Leirfjord Municipality

File:Ranfjorden utløp.JPG

The municipality of Leirfjord was established on 1 July 1915 when it was separated from Stamnes Municipality. Initially, the municipality had 2,003 residents. In 1945, a small part of Nesna Municipality (population: 45) was merged into Leirfjord Municipality. During the 1960s, there were many municipal mergers across Norway due to the work of the Schei Committee. On 1 January 1964, Leirfjord Municipality (population: 1,936) was merged with the parts of Nesna Municipality located south of the Ranfjorden (population: 580) and the parts of Tjøtta Municipality on the island of Alsta (population: 180) to form a new, larger Leirfjord Municipality.{{Cite web |last=Jukvam |first=Dag |year=1999 |title=Historisk oversikt over endringer i kommune- og fylkesinndelingen |url=http://www.ssb.no/emner/00/90/rapp_9913/rapp_9913.pdf |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=no |isbn=9788253746845}}

The municipality is named after the Leirfjorden. The old name of the fjord was probably just Leiri, derived from the name of the river Leira, which has its mouth in the end of the fjord. The river name is derived from the word {{lang|non|leirr}} which means "clay".{{Cite web |last=Store norske leksikon |author-link=Store norske leksikon |title=Leirfjord |url=http://snl.no/Leirfjord |access-date=2012-01-10 |language=Norwegian}}

The coat of arms was granted on 30 October 1992. The official blazon is "Or, a cross raguly vert" ({{langx|no|I gull et grønt grenkors}}). This means the arms have a field (background) that has a tincture of Or which means it is commonly colored yellow, but if it is made out of metal, then gold is used. The charge is cross with edges that are designed with a raguly edge. It symbolizes forestry and agriculture in the municipality as well as the central location of the north–south and east–west roads through the municipality. The arms were designed by Jarle E. Henriksen from the nearby town of Sandnessjøen.{{Cite web |title=Civic heraldry of Norway - Norske Kommunevåpen |url=https://www.heraldry-wiki.com/heraldrywiki/index.php?title=Leirfjord |access-date=2023-02-02 |publisher=Heraldry of the World}}{{Cite web |title=Leirfjord, Nordland (Norway) |url=https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/no-18-22.html |access-date=2023-02-02 |website=Flags of the World}}{{Cite web |date=1993-01-09 |title=Godkjenning av våpen og flagg |url=https://lovdata.no/dokument/LF/forskrift/1992-10-30-825 |access-date=2023-02-02 |website=Lovdata.no |publisher=Norges kommunal- og arbeidsdepartementet |language=no}}{{Cite web |title=Leirfjord |url=http://www.leirfjord.kommune.no/index.asp?startID=&topExpand=&subExpand=&strUrl=//applications/system/publish/view/showobject.asp?infoobjectid=1003546&menuid=1002411&startmenuid=1000444 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070310123140/http://www.leirfjord.kommune.no/index.asp?startID=&topExpand=&subExpand=&strUrl=%2F%2Fapplications%2Fsystem%2Fpublish%2Fview%2Fshowobject.asp%3Finfoobjectid%3D1003546&menuid=1002411&startmenuid=1000444 |archive-date=2007-03-10 |access-date=2008-11-23 |publisher=Leirfjord kommune |language=Norwegian}}

The Church of Norway has one parish ({{lang|no|sokn}}) within Leirfjord Municipality. It is part of the Nord-Helgeland prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Sør-Hålogaland.

File:Zorro-panorama.jpg

The municipality of Leirfjord is centered on the Leirfjorden, with most of the municipality on the mainland and a small part on the northeastern part of the island of Alsta. The Sundøy Bridge connects the mainland to the northeastern part of the island of Alsta and the Helgeland Bridge connects it to the rest of Alsta and the town of Sandnessjøen. The Ranfjorden runs along the northern part of Leirfjord and the Vefsnfjorden runs along the southern part of the municipality. The highest point in the municipality is the {{convert|994.9|m|adj=on}} tall mountain Nordtoven, on the border with Vefsn Municipality.

Leirfjord Municipality is responsible for primary education (through 10th grade), outpatient health services, senior citizen services, welfare and other social services, zoning, economic development, and municipal roads and utilities. The municipality is governed by a municipal council of directly elected representatives. The mayor is indirectly elected by a vote of the municipal council.{{Cite encyclopedia |title=kommunestyre |encyclopedia=Store norske leksikon |publisher=Kunnskapsforlaget |url=https://snl.no/kommunestyre |date=2022-09-20 |editor-last=Hansen |editor-first=Tore |language=Norwegian |editor2-last=Vabo |editor2-first=Signy Irene |accessdate=2022-10-14}} The municipality is under the jurisdiction of the Helgeland District Court and the Hålogaland Court of Appeal.

The municipal council ({{lang|no|Kommunestyre}}) of Leirfjord is made up of 19 representatives that are elected to four year terms. The tables below show the current and historical composition of the council by political party.

{{div col}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Leirfjord

|start = 2023

|end = 2027

|reference = {{Cite web |title=Kommunestyrevalg 2023 - Nordland |url=https://valgresultat.no/valg/2023/ko/nordland/leirfjord#seats |access-date=2023-12-27 |publisher=Valg Direktoratet}}

|collapsed =

|Total = 19

|Arbeiderpartiet = 7

|Fremskrittspartiet = 3

|Rødt = 1

|Senterpartiet = 6

|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Leirfjord

|start = 2019

|end = 2023

|reference = {{Cite web |title=Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2019 - Nordland |url=https://valgresultat.no/valg/2019/ko/nordland/leirfjord#seats |access-date=2019-10-27 |publisher=Valg Direktoratet}}

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 19

|Arbeiderpartiet = 8

|Fremskrittspartiet = 2

|Rødt = 1

|Senterpartiet = 7

|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 1

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Leirfjord

|start = 2015

|end = 2019

|reference = {{Cite web |title=Table: 04813: Members of the local councils, by party/electoral list at the Municipal Council election (M) |url=https://www.ssb.no/en/statbank/table/04813/ |publisher=Statistics Norway |language=Norwegian}}

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 19

|Arbeiderpartiet = 9

|Fremskrittspartiet = 2

|Høyre = 1

|Senterpartiet = 5

|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Leirfjord

|start = 2011

|end = 2015

|reference = {{Cite web |title=Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2011 - Nordland |url=https://valgresultat.no/valg/2011/ko/nordland/leirfjord#seats |access-date=2019-10-27 |publisher=Valg Direktoratet}}

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 19

|Arbeiderpartiet = 7

|Fremskrittspartiet = 3

|Rødt = 1

|Senterpartiet = 6

|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Leirfjord

|start = 2007

|end = 2011

|reference =

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 19

|Arbeiderpartiet = 8

|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2

|Rød_Valgallianse = 1

|Senterpartiet = 3

|Fremskrittspartiet = 4

|otherparty = Leirfjord local list

|otherparty_no = Leirfjord bygdeliste

|otherparty_number = 1

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Leirfjord

|start = 2003

|end = 2007

|reference =

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 19

|Arbeiderpartiet = 7

|Senterpartiet = 5

|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 3

|Rød_Valgallianse = 1

|otherparty = Leirfjord local list

|otherparty_no = Leirfjord Bygdeliste

|otherparty_number = 3

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Leirfjord

|start = 1999

|end = 2003

|reference =

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 21

|Arbeiderpartiet = 7

|Senterpartiet = 6

|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2

|otherparty = Leirfjord local list

|otherparty_no = Leirfjord bygdeliste

|otherparty_number = 6

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Leirfjord

|start = 1995

|end = 1999

|reference = {{Cite web |date=1996 |title=Kommunestyrevalget 1995 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_c342.pdf |access-date=2020-04-02 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=Norwegian |location=Oslo-Kongsvinger}}

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 21

|Arbeiderpartiet = 6

|Senterpartiet = 5

|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 2

|Rød_Valgallianse = 1

|otherparty = Leirfjord local list

|otherparty_no = Leirfjord Bygdeliste

|otherparty_number = 7

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Leirfjord

|start = 1991

|end = 1995

|reference = {{Cite web |date=1993 |title=Kommunestyrevalget 1991 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_c057.pdf |access-date=2020-04-02 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=Norwegian |location=Oslo-Kongsvinger}}

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 21

|Arbeiderpartiet = 6

|Senterpartiet = 5

|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 3

|H/KrF/V = 2

|otherparty = Leirfjord local list

|otherparty_no = Leirfjord bygdeliste

|otherparty_number = 3

|otherparty1 = Sundøy common list

|otherparty_no1 = Sundøy samlingsliste

|otherparty_number1 = 2

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Leirfjord

|start = 1987

|end = 1991

|reference = {{Cite web |date=1988 |title=Kommunestyrevalget 1987 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_b765.pdf |access-date=2020-04-02 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=Norwegian |location=Oslo-Kongsvinger}}

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 21

|Arbeiderpartiet = 6

|Høyre = 2

|Kristelig_Folkeparti = 1

|Senterpartiet = 3

|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 1

|smallparty = Joint list of the Liberal Party and independent voters

|smallparty_no = Venstre og uavhengige velgere

|smallparty_color = linear-gradient(135deg, {{Party color|Liberal Party (Norway)}} 50%, white 50%);

|smallparty_number = 1

|otherparty = Leirfjord local list

|otherparty_no = Leirfjord bygdeliste

|otherparty_number = 5

|otherparty1 = Sundøy common list

|otherparty_no1 = Sundøy samlingsliste

|otherparty_number1 = 2

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Leirfjord

|start = 1983

|end = 1987

|reference = {{Cite web |date=1984 |title=Kommunestyrevalget 1983 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_b450.pdf |access-date=2020-04-02 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=Norwegian |location=Oslo-Kongsvinger}}

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 21

|Arbeiderpartiet = 6

|Høyre = 2

|Kristelig_Folkeparti = 1

|Senterpartiet = 3

|Sosialistisk_Venstreparti = 1

|smallparty = Joint list of the Liberal Party and independent voters

|smallparty_no = Venstre og uavhengige velgere

|smallparty_color = linear-gradient(135deg, {{Party color|Liberal Party (Norway)}} 50%, white 50%);

|smallparty_number = 1

|otherparty = Leirfjord local list

|otherparty_no = Leirfjord bygdeliste

|otherparty_number = 6

|otherparty1 = Sundøy common list

|otherparty_no1 = Sundøy samlingsliste

|otherparty_number1 = 1

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Leirfjord

|start = 1979

|end = 1983

|reference = {{Cite web |date=1979 |title=Kommunestyrevalget 1979 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_b093.pdf |access-date=2020-04-02 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=Norwegian |location=Oslo}}

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 21

|Arbeiderpartiet = 5

|Høyre = 2

|Kristelig_Folkeparti = 1

|Senterpartiet = 4

|otherparty = Free voters

|otherparty_no = Frie velgere

|otherparty_number = 1

|otherparty1 = Leirfjord local list

|otherparty_no1 = Leirfjord bygdeliste

|otherparty_number1 = 8

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Leirfjord

|start = 1975

|end = 1979

|reference = {{Cite web |date=1977 |title=Kommunevalgene 1975 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_a769.pdf |access-date=2020-04-02 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=Norwegian |location=Oslo}}

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 21

|Arbeiderpartiet = 12

|Kristelig_Folkeparti = 1

|Senterpartiet = 5

|H/V = 1

|otherparty = Free voters list

|otherparty_no = Frie velgeres liste

|otherparty_number = 1

|otherparty1 = Sundøy area non-party list

|otherparty_no1 = Sundøy Krets Upolitiske Liste

|otherparty_number1 = 1

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Leirfjord

|start = 1971

|end = 1975

|reference = {{Cite web |date=1973 |title=Kommunevalgene 1972 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_a457.pdf |access-date=2020-04-02 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=Norwegian |location=Oslo}}

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 21

|Arbeiderpartiet = 9

|Kristelig_Folkeparti = 1

|Senterpartiet = 6

|Borgerlige_Felleslister = 3

|Local_Lists = 2

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Leirfjord

|start = 1967

|end = 1971

|reference = {{Cite web |date=1967 |title=Kommunevalgene 1967 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_a214.pdf |access-date=2020-04-02 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=Norwegian |location=Oslo |volume=I}}

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 21

|Arbeiderpartiet = 9

|Senterpartiet = 6

|Borgerlige_Felleslister = 3

|Local_Lists = 3

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Leirfjord

|start = 1963

|end = 1967

|reference = {{Cite web |date=1964 |title=Kommunevalgene 1963 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_xii_138.pdf |access-date=2020-04-02 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=Norwegian |location=Oslo}}

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 21

|Arbeiderpartiet = 9

|Senterpartiet = 5

|Borgerlige_Felleslister = 5

|Local_Lists = 2

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Leirfjord

|herad = yes

|start = 1959

|end = 1963

|reference = {{Cite web |date=1960 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1959 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_xii_022.pdf |access-date=2020-04-02 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=Norwegian |location=Oslo}}

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 17

|Arbeiderpartiet = 8

|Senterpartiet = 5

|Borgerlige_Felleslister = 3

|Local_Lists = 1

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Leirfjord

|herad = yes

|start = 1955

|end = 1959

|reference = {{Cite web |date=1957 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1955 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_xi_252.pdf |access-date=2020-04-02 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=Norwegian |location=Oslo}}

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 17

|Arbeiderpartiet = 7

|Local_Lists = 10

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Leirfjord

|herad = yes

|start = 1951

|end = 1955

|reference = {{Cite web |date=1952 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1951 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_xi_120.pdf |access-date=2020-04-02 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=Norwegian |location=Oslo}}

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 16

|Arbeiderpartiet = 6

|Local_Lists = 10

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Leirfjord

|herad = yes

|start = 1947

|end = 1951

|reference = {{Cite web |date=1948 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1947 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_x_165.pdf |access-date=2020-04-02 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=Norwegian |location=Oslo}}

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 16

|Arbeiderpartiet = 6

|Local_Lists = 10

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Leirfjord

|herad = yes

|start = 1945

|end = 1947

|reference = {{Cite web |date=1947 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1945 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_x_133.pdf |access-date=2020-04-02 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=Norwegian |location=Oslo}}

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 16

|Arbeiderpartiet = 6

|Local_Lists = 10

|}}

{{Kommunestyre table

|name = Leirfjord

|herad = yes

|start = 1937

|end = 1941*

|reference = {{Cite web |date=1938 |title=Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1937 |url=https://www.ssb.no/a/histstat/nos/nos_ix_133.pdf |access-date=2020-04-02 |publisher=Statistisk sentralbyrå |language=Norwegian |location=Oslo}}

|collapsed = yes

|Total = 16

|Borgerlige_Felleslister = 5

|Arbeiderpartiet = 3

|Local_Lists = 8

|}}

{{div col end}}

The mayor ({{langx|no|ordfører}}) of Leirfjord is the political leader of the municipality and the chairperson of the municipal council. Here is a list of people who have held this position:{{Cite web |year=2024 |editor-last=Fiva |editor-first=Jon H |editor2-last=Sørensen |editor2-first=Rune J. |editor3-last=Vøllo |editor3-first=Reidar |title=Local Candidate Dataset |url=https://www.jon.fiva.no/docs/FivaSorensenVollo2024.pdf}}

{{div col|colwidth=20em}}

• 1915–1920: Jens Johnsen{{Cite news |date=1915-01-06 |title=Leirfjord herredstyre |url=https://www.nb.no/items/8312b0066f7e6b6b14c67bffe5f27425 |access-date=2024-10-14 |work=Nordlandskysten |page=1 |language=no}}
• 1920–1926: Lars Jaastad{{Cite news |date=1926-01-02 |title=Ordførervalgene |url=https://www.nb.no/items/316e9d7b69fbad069bfd72828abab412 |access-date=2024-10-14 |work=Nordlandsposten |page=2 |language=no}}
• 1926–1928: S. Kibsgård{{Cite news |date=1926-09-04 |title=Leirfjord herredstyre |url=https://www.nb.no/items/9c6ddbbc8bc8125924e17fbe515ea070 |access-date=2024-10-14 |work=Helgelands Blad |page=2 |language=no}}
• 1928–1931: J.E. Bergh (H){{Cite news |date=1928-12-22 |title=Ordførervalgene |url=https://www.nb.no/items/e4e69e12bc1f08fed192ff7ba82fa3bb |access-date=2024-10-14 |work=Helgeland |page=2 |language=no}}
• 1932–1935: Edvard A. Nilssen{{Cite news |date=1931-12-21 |title=Ordførervalgene |url=https://www.nb.no/items/152c735aade48026dc5da609d77285a9 |access-date=2024-10-14 |work=Nordlandsposten |page=4 |language=no}}
• 1935–1941: Einar Leknes (V){{Cite news |date=1935-02-18 |title=De nye ordførere i Nordland fylke |url=https://www.nb.no/items/47b04b4316faa8c5c34f9037908ec5b7?page=1 |access-date=2024-10-14 |work=Nordlandsposten |page=2 |language=no}}{{Cite news |date=1941-01-16 |title=De nye ordførere og varaordførere i Nordland opnevnt |url=https://www.nb.no/items/7902f42afc9a253a68881b1ab5f4bd63 |access-date=2024-08-06 |work=Lofotposten |pages=1 & 6 |language=no}}
• 1942–1945: Thoralf Mørk{{Cite news |date=1942-02-06 |title=Leirfjord herredsting |url=https://www.nb.no/items/61ff33846cfa2ff17b78582cada88d79 |access-date=2024-10-14 |work=Helgelands Blad |page=4 |language=no}}
• 1945–1955: Einar Leknes (V){{Cite news |date=1945-05-14 |title=De nye, midlertidige ordførere i Nordland og Troms |url=https://www.nb.no/items/4e1d0a67c4e89251d112ccefbc3df255 |access-date=2024-08-06 |work=Lofotposten |page=6 |language=no}}
• 1955–1957: Birger Jåstad (LL){{Cite news |date=1955-12-23 |title=Birger Jåstad ny ordfører i Leirfjord |url=https://www.nb.no/items/25bf7d1698569b214aed8e32a55241ab |access-date=2024-10-14 |work=Helgelands Blad |page=2 |language=no}}
• 1957–1959: Kåre Hjartland (Sp){{Cite news |date=1957-11-22 |title=Leirfjord uten varaordfører |url=https://www.nb.no/items/0184c96dbf55f2ace5cb32c76d0de363 |access-date=2024-10-14 |work=Nordlands Avis |page=2 |language=no}}
• 1959–1964: Hans Nersund (Ap){{Cite news |date=1959-12-21 |title=Hans Nersund ny ordfører i Leirfjord |url=https://www.nb.no/items/dc5483f261c41b4aeb76161e0ef21b91 |access-date=2024-10-14 |work=Helgelands Blad |page=1 |language=no}}
• 1964–1967: Einar Leknes (V){{Cite news |date=1963-10-30 |title=Leknæs første ordfører i Stor-Leirfjord |url=https://www.nb.no/items/638af32b0de5b630149568c78e751b01 |access-date=2024-10-14 |work=Helgelands Blad |page=1 |language=no}}
• 1967–1971: Trygve Meisfjord (Ap){{Cite news |date=1967-11-25 |title=Trygve Meisfjord (A) ny Leirfjord-ordfører |url=https://www.nb.no/items/52ae7bdfc00b6f1558b54aed434c2d9d |access-date=2024-10-14 |work=Rana Blad |page=3 |language=no}}
• 1971–1975: Arnfinn Jøsevold (Ap)
• 1975–1983: Carl Klæboe (Ap)
• 1983–1987: Arnfinn Jøsevold (LL)
• 1987–1991: Harald Jarle Pedersen (Ap)
• 1991–1995: Åshild Albertsen (Sp)
• 1995–1999: Harald Jarle Pedersen (LL)
• 1999–2003: Oddvar Sjursen (Sp)
• 2003–2011: Ivan Haugland (Ap)
• 2011–2015: Nils Magnar Johnsen (Sp)
• 2015–2023: Ivan Haugland (Ap)
• 2023–present: Sten Rino Bonsaksen (Ap)

{{div col end}}

• Gunvald Ludvigsen (born 1949 in Leirfjord), a Norwegian politician who was Mayor of Eid Municipality from 2003 to 2005
• Roger Johansen (born 1973 in Leirfjord), a Norwegian ice sledge hockey player who competed at the 2010 Winter Paralympics

{{reflist}}

• [http://ssb.no/kommunefakta/leirfjord Municipal fact sheet] from Statistics Norway {{in lang|no}}

{{sister bar|auto=y|d=y|commonscat=y|voy=Nordland|wikt=Leirfjord}}

{{use dmy dates|date=October 2022}}

{{Nordland}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Municipalities of Nordland

Category:1915 establishments in Norway

Category:Populated places established in 1915