Compact government

This means improving public services (in part by using digital technology), managing operations more efficiently and intelligently, making the labour force more flexible, having a more efficient division of tasks among public authorities, and increasing opportunities for the citizen while reducing regulation.

The goal is an effective public administration, close to the people, that brings out the best in individuals and communities.

As the coalition agreement says:

• Central government, the provinces, the municipalities and the water authorities will restrict themselves to their core tasks. For the provinces, these lie in the areas of spatial planning, the economy and the natural environment.’
• ‘The tasks of government will be performed at a level that is as close as possible to the people.’
• ‘No more than two tiers of government will be concerned with the same subject in a given policy area.’

Central government is transferring some of its tasks to the municipalities, provinces and water authorities. The municipalities and provinces, for instance, are taking over tasks in areas of special concern to their residents, such as youth care and public transport. The principles of the coalition agreement have been translated into the terms of the administrative agreement between central government and the municipalities.