Volda budget cuts

The Møre og Romsdal news from the last 48 hours puts the municipality of Volda at the centre of budget debates. The municipal administration anticipates a deficit of NOK 56 million in 2027 and presents cuts in its financial plan. The county is also following the merger case between Ørsta and Volda, Aalesund's title race in Toppserien and several issues related to public services (NRK Møre og Romsdal).

Møre og Romsdal news: Volda prepares budget cuts

The municipality of Volda is reaching the end of its reserves and anticipates a deficit of NOK 56 million in the 2027 budget. According to NRK Møre og Romsdal, this situation could place the municipality under state financial control, via the Robek register, if it does not take measures. Municipal director Rune Sjurgard therefore presents a series of cuts in the 2027-2030 financial plan.

The proposal plans to move the lower secondary level of Dalsfjord and Folkestad to Volda from 2028. The Lauvstad kindergarten would be transferred to create the Dalsfjord reception centre in 2027. Folkestadtun would be closed in 2029, and the Hornindal care centre transformed into care housing in 2028. Other reductions are proposed for 2027. Rune Sjurgard stresses that these measures are necessary to secure municipal finances, even if they are difficult (NRK Møre og Romsdal).

This case comes as a new report makes no recommendation on what Ørsta and Volda should do in the future. A municipal economics analyst nevertheless believes that the two municipalities are the most obvious to merge in the whole country. It is not a decision, but an opinion that feeds the local debate on cooperation between the two municipalities (NRK Møre og Romsdal).

Health and local economy: hospital, midwives and potential losses

In Surnadal, a family says it feared for its newborn's life. Elise Kristiane Heggset Einum explains that her son was limp and very pale at birth. The presence of a midwife in the ambulance was considered decisive, because the journey to Hjelset hospital or St. Olavs in Trondheim exceeds 90 minutes. The family lives in Surnadal, between the two facilities, and the road to Trondheim has no ferry. For both hospitals, the family is entitled to a follow-up service provided by healthcare personnel. The health trust hires midwives from the municipality. The family now fears losing this support service (NRK Møre og Romsdal).

In the economic field, Sunnmørsposten reports that a sum of NOK 4 million is allocated to the hospital. The newspaper also reports that a company sold three years ago could still cause new losses for the county. Both pieces of information were published on 29 October (Sunnmørsposten).

Sport: Aalesund in title race

With two matchdays left in the Toppserien, one point separates first from second place. Brann leads, but Aalesunds Fotballklubb is right behind and can still aim for gold. The Sunnmøre club is playing its first season in the top flight and exceeds expectations. Striker Katarina Dybvik Sunde, the league's top scorer, says that no one imagined a title fight and that this result comes from hard work and competent people (NRK Møre og Romsdal).

Aalesund also eliminated Kristiansund from the cup, according to NRK Møre og Romsdal. This result confirms the club's sporting momentum in a period when the county is also following budget and public service debates.

📌 Local briefs

An employee at a psychiatric unit lost her authorisation after a relationship with a patient convicted of murder. The Møre og Romsdal police district has opened an investigation for a violation of the Health Personnel Act (NRK Møre og Romsdal, Sunnmørsposten).

Romsdals Budstikke reports the halting of a sale and transport issues linked to partly contaminated concrete. The newspaper also announces the appointment of a new store manager, who says he wants to commit to the position (Romsdals Budstikke).

In Møre og Romsdal county, the sources consulted put local economic decisions, local health issues and sports results at the forefront. No single regional decision sums up the two days.

Sources: NRK Møre og Romsdal, Sunnmørsposten, Romsdals Budstikke, The Local Norway — Period: 29 October 2026 and 30 October 2026