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Content, positions and translations are created and continuously updated by an AI assistant (OpenClaw). Political positions reflect the stance of Volt Herzogenrath. For errors or questions: marcel@verkooyen.de
Note: The political content (agenda item descriptions, positions, quotes) is in German. All interface elements, headings and navigation are translated.
🛝 Playground inspection 30.05.2026
On 30 May 2026, I took part in the official playground inspection. Three locations were visited, including the controversial playground relocation in Niederbardenberg (TOP 5). Photos and notes for all locations:
To the playground inspection →
TOP 3 — Resolution Monitoring 30.06.2026 (Note)
⚪ Open
Document: V/2026/232
📌 What is this about? Regular review of whether committee resolutions have been properly implemented. No substantive vote, just noting the current status.
Proposed resolution: The Children and Youth Welfare Committee notes the attached communication on the status of resolutions on matters dealt with in the committee.
💜 My position: Resolution monitoring — no statement, skipped.
TOP 4 — Presentation and Resolution on Playground Measures 2026
✅ Approved
Document: V/2026/223
📌 What is this about? The city plans playground measures for 2026 — repairs, new equipment and renovations at various locations. The committee votes on the program and budget.
Proposed resolution: The Children and Youth Welfare Committee notes the administration's presentation with approval.
💜 My position: We support the playground measures. The budget is actually too small, but the approach is right and the measures are good.
💬 "Every euro that goes into a playground is an investment in our children. But let's be honest: the budget doesn't nearly cover the actual need." — Marcel Verkooyen, Volt
TOP 5 — Relocation of Playground Niederbardenberg
⚪ Open
Document: V/2026/248
📌 What is this about? A playground in Niederbardenberg is to be moved about 100 meters to the other side of the street. The old area would be left unused. We looked at it on site and don't understand the purpose — effort doesn't match the benefit.
Proposed resolution: The Children and Youth Welfare Committee approves the relocation of the playground Forstumer Straße/Schmiedstraße in Niederbardenberg to the former sports ground Schmiedstraße and instructs the administration to ensure that the urban development company takes into account the plans from the participation process.
💜 My position: We are very undecided. The relocation doesn't make sense to us — 100 meters to the other side, leaving the central area unused. During our playground inspection, points were noted that were not incorporated. We await the proposal.
💬 "Moving a playground 100 meters — and leaving the old site unused? We need to look at this carefully before agreeing." — Volt Herzogenrath
TOP 6 — Presentation of the Integration Assistance Department
✅ Approved
Document: V/2026/228
📌 What is this about? The Integration Assistance department presents itself and its work. Integration assistance supports children and young people with (impending) disabilities. No substantive vote, just noting.
Proposed resolution: The Children and Youth Welfare Committee notes the administration's presentation.
💜 My position: Noted. We await the presentation, curious about the content.
TOP 7 — Report of the Procedure Guide
⚪ Open
Document: V/2026/217
📌 What is this about? The procedure guide reports on her work — she supports families with official procedures and applications, particularly in the area of children and youth welfare.
Proposed resolution: The Children and Youth Welfare Committee notes the first activity report of the procedure guide.
💜 My position: Procedure guide report — was not separately discussed in the preparatory meeting. No explicit position.
TOP 8 — Draft of the 1st Act on Structural Reform of Children and Youth Welfare
✅ Approved
Document: V/2026/211
📌 What is this about? The state of NRW is planning a major structural reform of children and youth welfare. The draft is out for consultation. The city notes and can comment. We want to know whether the administration has already submitted a statement.
Proposed resolution: The Children and Youth Welfare Committee notes the administration's report on the current draft of the 1st Children and Youth Welfare Inclusion Act from spring 2026.
💜 My position: Noting OK. We want to ask whether the administration has submitted its own contributions/statements during the consultation phase (deadline 16th).
💬 "A reform of youth welfare must be co-designed by those who work with it daily. We must ensure Herzogenrath has a voice." — Volt Herzogenrath
TOP 9 — Status Report on KiBiz Reform NRW
✅ Approved
Document: V/2026/219
📌 What is this about? The Children's Education Act (KiBiz) is being reformed in NRW. The city receives a status report on the current state of the reform and its effects on Herzogenrath.
Proposed resolution: The Children and Youth Welfare Committee notes the administration's report on the planned key points of the KiBiz reform and the statements of the professional associations, and instructs the administration to continuously examine the effects on local needs planning and the provider landscape in the city of Herzogenrath.
💜 My position: We support this (noting + continuous review). The conditions for Herzogenrath must be specifically examined to best fulfill the educational mandate.
TOP 10 — Needs-based and Flexible Adjustment of Opening Hours in Daycare Centers
✅ Approved
Document: V/2026/220
📌 What is this about? Daycare opening hours are to be made more flexible to better meet parents' needs. Standard is 7am–5pm. The question is whether there is a need for longer hours and whether a daycare in the city area could offer this.
Proposed resolution: The Children and Youth Welfare Committee notes the administration's presentation and resolves that the opening hours of daycare centers in Herzogenrath can be adjusted based on annual needs surveys in coordination with the youth welfare office.
💜 My position: OK with us. 7am–5pm is standard, most children are picked up at 2–3pm. If there is a need beyond 5pm, we'd need to see if a daycare in the city could offer it.
TOP 11 — Survey Bilingual Daycare, Letter from Cross-border Organizations
❌ Rejected
Document: V/2026/221
📌 What is this about? Various cross-border (Dutch) organizations have suggested conducting a survey on a bilingual daycare. The administration proposes not conducting the survey. We oppose this — the survey should be done to get real data.
Proposed resolution: After noting the administration's presentation, the Children and Youth Welfare Committee resolves not to conduct the parent survey on the topic of a second language in Herzogenrath daycares.
💜 My position: We oppose dropping the parent survey. Low-threshold offers like shared holidays, Dutch songs, cultural exchange don't overwhelm anyone and benefit both sides. The survey should be conducted, not cancelled.
💬 "A survey costs nothing — but the answers give us real data instead of assumptions. Who is afraid of the results?" — Marcel Verkooyen, Volt
TOP 12 — Indexation of Ongoing Cash Benefits in Child Day Care as of 01.08.2026
⚪ Open
Document: V/2026/218
📌 What is this about? Cash benefits for child day care providers (childminders) are to be automatically linked to an index so they don't have to be renegotiated every year. This secures day care financially and makes the profession more attractive.
Proposed resolution: The Children and Youth Welfare Committee notes the administration's presentation on the indexation of ongoing cash benefits in child day care as of 01.08.2026.
💜 My position: We tend to support this — automatic adjustment is good. But we want to wait and see how the childminders respond (in the meeting or in conversations beforehand). Decision then depending on the situation.
TOP 12 — Information and questions
💬 Questions
No document · Open point for committee members
📌 What is this about? Each committee member can ask questions or raise topics that are not on the agenda.
💜 My questions: From the playground inspection on 30.05.2026, I noted three points that I would like to raise here:
📍 Container at Playground Pannesheide (Location #10)
During the playground inspection on 30.05.2026, a container was noticed on the playground grounds in Pannesheide. When will it be removed? Is there a schedule?
To the playground inspection →
📍 Dog Waste Bins (Location #14)
During the inspection, dog waste bags were noticed in the trash bins on the playground. The question is whether separate bins for dog waste have now been installed in the outdoor areas of playgrounds to improve hygiene and cleanliness.
To the playground inspection →
📍 Relocation of Playground Niederbardenberg (Location #8)
During the playground inspection, the controversial playground relocation in Niederbardenberg was examined. The move of about 100 meters does not seem comprehensible since the old area is left unused. Detailed questions about the reason for the relocation will be raised as part of TOP 5.
To the playground inspection →
After the meeting on 30.06.2026, the meeting dossier with voting results will be published here.