Minutes of the Residents' Meeting on November 29, 2023

Role of the Village Platform

A major sticking point in the village’s internal dynamics is the concern and apprehension regarding the unclear roles of the various parties involved in contributing ideas and drafting documents Altforst shape a long-term vision for the village Altforst . This concern focuses in particular on the potential conflict of interest regarding decisions made or positions taken during the development of the village passport.

The process of developing the village passport began in 2018. The Village Platform was involved in drafting this village passport. And it was precisely regarding that involvement and the impact of the village passport on whether or not housing projects would be realized that there was a suspicion that some members of the Village Platform had taken positions based on their own interests. In addition, some of the residents present feel that during such consultations and in the drafting of documents, decisions are made on their behalf rather than in consultation with them.

Since this places a significant burden on the members of the Village Platform, the Village Platform has clarified that its involvement was minimal. The village passport was drafted by an external agency. The Village Platform organized a meeting to facilitate the process. In addition, the external agency developed a vision at various points, based on information from this meeting and other forms of participation. This was explicitly not the vision of the Village Platform. Therefore, there can be no question of an appearance of a conflict of interest. However, members of the Village Platform did provide feedback on the plans in a personal capacity during the aforementioned meeting.

However, the way things have unfolded regarding the Village Platform is precisely what has reinforced the perception of a conflict of interest. This is compounded by the municipality’s approach, which may Altforst placed too much emphasis on the Village Platform as the representative of the village Altforst during the process surrounding the village passport. Precisely on issues such as quality of life, housing, and the future development of amenities, this is too narrow an approach. As a result, other (present) residents who did not feel involved in the process have also developed a sense of “
,” feeling that decisions were made not with them but about them.

It became clear that evening that, amid this process—in which suspicions of a conflict of interest have been raised, the village passport appeared to have an indirect impact on the planning of the housing development many people had been hoping for, and the involvement of various parties remains unclear or, at the very least, ambiguous—fissures have emerged in the interpersonal relationships among villagers that cannot be resolved in a single evening.

Role of the municipality

The Municipal Executive acknowledges that it relied too heavily on the Village Platform as the representative of the entire village, which led to confusion and speculation. The Municipal Executive has apologized for the resulting confusion and emphasized that it was not its intention to put the Village Platform in a difficult position.

The villagers appreciated the Village Platform’s efforts in organizing activities and publishing “het Kwekkertje.” Residents have indicated that the Village Platform does not keep them informed often enough about current issues.

The Village Platform and residents agree that the Village Platform should primarily play a facilitating role and should not itself attempt to influence policy in areas where conflicts of interest might arise. This ensures a clear division of roles and prevents even the appearance of a conflict of interest.

In summary:

• The Village Platform has played and continues to play a facilitating role in the Altforst community
• By participating, at the municipality’s request, in discussions regarding the development of a vision for the future of Altforst , the impression Altforst inadvertently been created that the Village Platform shares responsibility for the content of these visions
• The municipality takes responsibility for the fact that these images were created and offers its apologies
• Building community support and fostering community participation is the responsibility of the municipality
• The Village Platform cannot and does not wish to take on that role; instead, it focuses on facilitating activities in the village
• This working agreement is intended to clarify roles once again so that we can move past any irritations that have arisen
• This requires everyone’s commitment and, where necessary, a few more personal conversations among the various residents of Altforst
• The text on the municipality's website regarding tasks and roles will be updated:
  Village Platforms | West Maas en Waal

Village Deal

There are questions surrounding the Village Deal. It is unclear why some parties were involved in drafting the Village Deal while others were not. According to residents, the JVA and the carnival association were not sufficiently involved, meaning that the community in Altforst was not adequately Altforst the drafting of the Village Deal. The resulting uncertainty regarding potential financial contributions is raised during the discussion. Officials indicate that agreements on this matter were made at the administrative level and recorded in a report.

In summary:

• When developing a vision, it is important that all parties have the opportunity to contribute to the drafting of the vision documents
• Even though there was no conscious decision to include certain organizations and exclude others, this has unintentionally created the impression that some organizations are not allowed to have a say.
• Moving forward, it is important to identify all stakeholders before beginning the process of developing a vision. Even when other government bodies are involved (such as the province), the municipality is responsible for ensuring that all relevant parties are represented at the table.

Housing Development in Altforst

Residents expressed their frustration over the slow pace of housing construction. Although 12 lots have been allocated, this is not enough. Young residents lack prospects. The Municipal Executive acknowledged the importance of speed in housing construction, but also emphasized the need for due diligence in procedures. The municipality regrets the manner in which residents were treated when they submitted a petition for more housing construction and the subsequent delays in the plans. This approach has contributed to the feeling that a group of Altforst residents feel Altforst not being heard. And the desire to be heard and involved is particularly important when it comes to a key issue like housing construction, which is often seen as crucial to investing in the livability and future of a village center.

It was noted that the presence of housing is crucial for maintaining local amenities, including the school. The Alderman that the reverse is also true. Greater clarity regarding housing development and community involvement from the municipality is expected in January. The Alderman that she is aware she will need to earn trust and stated that the municipal executive is committed to facilitating space for at least 45 homes, although she cannot yet guarantee this due to pending procedures.

In summary:

• Building homes is equivalent to investing in the quality of life and vitality of Altforst
• The various subsequent plans acknowledge this as well, but no housing units have been built yet
• This is a major source of frustration for all the villagers
• The municipality is well aware of this and has indicated that, in addition to the existing projects for which permits have already been granted, it is working to provide clarity by January 2024 regarding the additional sites where construction can take place
• To this end, the first step will be taken in January 2024 with the completion of the draft environmental vision, which will be made available for public review. This vision will clarify in which direction Altforst could Altforst be expanded. Specific construction sites are not yet being discussed. However, it has been noted that a follow-up meeting is scheduled for the second half of January with the firm Brokken regarding their plans for the eastern side of the village.
• It was also announced that the municipal executive intends to take action with and on behalf of Altforst expedite the process even before the council’s final approval of the environmental vision (expected in May 2024)
• To that end, the municipality is taking the initiative