Overview
- The council voted 19–7 on January 13 to stop meeting until after the March 18 municipal elections, clearing items such as a new town hall, parking policy, and a proposed asylum seeker center from the agenda.
- Mayor Maarten Haverkamp said he can convene a meeting if needed or must do so if at least one‑fifth of councillors request it, and he expects the council will meet at least once before the election.
- A request has already been submitted to discuss the Utrechts Programma Landelijk Gebied, which affects farmers in Westbroek.
- Opposition figures and experts called the move rare or unprecedented and questioned the loss of democratic scrutiny, with political scientist Hans Vollaard and local governance expert John Bijl voicing concerns.
- Critics also warn of practical risks, noting that a legally required decision on official citizen contact channels effective January 1 was pulled from the agenda and may already be overdue.