Ommen workforce merges with neighbouring Hardenberg

HARDENBERG – The number of Dutch municipalities has dwindled significantly through mergers and realignments over the past decades. Some municipalities balked at such imposed measures, aiming to make governance more efficient and cost effective. The Overijssel entity of Ommen avoided being pushed into a merger but now has made a fairly unique arrangement with neighbouring Hardenberg which in effect means that Hardenberg assumes much of the operational work in Ommen. While Ommen remains independent and will keep its own front desks, its work force will merge with that of Hardenberg. While other municipalities were enlarged through mergers, Ommen lost territory when Lemelerveld was added to neighbouring Dalfsen.