On Wednesday, November 5, the council factions presented their response to the committee meeting 2026 program budget Data. On these pages, you will find a summary of the positions of the various factions.
The council will decide on the 2026 program budget on Wednesday, November 12. It will also decide on the 2026 tax regulations. Council factions can amend the budget and tax regulations through motions and amendments.
Residents are welcome to follow the debate and decision-making process from the public gallery on Wednesday, November 12, at 8:00 PM, Town Hall, Dudokpark 1 in Hilversum. Or watch online via the website.
Heart for Hilversum
"Costs of merger and college ambitions to be borne by Hilversum residents?"
Housing costs are rising sharply, additional taxes are being added due to the merger with Wijdemeren, housing costs are increasing, and additional staff will have to be hired.
At the same time, the debt ratio is rising. Hart voor Hilversum is concerned: too little money is going to the neighborhoods and their amenities, while parking revenues are high and hardly flow back to residents.
We advocate for sensible financial policies, but we don't see enough of that reflected in this budget. The introduction of a tourist tax also raises questions. What do tourists get in return? After all, they already contribute to our local businesses and economy. Or will this simply be another cash cow? And what will the merger with Wijdemeren ultimately cost us?
D66 Hilversum
Space for home seekers, limits to debt
D66 Hilversum wants everyone to be able to participate. That's why we want to involve home seekers in plans for new homes, through a dedicated Housing Seekers' Council. This way, we're not just building for people, but also with them.
When making plans, we need to pay close attention to costs. A better parking app is useful, but it doesn't have to cost millions of euros. The municipality borrows a lot of money, and the merger with Wijdemeren is also quite expensive. This could lead to higher taxes, and we want to avoid that. Big plans are fine, as long as we also manage our finances wisely.
Last week we showed: it is possible. Through smart choices and collaboration, we are building a municipality that listens, connects, and moves forward.
d66.nl/hilversum/
VVD Hilversum
The municipality is brimming with plans, but we have to make choices. Not all at once, but the projects that truly benefit Hilversum residents and businesses. That's why we're pursuing a realistic investment program and keeping debt under control. Permits must be issued more quickly to actually build more homes.
We're investing in safety: increased supervision, cracking down on undermining and traffic congestion. Businesses deserve trust, not new rules. In the social domain, the emphasis is on prevention and practical assistance, such as in divorce cases, so we can avoid more intensive (youth) care. Sustainability is about practical measures, not pie-in-the-sky ideas. We're working with Wijdemeren to create a financially healthy, efficient municipality that delivers and keeps housing costs under control. And parking fees will be halved because the municipality shouldn't be making money from parking!
GroenLinks Hilversum
Hilversum has a balanced multi-year budget, is financially sound, and has room for investment. We can be proud of that.
The past few years has GroenLinks Much has been achieved: a sound minimum income policy, more green space in the city, and more space for cyclists and pedestrians. We are investing in housing construction, a more vibrant city, and the renovation and new construction of our school buildings.
Many activities in the coming year will focus on the proposed merger with Wijdemeren in 2027. A first important step is the merger of the administrative organizations as of January 1, 2026.
The council's choices to index the budgets in the minimum policy, to use the subsidy policy to improve opportunities for residents who need them most and to maintain facilities are supported GroenLinks congratulations.
hilversum.groenlinks.nl
CDA Hilversum
This is the last independent program budget for the municipality of Hilversum before we merge with Wijdemeren on January 1, 2027.
Looking at this budget, we see that many of the plans from our CDA election manifesto have been implemented: Hilversum has become more caring, partly due to the increased focus on shelter in neighborhoods and districts through the community centers.
There has also been a significant increase in attention to loneliness among the elderly and young people, and in 2026, housing construction for our young people will resume with the construction of 379 homes on the former 'circus site'.
The household budget has remained in good order, Hilversum is in a good financial position and is therefore well prepared for the upcoming merger.
cda.nl/noord-holland/hilversum
Hilversum Democrats
The municipal executive wants to invest heavily in the coming years, but this will have long-term consequences for the budget. Every euro the municipality borrows results in higher capital costs: interest and depreciation that must be paid annually, thus leaving less policy flexibility for areas like sports and culture. The need for financing is rising rapidly, while many uncertainties remain, such as potential financial setbacks from the merger with Wijdemeren, price increases, or revenue shortfalls.
Democrats Hilversum advocates for sensible and future-proof financial policies. We believe the municipality should avoid burdening future budgets with excessively rising capital costs. We prefer to maintain flexibility to repay debt and absorb setbacks. Therefore, we advocate for more moderate investment ambitions and a sound financial course for the coming years.
democratenhilversum.nl
Labor Party Hilversum
Hilversum is in a strong financial position. Unlike many other municipalities, there is no need for budget cuts. On the contrary: significant investments are being made in housing, a new sports complex with a swimming pool and indoor athletics track, a modern library, and the redevelopment of Kerkbrink. 2026 is the last budget year before the merger with Wijdemeren, for which Hilversum has prepared well. A relatively small budget deficit of €1,3 million is expected on a budget of €417 million, but this will be more than offset in the following years.
The Labour Party (PvdA) will be committed to, among other things, building a positive connection with young people, encouraging the construction of social housing, and providing better care for people fleeing war and violence.
hilversum.pvda.nl/
SP Hilversum
Last year, we didn't create any affordable housing. The Socialist Party (SP) is determined to continue fighting for this in the coming years. Furthermore, the SP doesn't understand why we haven't yet introduced a tax for second-home owners (commuter tax). This tax already applies in Wijdemeren.
Millions are generated through paid parking. The Socialist Party (SP) will propose making visitor access free, so that everyone in the inner ring can receive free visitors. Ideally, the SP would like to see the new paid parking policy reversed. In healthcare in Hilversum, we're seeing a growing trend toward collective facilities, such as community centers. This doesn't provide everyone with the care they need—care tailored to their needs.
hilversum.sp.nl/
Christian Union Hilversum
The municipality is in a strong financial position. The Christian Union is grateful for this. At the same time, we are critically examining the long-term consequences of investments. Taxes are rising again, which is difficult for some people to afford.
The Christian Union believes it's important for the municipality to consider people experiencing financial hardship. We call this "samenzelfstandigen" (collaboration): caring for each other together. Various foundations and volunteer organizations assist with this and require multi-year funding to do their work effectively. In emergencies, such as a power outage or cyberattack, this "samenzelfstandigen" (collaboration) is especially important. The Christian Union wants the municipality, along with community centers and churches, to be ready to assist residents in such situations.
hilversum.christenunie.nl/
Durlacher faction
Hilversum is growing, freedom is shrinking – time to take the saw to it!
Hilversum calls this budget stable, but the bottom line is that it's mainly the government itself that's growing. There's money for consultation roundtables, coaches, and campaigns – except for what really matters: implementation, maintenance, and businesses. New levies, like the tourist tax, are being sold as a "contribution to the city," but hidden taxes remain what they are: a theft of trust. The Durlacher party opts for less talk, fewer funds, and more common sense. No Amsterdam Metropolitan Area (AMA) talking shop, no subsidy on top of subsidies, no tax increases for those who work and do business here. According to our 2026 Counter-Budget, Hilversum can save five million without harming its residents or businesses. A government should serve, not direct.
OpStand.nu
Wijdemeren villa residents and car owners are sure to be happy. From a €20 discount on their already dirt-cheap parking permit to hundreds of euros less property tax for their neighbors, thanks to the upcoming merger. And the bill? That goes to tenants, with a nearly 19% increase in housing costs. Meanwhile, no free library card for those under 27, despite increasing illiteracy. Less funding for culture and media anyway. No parking solution whatsoever, not even Park & Ride. Residents of pre-war neighborhoods and the elderly are the ones who suffer, including motorists, but especially pedestrians and cyclists. No widening of the station demolition. All the more skeletons in the closet, such as expensive mega-projects, a rickety sewer system, outdated school buildings, a much-needed new city hall, and overdue maintenance in Wijdemeren. But Hilversum is in good shape. Do you believe it yourself?
Zaabat faction
The executive board has presented a balanced budget to the council. Unfortunately, they've again chosen to raise housing costs for residents. And what will Hilversum residents see in return?
A budget that promises little new. This council's plans demonstrate a lack of ambition in solving the major problems. Work is underway, but we're seeing too few results.
The sports complex and residential towers in Arena Park currently exist only on paper. Temporary housing is finally appearing on the circus grounds. It's about time!
The next municipal elections will be held in a year. We can only hope that this council can demonstrate more results by then and show what all those good intentions of three years ago have led to.
