– Like many other municipalities, we feel that we are on our knees, while we have a state that spends a lot of money, but is unable to solve the problems in the municipalities, says city council leader Kristian Dahlberg Hauge (H) to TV 2.
After presenting the city council’s first budget, he warns that Trondheim municipality now has critically little money on its books.
Thus, the budget proposal is the result of tough priorities to protect health, upbringing and social services. The city council leader has also found himself forced to break his election campaign promise of frozen property tax in this budget.
He criticizes the government for the financial situation Trondheim municipality is in.
– The government has a big responsibility for not being able to tackle the problems that need to be solved in order to deliver services that are close to people, says Dahlberg Hauge.
Now it is up to the city council in Trondheim to agree on a municipal budget to be adopted on 12 December.
The challenge is that the three cooperative parties Høyre, Venstre and MDG do not have a majority on their own. The city council leader tells TV 2 that he hopes SV can influence the government to increase the municipality’s budget.
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Interview with Kristian Dahlberg Hauge, City Council Leader of Trondheim
Interviewer: Thank you for joining us, Kristian. You’ve expressed that Trondheim is in a dire financial situation, despite the state spending considerable amounts of money. Can you elaborate on what specific challenges the municipality faces?
Kristian Dahlberg Hauge: Absolutely. We’re confronting a critical shortage of funds which forces us to make tough choices. We need to prioritize essential services like health, education, and social services but this means we have to compromise in other areas.
Interviewer: You mentioned having to break your election promise regarding property tax. How do you plan to communicate this decision to the residents of Trondheim?
Kristian Dahlberg Hauge: It’s never easy to go back on a promise, but we are in a unique situation. I plan to be transparent with the citizens about why these decisions are necessary for the sustainability of vital services.
Interviewer: You criticized the government’s role in this financial strain. What specific actions do you believe the government should take to support municipalities like Trondheim?
Kristian Dahlberg Hauge: The government needs to actively address the funding gaps that municipalities are experiencing. We need them to prioritize local services and provide adequate financial backing to tackle the pressing issues we face.
Interviewer: With the upcoming budget negotiations and the need for cooperation among parties without a majority, do you foresee any challenges in reaching an agreement?
Kristian Dahlberg Hauge: Yes, collaboration among parties will be crucial. However, I remain hopeful that we can unify our efforts and also persuade the SV to influence the government for increased budget support.
Interviewer: As you prepare for this budget discussion, what message would you like to send to the residents of Trondheim?
Kristian Dahlberg Hauge: I want people to understand that we are doing everything we can to stabilize the situation and protect essential services. Their voices are important in this process, and I encourage them to engage with us as we navigate these challenges.
Interviewer: Thank you, Kristian. It seems your administration is facing significant hurdles ahead. How do you think residents will respond to the news of breaking promises and potential tax increases? What do you believe will be the key issues that spark debate among your constituents?
Inancial challenges we face. This means increasing the municipal budget to allow us to provide essential services effectively. We need to see a commitment to work collaboratively with local governments to identify and resolve pressing issues that directly impact the people we serve.
Interviewer: As you work towards a budget agreement with your coalition partners, how hopeful are you about securing the necessary funding from the government?
Kristian Dahlberg Hauge: I’m cautiously optimistic. Our coalition with Høyre, Venstre, and MDG has laid the groundwork for discussions, but we’re aware that we can’t reach a majority on our own. I truly believe that with support from SV, we can influence the government to recognize the urgent needs of our municipality. Collaboration is vital here.
Interviewer: What are your main priorities in the upcoming budget proposal that will be submitted for approval on December 12th?
Kristian Dahlberg Hauge: Our primary focus will be on maintaining and enhancing our health and social services, as well as education for our children. We’re looking at every possible avenue to protect these essential services during this financial crisis.
Interviewer: Lastly, what message do you want to convey to the residents of Trondheim as you navigate these challenging times?
Kristian Dahlberg Hauge: I want them to understand that we are working tirelessly to secure the resources needed to support our community. These decisions are not made lightly; we are in this together, and I appreciate their patience and support as we strive to deliver the best possible services under difficult circumstances.
Interviewer: Thank you for your insights, Kristian. We wish you the best of luck in navigating these challenges ahead.
Kristian Dahlberg Hauge: Thank you for having me.
