The municipal code of Winterthur, i.e. the city’s constitution, is being completely renewed. On Sunday, the Winterthur electorate accepted the new municipal code with a clear 70.07 percent. The current version dates from 1989. The new municipal code is also necessary because a new cantonal municipal law has been in force in the canton of Zurich since 2018. The new municipal code gives the city council new financial powers and the school authorities are reorganized. There is also a new initiative for foreigners and a youth initiative. As part of the new municipal code, some terms will also be adapted. The large municipal council will no longer be called the municipal council but the city parliament.
There are major changes in the school organization
Today’s school authority organization is characterized by the coexistence of the central school maintenance and four district school maintenance. From now on, only the school administration will be responsible for the school system. As today, it consists of one member of the city council in the presidium and now of six semi-official members elected by the people.
City council is allowed to speak higher amounts
The city council can now speak higher amounts on its own authority. The amount limit for loans that must be approved by those entitled to vote at the ballot box will be increased from five million to eight million francs for one-off expenses and from 500,000 francs to 800,000 francs for annually recurring expenses. The city council can now also approve loans of up to one million francs for one-off expenses and up to 100,000 francs for annually recurring expenses. Parliament only has to make a decision in the case of higher amounts. So far, these limits have been CHF 200,000 and CHF 20,000 respectively.
More say for young people and foreigners
The new municipal code also provides for a new youth initiative. This enables young people to bring their concerns into the political discussion. To do this, at least 50 young people between the ages of 12 and 18 must sign. With an advance by foreigners, people without a Swiss passport should also be able to participate in the political discussion. At least 100 foreign nationals of legal age who have lived in Winterthur for at least two years can submit an application. The motions are then dealt with by the city parliament.
SVP and center against it
A change in the new municipal code also affects the large municipal council itself. In future it will be called the city parliament because the term “municipal council” has caused confusion time and again, especially in rural areas, where a “municipal council” is a member of the government.
The SVP and the center were against the new city constitution. They criticized that the population could decide less about spending. The professionalization of the school authorities also means that it is less anchored in the population.
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