Udite Mini Congress - 26 June 2009 - Hollande

“LOCAL AUTHORITIES AND THE FINANCIAL CRISIS”

Meeting of the Executive Committee 26-27 June 2009
Hampshire Hotel, Provinciale Weg 3, 3641 RS, Mijdrecht

On Friday 26 June, UDiTE held a mini congress ‘Local authorities and the financial crisis’. The theme was addressed from three perspectives: International, National and Local.

Programme:

13.30 - 14.00: Reception at the Hampshire hotel, Provinciale Weg 3 in Mijdrecht, The Netherlands.

14.00 - 14.10: Welcome and subject introduction by the chairman of the day, Mr. Erwin van de Pol

14.10 - 14.40: From International to National. A dissertation by Mr. Herrie Geuzendam  on the origin of the crisis, a short presentation of the results of the survey 'The impact  of the crisis on municipalities in The Netherlands', and a reflection on what municipalities can still expect in the future.

14.40 - 15.10: How does the government deal with municipalities and what happens when a municipality has a deposit outstanding in Iceland?   A contribution by economist Mr. Rik Buddenberg, Association of Netherlands Municipalities (VNG) negotiator and mayor of the Municipality of Pijnacker-Nootdorp.

15.10 - 15.40: How can municipalities successfully deal with the crisis? Introduction by Mr. Wim Hoogendoorn, Deputy Secretary of the Municipality of Rotterdam.

15.40 – 16.00: Forum discussion under the leadership of the chairman of the day.

About the speakers:

  • Erwin van de Pol has many publications on management and social developments to his name. He has been awarded several prizes for his consultancy work. He is a business consultant at Rijnconsult and a specialist in supporting large groups. He has been chairman, inter alia, of the congress organisation Euroforum for several years. As an ex-diplomat, he has a good command of several languages.

  • Herrie Geuzendam has an extensive track record in financial management functions, including local and provincial government settings, but also as a section leader for local government with a large firm of accountants. Currently a partner at BMC, he provides consultancy services and support to boards and management teams within government organisations.  To view Mr Geuzendam's speech please click here.

  • Rik Buddenberg has, as Pijnacker-Nootdorp mayor, personally experienced the consequences of the financial crisis. This municipality has a deposit outstanding in Landsbanki of 12 million. Buddenberg is also a board member of the Association of Netherlands Municipalities (VNG).  In this capacity, he was one of the negotiators who concluded an agreement with the government that offers municipality’s financial certainty for the coming three years. To view Mr Buddenberg's speech please click here.

  • Wim Hoogendoorn is Director of General Affairs for the Administrative Service at the Municipality of Rotterdam, and also Deputy Secretary of the Rotterdam municipality. The port of Rotterdam has an extended plan of procedure aiming to emerge out of the crisis as strong as possible – a six-point plan to speed up investment in projects that contribute to sustainability, knowledge, innovation and an attractive living and working environment.  To view Mr Hoogendoorn's speech please click here.

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