Open session
1. Questions asked by Municipal Councillors.
2. Traffic: permanent amendments to the traffic regulations – temporary regulations – confirmation of temporary regulations – decision.
3. Agreements – approval.
4. Urban development: decision.
- Minor amendment to PAG/PAP QE/PAP [KI-08] "Domaine du Kiem": approved
- Minor amendment to PAG/PAP QE "Parc Dräi Eechelen"
- Minor amendment to PAG – Kuebebierg
- Minor amendment to PAG – Stade Prince Jean in Merl
- Minor amendment to PAG – Lot no. 590/6533 at 13-15, Val des Bons-Malades
- Subdivision of land pursuant to Article 29 of the law on municipal planning and urban development (loi concernant l'aménagement communal et le développement urbain).
5. Allocation of special grants – decision.
6. City's participation in financing the construction of the tramway line extensions in Luxembourg between the "Rout Bréck-Pafendall" and "Laangfur" stations in Kirchberg, and between Luxembourg Central Station and Hollerich – decision
7. Supplementary approval of the Luxembourg City Conservatoire's school organisation system with regard to teachers' qualifications and hours, and the computerised list of courses taught. (Supplement to the school organisation system voted on 13 November 2023) – decision.
8. Legal affairs: authorisations to initiate legal proceedings – decision.
9. Creation/elimination of positions – decision.
Closed session
10. Advisory committees: replacement of members.
11. Municipal hospices: Personnel matters: opinion.
12. Personnel matters: decision.
Live broadcast of meetings
Watch the video recording of this session.
Summary record
The summary record is a transcript of the discussions held and decisions taken by the Municipal Council. As such, it is an important source of information for citizens of the capital with regard to projects and measures that may have an impact on their daily life.
The summary record of this session will be made available shortly.
Questions asked by Municipal Councillors
Rooks in Merl-Belair
Question posed by Nicolas Back
At the general meeting of the Syndicat d'Initiative Merl-Belair (local interest group) on 19 March 2024, local residents reported that after the City of Luxembourg had trimmed the trees on Boulevard Marcel Cahen, the rook colony that had been living there moved to the trees around the Belair school, and more specifically, the trees in the "Schéiwisschen" playground. Residents have counted around 100 nests there and are now wondering to what extent children can continue to use the playground, given that the birds leave behind a lot of filth.
What analyses did the College of Aldermen perform before cutting down the tree branches, particularly with regard to the impact on the rooks' habitat and the potential effects of displacement? How does the College of Aldermen plan to respond, especially to ensure that the "Schéiwisschen" playground can continue to be used? What is the College of Aldermen's overall approach to managing the populations of rooks and other species, such as starlings and pigeons, in Luxembourg City?
Response provided by Alderman Maurice Bauer
Rooks have been a cause for concern for many years. Many residents and schoolteachers have contacted us about this, but it has always been a challenge to find a satisfactory solution with the Ministry of the Environment (Ministère de l'Environnement). In 2022, the Luxplan consultancy firm produced a comprehensive plan for managing rooks in Luxembourg City. The plan, which is posted online, has been implemented by the City and is updated every year. As part of the 2023 update, an ethological study was conducted on the rook colonies on Boulevard Marcel Cahen and Rue Verdi, particularly their flight paths and places where they find food. Based on the study's findings, alternative sites that could potentially be suitable for the rooks were identified in conjunction with experts. One of these sites is near the A6 motorway. Empty nests that had been removed from Boulevard Cahen were relocated to trees on the site. However, the rooks had their own ideas: instead of settling where we were hoping they would, they chose other locations in Merl/Belair and other city districts.
The situation on Boulevard Cahen has improved considerably. According to the programme, this is a high-priority site because there is a school there. In the programme, priority 1 covers schools, hospitals, playgrounds and so on, meaning that action can always be taken there, regardless of circumstances. There are also priority 2 and priority 3 sites.
The "Schéiwisschen" playground is one of the places where the rooks have settled. Drone photos show that there are already eggs in some of the nests. Consequently, in accordance with the law on the protection of nature (loi sur la protection de la nature), we cannot remove the nests right now. We will not be able to do so until after the breeding period ends, that is to say, around late July. The "Schéiwisschen" playground is a priority 1 site, so we will take action there as soon as possible, once circumstances allow it.
We have been liaising with the Ministry of the Environment for several months. The ministry has recommended that we also conduct an awareness campaign. A leaflet on this topic will be distributed. Among other things, the leaflet will ask people to do their best to avoid disposing of food scraps around bins. Special bins that are harder for the birds to get into have been installed on Boulevard Marcel Cahen and at the "Schéiwisschen" playground.
In terms of managing other bird species, the Service Parcs (Parks Department) has put up dovecotes for pigeons in Square Brasseur, Rue d'Anvers and Rue Antoine Godart. As for the starlings, which are a source of concern especially in Bonnevoie, the situation is not considered to be as problematic since these birds do not nest there.
We will continue to respond as quickly as possible and in ways that comply with our comprehensive plan and the law, and that respect both residents and animals.
Protests in the capital
Question posed by Nathalie Oberweis
Since October 2023, the NGO Comité pour une Paix Juste au Proche-Orient (Committee for Just Peace in the Middle East) has been organising marches in the city every Saturday to demand an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Occupied Gaza has been under fire from Israeli bombs since October 2023. More than 30,000 people have lost their lives there, including thousands of children. Now, organised famine is also an issue. You are surely aware that the International Court of Justice has ruled that it is "plausible" that this is a case of genocide. When this assessment is confirmed, it will be too late.
The NGO has been protesting against this murderous reality every Saturday for the past five months. It is using the democratic methods at its disposal. As far as I know, the police have no problem with how the marches have been proceeding, as they are always orderly and comply with the rules. The NGO tries to file its permit applications as far in advance as possible. For example, the permit application for the marches held on 9 and 16 March 2024 was filed on 29 February – that is, 10 or even 17 days before the event.
However, for the demonstration held on 9 March, the City did not respond until Friday, 8 March – the day before the event. The march was prohibited and the event venue was changed. The organisers found themselves in an impossible position because they had to notify supporters of this change. Many people did not receive the information in time. Moreover, the organisers could not plug their PA system into the power network for speeches.
Similarly, for the demonstration held on 16 March, the City did not respond until 14 March. Once again the march was prohibited, and the organisers were not even told why.
Why weren't the marches scheduled for 9 and 16 March permitted?
Does the City have procedures it follows for permit applications? What is the time frame within which the City must respond to a permit application? Doesn't the Mayor think that giving a response the day before the event is cutting things a bit close and makes things difficult for the organisers?
Response provided by Mayor Lydie Polfer
First of all, I want to stress that permits were denied for none of the demonstrations. All of the protest demonstrations were authorised, but under different conditions for the last two.
The demonstrations were first held in Place Clairefontaine then, for the first time on 17 February, a protest was held in Square Jan Pallach, because another event was being held in Place Clairefontaine. On that day, the Comité pour une Paix Juste au Proche-Orient failed to comply with the police order not to use the bandstand in the neighbouring Place d'Armes (due to works that were being carried out in Place d'Armes). The police then recommended that the City not authorise the next demonstration in Square Jan Pallach and require that the demonstration be held in Place Clairefontaine again. Because the police was taken up with many other matters, the protest had to be stationary.
The City received the permit application for the demonstration scheduled for 9 March on 1 March, and we replied on 6 March. This time frame was perfectly reasonable, given that we must always seek the police's opinion beforehand. When granting permits, we always follow the procedure recommended by the police. Consecutive demonstrations are not granted a blanket authorisation, because the police want to wait and see how the first demonstration goes before issuing their opinion on the second one. On 16 March, there were four other events that required the policing. The police therefore recommended Place Clairefontaine as the venue for the demonstration.
The demonstrations organised by the Comité pour une Paix Juste au Proche-Orient on 23 March and 6 April were also authorised for Place Clairefontaine, simply because the traditional flea market was being held in Place d'Armes on those dates.
I hope that in the future we will be able to work together in the same spirit of goodwill that we have enjoyed over the past five months.
Improvement of bicycle boulevards
Question posed by François Benoy
In their response to parliamentary question 7852 on bicycle boulevards, the Minister for Mobility and Minister for Internal Security said that "for the satisfactory use of bicycle boulevards, it is generally not enough to put up a sign. Additional measures must also be taken: traffic must be organised so that, insofar as possible, only local residents drive on the bicycle boulevards. Bicycle boulevards must be clearly distinguishable from neighbouring streets, at the very least at the point of entry, but ideally along the entire route. All other traffic must be encouraged to respect the speed limit through structural traffic-easing measures. If these three principles are adhered to, there will be a higher rate of compliance with the Traffic Code, and the police will not need to carry out frequent or targeted checks."
It is clear that, in the two years since the main bicycle boulevards were opened in Luxembourg City – for example, Rue des Trévires and Val Ste-Croix – there has been no improvement, and these conditions have not been met. I would like to remind you of the déi Gréng's concrete proposals, particularly those in the motion of 28 February 2022 which, unfortunately, the DP/CSV majority rejected.
Doesn't the College of Aldermen share my opinion that Luxembourg City's cycle paths only meet the bare minimum legal requirements, and by no means do they follow the recommendations, and as such, improvement is urgent? If so, what improvements are planned and when will they be implemented?
Response provided by Alderman Patrick Goldschmidt
You will hardly be surprised to learn that the College of Aldermen disagrees with your assessment. As soon as the Traffic Code made allowance for it a few years ago, the City opened several bicycle boulevards. These bicycle boulevards were opened in accordance with the provisions of the Traffic Code, with signs – designated "E,18a" and "E,18aa" in the Traffic Code – at the entrance and exit, white ground markings and a 30 km/h speed limit.
In October 2022, the City conducted a series of analyses using video cameras. In 2023, the relevant advisory committees drew a number of conclusions. They found that the modal share of cyclists on the bicycle boulevards was increasing. They also found that motorists often failed to comply with the prohibition on overtaking. Whereas in other European countries, motor vehicles are allowed to overtake bikes on bicycle boulevards, this is not the case in Luxembourg. Another observation was that many motorists failed to comply with the 30 km/h speed limit. Many of them drive at 40 km/h.
Private-vehicle traffic on the bicycle boulevards has declined, but we are not yet satisfied. For example, there is an idea to redevelop Val Ste-Croix in consultation with residents. However, we still need to examine what underground infrastructure work would be required.
The mobility plan that I will be presenting in two days also addresses the network of cycling routes – including the bicycle boulevards – which we will be analysing in detail, and which we want to improve significantly in the coming years.
Transition to zero-waste festivals and events
Urgent question posed by François Benoy
According to the new laws on waste management of 27 April 2022 – also known as the "Circular economy package", which include five laws whose main objectives are to prevent and reduce waste –, public festivals and events must be organised in such a way as to generate as little waste as possible. As of this year, disposable plastic products are prohibited, and as of 1 January 2025, this prohibition will also cover disposable products made from all other materials. This applies, for example, to plates, coffee stirrers, straws, cups, glasses, beverage cans, beverage boxes and bottles (except for glass bottles).
It has been nearly two years since these laws took effect, yet the festivals and events organised by the City of Luxembourg or other groups in the city still have a long way to go in terms of following the circular economy or waste prevention approach.
- What requirements must organisers of public events currently meet in terms of waste prevention? How does the City support these organisers? How is this monitored?
- What strategies and actions are planned to help organisers and associations transition from disposable to reusable objects, as the law will require starting in 2025?
- Will the City provide associations with reusable tableware and cups? What other measures are planned?
- Are any pilot projects planned for 2024 to make the transition easier, such as for the Schueberfouer, the marathon and so on?
Response provided by Alderman Maurice Bauer
When you consider everything we are doing in terms of waste prevention, you get the impression that Councillor Benoy lives in a different city.
When a group organises an event for the City, there are specifications that stipulate that the event must be organised to be eco-friendly and to generate as little waste as possible.
If an organiser wants to hold an event in a public space, they must submit an application and our events committee will issue a decision. The permit states that the organiser must contact the Service Hygiène (Sanitation Department) and the Environmental Officer to ensure that the event is eco-friendly.
For over a decade, the City has been advising organisers on waste reduction, eco-friendly purchases, transport to event venues, and so on. The City also provides organisers with handy guides containing practical information. The Service Hygiène handles the necessary logistics. During major events, such as National Day, the Environmental Officer's team is also on-site to help event organisers. The City has been providing recyclable containers for free for years. To educate the general public, articles on this topic are regularly published – in City Magazine, for example.
The national authorities are responsible for monitoring.
As for your question about what strategies and actions are planned to help organisers comply with the legal provisions scheduled to take effect on 1 January 2025, let me remind you that the City has been working on this since 2011, and it does support organisers, as I have already explained. It is clear that professional organisers must comply with the new laws. The City helps associations organise events. The guides are updated regularly.
The City will further adjust its strategy based on the new laws so it can offer more support and guidance. The working group's proposals on this matter will be presented to the College of Aldermen in the coming weeks. For example, the supply, transport and cleaning of reusable cups is handled by the City.
We have gone beyond the pilot project stage. With regard to the Schueberfouer, an analysis has been conducted with "Eco-Conseil" to see how all of this will be managed during this major event. We will also explore what we can do to go even further. In any case, all associations and other organisers can always count on us to help them organise zero-waste events.
Email from a resident of Rue de Reckenthal
Question posed by Pascal Clement
On 11 December 2023, a person residing in Rue de Reckenthal sent an email addressed to the Municipal Councillors of the City of Luxembourg and the municipality of Strassen to complain about unhygienic behaviour by residents of Rue de Reckenthal.
Did this person receive a response, or at least an acknowledgement of receipt of the email? If so, what did the message say? What steps were taken by the College of Aldermen or the relevant departments? If no response was sent, why didn't the College of Aldermen respond to the email?
As a general rule, wouldn't it be a good idea to send the Municipal Council a copy of the City's response when the Municipal Council is one of the recipients of an email from a resident?
Response provided by Alderman Patrick Goldschmidt
The resident you are referring to had already filed a complaint on 4 September 2023 about Valorlux bags not being collected. It turned out that the municipality of Strassen was responsible for the side of the street in question. On 6 September – that is, two days later – the bags were collected. Replies were sent to the resident in question on 4 and 6 September.
On 18 September, the resident contacted us again about a couch that was left on the pavement. On 19 September, they were informed that the couch had been taken away. On 5 October, this resident contacted us yet again because there were Valorlux bags on the pavement. On 6 October, the bags were collected.
The email that was sent to the entire Municipal Council arrived shortly before Christmas. After a slight delay due to that particular time of year, an acknowledgement of receipt was sent, and we tried to determine as quickly as possible what the City of Luxembourg was responsible for and what the municipality of Strassen was responsible for before taking the necessary steps.
The staff of the Service Hygiène contacted all of the residents of the apartment buildings on Rue de Reckenthal, as well as the relevant building management companies, to notify them of the waste collection schedule. The situation seemed to have improved after that.
It is true that the street could not be cleaned for a while, but this was because of construction work. This problem is now behind us.
In this case, this resident in question and the Service Hygiène were already communicating directly. Nevertheless, I will check to see if we can put in place a procedure so that when emails are sent to the whole Municipal Council, all of the recipients receive a copy of the reply.
Prohibition of private swimming classes at municipal pools
Urgent question posed by Christa Brömmel
It is a fact that fewer and fewer children know how to swim – a fact we have lamented on many occasions during Municipal Council meetings. Since the City and sports clubs do not offer enough swimming classes, parents sign their children up for private swimming classes. Recently, some parents posted on social media that they did not understand why the City of Luxembourg had decided to ban all private swimming classes at municipal pools.
- Does the City of Luxembourg have exact figures on the demand for swimming classes, broken down by district and pool? How much does demand exceed supply?
- Why did the Municipal Council decide to ban private swimming classes at municipal pools? Why wasn't a more targeted approach adopted – for example, to prohibit classes with more than a certain number of participants, or for participants over a certain age?
- Reorganising the classes and lifeguards' working hours could improve the situation. Was such an approach taken? What was the result?
- According to the information given to the Sports Commission (Commission des sportsfoyer scolaire (childcare centre) during the week can take them?
- Does the City also plan to reorganise the LASEP, which would make it possible to offer additional swimming classes? What is the status of this undertaking? When and where will these additional swimming classes be held?
- What is your assessment of the swimming programme for children in Cycle 1 (swimming at lunchtime on a volunteer basis), which has been offered since the last school year?
Response provided by Alderwoman Simone Beissel
We know there is a high demand from parents who want their children to learn to swim.
There are two problems, which you are aware of. First, due to insufficient space or financial resources, some international schools were built without sports facilities or pools, so their pupils use the City's sports facilities in the afternoon. We don't have exact numbers, but what I can say is that our swim clubs are completely full. As you know, we are planning to build more pools, sports facilities and playgrounds, but we don't yet have the land required for some of these projects.
Some parents began organising private swimming classes at City of Luxembourg pools, such as in Bonnevoie. These classes became so popular that there was almost no room left for other swimmers. On top of that, there is the issue of the City's liability. Our lifeguards have an obligation to supervise everything going on in the pool. We have no information on the qualifications of the people who were giving the classes, or on whether or not they had taken out special insurance. We received complaints not only about the private swimming classes, but also about parents who came to the pool in street clothes, which is against the internal rules and regulations.
As it turned out, nearly all other public pools in the country, including the Coque, had already banned private swimming classes, and this placed further pressure on City of Luxembourg pools. After discussing the matter at length, the Municipal Council therefore also decided to ban private swimming classes.
Nevertheless, the City of Luxembourg is doing its best to find solutions. The Service Sports (Sports Department) has been training lifeguards internally for years. There was never any question of training outside people. Fifteen people are currently undergoing training. This diplôme d'aptitude professionnelle (vocational aptitude diploma – DAP) training course lasts three years. If everyone passes the training course, there should be five new lifeguards every year.
We are aware of the high demand and, as I said, we are continuing our efforts to ensure that more children have the opportunity to learn how to swim. The fact of the matter is that around 40% of children do not know how to swim when they finish elementary school. As a pilot project, we are offering so-called "water acclimatisation" classes at lunchtime on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, in collaboration with the LASEP, so that the youngest children can learn to get used to the water. These classes have gotten off to a strong start. In 2021–2022, 73 children were enrolled, and 98 children were enrolled in 2022–2023. For the 2023–2024 school year, 87 children are currently enrolled, and more will be signing up. We are expecting around 100 children, or even more. An assessment will be made in due course.
Question posed by Christa Brömmel
Could you tell us how long the waiting lists for the classes are, and where the LASEP classes are being offered?
Response provided by Alderwoman Simone Beissel
We have no information on swim clubs' waiting lists.
Question posed by Christa Brömmel
Where are these classes being offered?
Response provided by Alderwoman Simone Beissel
At the various City of Luxembourg pools. The City provides the pools and lifeguards, but the classes are run by the LASEP.
Response provided by Mayor Lydie Polfer
Our lifeguards are responsible for everything, meaning that they must pay attention to everything going on in the pool, including the LASEP classes.
Article 13, paragraph 3 of the Municipal Law establishes that each member of the Municipal Council, acting in their individual capacity, shall enjoy the right of initiative to add to the agenda drawn up by the College of Aldermen one or more proposals that they wish to submit to the Municipal Council.
Such proposals must be submitted to the Mayor in the form of a written reasoned request at least three days before the meeting of the Municipal Council.
