Rapport de séance du 23 octobre 2025

Leudelange Municipal Council meeting of 23 October 2025

Revision of drinking water and sewage tariffs

1. Approval of the agenda

Approval

2. Announcements from the College of Mayor and Aldermen

3. Selective amendment to the general development plan (PAG)

a) Amendment to the PAG at the location known as « Place du Lavoir », vote by the Municipal Council

b) Amendment to the PAP QE at the location known as « Place du Lavoir », vote by the Municipal Council (PAP QE: special development plan – existing district)

 4. « Place du Lavoir » PAP (special development plan)

Vote by the Municipal Council, « CENTRE-10 » PAP-NQ at the location known as « Place du Lavoir »

 5. Selective amendment to the PAG (general development plan)

a) Selective amendment to the PAG at the location known as « Weierwiss », vote by the Municipal Council

b) Agreement regarding the costs for the amendment to the PAG at the location known as « Weierwiss » , approval

 6. Interim settlement for the « Faarwekëscht » school and school playground

Approval

 7. Municipal fees

a) Reassessment of the municipal fee for drinking water

b) Reassessment of the municipal fee for wastewater

 8. Approval of the 2022 accounts

Administrative account 2022

Management account 2022

 9. Approval of various sales contracts

a) Parcels nos. 2276/530, 2276/531 and part of parcel 650/5150

b) Parcel no. 854/7956

 10.Budgetary amendment

Increase in item 3/860/615241/99001Increase in item 4/630/222100/13002

 11. Renovation work on the Hueschterterbësch water tower

Approval of the cost estimate

 12. INPA classification procedure, SCHON house

Statement by the Municipal Council

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

 14. Social services office (in closed session)

Nomination of a representative of the municipality to the Mamer Social Services Office, OSCM

 15. Approval of various service contracts relating to Luxembourgish language courses (in closed session)

a) Mr Daniel LIESER

b) Ms Kim LARBIÈRE

 16. Personnel matter (in closed session)

Employee with an intellectual role, holder of a Master’s degree, salary group A-1,  determination of salary

 17. Personnel matter (in closed session)

Provisional appointment of a civil servant in salary group D-1, municipal agent

 18. Municipal advisory commission (in closed session)

a) Appointment of a member of the Commission for Living together

b) Resignation of the secretary of the Climate Pact Commission

c) Appointment of the secretary of the Climate Pact Commission

 19. List of requests for right of first refusal

a) Discussion (in closed session)

b) Decision (in public session)

Present:

Lou Linster (Mayor), Vanessa Demoling-Baldassarri (Alderwoman), Jean-Pierre Roemen (Alderman)

Patrick Calmus, Denise Conrardy-Copette (as from agenda item 3), Nathalie Entringer, Marcel Jakobs, Philippe Wilmes (Councillors)

Marc Thill (Municipal Secretary)

Absent (excused): Sandrine Pompidou

 

1. Approval of the agenda

Approval

Item 3 of the agenda is supplemented by sub-item b) (amendment to the PAP at the location known as « Place du Lavoir », vote by the Municipal Council). All Councillors agree to the amended agenda.

2. Announcements from the College of Mayor and Aldermen

Alderman Vanessa Demoling-Baldassarri announces the opening of the exhibition « Recto-Verso – Frauen in Not “ (Women in Need) on 28 November at 6 p.m. in Leudelange, as part of this year’s « Orange Week ». There will also be a film and a round table discussion on the topic. A self-defence course for women and girls is also on the Leudelange programme. The alderwoman encourages all interested parties to take part in the « Orange Week » march in Luxembourg City on 22 November. Mayor Lou Linster then reminds everyone that the « Dag vum Bam » (Tree Day) is coming up again on 14 November. The same day is also International Men’s Day, when the municipality is hosting a beer tasting event. On 28 October, the Mayor continues, there will be an information meeting on the construction work in Rue de la Montée, which will begin on 3 November. Details of various closures and diversions during the course of the work will be announced at the meeting. All the necessary permits have been obtained, so that the work, which is scheduled to take two years, can begin as planned in the green zone. This means that traffic will remain unaffected for the time being. The municipality has leased a plot of land at the “Domaine op Hals/Rue de la Montée” intersection, where a temporary road will also be built. Lou Linster concluded his remarks with some good news: the orchids that were destroyed three years ago behind Villa Eugénie have now been replaced by new specimens from Bettembourg, which have been planted in the “Am Bann” activity zone.

 

3. Selective amendment to the general development plan (PAG)

a) Amendment to the PAG at the location known as « Place du Lavoir », vote by the Municipal Council
b) Amendment to the PAP QE at the location known as « Place du Lavoir », vote by the Municipal Council

As part of the « Um Wäschbuer » construction project in the town centre, the entire site is being declared a MIX-v-zone. This is being done with the consent of the state « Commission d’aménagement » (Planning Commission) and the state « Cellule d’évaluation » (Assessment unit). Both amendments are accepted by all Councillors.

4. « Place du Lavoir » PAP

Vote by the Municipal Council, « CENTRE-10 » PAP-NQ at the location known as « Place du Lavoir »

According to Mayor Lou Linster, the Place du Lavoir PAP had already been sent to the procedure by the aldermen’s council in the summer. After that, the « Cellule d’évaluation » requested a few formal adjustments, most of which have now been accepted and applied. Councillor Patrick Calmus points out that, in the area of affordable housing, those who can afford such a flat are often not entitled to it, while many eligible people cannot afford affordable housing. Mayor Linster replies that the 39 flats created in this PAP will all remain in municipal ownership and will be rented out. The « CENTRE-10 » PAP-NQ is generally approved.

5. Selective amendment to the general development plan (PAG)

a) Selective amendment to the PAG at the location known as « Weierwiss », vote by the Municipal Council
b) Agreement regarding the costs for the amendment to the PAG at the location known as « Weierwiss » , approval

Mayor Lou Linster explains that the” Weierwiss” project was initiated by the previous municipal administration and reworked by the current College of Mayor and Aldermen.

There are plans for 119 residential units, 31 of which will be affordable housing. In the south of the PAP, the residential density has been reduced, and care has been taken to ensure that areas at risk of flooding are not built on. The entrance will be located in the north between Leudelange-Gare and Schléiwenhaff. Part of the PAP will be designed as a shared space (speed limit of 20 km/h). The plans include single-family homes as well as multifamily residential buildings with a mix of pitched and flat roofs. An area for a playground is also planned. According to Marc Schmit from the municipality’s technical department, the initial draft of the PAP was not satisfactory. The project was therefore adapted to the topography to ensure that it blends harmoniously into the village landscape. A convention stipulates that the building developer will cover the fees of the consulting firms involved and newspaper advertisements up to an amount of €25,000 (excluding VAT). Councillor Patrick Calmus is delighted with the realisation of this project. Additional living space is always welcome.
All Councillors agree to both the specific amendment to the PAG and the agreement.

6. Interim invoice for the « Faarwekëscht » school and school playground
Approval

The interim invoice was drawn up in order to apply for the Ministry of Education’s subsidy of €1.7 million. It includes the invoices from the various companies involved in phases 1 and 2 of the construction of the school and school playground. While the costs were estimated at around €24.2 million after the tenders, the final amount of the interim statement is around €25 million. According to the Mayor, this difference can be explained by additional work that proved necessary during the course of the project, as well as smaller contracts that could be awarded without a tender because the price was below the threshold value. Further costs of around €2.5 million are expected for 2025, bringing the total cost of the project to around €28 million. The interim invoice is unanimously approved.

7. Municipal fees

a) Reassessment of the municipal fee for drinking water
b) Reassessment of the municipal fee for wastewater

With regard to municipal drinking water and wastewater tariffs, Mayor Linster regrets that the legislature leaves municipalities little room for discretion. The basic principle is that prices must cover costs. The cost of supplying Leudelange with drinking water by SES amounted to almost one million euros in 2024, while the SIDERO bill for wastewater disposal cost the municipality over 1.3 million euros. The latter will be around half a million euros higher for the following year, according to the Mayor. Added to this are the salaries for the staff who take care of water management, as well as the financial expenditure for pipes, water towers and service vehicles that have not yet been amortised. An increase in tariffs is therefore unavoidable. Nevertheless, it was decided not to increase the fixed fee for drinking water, but to increase the variable drinking water price. For wastewater, both the fixed price and the variable price will be increased, but the SIDERO amortisation costs will not be included, as this would have made the price increase much more drastic. The fees for drinking water applicable from 1 January 2026 are set as follows (plus 3% VAT):

	Annual fixed charge	Variable fee
Households	18 euros/mm	3.40 euros/m3
Industry	40 euros/mm	1.60 euro/m3
Agriculture	35 euros/mm	2.00 euros/m3
HoReCa sector	25 euros/mm	2.80 euros/m3

 

The wastewater charges applicable from 1 January 2026 are set as follows:

	Annual fixed fee per population equivalent	Variable fee
Households	36	4.20
Industry	155	1.75
Agriculture	155	1.75
HoReCa sector	110 euros	2.70

 

In his comments on the new tariffs, the Mayor notes that the fixed charge for households will remain at 18 euros/millimetre, which corresponds to an annual charge of approximately 360 euros, which is also charged for an entire residential complex. The increases in the variable drinking water tax amount to €0.60 for households, €0.45 for industrial companies, €0.50 for agricultural businesses and €0.60 for the HoReCa sector. For wastewater, the increases amount to €6 per population equivalent (PE) for households. This corresponds to additional costs of 14 per cent for a single-person household, 22 per cent for a single-family household with three people and 30 per cent for a three- person household. This looks more dramatic than it is, says Lou Linster. Looking at the figures in absolute terms and taking into account the increase in the general inflation rate since the last fee increase, the current reform is quite moderate.
Councillor Patrick Calmus is against fee increases. He argues that citizens are already burdened enough. Mayor Linster assures that the current increase is unavoidable, as inflation would have risen by 7 per cent by 2026 and even higher tariffs would have had to be set. However, he says this will definitely be the last fee increase in this legislative period.
Councillor Denise Conrardy-Copette is also sceptical and doubts that such a tariff increase would be possible in the private sector. The Mayor counters that private companies are also raising their prices, even though it is done gradually. Although there have been many index tranches in recent years, there has been no increase in municipal water and sewage tariffs for six years. According to the Water Management Authority, municipalities are not even allowed to increase tariffs in stages; increases must be made in line with current cost increases. In other municipalities, the tariff increase has been much higher because they have not been adjusted for a long time.
In response to Councillor Conrardy-Copette’s demand that industrial companies based in Leudelange with high wastewater production should be charged more to benefit private households, Mayor Linster replied that this was not possible because the municipality was obliged to adhere to the Water Management Authority’s calculation table. After all, the income that the municipality receives from the companies must also be taken into account. The population equivalents used for the calculation are around 2,500 per capita equivalent/year for such a company, but only 2.5 per capita equivalent/year for a household. This takes into account the additional pollution caused by industry. The main reason for the high wastewater tax is the SIDERO costs.
Councillor Jakobs says he understands that the tariffs need to be adjusted, but the general public should not have to suffer because the municipality has to contribute money due to high consumption.
Councillor Nathalie Entringer wants to know when the new tariff system will be applied for the first time. The answer is that the first interim bill with the new tariffs will be sent out in July 2026, with the new tariffs applying from 1 January 2026. Councillor Philippe Wilmes believes that the new tariffs should be explained to citizens with calculation examples so that the increases are understandable. Good communication is very important on this issue. This will be done, says the Mayor. In future, it will also be indicated on the invoices that the legislator mandates cost- covering invoicing. With regard to both the reassessment of the municipal drinking water fee and the reassessment of the municipal sewage fee, Councillor Denise Conrardy-Copette votes « no », Councillor Patrick Calmus abstains and all other Municipal Council members vote « yes ».

8. Approval of the 2022 accounts

Administrative account 2022
Management account 2022

Mayor Linster addressed various comments made by the State Financial Control Authority regarding the municipality’s administrative account and management account for 2022. He said that these suggestions would be taken into account in the future and that numerous comments had already been implemented in the 2025 budget.
Both the 2022 administrative account and the 2022 management account are approved without any dissenting votes.

9. Approval of various sales contracts

a) Parcels nos. 2276/530, 2276/531 and part of parcel 650/5150
b) Parcel no. 854/7956

The municipality wishes to purchase two plots of forest land, one located in an area known as « auf der Geisenkopp » in the direction of Bettembourg at a price of €500 per are, and the other for the creation of a traffic island on Rue de Cessange at a price of €2,000 per are. A third plot will be purchased on Rue de la Montée at a price of around €3 million. Part of this will be sold to the state at a later date, which will return over €1 million to the municipality.
All sales contracts are approved by all Councillors.

10. Budgetary amendment

Increase in Article 3/860/615241/99001
Increase in Article 4/630/222100/13002

The budget item for municipal events will be increased from 130,000 to 180,000 euros. A « lively community for everyone », which was promised to citizens when the current municipal leadership took office, has become a reality with high-quality events such as open-air cinema, « Marche gourmande » (Gourmet walk), municipal fair, live music and much more, and organising such social highlights comes at a price, according to Mayor Linster. The second increase in a budget item concerns the renovation of the old water tower. Because the costs for this amount to 130,000 euros, this sum was entered in the item instead of the original 80,000 euros. Councillor Patrick Calmus is certain that the increase in the events budget will benefit the citizens of Leudelange. Councillor Philippe Wilmes asks whether the old water tower is still in operation. The Mayor confirms that it is. Both water towers are needed for Leudelange’s water supply.
Both budget item increases are approved without exception.

11. Renovation work on the Hueschterterbësch water tower

Approval of the cost estimate

Councillor Marcel Jakobs wants to know whether the old water tower is slightly tilted. Mayor Lou Linster confirms this, but points out that it is harmless and is regularly checked by the relevant authorities. Councillor Jakobs proposes to include the old water tower in the municipal pedestrian guidance system.The cost estimate for the renovation of the Hueschterterbësch water tower, amounting to €130,000 including VAT, is approved.

12. INPA classification procedure, SCHON house

Statement by the Municipal Council

At the request of one of the owners, the Ministry of Culture wishes to add buildings 112 and 112A on Rue de Cessange to the list of buildings worthy of protection. The Municipal Council wishes to express its support for this project in its written statement.
All Councillors agree with this approach.

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

Councillor Patrick Calmus recalls the municipality’s statement on noise protection measures made some time ago and asks whether there has been any response from the relevant authorities. The Mayor agrees to look into the matter and report back at the next Municipal Council meeting. Councillor Nathalie Entringer enquires about the duration of the work on cycle path 9. The response is that it is estimated to take two months. The entire length of the path will be repaired by the road construction authority. In response to the Councillor’s question about a car that has been parked on Rue de Cessange for a long time, the Mayor says that the police will be requested to deal with this matter. Councillor Entringer’s last question concerns no-parking signs that were valid until the end of September and have therefore expired. Mayor Linster promises to look into this.

14. Social services office (in closed session)

Appointment of a representative of the municipality to the Mamer Social Welfare Office, OSCM

Ms Sophie Rodesch will represent the municipality at the OSCM in future.

15. Approval of various service contracts relating to Luxembourgish language courses (in closed session)

a) Mr Daniel LIESER
b) Ms Kim LARBIÈRE

16. Personnel matter (in closed session)

Employee in the intellectual field, holder of a master’s degree, salary group A-1,

determination of salary

In a closed session, the Municipal Council will determine the salary of an employee in an intellectual field. The employee holds a master’s degree/diploma.

17. Personnel matter (in closed session)

Provisional appointment of a civil servant in salary group D-1, municipal agent

Mr Cardoso Batista Dany is classified by the Municipal Council in salary grade D-1.

18. Advisory municipal commissions (in closed session)

a) Appointment of a member of the Commission for Living together

Paul Alexandre Debackere joins the Commission for Living together.

b) Resignation of the Secretary of the Climate Pact Commission

Mark Thomas resigns from his position as secretary of the Climate Pact Commission.

c) Appointment of the Secretary of the Climate Pact Commission

Pit Schumann is appointed Secretary of the Climate Pact Commission.

19. List of requests for rights of first refusal

a) Discussion (in closed session)
b) Decision (in public session)

No applications concerning rights of first refusal were submitted.