LOCAL AND REGIONAL STRUCTURES IN NORWAY
Norway is a unitary state composed of municipalities and counties.
Local level: 431 municipalities (kommune)
Local authorities
The local council is composed of councillors elected for four years. The councillors are elected on party-lists by the method of proportional representation. They are in charge of the budgetary, financial and planning issues in the municipality.
The mayor is elected for four years either by and among the local council or by direct election by the voters in the municipality. He/she heads the council, chairs the meetings and represents the municipality.
Most municipalities have an executive committee dealing with the most urgent matters. Its composition reflects the result of each party at the local election.
Note: The two biggest cities in Norway have a parliamentary system, where the city council elects a city-government supported by the majority of the councillors.
Competences
. Primary and lower secondary education
. Health care
. Social services
. Culture and leisure
. Technical infrastructure
. Local planning
Regional level: 19 counties (fylkeskommune)
Counties' authorities
The county council is composed of councillors for four years under the method of proportional representation. They are in charge of the budgetary, financial and planning issues in the county.
The executive committee is composed of members designated by and from the council. It meets at least once a month.
The county mayor is elected by the council among the members of the executive committee for four years. He/she heads the council and the executive committee and represents the county.
Note: Some counties have a parliamentary system, where the county council elects a county-government supported by the majority of the councillors.
Competences
. Higher secondary education
. Child welfare
. Regional development
. Transport and environment
. Trade and industrial policy
Note: Oslo, the capital, is a county as well as a municipality, and therefore is responsible for all the above mentioned subjects. Oslo has a parliamentary system as mentioned above and borough councils appointed by the city council. Some boroughs are trying out a system of direct election to the borough council.
