Mayor of Zwartewaterland under scrutiny over ancillary positions
Dutch Mayor Eddy Bilder has once again come under scrutiny over his ancillary positions. He was previously the subject of negative media attention due to his role as landlord and now as a regulator of the foundation Stichting Het Oversticht. Geerten Boogaard, Professor of Local Government, discussed the matter in Dutch daily newspaper Algemeen Dagblad (AD).
Stichting Het Oversticht reviews construction plans relating to properties in Zwolle and the surrounding region. Property neighbours including Van Duinen have questioned Eddy Bilder's ancillary position and believe there is an ‘inadmissible conflict of interests’. Mr Bilder is Chair of the Supervisory Board of Stichting Het Oversticht, enlisted by the municipality of Zwolle. This building aesthetics committee has been asked for advice on construction plans to raise a number of properties on Deventerstraatweg.
It has since emerged that Mr Bilder owns properties on the same street. However, the application, which has now been approved, failed to mention Mr Bilder's properties, but he may file this application in the future now. The AD reports that he does have a financial interest in an approved construction plan in the street in question.
Professor Boogaard takes a dim view of Mr Bilder's position as a regulator of Stichting Het Oversticht. ‘Please don't do that kind of thing – just avoid the commotion. What are you doing there? Aren’t Mayors too busy, anyway?’ According to the law, there is no problem in this case as it’s the municipality of Zwolle – rather than the municipality of Zwartewaterland – that’s requesting advice relating to the external appearance of a property. In Professor Boogaard’s view, however, it’s important that Mr Bilder’s activities as a landlord are not in conflict with his official position. ‘In that sense, he has to ensure that he doesn’t cause too much commotion.’
More information
Read the full article in Algemeen Dagblad (in Dutch)
Photo: Bryson Hammer through Unsplash