discussion. In April 2012, the merger plans were put stop. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-38" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[38] .
 * Noord-Brabant: municipalities Bernheze and Maasdonk would merge as of 1 January 2015 to a rural community. However, this process is put stop. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-39" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[39] Meanwhile, the municipality Maasdonk is divided between 's-Hertogenbosch and Oss.
 * Noord-Holland: With a vote on May 22, 2012, the bill was rejected, there was a temporary end to the controversial municipal reorganization stated Bussum, Naarden, Muiden and Weesp. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-40" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[40]
 * Utrecht / Gelderland: The merging of municipalities Woudenberg , Renswoude and Scherpenzeel in 2010 after the fall of the Balkenende IV cabinet declared controversial and rejected in April 2011.
 * Limburg: The controversial merger between Bergen , Gennep and Mook and mediator was rejected in April 2011. In the spring of 2015 was also decided that a merger between the municipalities Brunssum andLandgraaf was canceled. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-41" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[41]