Karin Kristensen has been fired as municipal director in Kvænangen municipality. It was decided in a municipal council meeting on Wednesday. Kristensen’s last day of work is 1 October, and the municipality pays severance pay as stipulated in the employment contract. She has had the job since 2022. Nine to six voted that she must go. Bjørn Ellefsether is appointed as municipal director. Kristensen tells news that she was informed about the decision through the press calling her with questions about the decision. – I now see that the minutes from the meeting have been signed. I didn’t check this until I got a call from the press this morning, she says. Karin Kristensen has been fired as the municipal director. Photo: Kvænangen municipality – What is the background for this happening? – I am sitting and reading the papers now, but I have not received any justification, so I do not know what the background is. I have not received any information after the meeting with the mayor on Wednesday. Will not comment on the reason Mayor Kai Petter Johansen (SV) tells news that there was a majority in the municipal council who wanted to make use of the clause in the agreement with the municipal director, where the employment agreement is terminated. – It is something that has been the basis of the agreement all along, and something that the majority have chosen to make use of this time. Beyond that, we have no comment on causation. – There is no burdensome relationship behind it. We really wish Karin Kristiansen all the best in her new work. Kai Petter Johansen (SV) is the mayor of Kvænangen. Photo: Pål Hansen / news – But Kristensen herself says that she found out about this through the media. How has the internal communication worked? – She has been presented with a contract proposal that is in line with what is stated in the employment contract. And it has been communicated to Karin Kristensen in good time. Disagreement with the process A minority in the municipal council, consisting of the Labor Party and Bygdelista, believed that the proposal contravenes the Municipal Act. They point out that the law requires that the summons contain a list of matters with the necessary documents. When this is not met, one third of the members present have the right to oppose the processing of the case. “We consider this a serious breach of good administrative practice and proper case management. (…) We demand that the majority reconsider their position and ensure that future meetings follow the requirements of the Local Government Act, so that all elected officials can carry out their work in a responsible and sound manner.” Published 26/09/2024, at 10.32 Updated 26.09.2024, at 11.21
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