Paderborn in Focus – Monthly Review February 2026

Changes with a Future

What was important this month

• The Council confirmed the validity of the Mayor's election from autumn 2025, thereby ensuring the legal legitimacy of the mayor's assumption of office.
• An external consultant was commissioned to support the city’s budget consolidation – a step toward long-term financial stability.
• In the Committee for Equal Opportunities and Integration, new working groups were established for festivals and integration awards to highlight the city's diversity.
• The rules of procedure for the Youth Welfare Committee were updated, and SC Paderborn 07 was recognized as a free provider of youth welfare services.
• In the Committee for Environment, Climate and Mobility, a proposal to improve bicycle traffic was rejected, but critical issues such as missing safety lanes were identified.
• The District Committee Schloß Neuhaus/Sande decided to amend the land use plan for wind energy in Altensenne and requested reports on infrastructure projects.

Finance in Focus: Budget Consolidation and Reports

The Council decided in February 2026 to appoint an external consultant for budget consolidation. The consultant will support the city in long-term planning and implementation of financial measures. The goal is to ensure financial consolidation sustainably and to optimize future budget decisions.

In the Committee for Building Management, the financial reports for the year 2025 were presented. Regular revenues amounted to 53.5 million euros, while regular expenses remained at 39.5 million euros. Personnel costs decreased by ten percent, and the depreciation expenses were reduced to just 1,221 euros.

In the Committee for Markets and Fire Brigade, an interim report on the economic plan for 2025 was presented. The investment amount from the asset plan for 2025 was not achieved, so investments were postponed to 2026. The remaining budget increased to 4.377 million euros.

Integration and Equal Opportunities: New Pathways in the City Society

The Committee for Equal Opportunities and Integration adopted a new set of rules of procedure and established three working groups, including for the International Festival of Encounter and the Awarding of the Integration Prize.

The German-Turkish Friendship Group submitted proposals for the use of municipal sports and school gyms, the introduction of a religiously neutral form for exemptions from religious education, and the visibility of the partnership with Beylikdüzü within the city.

In the Committee for Equal Status, a proposal to support a reading event was rejected due to financial reasons. The SPD submitted inquiries regarding the supply of hygiene products to schools and the naming of streets after women.

Urban Development and Traffic: Planning and Criticism

The Committee for Urban Development and Construction approved several zoning plans, including the revocation of the zoning plan for Rohrbachweg and the reorganization of the area Detmolder Straße / Steubenstraße. The land use plan 167 for wind energy in Altensenne was updated.

In the Committee for Environment, Climate and Mobility, a proposal by the Greens for improved bicycle traffic guidance was rejected. The administration justified this by stating that some aspects are already under review. However, critical issues such as missing safety lanes on Bahnhofstraße were recorded.

The District Committee Schloß Neuhaus/Sande requested a status report on wind energy in Sander Bruch and a bike path connection to the fish ponds. In addition, a report on the condition of the Brunnen Theatre was requested.

Integration and Youth: New Structures

The Youth Welfare Committee elected new chairpersons and secretaries. The SC Paderborn 07 e.V. was recognized as a free provider of youth welfare services. The kindergarten needs planning for the year 2026/27 was postponed to March.

Outlook and Summary

February 2026 was a month of clear decisions and new structures in Paderborn. Whether in financial planning, integration, or urban development – the city is moving forward toward a sustainable, inclusive, and future-oriented development. In March it will become clear whether the planned measures can be implemented.