The Municipal Executive of Den Helder has presented its 2023 annual financial statements to the Municipal Council. The annual financial statements and the annual report detail how the municipality of Den Helder spent its money in 2023. The municipality of Den Helder closed 2023 with a positive result of over €12.6 million and has received an unqualified auditor's report. It is proposed to make €2.4 million available in 2024, as expenditures are expected then.
2023 turbulent year
Like every year, 2023 has its own unique characteristics. Sail was undoubtedly one of the highlights for Den Helder. Both Den Helder residents and the surrounding area thoroughly enjoyed this multi-day event. Also of great significance is that we moved into our new premises at Willemsoord in 2023. This provided both the board and the administrative organization with an excellent working environment, delivered within the available resources.
2023 Review
In the 2023 annual accounts, we look back (financially) on the past year. On the one hand, we provide insight into how much money came in and how much money we spent. And on the other hand, we provide insight into the matters we
– together with residents, businesses, and social partners – we've worked on over the past year. And that's a lot. We'll mention a few. – In 2023, the municipal executive began reorienting the mission of Willemsoord bv and the collaborative relationship with Zeestad cv/bv. The results are expected in 2024.
In 2023, several new projects were posted on ingesprek.denhelder.nl, with hundreds of users participating. The platform now has approximately 3,250 users. They are notified when new projects in or about their village/neighborhood are posted on the platform.
The municipality has partnered with an organization specializing in informing and raising awareness among young people about financial matters. This was achieved through information sessions at schools.
– The implementation of the neighborhood teams has taken further shape. The Julianadorp and Nieuw Den Helder neighborhood support centers are open every weekday for residents to drop in. Plans are being made to further expand the opening hours of the De Schooten and Stad binnen de Linie neighborhood support centers in 2024. The neighborhood support centers are further developing the collaboration between the Social Domain and the subsidy partners. Integrated collaboration helps to provide the right support early on.
– 2023 was all about catching up on backlogs under the Social Support Act (Wmo). On average, 95% were granted within the statutory period. By the end of 2023, that figure had even risen to 99%.
– Several projects have been launched and are being developed: Moorman Bridge, Ravelijn Bridge, Buitenveld, and Nieuwe Diep Dike Reinforcement. – Together with partners such as the New Energy Coalition and Port of Den Helder, we have continued to implement projects in the hydrogen economy program line within the Regional Deal Maritime Cluster Kop van Noord-Holland.
Various activities have been launched to encourage energy conservation in private homes, such as the sustainable building counter, consultations, home loans, insulation subsidies, information evenings, and the mobile showroom.
The Special Investigation Officers (BOAs) handled 4,689 reports and incidents. This is 24% more than in 2022. The increase is partly due to the rise in anonymous reports in the Easy Reporting app.
– A study on a physical activity-friendly environment has been conducted in and around Timor Park. We will continue this research in 2024 and roll it out to several neighborhoods throughout the city.
Positive result
The municipality of Den Helder closed 2023 with a positive balance of €12.6 million. Alderman for Finance Peter van Diepen: “Den Helder was able to end 2023 with a positive result. Considering the national developments and budget cuts, along with the summary of all the municipality's activities, this is a commendable achievement. I would like to thank the administrative organization, the attentive municipal council, and my fellow board members for this. Without good cooperation and occasional heated discussions, this wouldn't have been possible. The goal is to continue this successful collaboration in the coming year and to maintain and possibly further improve the municipality's resilience.”
Accountant's audit positive
The annual accounts and the audit were completed on time, constructively, and according to schedule. The auditor again issues an unqualified audit opinion.
Municipal council decides on annual accounts
The Municipal Executive has approved the annual accounts. The annual accounts will soon be discussed by the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee will advise the Municipal Council on the annual accounts. The Municipal Council will make the final decision. The annual accounts will be discussed in the council meeting on July 1, 2024. After approval by the Municipal Council, the document will be available at www.denhelder.nl/jaarrekening and provides a complete financial overview.
