Tea For Two

Flýtilyklar

Valmynd
Meginmál
Deildarval

Norwegian local authorities

The present municipal system in Norway was established as early as 1837 by the Local government Act - the Aldermen system. The act underwent extensive revision in 1993, but even though we have a different and far more extensive municipal sector than could be imagined by the lawmakers of 1837, the formal framework and systems for local self-government were much the same as at their introduction around 160 years ago. In contrast to other Nordic and most European countries the Norwegian Constitution does not enshrine municipal self-government.

Norway has two tiers of local governments, the municipality (kommune) and the county (fylke) level. There are 19 counties and 431 municipalities. Out of the municipalities the biggest is Oslo with 538.411 inhabitants, while the smallest is Utsira with 209. Half of the municipalities have less than 5.000 inhabitants.

It is the Norwegian Parliament (Storting) that decides what counties and municipalities shall do and what they shall not do. Both counties and municipalities can do more than they have to, but cannot take the responsibility which the Storting has given to another tier of government. With the exception of public social security and pension schemes administered by the central government, most welfare schemes are administered at the municipal and county level. This is particularly the direct delivery of welfare services.

The main responsibilities of the county are upper secondary schools, regional development, county roads and public transport, regional planning and development, business development and culture (museums, heritage). The responsibilities of the municipalities are, pre-school child day care, primary and lower secondary education, primary health services, social welfare services, care for the elderly and disable, culture and sports, church (non-clerical), technical services (water, sewer, refuse), local roads and harbors and local planning and land use. Municipalities and counties account for two-third of all public services.

Municipal elections take place every 4th year (next will be in September 2007).

There are two different local government systems in Norway, the Alderman system and a parliamentary system (since 1992). The majority of the local authorities still have the alderman system, where the council elects its executive committee and the mayor. The two biggest cities in the country – Oslo and Bergen, and some of the counties, have a parliamentary system with a city government formed by the majority party(ies) in the council. It is the council itself they decides on system according to procedures given in the Local government Act. Some municipalities have also participated in a pilot project with direct election of mayor by general suffrage.

According to regulations all meetings in political bodies are open to the public and media. With certain exceptions all issues and documents prepared for political bodies are public. Also all letters to the municipality are public, with certain exceptions. Municipal openness is vital for the citizens as they shall be able to follow the decision making processes. Hence, the municipalities are also obligated to guide, assist and inform people on how laws and regulations are interpreted and municipal practice and procedure for handling the matters.

The main local government income sources are from taxes (income tax and real estate tax), fees (water, sewerage, and refusal) and central government grants (both general bloc grants and special earmarked grants). Investments in local infrastructure are usually funded through loans.

Central government supervision of local government is carried out through the Ministry of Local Government and Regional development.