– The aim is, after all, that both within schools, care for the elderly and other services, the local politicians can now have a slightly easier situation, says District and Local Government Minister Erling Sande (Sp) to NTB.
Throughout the country, municipalities and county councils are struggling with demanding finances, and in several places there are plans to cut school provision.
On Friday, the government announced that it will give NOK 5 billion more to the municipalities in 2024 and the same amount in 2025.
– It will still be demanding both in counties and municipalities, but perhaps a little easier with the funds that are now coming, says Sande.
– But do you hope that you have saved some schools from being closed down with the money you are now bringing in?
– I hope that the money can contribute to maintaining a good offer around the country. Whether it is within school or elderly care. But it is local politicians and county politicians who are responsible for deciding where the money should go, he says.
The government proposes to distribute the five billion so that the municipalities get NOK 4.3 billion more and the county municipalities NOK 700 million.
Different situation
Gunn Marit Helgesen, who heads the municipal organization KS, says that the money will be used for services.
– After all, it goes to schools and kindergartens and child protection and leisure facilities and county roads and public transport services. It goes to all the services that are important to our citizens, she says.
She will not comment on how it affects the threat of school deaths in the districts.
– Some counties, such as Akershus, have growth in pupil numbers, while Innlandet has seen a large decline. So it will be a different situation for Akershus County Council versus Innlandet County Council. I cannot go in and say that there will be no need to look at school structure, or close schools or create schools for that matter, she says.
But she can say the following:
– The budget deficits are so large, and the cost level so high in relation to the income framework that we have received from the Storting and government, that something must be done. NOK 5 billion will of course help, but it will not solve all the problems.
School association: Not enough to save the schools
The National Association of Schools believes that the billions the government promises to municipalities and county councils are nowhere near enough to save the country’s schools.
– More than a hundred schools are at risk of being closed down in the near future, according to figures from several media. NOK 5 billion will perhaps save some of these schools, but far from all. The government must ensure that it is not a lack of resources that forces school closures, says federation leader Mette Johnsen Walker.
Brenna: Scarce resources
Labor deputy leader and Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Tonje Brenna also emphasizes that it is up to the local politicians to decide the school structure.
– I think no politician wants to close schools. But I think a great many local politicians have been in tough situations where they have to prioritize scarce resources. And that means that in some places we have already seen that decisions have been made to close schools, she says.
And adds:
– It’s tough, but that’s how it is in a country where the population is changing, where student numbers are falling in many places, and where scarce resources must be prioritized even tougher in the future.
#municipal #billions #schools #protected
**Interview with Erling Sande, District and Local Government Minister of Norway**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Minister Sande. Recently, the Norwegian government announced an additional NOK 5 billion in support for municipalities and counties. Can you explain the primary intent behind this funding?
**Erling Sande:** Thank you for having me. The primary aim of this funding is to alleviate some of the financial pressures faced by local politicians and government bodies. We recognize that many municipalities are struggling with their finances, which can lead to difficult decisions about services, including education. By providing this additional funding, we hope to create a slightly easier situation for them.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned the potential impact of this funding on school closures. Do you believe this money can help prevent any schools from shutting down?
**Erling Sande:** I sincerely hope that the funds will contribute to maintaining quality services across the country—be it in education or elderly care. However, it’s important to remember that the decision on how to allocate these resources ultimately lies with local and county politicians.
**Interviewer:** Gunn Marit Helgesen, the head of the municipal organization KS, has indicated that the funding would be used for various essential services. Could you elaborate on which specific services might benefit from this financial boost?
**Erling Sande:** Absolutely. This funding is primarily intended for schools, kindergartens, child protection services, and even infrastructure like county roads and public transport. These are critical services that impact our citizens’ quality of life, and our goal is to ensure they continue to receive the level of support they need.
**Interviewer:** Given the differing challenges across regions, can you highlight how the allocation of these funds will vary from one county to another, particularly concerning population growth or decline?
**Erling Sande:** Yes, the situation is indeed different in various regions. For instance, Akershus is experiencing growth in student numbers, while some areas like Innlandet are seeing a decline. This means that funding will be used differently across counties based on their specific needs and circumstances. While our funds provide a base, local leaders will need to carefully consider how to best use them in their contexts.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Minister Sande, for your insights. It sounds like local leaders will play a crucial role in determining the most effective allocation of these funds.
**Erling Sande:** Exactly. We are providing support, but local politicians know their communities and their needs best. It’s a collaborative effort to ensure that essential services remain robust for all citizens.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us today.
**Erling Sande:** Thank you for having me!
