Island Council of Sint Eustatius Weekly update of the working visit to the Hague
During the first week of their official working visit to The Hague, members of the Island Council of Sint Eustatius engaged in a series of high-level meetings, training sessions, and knowledge-sharing events aimed at strengthening local governance and addressing key challenges on the island.
One of the most important visits was a meeting with the KOREL committee, (Commissie voor Koninkrijksrelaties van de Eerste Kamer der Staten-General) Committee for Kingdom Relations of the Dutch Senate. Discussions focused on recent development and persistent challenges on Sint Eustatius, particularly in the healthcare and education sectors. In light of the fall of the current Dutch government, Council members also briefly touched on concerns regarding the WOLBES and FINBES legislation, safety and security issues relating to border patrol and immigration issues.
The delegation also participated in a specialized training session provided by the Association for Council members (Vereniging voor Raadsleden) in collaboration with BMC. This session was designed to enhance the Council's effective use of Council instruments and to clarify the separation of powers, including the roles, responsibilities, and tasks of the Island Council within the public entity structure.
Another important engagement took place with representatives from the Ministry of Finance. Discussions centered on the current tax framework applicable to Sint Eustatius. The ministry indicated that no new tax plan is expected for 2026. In response, Council members expressed concerns about outdated tax laws and emphasized the need for these to be reviewed and updated in the near future to better reflect current economic realities and governance needs.
Although not originally part of the official itinerary, some members of the delegation were able to attend "The Day for Council Members," organized by the National Association for Council Members. Due to changes in the travel schedule following the national train strike which also affected other planned visits, delegates who were able to attend, took the opportunity to participate. The event included sessions on citizen participation, the role of social media in political engagement, and the balance of power and counterpower (macht en tegenmacht). Additionally, attendees attended seminars focused on topics such as elections and the strategic role of the Registrar in enhancing effective local governance.