During the Ciney Communal Council meeting on June 22, 2026, a protest preceded the session, with about thirty people gathered to voice their opposition to home visits. A last-minute agenda item proposed a motion against this federal draft law, seen as an infringement on the inviolability of the home. Mayor Frédéric Deville stated the debate should occur at the federal level. Councilor Anne Pirson acknowledged concerns but emphasized that any procedure would require a judge's decision and be limited to very specific cases. Alderman Frédérick Botin regretted importing federal politics to the communal level, expressing confidence in the judicial system. The motion was rejected with 6 votes in favor and 14 against.
The annual accounts for 2025 and budget modifications n°1 for 2026 for the CPAS (Public Centre for Social Welfare) were presented by its president, Séverine Goedert. A decrease in beneficiaries of the RIS (Social Integration Income) and financial aid was noted, along with a slight reduction in home meal deliveries, while family support services assisted more households. The budgetary surplus stands at €387,000. Both points were unanimously approved.
Approval of the specifications for greening the Cultural Center's parking lot was also discussed. Alderman for the environment, Benoit Davin, explained that Ciney received a €170,000 subsidy from the Walloon Region. The project, in collaboration with the BEP (Economic Bureau of the Province of Namur) and a landscape architect, will involve greening the areas around the Cultural Center, sports hall, and the intersection of Avenue de Namur and Rue Notre Dame de Hal. François Bouchat and Anne Pirson welcomed the project, which passed unanimously.
The Council also unanimously renewed Ciney's commitments under the Covenant of Mayors, aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Finally, two other points raised by councilor François Bouchat concerned the reduction of funds from the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles for education and the increase in registration fees for Academies. Education alderwoman Géraldine Furnémont assured that there would be no serious impact on schools, urging for energy savings and care for school materials. Registration fees for Academies will be €95 per child and €237 for adults, with the Conservatory hoping for no more than a 10% drop in registrations.
