On Monday 1 March 2010 the alderman for Economic Affairs Jaap Dijkstra received the ‘Certificate for Good Services’ at the Ministry of Economic Affairs in the Hague. This Certificate summarizes the results and main areas for improvement of a municipality’s services for businesses. Groningen was awarded the certificate, because of its persistent efforts to reduce regulation pressure on a municipal level.

The ‘Certificate for Good Services’ is one of the initiatives of the Ministries of Economic Affairs and Finance to reduce regulation pressure for entrepreneurs on a local level. In the Certificate achievements in areas such as client satisfaction, terms for application and response speed have been measured, in combination with the municipality system’s level of knowledge with respect to content. The awarded certificate not only shows the outcome of the measurements, but contains recommendations as well. Possessing the certificate will also add to the municipality’s image in the business sector. This project is supported by the umbrella organizations VNG, VNO-NCW and MKB Nederland .

The municipality of Groningen is one of the pioneers when it comes to the reduction of regulation pressure. The municipality occupies a joint sixth position on the ‘Checklist Service Provision 2010’. Being awarded the ‘Certificate for Good Services’ confirms that the municipality is on the right track. Therefore the Municipal Executive will continue its efforts to try and improve the service provision for entrepreneurs:
• The internet portal will increase the applications for permits currently available;
• The accessibility of the Business Service Centre will be improved by working by
appointment;
• Municipal supervision of the building or environmental inspectorate in the
catering and retail trade will be better integrated.
• The municipality is going to supplement and update the product and services
catalogue for entrepreneurs;
• The website for entrepreneurs ‘ondernemen.groningen.nl’ will also be scrutinized
and contents, lay-out and traceability will be improved.