Proactive Disclosure in Zoetermeer Explained

Proactive Disclosure in Zoetermeer

In Zoetermeer, the Government Information (Public Access) Act (WOo) requires government bodies, such as the Municipality of Zoetermeer, to automatically publish relevant information on their website. Citizens do not need to submit a request, which enhances transparency for residents and facilitates access to local decision-making.

Legal Basis for Proactive Disclosure

The rules for proactive disclosure are set out in the Government Information (Public Access) Act (WOo), which replaced the former Public Access to Government Information Act (Wob) on 1 May 2022. Key provisions include:

• Article 3 WOo: Administrative bodies maintain a register of working documents and make it publicly available.
• Article 5 WOo: General rules and policy documents must be published online.
• Article 6 WOo: Positions on planned decisions must be published.
• Article 7 WOo: Decisions in objection and appeal procedures must be published online.
• Article 8 WOo: Approved WOo requests must be made public.
• Article 11 WOo: Annual report on disclosure activities.

This applies to local authorities such as the Municipality of Zoetermeer, provinces, and water boards. Information is digitally accessible in a public register on the website, for example zoetermeer.nl.

Which Documents Does the Municipality of Zoetermeer Proactively Publish?

The municipality shares various documents proactively. Some examples:

• Policy Documents and Rules: Local budgets, annual reports, subsidies, and zoning plans for Zoetermeer.
• Preparatory Documents: Draft decisions and background materials.
• Explanations for Decisions: Reasonings for permits, such as building or event permits in the neighbourhood.
• Objection and Appeal Decisions: Anonymised judgments from the Rechtbank Zoetermeer.
• Released WOo Documents: Previously granted requests.

Publication follows shortly after approval, except in cases involving privacy or confidential matters (Article 10 WOo).

Practical Examples from Zoetermeer

Consider the recent cycle path project in Zoetermeer: in accordance with Article 6 WOo, the Municipality of Zoetermeer publishes its position on the draft decision in the public register on zoetermeer.nl. Residents can check it immediately.

Or look at granted WOo requests at the municipality: through the register, you can see how local subsidies for sports clubs were allocated, without submitting your own request.

Water boards publish budgets and annual accounts online as standard, which is relevant for Zoetermeer taxpayers.

Rights of Residents and Obligations of the Municipality

Your rights as a Zoetermeer resident:

1. Free and direct access to all published information.
2. Ability to check the municipality's WOo register.
3. Submit a WOo request for unpublished documents (see Which documents can you request from the government? or the Juridisch Loket Zoetermeer).

Obligations of government bodies:

• Publish proactively and in a timely manner.
• Present in a searchable, structured format.
• Annual report (Article 11 WOo).

In case of shortcomings: complain to the Municipality of Zoetermeer or go to the Rechtbank Zoetermeer to enforce compliance.

Proactive vs. Passive: The Difference

Proactive disclosure is done on the authority's own initiative, while passive disclosure is in response to a request. Comparison:

Frequently Asked Questions about Zoetermeer

Tips for Residents of Zoetermeer

Make optimal use of proactive disclosure:

• Monitor registers: Sign up for the Municipality of Zoetermeer newsletter.
• Use search tools: Websites are searchable.
• Combine with requests: For missing information (see Government Information (Public Access) Act (WOo)).
• Save documents: Take screenshots of important local documents for procedures.