Citizens can check on local government
Theoretically, anybody can obtain any information about the financial expenditure of the municipalities. But this has to be done through an appeal on the WOB (Wet Openbaar Bestuur; Law for public government). After having done this appeal, the applicant usually has to wait for months before an answer is provided. With the D66 motion, supported by all but one parties, checking the municipalities' expenses will by next year be nothing more than a quick peep on the internet. Or so is the theory.
D66 asked in the motion 'Uitgaven Inzichtelijk' (insight in expenditure) for a 'transparant town council'. According to this motion, more transparancy leads to the development that citizens can exert their influence on the choices that politicians make. This increased transparancy can also help city council members, civilians and institutions to provide solutions, innovations and improvements on all kind of problems the town of Rotterdam has to cope with. In addition, the motion states, Rotterdam should stay front runner in the fields of innovation and changes on the governmental field.
D66 councilor Sameul Schampers proposed that, on a trial basis, the civil servants publish all financial data for two types of expenses. After these expenses have been made public, it will be clear whether any citizen or organisation will look into this data and come up with any briljant ideas how to lower the costs or improve the governmental way of handling. If the trial is a succes, all expenses of Rotterdam, at a total sum of 3 billion euro(!), should be made public. The motion was supported by D66, Leefbaar (Habitable) Rotterdam, CDA, PvdA, GroenLinks (GreenLeft), SP, CU/SGP, Partij voor de Dieren (Party for the Animals). The VVD opposed the motion alltogether.
Schampers talks about why he has taken this initiative: 'We want to create an open society. It is quite a step forward, from an ideological point of view. The government wants its citizens to be open about their expenses, so that same government should also be open about its own expenses. The people of Rotterdam should know what happens to their money; even on a micro scale.' He gives an example: when you know what the city is paying for bicycle sheds, other companies can offer similar products at lower prices. In this way, the town will save money.'
He is not afraid that people will abuse (parts of) the information made public. 'There should ben no fear for this. The government is checking on us; all our car motions are checked. The government should also be open to its citizens.'
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