The Flemish Interior Minister Bart Somers (liberal) has placed the local authority in the West Flemish coastal municipality of Knokke-Heist under increased supervision. The Interior Minister took the measure after an audit by the Flemish audit bureau Audit Flanders found that a former alderman in Knokke may have engaged in a conflict of interest.
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Knokke-Heist placed under “increased supervision” after audit finds irregularities in the awarding of contracts
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Audit Flanders’ report points to various irregularities in the awarding of government contracts by Knokke-Heist council. While the former alderman Kris Demeyere (and others) are named in the report, it also points to a more general failure to follow the rules on the part of the municipal authorities in general.
On Friday morning Mr Somers announced that he is placing local authorities under “increased supervision”. This means that its actions will be closely monitored by the Provincial Governor. "In concrete terms, this means that the decisions taking by the municipal cabinet that affect the subject of the audit will be examined very closely.
The Governor of West Flanders Carl Decaluwé says he is concerned about the news on Knokke-Heist. Mr Decaluwé told VRT News "This could reflect on local politics in general”.
There will be regular follow-up meetings between the governor and the local authority check whether the recommendations of Audit Flanders are being followed.