Rapport de séance du 11 décembre 2025

Meeting of the Leudelange Municipal Council held on 11 December 2015

1. Approval of the agenda

Approval

2. Communications from the College of the Mayor and Aldermen

3. Ad-hoc amendment to the “Bommert” General Development Plan (GDP)

Approval

4. Ad-hoc amendment to the “Bommert” Special Development Plan – Existing District (SDP- ED)

Approval

5. “Bommert” Special Development Plan (SDP)

Approval

6. Revised budget for 2025

Presentation

7. Budget for 2026

Presentation

8. BabyPLUS agreement

Approval

9. Approval of a service contract for Luxembourg language courses (closed session)

Postponed

10. Correspondence, questions to the College of the Mayor and Aldermen

11. Staff matter (closed session)

a) Permanent appointment of an official in career category B1 – Financial Services

b) Permanent appointment of an official in career category B1 – Financial Services

12. Municipal advisory committees (closed session)

Resignation of a member of the Sports and Leisure Committee

Sous huis clos, le Conseil communal a approuvé la démission d’un membre de la Commission du Sport et des Loisirs.

13. List of requests for rights of pre-emption (closed session)

a) Discussion

b) Decision

Attendances

Present:
Lou Linster (Mayor), Vanessa Baldassarri (Alderwoman), Jean-Pierre Roemen (Alderman)
Nathalie Entringer, Marcel Jakobs, Sandrine Pompidou (Municipal Councillors)
Marc Thill (Municipal Secretary)

Absent (excused): Denise Copette, Patrick Calmus, Philippe Wilmes (Municipal Councillors)

 

1. Approval of the agenda

Item 9 on the agenda is postponed to a later meeting of the Municipal Council.

The amended agenda is unanimously approved.

2. Communications from the College of the Mayor and Aldermen

The Mayor recalls forthcoming events in the Municipality, including the Advent Concert to be held on 21 December in Leudelange parish church.

3. Ad-hoc amendment to the “Bommert” GDP

Mayor Lou Linster, in collaboration with engineer Marc Schmit, presents several amendments and projects relating to the GDP and SDP-ED at the “Bommert”’. The project had already been referred to the committee on 14 July and had been posted in accordance with legal requirements.

The Planning Committee of the Ministry of Home Affairs has issued an opinion on the matter. Apart from a few minor comments, no major objections are raised.

Only the measures to protect the existing farm are deemed insufficient. The Mayor specifies that the building’s dimensions are already protected at a municipal level and that the walls will have to be rebuilt identically to the original structures, if necessary. He adds that one of the access points to the SDP will be through the farm’s existing gate. He also states that no demolition is planned. The Mayor and Aldermen, like the developer, have expressed their desire to preserve the farm. In consultation with the CO3 design office, which advises the Municipality, the Mayor and Aldermen therefore propose not to change the site’s protected status.

The INPA (National Institute for Architectural Heritage) has visited the site and may, if necessary, grant the building national protected status.

In response to a question from Municipal Councillor Nathalie Entringer, the Mayor states that the Planning Committee issues an opinion, but that the final decision rests with the Municipality.

The proposed amendments are unanimously approved by the Municipal Council.

4. Ad-hoc amendment to the “Bommert” Special Development Plan – Existing District (SDP-ED)

Within the same context, an ad-hoc amendment to the SDP-ED is put to the vote.

This amendment is unanimously approved.

5. Special development plan (SDP) for the “Bommert” (SDP-ND “Centre-11a et b”)

The “Bommert” Special Development Plan (PAP-ND “Centre-11a and b”) is then examined. This SDP is located between the Rue du Lavoir, the Rue de Cessange and the Rue du Cimetière and provides for the construction of a maximum of 434 dwellings on an area of approximately 6.5 hectares. Of these dwellings, 80 will be reserved for affordable housing.

Axonometric projection:

Although the opinion of the Evaluation Unit of the Ministry of Home Affairs contains several comments, these are mainly of a technical nature. No comments are made regarding the fundamental principles of the SDP. For example, it was requested that the garages and ancillary buildings on lots 46–53, 54–61 and 69–72 be more staggered, with setbacks and projections, in order to avoid overly linear and rigid façades. On lot 37, located near the Place du Lavoir, four outdoor parking spaces are now planned for short-term parking, intended for the local amenities which will be established there. The Evaluation Unit also expresses reservations about the creation of two-family houses and expresses a preference for small residences. However, the Municipal Council does not wish to follow this recommendation, considering that a balance between single-family homes, residences and two-family homes is an important objective for the Municipality.

The Mayor stresses that work on this SDP began in 2017 and that there has been no rush. The Municipality has ensured that this new neighbourhood blends harmoniously with the existing neighbourhoods and brings real added value, in particular through the expansion of local amenities and public spaces. The pedestrian and cycle path between the Place du Lavoir and the Rue du Cimetière also represents significant added value for the Municipality.

The parking ratio has been significantly reduced compared to existing neighbourhoods and stands at 1.25 spaces per dwelling for apartment buildings, instead of two. Residents of the new district will not be eligible for residential parking permits.

The “Bommert” SDP is unanimously approved.

6. Revised budget for 2025

Presentation (grouped with Item 7 of the agenda)

7. Budget 2026

Presentation

The 2026 budget is clearly investment-oriented, with significant resources allocated to the implementation of projects which were already included in the 2023 election manifesto and are now well advanced in their preparation. These projects are therefore not new, but are now reaching their implementation phase.

A prime example is the “Shared Space” project, with exterior work scheduled to begin in the spring, followed by the launch of the “Um Wäschbuer” development project in the autumn of 2026. These are significant investments for the Municipality. Nevertheless, the financial situation remains healthy. The Municipality has a structural ordinary surplus: in 2024, this amounted to € 7 million in nominal terms. It should be noted, however, that a payment of € 2.3 million to the Employment Fund is still made in that year. As this amount was largely reimbursed in 2025 following a legislative change, ordinary revenue for 2025 is artificially increased by approximately £ 2 million. In reality, the ordinary surplus for 2024 amounted to approximately £ 9 million. For 2025, it is estimated at approximately £ 8.3 million. Ordinary revenue for 2026, adjusted for these exceptional effects, is slightly lower than that for 2025.

The 2026 budget provides for extraordinary investments of approximately € 31 million. Despite a healthy financial situation, these projects cannot be financed without resorting to partial borrowing. Since the new Mayor and Aldermen, as well as the Municipal Council, took office, several loans have been approved, but have not yet been drawn down. This will change at the beginning of 2026: a loan of € 3 million is planned in the revised 2025 budget. However, this will not yet result in any interest or amortisation charges in 2025. As at 31 December 2025, the Municipality’s debt will amount to approximately € 5.7 million.

In addition to this £ 3 million loan included in the revised 2025 budget, an additional £ 17 million is planned for the 2026 budget.

Ordinary revenue amounts to approximately € 1.9 million for property tax in the revised 2025 budget. The State grant is increasing, from € 13.7 million in 2025 to € 14.3 million in 2026. Business tax is also showing positive growth, with revenues expected to reach just over £ 2.5 million in 2026.

In total, ordinary revenues amount to £ 25.1 million in the revised 2025 budget and £ 24.5 million in the 2026 budget. Added to this are VAT refunds expected over the next few years, guaranteeing a good return on investment.

However, ordinary expenditure is experiencing a structural increase. Staff costs are rising due to new hirings, indexation and salary increases.

The costs of the Day Care Centre and the Youth Centre are also increasing significantly. For the Day Care Centre, municipal expenditure rose from € 340,000 in 2024 to € 520,000 in 2025 and will continue to increase in 2026, mainly due to a new wage agreement. The Municipality covers a quarter of the total costs, with the State covering the remaining 75%. With regard to the Youth Centre, late invoices have resulted in expenditure of € 313,000 in the revised 2025 budget; for 2026, this is estimated at € 170,000.

In the forestry sector, expenditure will increase in 2026, but so will revenue. The “Bëschhal” development will be completed in April; from then on, the Municipality of Leudelange will advance the costs of electricity, water and waste, which will then be reimbursed proportionally by the Municipalities of Dippach and Reckange-sur-Mess. The same applies to vehicles. Until now, the Municipality of Leudelange has borne the entire cost of providing premises for forestry workers. The new system is therefore fairer.

The issue of the “Ruffbus” is also discussed in terms of its relevance and current costs. Regardless of this, the service will continue to operate until March, before any changes or discontinuation are considered.

Wastewater-related expenditure continues to rise (2024: € 1.34 million; 2025: € 1.8 million) in connection with the expansion of the “Beggen” wastewater treatment plant (cost: approximately € 300 million) and will reach around € 1.9 million in 2026. On the other hand, electricity costs are falling, as is gas consumption, by virtue of the new energy plant and the demolition of certain municipal buildings.

Extraordinary revenue is mainly based on the sale of land, subsidies and loans. They amount to approximately € 3.5 million in the revised 2025 budget and nearly € 23 million in the 2026 budget. With regard to subsidies, the principle of prudence is applied: only amounts for which there is a firm commitment are included in the budget, with the others to be received at a later date.

Extraordinary expenditure amounts to € 11.2 million in the revised 2025 budget and € 31.3 million in the 2026 budget.

Construction work on the “Shared Space” project will begin next year. For outdoor improvements, approximately € 3.4 million is earmarked for 2026, while € 4.8 million is allocated for the construction of the “Um Wäschbuer” development.

The architects are actively working on the project for the house located at 1 Rue de Cessange, which will become an intergenerational centre. The first floor of the building will house the Youth Centre, while the ground floor will include a kitchen, rooms available on reservation, and sports and community areas. As part of this renovation, the building will be brought into compliance with current standards (emergency exits).

Plans for the water play area are underway. A concrete project is expected to be presented early next year. The cost is estimated at € 375,000.

Construction of the “Bëschhal” is expected to be completed in 2026. A sum of € 715,000 has been earmarked for this purpose.

In the spring, geothermal drilling is expected to take place around the community centre. The Municipality’s energy plant will then be equipped with heat pumps. A sum of € 1.8 million has been earmarked for this purpose in the budget.

A sum of € 900,000 has been allocated for equipping municipal buildings with photovoltaic modules.

Around € 1.4 million will be invested next year to launch the construction of affordable housing on the Rue de la Montée.

The redevelopment of the Rue de la Montée began in November. A sum of € 1.93 million has been allocated to this project in the 2026 budget.

Studies on traffic calming measures at the entrances to the town are already well advanced. The construction of a central traffic island is planned for 2026 on the Rue d’Esch.

The renovation of the “An der Eech” cultural and community centre is expected to be completed in 2026. A budget of € 2.43 million has been allocated for this purpose.

Finally, school investments are discussed. In the old school building, all lamps have already been replaced with LED lighting in 2025. Starting next year, all classrooms will be equipped with interactive whiteboards at the request of the teaching staff. This investment is fully in line with the approach to supporting children’s education.

During the discussion, Councillor Nathalie Entringer thanks the Mayor for his detailed explanations and highlights the scale of the figures presented. She says that she is reassured by the room for manoeuvre provided to deal with any uncertainties and points out that implementing projects requires courage in terms of investment. Councillor Marcel Jakobs also welcomes the size of the budget, while pointing out that a significant portion still relates to preparatory studies.

8. BabyPLUS agreement

Finally, the BabyPLUS agreement is submitted to the Municipal Council for approval and presented by Alderwoman Vanessa Baldassarri. The agreement will come into force on 1 January 2026. It provides for a free advice and information service for parents, from pregnancy until the child is three years old. A specialist professional team offers up to eight home visits per year on request. Information is available on the municipal website via a form or by scanning the QR code on the flyer. The costs amount to approximately € 15,000 per year; the Municipality has the right to monitor and evaluate the programme. The initiative is very well received by the Municipal Council and unanimously adopted.

10. Correspondance and questions to the College of the Mayor and Aldermen

Ms Nathalie Entringer enquires about the disappearance of the “sleeping policemen” in the business park. The Mayor explains that they were probably damaged and will be replaced at a later date.

11. Staff matter (closed session)

a) Permanent appointment of an official in career category B1 – Financial Services

b) Permanent appointment of an official in career category B1 – Financial Services

The Municipal Council proceeded behind closed doors to definitively appoint two civil servants in salary grade B-1, who will be assigned to the financial department of the municipal administration.

12. Municipal advisory committees (closed session)

Resignation of a member of the Sports and Leisure Committee

13. List of requests for rights of pre-emption (closed session)

a) Discussion

b) Decision