Policy Framework Document

The policy framework is an elaboration of the executive program. The policy framework contains a concrete elaboration of the topics mentioned in the executive program. The executive board indicates what the plans are and what this will cost. The policy framework relates to a period of 4 years. This is not a fixed period as with the political term agenda and the executive program. Each year, the executive board prepares a new policy framework for the next 4 years, which is discussed by the council to form an opinion.

No. Our municipality has chosen to draw up a framework memorandum every year. The Municipal Executive and the council then discuss new plans and wishes and other important developments with consequences for the municipality. The framework memorandum is a tool for the council to determine which plans and wishes the Municipal Executive should develop further. These elaborated plans and wishes are then included in the budget.

The policy framework is mainly structured from the following components:

• A description of important developments that (may) have consequences for the municipality's revenues or expenses. Examples include the economic situation, new government regulations, or a (strong) increase or decrease in the number of residents of the municipality;
• An overview of plans for new activities and what these will cost. At the same time, the municipal executive (College van B&W) also indicates whether the municipality has funds for these new activities, or whether more money is needed to implement these plans;
• The council makes 'guiding statements' about which plans should be included in the budget.

The council discusses the framework memorandum for opinion annually in June/July.

From the 2019 framework memorandum, the naming has been changed to framework memorandum. Before that, the naming was perspective memorandum.