Also in Hasselt last week, the municipal council rejected a proposal to allow Marc Schepers, the former chief of staff of the mayor, to receive his severance pay in instalments in order to pay less tax. The proposal was suggested by Schepers, who was let go in September after what was described as “a breach of trust”.

Schepers suggested the plan to mayor Hilde Claes, who passed it on to the town’s administrative services. Someone there came up with the idea of allowing Schepers to carry on receiving his salary for a time rather than receiving his severance pay all at once. When the proposal came before the council, it was rejected without argument. Schepers will receive his severance in one lump sum, according to the town’s custom.