– Democratic problem – NRK Troms and Finnmark

A mayor is not protected from requirements in the regulations.

This is the opinion of the Directorate for Social Security and Preparedness (DSB) in a general legal assessment, which NRK has been given access to.

The assessment comes after a lawyer in the Local Government Organization (KS), Frode Lauareid, questioned whether the case against the mayor could be a violation of human rights.

– It will be a violation of human rights if someone without a valid legal basis prevents a citizen from holding elected office, Lauareid told NRK in April.

Now the mayor has applied for leave from his position as mayor, and says he is ready to fight on.

– Disagree

“A mayor does not have immunity from claims arising from current regulations, neither generally in Norwegian legislation nor in the Electricity Supervision Act and associated regulations”.

This is what DSB writes in its assessment, which NRK has been given access to.

Ridderseth himself believes that one must differentiate between a company with five employees, as Ridderseth’s company has, and a company with, for example, 100 employees.

– I still disagree with the regulations, and believe that the regulations must be changed.

– This is a democratic problem, he says.

Ridderseth himself believes that the company is run well, by “very competent” people.

Section manager at DSB, Jon Eirik Holst, tells NRK that the regulation applies to everyone who is professionally responsible in such enterprises. And that all the actors are met with the same requirements, regardless of their occupation or position.

– Demand for real exercise of professional responsibility during the company’s normal working hours is one of these requirements. The exercise of professional responsibility is central to a company’s work related to electrical installations and electrical equipment, says Holst.

Applying for leave

Ridderseth has previously stated that he was going to apply for leave as mayor, if DSB makes a decision that he cannot combine the roles.

On Tuesday, he submitted the application.

He did this after an overall assessment, and to create predictability, among other things, for the employees, he says.

– I am working to get a replacement into the company. But, I don’t have faith, he says.

Ridderseth points out that there are few people who hold the necessary certifications for the role.

Ridderseth has initially applied for leave until 16 August. The municipal board will process the application in an extraordinary municipal board meeting on Monday 6 May.

– Quite an important decision

The day-to-day and professional manager of the electrical company Elumni Elektro, Terje Nilsen, believes that the decision in the case is “quite important” for the industry.

– The matter is of great importance to the industry, says Nilsen.

The company has over 20 employees and is based in the neighboring municipality of Harstad. The company itself has several employees who are approved to be professionally responsible.

He himself feels that several people in the industry are talking about the ongoing case between Paulsen Elektroteknikk and the Local Electricity Authority.

The outcome of the case could be significant for far more than just the electricity company in Tjeldsund.

– If he is granted an exemption or dispensation from the regulations, then the legislation must be looked at.

– Will fight on!

In the assessment, it appears that the company may ultimately be deleted from the Electricity Business Register, if the order is not fulfilled.

Ridderseth reacts strongly to this.

He believes that this prevents installers from being elected to the municipal council.

Ridderseth is clear that he has no intention of giving up, and will appeal if the decision is upheld.

– I will fight on!

The case is now with DLE, and the decision can be appealed to DSB. This has not yet happened, says section manager Holst.

– The business can apply to DSB for an exemption from the regulatory requirement for up to six months, so that a solution can be put in place with a professional responsible for the business.

– This could, for example, be a professional responsible for a limited period, concludes Holst.