This week we meet Valentine Delwart: a resident of Uccle, Alderwoman for Finance, Personnel, Youth, Economy and Trade, and second on Mayor Boris Dilliès's list for the municipal elections on 13 October.
Let's talk with her about the management of her municipality, particularly within her areas of responsibility.
It can be said without blushing that the management in Uccle is good, even excellent: balanced accounts for over 10 years and no tax increases during this term. What is the secret of Uccle's recipe?
A liberal recipe, of course! Every public expense is analysed and we don't spend money we don't have. Budgets are drawn up line by line with the departments, which avoids waste. Moreover, by not raising taxes, we have supported economic activity and thereby increased revenue for the municipality.
Regarding trade, what is the municipality doing to keep attractive commercial spaces and fight against empty units? What points did you pay particular attention to?
During this term we introduced local business vouchers. These vouchers have replaced most of our municipal grants and can only be spent in businesses in Uccle. Hundreds of thousands of euros have thus been spent in Uccle rather than elsewhere. This is entirely beneficial for existing businesses, and one of these grants specifically targets setting up a business in empty premises. The circle is complete.
It seems that all the lights are green in Uccle and that it's a good place to live. If the residents of Uccle once again place their trust in the Mayor's list, what will be the challenges and projects of the next term?
Our goal is to maintain rigorous management of the municipality, both in terms of finances, safety and cleanliness, but also to develop new projects such as a 100% natural swimming pool in a Natura 2000 site or a local cinema. We are convinced that Uccle has the potential to shine beyond its borders, notably through extraordinary cultural and sporting activities.
One last touristy question: if you had to describe an ideal day in Uccle, which addresses would be must-visits?
There's nothing better than starting the day with coffee and breakfast at Met Plaizier on Chaussée de Waterloo near the Bois de la Cambre, then taking a short digestive and sporty walk around the Royal Observatory of Belgium. After popping into our new Administrative Centre, exemplary in energy terms, I'd recommend a stop at Bleus d'Encre on Parvis Saint Pierre to stock up on books and grab a takeaway soup at La Tasse near Place Danco, a great new café that has just opened where everything is homemade. You'll also find what you're looking for among the many shops (over 1,500) in the municipality if you want to do some shopping, or discover Uccle's heritage, notably through a visit to the Van Buuren Museum and Gardens on Avenue Léo Errera, a magnificent Art Deco house, still perfectly preserved, surrounded by beautiful listed gardens. To end this day in style, before or after attending a show at the Uccle Cultural Centre on Rue Rouge, there's no shortage of restaurants in Uccle, but I recommend a small restaurant seating about ten, Chez Luma on Rue de la Fauvette, which offers delicious local cuisine, or, if it's getting late, Le Relais Saint Job on Place Saint Job, which is a safe bet.