14 June 2024

Question posed by Nathalie Oberweis

Many of the bus lines in the AVL (Autobus de la Ville de Luxembourg) network are operated by private companies. As some of these buses are not connected to the city's operations support system (système d'aide à l'exploitation – SAE), passengers do not see the full range of bus services in real time on the displays installed at the stops. What's more, these buses disappear from the notice boards as soon as their due time passes.

What percentage of journeys on the city's bus network are currently served by private bus operators, and what change has there been in this percentage over the past five years?

What percentage of these private buses are not connected to the city's SAE? In my opinion, this problem is spreading.

What does the College of Aldermen intend to do to rectify this unacceptable lack of information for passengers?

Response provided by Patrick Goldschmidt

We subcontract the running of many AVL bus lines. Normal lines (i.e. excluding school buses and the City Night Bus) are operated at a rate of 68% by private bus companies and 32% by municipal buses. There has been no shift in this percentage in recent years.

The private bus companies are contractually obliged to equip their buses with an operations support system (SAE), a telematics system that displays bus departures in real time at stops. In addition, the buses are required to display the colour scheme of Multiplicity, run by the City of Luxembourg. Exceptions may be made if a bus that is normally operated breaks down, or if new buses are ordered: Given that, during the last major call for tenders, we stipulated that all buses on our network had to be fully electric from 15 July 2024, the private companies awarded the contract will be getting rid of a number of diesel buses, and we have agreed that they do not need to adapt these old buses any further. It should be noted that delays have occurred in the delivery of the electric buses, so the intended deadline of 15 July 2024 has had to be pushed back a few months. The aim is to eventually connect all buses to the SAE.

Question posed by Tom Weidig

Under the Pont Grande-Duchesse Charlotte ("Roud Bréck"), a small "tent city" has sprung up over the past few years, where homeless people spend the night in all weather. This has already been documented in the international press – for example, in a programme on Arte ("Being poor in Europe's richest country"). The subject was raised at the general meeting of the Pfaffenthal-Siechenhof local interest group on 15 April 2024, as a sort of unauthorised rubbish dump had developed in the vicinity of the tent city. This was also reported on the City of Luxembourg's "Report-it" website, and the municipal administration accepted the corresponding communication.

Is the City of Luxembourg aware of this situation? Are there any measures planned to dismantle the tent city? If so, could you please elaborate? Are there any plans to rid the forest of this illegal dump?

Response provided by Lydie Polfer

I saw the report on Arte. The story is quite astonishing. It showed two men who, they said, had moved to the site from Hungary. They said it was paradise in Luxembourg. That people didn't bother them. One of them had his teeth done in Luxembourg. The Arte report also shows the man in question visiting "Stëmm vun der Strooss", where he receives a meal for 50 cents. He had a lot of complimentary things to say about Luxembourg.

Obviously, though, the situation is unacceptable – not least for reasons of hygiene. The people in question have been asked to move elsewhere. The site under the Pont Rouge, which does not belong to the City of Luxembourg but to the National Roads Administration (Administration des Ponts et Chaussées), has also been cleaned up in the meantime.

Urgent question posed by François Benoy

The municipal police force was the focus of debate surrounding the municipal elections. According to press reports, a pilot project along these lines is to be launched in Luxembourg City on 1 July 2024 – with two patrols of two police officers each. This actually appears to be more of a marketing ploy than the keeping of a promise made to voters – namely, the creation of a new police force capable of improving security in Luxembourg City. It should also be noted that there is, as yet, no legal basis for the Municipal Police. If the aforementioned pilot project is possible, it is only thanks to the Green Minister of Police's major recruitment drive during the last parliamentary term.

Can the College of Aldermen confirm that Luxembourg City's new Municipal Police will be made up of just four police officers? Will these officers be recruited from outside the existing force, or will the resources be drawn from existing police stations in the capital? What exactly will their functions be? What is the legal basis for the project? What differences will there be between the new Municipal Police and "normal" police officers? Will the new patrols be placed under the authority of the mayor or the police department? Is the College of Aldermen satisfied with this measure? If not, what is the College of Aldermen's plan in this regard?

Response provided by Lydie Polfer

On the basis of the manifesto on which the DP campaigned in the elections, and in collaboration with the party to which the current Minister of Police belongs, much has already been achieved. The number of police officers in the capital has been significantly increased, and they now have a greater presence in the field.

For detailed answers, I would ask Councillor Benoy to be patient, because on 1 July, the Minister of Home Affairs will present the project in detail here at Luxembourg City Hall, together with the mayors of Luxembourg City and Esch-sur-Alzette. On that occasion, the Minister will also address the question of the distribution of authority. I would like to make it clear from the outset that the figure of four police officers mentioned by Councillor Benoy is inaccurate: the number will be much higher. These will be normal police officers. Obviously, the plan can only be implemented if there are more police officers in the capital.

As with any pilot project, the appropriate conclusions will then be drawn. That is, we shall look at whether the project has gone far enough, and whether any legislative adjustments are required. Discussions are currently underway to determine how this will work in practice.

Question posed by Tom Weidig

We have been informed that on 3 May 2024, 49 residents lodged an annulment appeal with the Administrative Tribunal against the building permit issued by the City for the Cents-Weimershof cycle bridge. Can the College of Aldermen confirm this information? What is the College of Aldermen's position on this? Does it still intend to go ahead with the project as planned? How will the timetable be shifted? Could you give us some indication of the cost?

Response provided by Lydie Polfer

I can confirm that such an appeal was indeed lodged. However, this does not change the College of Aldermen's position. We remain committed to the project as approved by the Municipal Council. It will probably take quite a long time for a judgement to be handed down. We don't expect it before late 2025 or early 2026. The building permit remains valid until and unless a court rules otherwise – unless an application to stop work is made through emergency proceedings after work has begun. For the time being, the procedure is continuing as normal, with a view to implementing the project that the Municipal Council approved by a very large majority. It is not possible right now to give any indication of cost, as the public tender is not yet closed. The procedure is as follows: a project is decided on by the Municipal Council, then a call for tenders is issued, and then we see which tenders are submitted.

Urgent question posed by Maxime Miltgen

The bank ING has decided, unexpectedly and with no prior warning, to close the accounts of 40,000 customers. These people now have to find a new bank as quickly as possible. The bank is, of course, free to take that decision, but the way it did so is proof that it has no interest whatsoever in serving the general public, and above all, that it has no social conscience whatsoever.

Since 2006, the City of Luxembourg has supported ING indirectly, and directly supported the organiser of the ING Night Marathon by making municipal infrastructures and staff available. In this way, the City offers the bank a significant advertising platform.

The date for the next ING Night Marathon has already been set. The 2025 race has been confirmed by the organiser, and a joint Facebook event is already online.

After this announcement, which has put so many people in a difficult position, does the City intend to continue its indirect support for ING for 2025 and beyond?

If so, why is the City using public funds to provide support and an advertising platform to a bank that is discriminating against private individuals and small and medium enterprises by closing its retail service?

Does the City plan to ask the ING Night Marathon organiser to seek other sponsors, in a transparent manner and in collaboration with the City?

Might it not be a good idea to issue a public invitation to tender for future marathons?

Response provided by Lydie Polfer

It is only natural that just after one year's marathon the date of the next should be announced, as the organisation of an event like that is part of an international calendar. The Luxembourg marathon is very popular and also represents real added value for the city. For the 16,000 runners and the thousands of spectators, the marathon is a source of joy. For the business world, the marathon also offers a valuable opportunity. We will do everything we can to ensure that the marathon, which projects a very positive image of Luxembourg City, can continue.

It should be noted that the City has not signed a contract with ING. ING is the sponsor of the main organiser – i.e. the company Step by Step, which organises the marathon in collaboration with the Athletics Federation and the CAL. The City is responsible for infrastructure and safety.

I contacted both the organiser Step by Step and ING bank to ask them what they thought of the current situation. The bank's managers are aware that the implementation of the decision – which each bank is free to make – has not gone smoothly. The way in which it has been handled was really very unfortunate, especially in view of the very tight deadlines given to customers. Following discussions between ING managers in the Chamber of Deputies (in the relevant committee), the timescales granted to customers have been extended, which has helped to calm the situation.

The idea of issuing a public invitation to tender had already been put to us a few years ago by another municipal councillor. The question arises, however, as to exactly what should be put out to tender. Over the past 20 years, organiser Erich François has demonstrated his expertise.

Step by Step has assured me that it intends to continue organising the marathon, and ING has also declared its intention to remain the marathon's main sponsor. We are now waiting for official confirmation from the various players.

Maxime Miltgen

It has always been clear to me that there was no contract between ING Bank and the City of Luxembourg. Nonetheless, by providing infrastructure and logistical support, the City carries a certain amount of weight.

Lydie Polfer

I have already answered your question on that. The city benefits greatly from this exceptional event, which gives it a very positive image worldwide. We are not giving a platform to a bank. All over the sporting world, everything depends on sponsors. Other banks support other events. With this marathon, we are promoting not the bank but our city.

Maxime Miltgen

But don't act as if you can't change anything – as if you couldn't continue to work with another main sponsor.

Lydie Polfer

The City is not responsible for sponsors – for the marathon, for the FLF, or for events in other sports. I hope the marathon can continue to be one of the capital's shining events. It goes without saying that the City of Luxembourg's contribution is important – as is that of many other stakeholders, such as the police, sports clubs and other associations. In the event of a sponsor withdrawing, I hope we can reach a unanimous decision within the Municipal Council to take care of that aspect.

Urgent question posed by Christa Brömmel

A number of parents of children attending the Hamm foyer scolaire(childcare centre) have complained to the Service Foyers scolaires (Childcare Department) and the Hamm school about the behaviour and professionalism of the manager of the Hamm foyer scolaire. Parents' complaints range from bullying to threats and sexist remarks. Such behaviour is totally unacceptable, especially when it is directed at children.

Can the College of Aldermen confirm this information? When did the relevant department and the College of Aldermen become aware of these complaints?

What action has been taken by those responsible for ensuring that the foyers scolaires operate smoothly? How swiftly did this action come in the wake of the parents' complaints?

I asked questions about this earlier in the week and received a brief reply, but the matter has not been resolved to my satisfaction. This is why I have submitted this question in writing.

What steps have been taken to enable such cases to be reported so that problems can be resolved immediately? What preventive measures have been implemented?

When is the parent and child satisfaction survey due to be introduced?

Response provided by Paul Galles

We also received these complaints, and we responded immediately. We received an email on Friday evening at 22:00, and it was answered on Saturday morning. The department forwarded the information to the Direction des Ressources humaines (Human Resources Directorate) and to the College of Aldermen. The person in question was removed from their position at the Hamm foyer scolaire. A complete file is currently being prepared, on the basis of which the College of Aldermen will decide how to proceed, following an in-depth analysis of the allegations.

As to prevention, we work on the assumption that when new employees are recruited, the necessary questions are asked, in order to recruit quality, trustworthy employees. If this proves subsequently to be incorrect, we can implement a series of corrective measures. These range from support and coaching to sanctions.

The parent and child satisfaction survey will be presented to the children and youth advisory commission on 25 June. If the commission approves it, the College of Aldermen will take a decision to this effect, and the survey will be launched at the start of the 2024–2025 school year.