Board of Directors calls for coalition with broad support

The new Board of Directors has taken office. On Wednesday, 29 March, the Board of Directors met for the first time. During this meeting, the board members were also sworn in. Each director took the oath or made a declaration and promise. Van der Schaaf concluded the swearing-in ceremony with congratulations and emphasised that it is a great honour and responsibility to serve on the Noorderzijlvest Board of Directors from today onwards: "Our work concerns water, but you are there for the people."

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)
  • Betaalbaar 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 reserved seats. The names for these seats are also known.

  • Undeveloped 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 return to the new Board of Directors, and 11 directors are new.

Call for a coalition with broad support

During the post-election debate, all political parties identified the importance of a coalition with broad support in the Board of Directors.

Elze Reitsema of Water Natuurlijk mentioned the concerns 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 authority must take a clear 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 term of office. Party leader 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 out the need to involv e residents even more explicitly in the work of the water authority, especially those living in urban areas.

Newcomer Ale ten Cate embodies the younger generation in the water authority board 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 authority faces many major investments. He pointed to the high costs the water authority 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 core tasks of the water authority, finances would also play a major role in the coming term of office. The political group wants a broad board agreement that will appeal to the city and its surrounding area.

As in the previous term of office, the ChristenUnie party wants to continue building bridges. According to Klaas Wierenga, the party considers stability and soundness to be important aspects for the water authority board, with attention for the diversity of our residents.

The CDA has identified community participation and involvement as its main priority for the coming period. Auke Dijkstra indicated that the board should not set limits in advance, but should instead be open to other perspectives and interests. Dijkstra emphasised the importance of striking a healthy balance between the interests of the major 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 a board agreement with the greatest possible support.

Information phase begins

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