General board calls for coalition with broad support

The new board consists of

• Water Natuurlijk: Elze Reitsema (Groningen), Jeroen Niezen (Roderesch), Arie van Wijk (Aduard), Titus Franzen (Winsum), Denny Boersma (Tolbert), Lidwien Martens (Donderen)
• BBB: Henk Emmens (Peest), Sigrid Arends (Warfstermolen), Klaas Willem de Jong (Oldekerk), Klaas Kiewiet (Leek)
• PvdA: Herman Beerda (Vries), Janny Gerda de Jonge (Appingedam), Eisse Kruidhof (Groningen)
• CU: Klaas Wierenga (Zuidhorn),
• CDA: Auke Dijkstra (De Wilp)
• Affordable Water: Bernd de Nijs (Eelderwolde)
• VVD: Eisse Luitjens (Loppersum)
• Groninger Belang: René Staijen (Woltersum)
• Student & Water: Ale ten Cate (Groningen)

Reserved seats

Of the 23 seats, 19 are occupied by the elected board members. The remaining four seats are reserved for the so-called guaranteed seats. The names for these seats are also known.

• Unbuilt category: Annette van Velde – Oudijk (Kantens), Sietske Hilhorst – Elzinga (Een)
• Nature reserves category: Maurits Tepper (Roderwolde), André van Schaik (Den Horn)

Compared to the previous board, 12 of the 23 members are returning to the new general board. 11 directors are new.

Call for a coalition with broad support

During the post-election debate, all political parties emphasized the importance of a coalition with broad support in the general administration.

Elze Reitsema of Water Natuurlijk mentioned the concerns that young voters in particular have about the future. For the largest political party, climate, clean water, sustainability, and a stronger commitment to biodiversity remain key priorities. Water Natuurlijk believes it is important to continue the course of the past four years with even more emphasis on cooperation in the region and environmentally conscious working with residents in the transition of rural areas and the role of water in urban areas.

The BBB, through its party leader Henk Emmens, indicated that the water board must stay on course in a period of financial uncertainty. With open and transparent politics and a focus on the core tasks of safe, clean, and sufficient water, "we will get through this," said Emmens.

The PvdA pointed to the solid foundation laid during the previous administrative period. Party chair Janny Gerda de Jonge indicated her desire to continue on the current path, with an additional focus on water quality and biodiversity. According to De Jonge, cooperation in many areas of focus has proven its worth. She pointed to the need to involve residents even more explicitly in the work of the water board, especially those living in urban areas.

Newcomer Ale ten Cate embodies the younger generation in the water board administration with the Student and Water faction. He argued that he and his supporters are eager to show the board how his generation thinks about issues that matter to them: climate, sustainability, nature, and the importance of water in the environment.

Bernd de Nijs argued on behalf of Betaalbaar Water that the water board is facing many large investments. He pointed to the high costs that the water board already imposes on residents and businesses. The party takes the position that other choices must be made in order to remain affordable.

René Staijen of Groninger Belang believed that, in addition to the water board's core tasks, finances would also play a major role in the coming administrative period. The party wants a broad administrative agreement that will appeal to the city and its surrounding area.

As in the previous administrative period, the Christian Union faction wants to continue building bridges. According to Klaas Wierenga, the faction considers stability and soundness to be important aspects for water board administration, with attention for the diversity of our residents.

The CDA has identified resident participation and involvement as its main priority for the coming period. Auke Dijkstra indicated that the administration should not set limits in advance, but should instead be curious about other perspectives and interests. Dijkstra pointed to the importance of striking a healthy balance between the interests of the big winners and respect for developments that have already been set in motion.

The VVD, represented by Eisse Luitjens, recalled the strong focus on cooperation during the previous term of office. Despite the desire to create a water system that is as natural as possible, technology will always be necessary. The VVD will continue to seek a balance between available financial resources and climate readiness in the longer term.

Maurits Tepper, representing the two seats reserved for nature reserves, mentioned the big challenge of giving nature and agriculture a sustainable future.

Sietske Hilhorst, representing the seats reserved for undeveloped land, added that they also want to work toward an administrative agreement that gets as much support as possible.

Information phase begins

Cora-Yfke Sikkema will begin the information phase on Thursday, March 30. More information:

• Cora-Yfke Sikkema starts work as informateur