The regional authorities of Twente will postpone the decision on whether or not to sell the shares of Twence until a date in 2008.

The executive committee of the collaborative organ comprising the 14 municipalities in Twente has decided not to vote at its next meeting (on Wednesday, 24 October) on the proposal to sell all the shares. In this way there will be more time to deal with the questions and doubts that many municipalities have in connection with the sale.

The regional authorities have asked an external party (Ernst & Young) to formulate a second opinion. In doing so, the consulting firm will also address the issues that the various participating municipalities have put forward.

Using Ernst & Young’s findings as its starting point, the executive committee will present a new proposal in early 2008. Each of the various municipal councils that are represented in the regional collaboration will then be given the opportunity to discuss that proposal before deciding on it. The regional council will then make a final decision on 21 May.