Proactive Disclosure in Delft
In Delft, the Government Information (Public Access) Act (WOo) requires government bodies, such as the Municipality of Delft, to automatically publish relevant information on their websites. Residents do not need to submit a WOo request. This promotes transparency on local matters, from parking policies to environmental plans around the historic city center and TU Delft.
Legal Basis for Delft
Proactive disclosure is governed by the Government Information (Public Access) Act (WOo), effective since May 1, 2022, as the successor to the Wob. Key provisions:
- Article 3 WOo: Administrative bodies such as the Municipality of Delft maintain a register of working documents and publish it.
- Article 5 WOo: General rules and policy documents online.
- Article 6 WOo: Positions on proposed decisions.
- Article 7 WOo: Publication of objection and appeal decisions.
- Article 8 WOo: Granted WOo requests are made public.
- Article 11 WOo: Annual report on disclosure.
This applies to the Municipality of Delft, the District Court of The Hague, and other bodies. Everything is available digitally in a public register on websites such as delft.nl.
What Documents Does Delft Publish?
The Municipality of Delft proactively shares various documents. Overview:
- Policy rules: Budgets, annual reports, subsidies, and Delft environmental visions.
- Working documents: Draft decisions and preparatory notes.
- Reasoning for decisions: Justifications for permits, e.g., for construction in the city center.
- Objection and appeal rulings: Anonymized judgments from the District Court of The Hague.
- Released WOo documents: Previous requests on delft.nl.
Publication follows shortly after approval, except for privacy or confidential data (Article 10 WOo).
Examples from Delft
Take Delft's cycling policy: The Municipality of Delft publishes its position on the draft via Article 6 WOo in the public register on delft.nl. Check it without a request.
Or discover via granted requests at the Justice department how subsidies for cultural projects in Delft were allocated.
Water boards around Delft publish finances online, so you can review dyke maintenance costs.
Rights and Obligations in Delft
Your rights as a Delft resident:
- Free access to registers on delft.nl.
- Monitor compliance by the municipality.
- WOo request for unpublished information (What documents can you request?).
Government obligations:
- Publish promptly and in a structured manner online.
- Provide searchable registers.
- Report annually (Article 11 WOo).
In case of errors: file a complaint with the Municipality of Delft, get help from the Juridisch Loket Delft, or proceed to the District Court of The Hague.
Proactive vs. Passive in Delft
Proactive differs from passive (on request). Table:
| Aspect | Proactive | Passive |
|---|---|---|
| Initiative | Municipality of Delft | Your WOo request |
| Costs | Free | Free, copies sometimes charged |
| Timeline | Quick/proactive | Max. 4 weeks (Art. 25 WOo) |
| Examples | Delft budgets | Internal notes |
| Limitations | Privacy (Art. 10) | Refusal with reasons |
FAQs for Delft
Is proactive information free in Delft?
Yes, freely accessible on delft.nl without payment or request.
Information missing on delft.nl?
Submit a WOo request. If repeated: complaint or to the District Court of The Hague, advice from Juridisch Loket Delft.
Was this available under Wob?
No, WOo expands it since 2022; Wob was more limited.
Where to find the register?
Search delft.nl for 'WOo register' or 'proactive disclosure'.
Tips for Delft Residents
Maximize proactive disclosure:
- Follow registers: Sign up for Delft newsletters.
- Search smart: Use the delft.nl search function.
- Combine with requests: For missing data (WOo info).
- Save evidence: Screenshots for proceedings at the District Court of The Hague.