The matter in summary Increased living costs, including higher interest rates and electricity prices, are putting pressure on Norwegian municipalities’ budgets. A third of Norwegian municipalities are struggling financially, which can lead to cuts in non-statutory services, including leisure clubs for young people. In Bamble municipality, young people and employees fear that the three local leisure clubs may be closed down. KS leader Gunn Marit Helgesen points to the animal age as the main reason for the economic challenges, and believes the government must stop creating expectations of increased public consumption. Municipalities and Districts Minister Erling Sande (Sp) believes that, in general, the finances of Norwegian municipalities are in good shape, but acknowledges that the revenue system for the municipalities must be reassessed. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAi. The content has been reviewed by news’s journalists before publication. – If the club closes down, I will probably be sitting at home most of the evenings, says Sivert Kittilsen Gunnulfsen. The 13-year-old is one of around 150 young people who meet weekly at one of the three leisure clubs in Bamble. Sivert Kittilsen Gunnulfsen (left) and his friends fear meeting closed doors at the leisure club. Photo: Philip Hofgaard / news When the politicians in the Telemark municipality have finished with the budget for next year, the three clubs may be history. Over a hundred of the country’s municipalities are in a similar situation. All non-statutory services are in reality subject to cuts. Fears more drugs and crime Anna Therese Hartveit Nordnes is one of 13 employees at the three leisure clubs financed by Bamble municipality. Anna Therese Hartveit Nordnes is one of many who fight on behalf of young people. Photo: Philip Hofgaard / news The offer was established to gain control over an increasingly challenging youth environment. – Most people who make use of this offer do not take part in activities within sports and culture. If this meeting place disappears, I fear recruitment into environments with drugs and crime. Scattered settlement means that the municipality provides a taxi to and from the club evenings for the young people who live furthest away. Transport services are also on the municipal director’s extensive cut list. – Some young people will almost be isolated in their free time. It goes without saying that it is not good in the short and long term, says Hartveit Nordnes. Formidable interest expenses Chairman Gunn Marit Helgesen of the Central Association of Municipalities (KS) can say that very many municipalities are struggling to make ends meet. – Close to a third of Norwegian municipalities now see that they have very little room for maneuver and must cut. KS leader Gunn Marit Helgesen. Photo: Håkon Mosvold Larsen / NTB The KS leader has no doubt that the animal age is the main reason and points, among other things, to increased interest costs and energy expenses. – The interest rate increases alone increase expenses by over twelve billion kroner from 2021 to 2024, says Helgesen. The calculation has been made by KS’s lawyers based on the debt situation in all the country’s municipalities. Helgesen also makes no secret of the fact that the increased influx of refugees puts great pressure on municipal services. – Higher food prices are also challenging for municipalities, for example if you run a nursing home. – Must stop creating expectations The KS top has a clear message to the government about what needs to be done. – We must stop creating expectations that there is room for action that is not there. We cannot increase rights or offers when the reality is that it is impossible to achieve. Minister for Municipalities and Districts Erling Sande (Sp) believes that, on average, the finances of Norwegian municipalities are doing well. – The municipalities’ finances are extremely important considering that they must be able to deliver important welfare benefits such as schools and care for the elderly. That is why the Center Party and the Labor Party were concerned with strengthening the municipal economy when we came into government. Must look at the income system Sande points out that the income system of the municipalities will be under scrutiny in the new year. Municipal and District Minister Erling Sande (Sp). Photo: Nadir Mohammad Alam / news – We have to see if there is anything we can do to lift the municipalities with the lowest income, but there will probably always be a difference. Back at the leisure club in Bamble, Sivert Kittilsen Gunnulfsen is looking forward to the computer party. He is on the club board where young people and adults agree on which activities are to be organised. – We have planned a computer party in February. It’s scary to think that maybe nothing will come of it. I hope the politicians listen to us and realize how important it is to keep the club. Bamble mayor Jon Pieter Flølo (Frp) hopes in the long run to protect the three leisure clubs. – It is impossible for me now to say what the result will be. We are in the middle of budget negotiations. We intend to continue the offer. Bernhard Rasmussen and Sara Savovic at leisure club in Bamble.
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Drastic cut proposals in Norwegian municipalities – children and young people are hit hard – news Vestfold and Telemark – Local news, TV and radio
