Brussels Mayor wants end to third-sector management agreements with Brussels City Council

On Wednesday, the Socialist Mayor of Brussels City Council, Philippe Close, gave his reaction in La Libre Belgique and La Dernière Heure to the recent stir around the Brussels based non-profit organisation GIAL.

He believes that the problem resides within the practice of “executing management agreements with the CEO of the board of the third sector organisation.” He stresses that this is a practice which he says should, “now stop at Brussels City Council”, and which in the meantime has moreover stopped within GIAL, “where a particular civil servant” reached the top of the association.

The mayor summarised, “There should be no self-employed individuals running these organisations.” He was being questioned upon the duration of the consultancy agreement (17 years) entered into by GIAL with the specialist Michel Leroy. This collaboration should have been subject to an appropriate invitation to tender, according to a recent audit requested by the third sector organisation’s management, a point revealed by Le Vif.

Moreover, Philippe Close is promising to “merge part” of the third sector organisations linked to Brussels City Council, and to “implement management contracts” for the “largest” seven “subsidiaries of Brussels City Council” (including the Mabru Brussels Morning Market and four hospitals). He states, “We have already tendered to work with a third party firm, responsible for assisting us in redrafting the management contracts.” However, these contracts cannot be approved until after the next municipal elections.


The author: Margareta STROOT

Margareta Stroot, a multi-talented individual, calls Brussels her home. With a unique blend of careers, she balances her time as a part-time journalist and a part-time real estate agent. Margareta's deep-rooted knowledge of the city of Brussels, where she resides, has proven invaluable in both of her roles. Her journalism captures the essence of the city, while her real estate expertise helps others find their perfect homes in the vibrant Belgian capital.

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