The current 67 municipalities are often already umbrella administrations of various village centres that have been independent at some time or another. The five cities in the heart of the province – Breda, Eindhoven, Helmond, ’s-Hertogenbosch and Tilburg –form the second urban network of the Netherlands after the Randstad (i.e. the urban agglomeration of Western Holland): ‘BrabantStad’.
It is a unique administrative form that offers every town the most space to be itself but in which they also agree on a joint approach in relation to opportunities and threats. Each administrative level, in turn, works together with scores of social organisations that in part implement policy.
The King’s Commissioner is chair of both the Provincial Council and the Provincial Executive.
The influence of the European Union on the activities of lower governments, i.e. those of the provinces, is increasing.
The Provincial Council comprises the complete range of representatives of the people within the province.
The day-to-day administration of the province is in the hands of the Provincial Executive.
The Province of Noord-Brabant is facing a new challenge.