In Bodø, politicians have decided that all children between the ages of 10 and 14 will receive NOK 1,600 a year to spend on one or more organized leisure activities. The aim of the leisure card is to contribute to increased participation and inclusion, and is available in several of the country’s municipalities. But now the popular leisure card is in play. Reason: The majority of the politicians in the chairmanship in Bodø want to scrap the card, which costs the municipality NOK 3 million a year. They would rather use the money to preserve positions in nursing homes and in child welfare. On Thursday this week, the city council will consider the case, and there is a high probability that the same majority will make the final decision. This has prompted sports clubs, teams and associations to take action. In order for more children and young people to be able to participate in organized leisure activities, Bodø and other municipalities offer a so-called leisure card. Photo: Kate Barth-Nilsen / news This week Idrettsklubben Junkeren sent a text message to all members with children between 10 and 14. Here they are encouraged to use the 1,600 kroner that the Leisure Card triggers when paying the annual fee, before the city council meeting. Win-win General Manager Roy Atle Valøy in Junkeren says it is about 200 children. Virtually all of these made use of the Leisure Card last year. Being able to use the money in the Leisure Card before it may be too late is a win-win for both the club and the members, he says. – We know that these are tough times for many families with children. The leisure card is also an important contribution to our ability to retain our members. In the past year, Junkeren has had to raise the annual quota somewhat in order not to go into the red. Valøy says that the scheme with the Leisure Card has worked well, and he hopes that it will last for the longest time. – The card means a lot to a family with two or three children. Losing the Leisure Card can quickly lead to the choice being between food in the fridge and being physically active. For us, it will mean that we may lose many members. news has called around to several sports clubs, which have also asked their parent groups to use the Leisure Card. Among them are Grand Bodø, Hunstad football club and Innstranda sports team. Many have taken advantage of the offer Half of the 3 million that has been set aside for the purpose has already been used. A total of 54 teams and associations can be paid through the leisure card. – The ambition is for the funds to be fully used in 2023, says Jannike Hansen. She is the project manager for the Leisure Card in Bodø municipality. But now there may be a stop to the scheme. The opposition, consisting of the Conservative Party, the Progressive Party, the Red Party, the Liberal Party and the independent representative Thor Arne Angelsen, ensures that. – When the world is the way it is, it is only natural that the sports teams and parents do what they do, says Thor Arne Angelsen to news. But he is surprised when news says that NOK 1.5 million has already been spent. – The figures we received from the municipality earlier in the week indicate that it was 1 million. – This was money that was supposed to be used to reverse other cuts in the municipality. Where are you going to get the money from now? – We are working on that until the city council meeting. So our final proposal is not ready, but something we are working on, says Angelsen. KrF: – Terrific KrF politician Bente Haukås is a staunch defender of the leisure card. She thinks it’s good that people have turned around. – Not to spend as much money as possible, but to ensure leisure activities for children in this age group. Surveys show that there are children between 10 and 14 who drop out of organized leisure activities. – For many, the Leisure Card is absolutely essential. We cannot let the wallet prevent children and young people from participating in leisure activities, says KrF politician Bente Haukås. Photo: Therese Bergersen / news Haukås says that all the sports clubs in Bodø reported an increase in membership after the leisure card arrived. Now she hopes the city council on Thursday will come to their senses. – Everyone in the age group should be able to collect the Leisure Card without questions about finances, following the same model as child benefit. It is a welcome contribution. Falling outside has a sky-high cost for both the individual and society, she says.
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The recreational card in Bodø will probably be scrapped, then the sports teams mobilized – news Nordland
