If you disagree with a decision made by the municipality, you can object to it. For example, a refused environmental permit. The municipality will rule on your objection.

Procedure objection

The municipality is advised by the independent Objections Committee. This committee advises on almost all subjects. The committee investigates the objection. Those involved are given the opportunity to explain their point of view in a hearing. During the hearing, the committee gathers information to provide sound advice to the municipality. These hearings are open to the public, but if those involved prefer to have the hearing behind closed doors, the committee can decide to do so.

Opinion of committee

Then the commission issues a recommendation to the municipality. The advice states how the municipality can decide on the objection. The committee's advice is not binding, so the municipality is not obliged to abide by it. If you disagree with the decision on the objection, you can appeal to the court.

Exception

The committee does not advise on appeals against WOZ (Real Estate Valuation) decisions. The committee also does not advise on indications for homes for the elderly, social issues and matters falling under the Social Support Act.

Learn more about objection

In the brochure Commission on Objections you can read about the procedure of your objection. The secretariat of the Objections Committee answers general questions about filing and handling objections. You can contact them via the contact form or call 14 079.

Submit objection

You must submit the objection in writing or online to the governing body that made the decision. This may be the mayor, the College of Mayor and Aldermen, the City Council or the compulsory education officer.

Objecting

Documents available for inspection

When an objection is heard in a hearing, the documents are available for inspection two weeks before the date of the hearing. If you wish to inspect the documents, you can make an appointment with the secretariat of the Objections Committee.

Secretariat Objections Committee

P.O. Box 15
2700 AA Zoetermeer
Phone number: 14 079

Members of the Objections Committee

The committee is completely independent and consists of legal experts who are not affiliated with the municipality. To provide clarity to stakeholders and avoid any impression of a conflict of interest, the names of the committee members and their daily work are publicly known.

Overview of members of the Objections Committee and their daily activities

Annual Report of Objections Committee

You can read numerical information and justification for the cases handled by the Appeals Committee in the annual reports of past years.