The dispute over Brattå’s kindergarten in Nøtterøy took an unexpected turn on Friday morning. Owner Trygve Bjarkø suddenly said that he is making the nursery available to the municipality from next Monday. Municipal director Kristin Johannessen Kirsebom in Færder praises Bjarkø’s turnaround. – First of all, I want to say that it is good that he puts the children in focus. That is what he says he is doing by offering us the opportunity to run the nursery in his building. Working with a possible agreement Such a solution, however, requires thorough preparatory work. – We have to examine what our obligations are in such an agreement. We cannot simply take over a building and not know what the responsibility will be. Kirsebom is clear that some important criteria must first be in place. – If we are to take over the building, we will have to enter into an agreement where it is absolutely clear who is responsible for what, and how the insurance arrangements should be. – How long will it take to find out? – We are working at full speed and have already started looking at it. We hope it won’t take that long, but we are dependent on a collaboration with Bjarkø to get a possible agreement signed. New information at the weekend – Is there any hope of re-opening the nursery from Monday? – We will probably inform the parents that, in the worst case, we will have to meet at school on Monday. We are doing everything we can to get things resolved as quickly as possible. Parents have reacted with anger and despair after Brattå’s kindergarten in Nøtterøy was closed overnight on Wednesday 2 October. Suddenly, 119 children were without a nursery place. Optimistic parents Now Tonje Rønning sees light at the end of the tunnel. She is one of the parents whose everyday life has been turned upside down as a result of closed nursery school doors. – The best thing is if the municipality can legally use the premises, but other parents I have spoken to are also concerned that this should be done in the right way. Tonje Rønning and her son Dag Atle hope to be able to return to Brattås kindergarten as soon as possible. Photo: Fredrik Pedersen / news – What do you think is the best solution? – We trust that the municipality will make the best decision for us. The best solution is hopefully that we can return to the nursery premises. – In a way, it is all to blame. Managing director, chairman and owner Trygve Bjarkø has believed that the matter is Færder municipality’s responsibility. The municipality has said that the owner also has obligations. The municipality did not want to buy the nursery school at the proposed price, and the situation appeared deadlocked. On Friday, Bjarkø says that he is leaving the nursery at the disposal of the municipalities. – It is my responsibility that all these people are in a terribly difficult situation, he says at a press conference from the kindergarten. Owner Trygve Bjarkø is interviewed at the press conference on Friday. Photo: Hans Philip Hofgaard / news The owner also addresses the criticism that he closed with a few hours’ notice: – It was probably completely wrong on my part. Like many other mistakes I have made with this nursery, I have also made mistakes there. I just have to stand for that. I’m kind of to blame. – Delivers key to mayor – We must show that we are able to find solutions. And even if the municipality and I disagree, we cannot let this affect the children, the parents and the wonderful staff, says Bjarkø. Background for the closure Already in May, the Husbanken petitioned for the forced sale of Brattås kindergarten, but this decision was appealed. The background was three defaulted loans totaling NOK 54,544,957, and that the nursery school should not have paid installments and interest on these since September 2023. In September, the Agder District Court also ordered a forced sale of the property. Owner and general manager Trygve Bjarkø has been in dialogue with the municipality about whether they can buy the property. Færder municipal council decided on 2 October that they do not want to buy the nursery at the sum offered – which they believe would have resulted in a total investment cost of 82 million with legal costs and the need for upgrading. Bjarkø claims he had no other choice but to close. He says he has a duty to act to stop losses for creditors according to the Companies Act. The owner says that Tuesday evening was the first opportunity to have a meeting with the union and shop stewards, and that he could therefore not notify parents before. The owner also tells news that over two years ago he told the municipality that he could not run the nursery. He believes they should have found a solution. Parents news has spoken to describe that they have been told that everything will work out. The parents also describe an experience of being used as a means of pressure against the municipality in a political game. Bjarkø does not agree with this. He believes he had no other choice. He says that he is leaving the nursery to the municipality, and that they can figure out the formalities further. Bjarkø thinks it’s a shame that the building is left empty and that the children are possibly scattered among several different kindergartens in the municipality. Brattås kindergarten in Nøtterøy. Photo: Guro Hatlo / news – So I am now opening the building for kindergarten operations from next Monday. So that all the staff, all the parents can come and deliver the children. – I am now traveling up to the municipality and talking to the operations department. I deliver the key to the mayor, or others in the municipality who will receive it, he claims. Taking responsibility At the start of the press conference, the owner pointed to several things the municipality must have done which he believes contributed to the kindergarten’s difficult financial situation and closure. Photo: Guro Hatlo / news – I must have misunderstood the emergency plan I understood the municipalities to have. It must be up to me and not the municipality, even though it may ultimately be the municipality’s responsibility, said Bjarkø. Some parents had met outside the nursery on Friday morning. Photo: Hans Philip Hofgaard / news The owner began the press conference with a tour of the nursery, where he emphasized how nice and suitable for children he thinks the building and area are. – My idea in building such a great building was that it would make very good people want to work here. And I have succeeded in that part, even though I have now completely failed, he says. Bjarkø was also clearly moved at times during the press conference. In front of news, the owner denies that he wants a role in the nursery: – No, not at all. I really want to concentrate on taking care of my family and my health. Kindergarten mother: – I have mixed feelings Mother in the kindergarten, Hedvig Roll, has previously been distraught over the situation and how her two-and-a-half-year-old daughter is left without a nursery place. Parent Hedvig Roll with her daughter on her shoulders on Wednesday. Photo: Guro Hatlo / news After getting the news from the owner on Friday morning, before the municipality commented on the outcome, she said: – I know that I have mixed feelings. Because we still don’t know what will happen in the end. Published 04.10.2024, at 10.59 Updated 04.10.2024, at 17.50
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– Well he puts the children in focus – news Vestfold and Telemark – Local news, TV and radio
