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Decentralisation in The Netherlands in a glimpse
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What does DC mean - definitions The transfer of authority and responsibility for public functions from
the central government to subordinate or quasi-independent government organizations or the private sector. WORLD BANK INSTITUTE 1999
The restructuring of authority … between institutions of governance at the central, regional and local levels according to the principle of subsidiarity. UNDP, 2002
A process of transferring responsibility, authority, and accountability for specific or broad management functions to lower levels within an organization, system, or program. EXTERNAL WORLD BANK EVALUATION, 2008
Delegating decision-making powers from a central body to a lower level closer to the public or clients who are to be governed and served. DECENTRALISATION & LOCAL GOVERNANCE COURSE UNIVERSITY OF LONDON, 2004
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Reasons for decentralisation
Local governments more responsive to local needs, better services and more accountability
To ensure greater allocative efficiency of scarce (public) resources
To reduce central government administration and make it more efficient and effective
More participatory and democratic decision-making
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Starting point DC in The Netherlands
Since 1980 Dutch Government sees the advantages of decentralising tasks
Starting point is the decentralisation report of Minister Wiegel: a decentral approach is preferred, if possible
Until now this is the official decentralisation opinion of the present government, laid down in Article 117 of the Municipal law, section 1: 'Our minister promotes decentralisation in favour of municipalities'
Examples of policies that were decentralised in the last 30 years: Housing vacancy law, Monuments law, the Work and Welfare Act and the Disability Services Act
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Effects early DC operations
Different opinions on whether the realised DC operations had the desired effects
Success in education and youth: possibilities of customisation are increased, larger involvement of citizens and local organisations and more efficient execution of tasks
However: it is questionable whether DC increases policy freedom of municipalities. Central gvt. has various instruments to exert power and influence on task performance by lower administrative bodies.
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Current Decentralisation: 3 D’s
Since 1 January 2015: largest decentralisation operation in The Netherlands in the social policy domain.
Nowadays the objectives of decentralisation are still the same as in 1980: increasing efficiency, increasing effectiveness and increasing democracy
Municipalities are now almost fully responsible for providing services to vulnerable citizens: 1) Labour Participation Act, 2) Social Support Act (persons with disabilities) and 3) Youth Care
This transfer of tasks from central to local goverment has led to substantial savings in the total budget
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Challenges for local government
More tasks, less budget and the challenge to deliver tailor-made local services
Decentralisation Child support: budget cut of 5%
Decentralisation Social Support Act: budget cut of 25%
Especially smaller and medium-sized municipalities lack capacity and expertise to execute their legal tasks at acceptable costs
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Chances for local government
For the first time one single party (municipalities) gets full control over practically the entire social domain. Possibility to create links between social care, youth care and labour participation. Larger focus on prevention, coordination in support provision and higher efficiency
More intense cooperation serving clients with (multiple) problems, i.e. shared diagnosis and approach.
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Current state of affairs
Complaints from citizens about Social Support Act: lack of information provision by municipalities and absence of a decision on applications for support
Higher personal (financial) contribution, resulting in citizens to completely forgo care
Last year many municipalities procured insufficient care for district-oriented counseling and personal care: long waiting lists
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Current state of affairs II
Last year municipalities unexpectedly saved 310 million € in total in the Social Support Act budget. Explicit savings: day care, guidance and support but also domestic help. Question whether municipalities are not too economical with assigning care and support
Municipalities encounter difficulties with determining legitimacy of expenditures of health care suppliers: care givers have to wait for reimbursement for a long time
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