Jip Pankras from 't Veld has been involved in municipal politics for about 20 years and has served for years as parliamentary group leader of Senioren Hollands Kroon. At 81, he is reported to be one of the oldest, possibly the oldest, municipal councillors in North Holland, and spends about 20 hours a week working for the community.

Pankras began his political career about 50 years ago with the VVD in the former municipality of Niedorp. He says local politics is a calling and that his age is an advantage because he has time for the work. He also says he has never felt threatened as a councillor and is motivated by meeting residents and working with people who hold different views.