Governance and Administration in Werder (Havel): Key Decisions in March 2026

Governance and Administration: The Central Decisions in Werder (Havel) in March 2026

The town of Werder (Havel) engaged intensively with governance and administrative issues at multiple levels in March 2026. In public meetings of the main committee, the municipal assembly, and numerous local advisory boards, fundamental decisions were made that will shape the development of the municipality in the coming years.

Land Use Plan 2040: A Controversial but Decisive Vision for the Future

One of the central topics was the revising of the Land Use Plan 2020, which is to extend until 2040. The plan was approved by the municipal assembly on March 19, 2026, with 28 votes in favor, 2 against, and 1 abstention. Although several local advisory boards, such as Bliesendorf, Kemnitz, and Phöben, rejected the plan, the overarching decision prevailed.

The Land Use Plan 2040 is closely linked to the landscape plan, which was also being revised in parallel. During public participation, more than 600 pages of comments were submitted. Criticism mainly focused on photovoltaic installations on farmland, potential effects on drinking water, biodiversity, and bird flight. Although these concerns were noted, they were not incorporated into the plan.

At the same time, a principle decision was made to involve local advisory boards in the planning of peatland rewetting and special areas for photovoltaic installations. This reflects the effort to increase local participation.

Budget 2026: A Strong Political Debate

The 2026 budget was another central topic. The budget was discussed in several committees and local advisory boards, leading to strong disagreements in the municipal assembly. In some areas, the budget was rejected by a majority, indicating political tensions and financial criticism.

The budget is also influenced by the new dog tax regulation, which was adopted in March 2026. The old regulation from 2001 was repealed, and a new provision took its place. The revenue from the tax is expected to reflect a surplus of 51,000 euros in the budget.

Volunteer Minutes Takers and Youth Participation

Another focus was on citizen participation. The town adopted a regulation on compensation for volunteer minutes takers, aiming to improve the documentation of public meetings. This is a step toward strengthening transparency in local politics.

At the same time, the introduction of a children and youth advisory board was also decided. Thirteen applications were evaluated, and from the applicants, members were appointed, who have now officially begun their work. The board consists of young people who attend at least the 6th grade and are under 21 years old. The term of office lasts two years (2026–2027).

Shopping Days and Property Transactions

Another topic was the regulation on the release of commercial Sundays and public holidays in 2026, which was amended and adopted in the municipal assembly. The regulation allows up to five exceptions per year for special events such as the city festival or the Christmas market.

In addition, several property transactions were discussed and decided. For example, a land parcel in Alt-Töplitz was publicly sold, while another parcel in Bliesendorf was put up for tender. The sales are part of the 2026 budget consolidation.

Governance Structure and Processes

Decision-making took place within a clear committee structure: committees for finance, urban development, social affairs, and other topics reviewed proposals, which were then voted on in the municipal assembly. The public visibility was high, and meeting documents are accessible online via the municipal information system.

The leading responsibility often lay with Department 4 (Land Use, Planning) and Department 2 (Finance, Budget). Staff members such as Anja Lamp and Joanna Lappe were responsible for the proposals and preparations.

Conclusion: A City in Motion

The decisions of March 2026 show that Werder (Havel) is actively moving toward future-oriented urban development. Land use planning, budget planning, and citizen participation—especially among the youth—are central themes that will shape the municipality in the coming years.