Gent of The Council of State has decided that the Compass Club will re-open may. The punishment that mayor Mathias De Clercq on – a closure of 4 months – suspended. Yet, it gives the Council the burgmeester equal as regards the application of the drugswet, only the period of closure inadequately motivated. The mayor let it be for now. Next week Friday is the opening of Compass on the program. “Hopefully we can in the meantime, constructive consultation with the city”, says the organization.
On march 13, to decide the city ‘at burgemeestersbevel’ that the popular Kompass Klub, near the Ghelamco Arena, 4 months to close. Reason: too many incidents with drugs, and too little efforts to do something about it. There is a chance that the club, after 2 months back open, as it can be demonstrated that there is indeed measures have been taken to drug related incidents. The Kompass Klub get right to the Council of State, through an emergency procedure the lock to undo.
The officer gave Kompass Klub Friday, all the same, and called the punishment completely out of proportion. The Council of State has now – as expected – the burgemeestersbesluit suspended. It is striking that the Council or any other reasoning statements. They find the punishment not be disproportionate, on the contrary. But the penalty – 4 months ‘ closure – is not enough motivated, and therefore the whole decision is suspended. In the judgment, literally, that “the Council is not unlawful eight that the mayor in the circumstances, sufficiently serious indications at hand had of repeated illegal activities related to trading or facilitating the use of drugs in the Kompass Klub, and which have culminated in the deterioration of public security and peace.”
to be Equal, but poorly explained
in Short, says the Council of State, the mayor is right, and the conclusion is right, but the term of the sentence is insufficiently motivated, so the decision is suspended. Exit closure. Mayor De Clercq, the case for the time being, and writes at the moment no new sluitingsbevel. “I have taken notice that the Council of State clearly states that I as the mayor rightly and properly have occurred, but that the duration of the closure inadequately motivated,” he says. “I go now to the ruling further study. I have my responsibility as mayor and in the future that will continue to do so. The Council of State agree with me that there are additional efforts are necessary because of the club. I want to write about in a dialogue with the owners. Any further administrative measures will depend on what is happening in the field. I am for a vibrant nightlife, but also a safe and healthy nightlife. That is always my goal.” A strong signal is in any event given, that much is clear.
Next week, reopening
Jens Grieten of Kompass Klub to let you know that the reopening is scheduled for Friday, april 5. “In the meantime, we hope to constructively consult with the city. The only way we can develop solutions. We have also always good together. That was also the opinion of the Council of State: what can Compass do even more, then work closely with city and police? But we find it very unfortunate that we still received no response from the city after the decision of the mayor. We want around the table, and shut off with a positive note. We hope that there is still a healthy dialogue is possible.”
“This weekend, we will continue in Brussels, where we have the line-up samengegooid with Fuse”, let Grieten know yet. “But make no mistake,” warns Grieten. “We tore our pants heavily at the question. That is an additional reason why we must soon together. Otherwise, this creates a totally wrong image for other young organizers.” The vzw including Kompass was operated, non-profit organization Kowboys and Indians, is now already transformed into a bvba, Clodette, such as the city demanded. Only it is not clear how the bvba to a more professional approach to feestconcept will come.