Governance in Witten: Structural Decisions in Focus

Governance in Witten: Decisions in February 2026

The city council of Witten made a number of decisions in February 2026 that are structurally and strategically significant for the city's future. Particularly notable is the in-depth engagement with governance, i.e., the internal structure and political cooperation within the city administration.

The discussions and resolutions show how Witten is striving to broaden both the administration and political participation – from the reappointment of supervisory board members to the planning of a citizens' council.

Supervisory Board Appointments: Continuity and Change

A central topic was the appointment of supervisory board members. The city council appointed new members to the supervisory board of Verbund-Wasserwerk Witten GmbH (VWW), including Mayor Dirk Leistner (SPD), who is already a statutory member according to the company agreement. Other names, such as Volker Pompetzki, Ute Niederhagemann, Sören Braun, Sven Schmidt, and Andreas Schumski, were proposed unanimously or with only a few abstentions.

At the same time, the composition of the supervisory board of Stadtwerke Witten GmbH was also updated. Andreas Schumski and Oliver Krieg were proposed, with Schumski already being a member of the VWW board. These changes show how Witten is striving to ensure continuity in oversight while also bringing fresh input into the structures.

Citizen Participation and Civic Engagement

Another focus was on citizen participation. The council unanimously decided to establish a Citizens' Council for Witten, which is scheduled to meet for the first time in 2027. The idea comes from the BürgerRatInitiativeWitten (B.R.I.W.), which has long advocated for stronger public involvement in political decisions.

The proposal was taken up by the administration, and a concept is currently being developed. This is a clear step toward participatory democracy. In addition, a special jury for the Witten Environmental Prize 2025/26 was also appointed, consisting of politicians, members of the administration, and external experts.

Structural Reforms and Financial Decisions

During the February council meeting, several structural decisions were also made that will influence the work of the city administration. The Digitalization Commission was appointed unanimously, with members from all council factions. This shows how Witten is striving to politically secure digital transformation processes.

A financially significant topic was the additional allocation of 900,000 € for the construction of the Education Quarter Annen. The council approved the request unanimously. In addition, amendments to the Integrated Urban Development Concept for the City Center of Witten were also adopted, which will shape the city's future development.

Outlook: Governance as a Central Responsibility

The decisions made by the Witten city council in February 2026 show that governance is not only a formal topic but a central part of the city's political work. From the reappointment of committees through the establishment of citizens' councils to the securing of financial resources – Witten is relying on a transparent, citizen-oriented administration.

The coming months will show how these decisions hold up in practice. In particular, the planned citizens' council and the digitalization commission could pave new ways for participation and the political process in Witten.