This week we turn our attention to the municipality of Somme-Leuze, with Mayor Valérie Lecomte. Located in the Province of Namur, on the borders of the Provinces of Liège and Luxembourg, it covers 95 km². A haven of peace between Condroz and Famenne, it is home to one of the most beautiful villages in Wallonia, Chardeneux. Alderwoman from 2006 and Mayor since 2014, Ms Lecomte succeeds Willy Borsus in the same role, showing just as much diligence and rigour in managing her municipality.”
Valérie, elected alderwoman since 2006 and Mayor since 2014, your longevity is remarkable. You succeeded a leading MR figure at the head of your municipality at the time, but it quickly became clear that you had taken things firmly in hand. Can you tell us more about yourself and explain your journey within the Liberal Party?
Since 1999, I had been working at the Somme-Leuze municipal administration as a municipal employee. In 2006, I chose to get more involved for my municipality by responding positively to Willy Borsus's call to join his list. Voters immediately placed their trust in me, and so I began my role as alderwoman.
Following this election, I resigned from my position at the administration in order to devote myself fully to my political responsibilities. Alongside this commitment, I undertook training in administrative sciences to strengthen my skills and better serve the general interest.
The liberal party was an obvious choice for me, both because of the projects it champions and the values it defends. It is in this spirit that I have continued my commitment to developing our municipal territory, drawing on the principles of liberalism and a constant will to take concrete action for citizens.
How do you manage to reconcile your projects and the overall development of your municipality with its specific features in terms of green spaces, meeting places and ever-present nature? As a reminder, the municipality is more than 30% wooded and is regularly praised for its natural beauty.
Being close to relatively touristy municipalities, the challenge lies in managing accommodation and second homes in our area. Coordinated urban planning is essential to reconcile our development with the preservation of our natural environment. Airbnb statistics have shown that internet searches for Somme-Leuze have surged by more than 54%, a Walloon record.
Another record, moreover, is the extremely significant population growth: more than 30% over the past ten years. The green surroundings attract both future residents and tourists. The real challenge, therefore, is to reconcile these two realities as effectively as possible.
I am fortunate to be able to develop, in partnership with local stakeholders, numerous walking, mountain biking and trail routes. This collaboration allows us to offer residents and visitors a wide range of outdoor activities.
After more than a year in office, how do you view your record so far? Do you have other projects planned for your municipality?
With all due modesty, I can say my team's record has been positive. Since I took office and up to now, we have managed to maintain an absolute majority on the Municipal Council. I am fortunate to be surrounded by a professional and dedicated team, both politically and administratively.
I often like to say that I want Somme-Leuze to remain a place where life is good! Even though, over the past twenty years, we have had no shortage of projects and concrete actions, there is always more to do.
The project currently under way involves centralising various services in a former quadrangular farm in Baillonville, a true architectural gem, which will house, among other things, the future municipal administration. Completing this project will be a great source of pride for the municipality.
The aim is also to maintain a balance between economic, tourist and community development, while preserving the living environment of our residents. A real challenge!
I am a woman who loves her job, values closeness to citizens, and moves forward with determination.