Verran

For other uses, see Verran (disambiguation).

Verran is a former municipality in Trøndelag county, Norway. The municipality existed from 1901 until its dissolution in 2020 when it was divided between Steinkjer Municipality and Indre Fosen Municipality. It was part of the Innherred region. The administrative centre of the municipality was the village of Malm. Other villages in Verran included Follafoss, Sela, Verrabotn, and Verrastranda.

Verran Municipality Verran kommune
Former municipality
View from Malm at sunset
Flag Coat of arms
Trøndelag within Norway
Verran within Trøndelag
Coordinates: 64°01′27″N 10°58′44″E
Country	Norway
County	Trøndelag
District	Innherad
Established	1 Jan 1901
• Preceded by	Mosvik og Verran
Disestablished	1 Jan 2020
• Succeeded by	Steinkjer, Indre Fosen
Administrative centre	Malm
Government
• Mayor (2015-2019)	Anders Lindstrøm (Ap)
Area  (upon dissolution)
• Total	601.66 km2 (232.30 sq mi)
• Land	558.15 km2 (215.50 sq mi)
• Water	43.51 km2 (16.80 sq mi)  7.2%
• Rank	#185 in Norway
Population  (2018)
• Total	2,473
• Rank	#294 in Norway
• Density	4.4/km2 (11/sq mi)
• Change (10 years)	−16.1%
Demonym	Verrabygg[1]
Official language [2]
• Norwegian form	Neutral
Time zone	UTC+01:00 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+02:00 (CEST)
ISO 3166 code	NO-5039[3]
Website	Official website
Data from Statistics Norway

At the time of its dissolution in 2020, the 602-square-kilometre (232 sq mi) municipality was the 185th largest by area out of the 422 municipalities in Norway. Verran was the 294th most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 2,473. The municipality's population density was 4.4 inhabitants per square kilometre (11/sq mi) and its population had decreased by 16.1% over the last decade.^[4][5]

General information

The municipality of Verran was established on 1 January 1901 when the old municipality of Mosvik og Verran was divided into two new municipalities: Mosvik (population: 969) and Verran (population: 1,456). During the 1960s, there were many municipal mergers across Norway due to the work of the Schei Committee. On 1 January 1964, the neighboring municipalities of Malm (population: 2,975) to the north and Verran (population: 1,803) to the south were merged to form a new municipality of Verran. After the merger, there were 4,778 residents in Verran. On 1 January 1968, the Framverran area on the south side of the Verrasundet fjord (population: 395) was transferred from Verran to the neighboring municipality of Mosvik.^[6]

On 1 January 2018, the municipality switched from the old Nord-Trøndelag county to the new Trøndelag county.

On 1 January 2020 the municipality of Verran was merged with the neighboring municipality of Steinkjer to form a new, larger Steinkjer Municipality.^[7] Also on that date, the Verrabotn area in southwestern Verran was merged with the neighboring municipality of Indre Fosen (instead of merging with Steinkjer like the rest of Verran).^[8]

Name

The municipality is named after the Verrasundet fjord (Old Norse: Veri), which is an arm of the great Trondheimsfjord. The meaning of the old name is probably "the quiet one" or "the fjord with still water".^[9]

See also: the name of Verdal

Coat of arms

The coat of arms was granted on 11 September 1987 and it was in use until 1 January 2020 when the municipality was dissolved. The official blazon is "Azure, a boat with raised square sail and topsail argent" (Norwegian: I blått en sølv båt med råseil og toppseil). This means the arms have a blue field (background) and the charge is a Verranjekt (boat) with a raised square sail and topsail. The boat has a tincture of argent which means it is commonly colored white, but if it is made out of metal, then silver is used. The design was chosen to symbolize the historical importance of boating and boatbuilding for the area. The Verranjekt (literally translated as "a yacht from Verran") is a type of boat has been built in Verran for centuries. The arms were designed by Rolf Tidemann. The municipal flag has the same design as the coat of arms. After the merger of Verran and Steinkjer municipalities on 1 January 2020, these arms were adopted to represent the new Steinkjer municipality.^[10][11]

Churches

The Church of Norway had two parishes (sokn) within the municipality of Verran. It was part of the Nord-Innherad prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Nidaros.

Churches in Verran

Parish (sokn)	Church name	Location of the church	Year built
Malm	Malm Church	Malm	1885
	Sela Church	Sela	1997
Verran	Fines Church	Verrabotn	1913
	Follafoss Church	Follafoss	1954

Geography

Verran bordered the municipalities of Åfjord to the west, Indre Fosen to the south, Inderøy to the southeast, Steinkjer to the east, and Namdalseid to the north. Verran encompasses the western coastline of the Beitstadfjord, an arm of the Trondheimsfjord. There are three large lakes in Verran: Ormsetvatnet, Selavatnet, and Holden. The river Follaelva runs through the municipality, emptying into the Trondheimsfjord at Follafoss.

Government

While it existed, this municipality was responsible for primary education (through 10th grade), outpatient health services, senior citizen services, unemployment and other social services, zoning, economic development, and municipal roads. During its existence, this municipality was governed by a municipal council of elected representatives, which in turn elected a mayor.^[12] The municipality fell under the Inntrøndelag District Court and the Frostating Court of Appeal.

Municipal council

The municipal council (Kommunestyre) of Verran is made up of 19 representatives that are elected to four year terms. The party breakdown of the final municipal council was as follows:

Verran kommunestyre 2016–2019 ^[13]  

Party name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	7
	Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet)	1
	Conservative Party (Høyre)	1
	Centre Party (Senterpartiet)	7
	Liberal Party (Venstre)	3
Total number of members:		19

Verran kommunestyre 2012–2015 ^[14]  

Party name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	7
	Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet)	1
	Centre Party (Senterpartiet)	6
	Liberal Party (Venstre)	5
Total number of members:		19

Verran kommunestyre 2008–2011 ^[13]  

Party name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	9
	Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet)	2
	Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)	1
	Centre Party (Senterpartiet)	4
	Liberal Party (Venstre)	2
	Local list in Verran (Bygdalista i Verran)	1
Total number of members:		19

Verran kommunestyre 2004–2007 ^[13]  

Party name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	10
	Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet)	2
	Conservative Party (Høyre)	1
	Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)	1
	Centre Party (Senterpartiet)	5
	Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)	3
	Liberal Party (Venstre)	2
	Non-party local list (Upolitisk Bygdeliste)	1
Total number of members:		25

Verran kommunestyre 2000–2003 ^[13]  

Party name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	11
	Centre Party (Senterpartiet)	9
	Liberal Party (Venstre)	1
	Joint list of the Conservative Party (Høyre) and Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)	3
	Non-party local list (Upolitisk bygdeliste)	1
Total number of members:		25

Verran kommunestyre 1996–1999 ^[15]  

Party name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	9
	Centre Party (Senterpartiet)	11
	Liberal Party (Venstre)	1
	Joint list: Socialist Left Party and independent socialists (Fellesliste: Sosialistisk Venstreparti og Uavhengige Sosialiste)	1
	Joint list of the Conservative Party (Høyre) and Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)	2
	Non-party local list (Upolitisk Bygdeliste)	1
Total number of members:		25

Verran kommunestyre 1992–1995 ^[16]  

Party name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	11
	Conservative Party (Høyre)	1
	Centre Party (Senterpartiet)	7
	Joint list: Socialist Left Party and independent socialists (Fellesliste: Sosialistisk Venstreparti og Uavhengige Sosialiste)	4
	Joint list: Pensioners' Party and potential homeowners (Fellesliste: Pensjonister og potensielle hjemmesittere)	2
Total number of members:		25

Verran kommunestyre 1988–1991 ^[17]  

Party name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	11
	Conservative Party (Høyre)	2
	Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)	1
	Centre Party (Senterpartiet)	6
	Liberal Party (Venstre)	1
	Joint list: Socialist Left Party and independent socialists (Fellesliste: Sosialistisk Venstreparti og Uavhengige Sosialiste)	4
Total number of members:		25

Verran kommunestyre 1984–1987 ^[18]  

Party name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	15
	Conservative Party (Høyre)	2
	Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)	1
	Centre Party (Senterpartiet)	4
	Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)	2
	Liberal Party (Venstre)	1
Total number of members:		25

Verran kommunestyre 1980–1983 ^[19]  

Party name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	13
	Conservative Party (Høyre)	2
	Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)	1
	Centre Party (Senterpartiet)	6
	Liberal Party (Venstre)	1
	Non-party and independents list (Upolitisk og uavhengig liste)	2
Total number of members:		25

Verran kommunestyre 1976–1979 ^[20]  

Party name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	16
	Conservative Party (Høyre)	1
	Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)	1
	New People's Party (Nye Folkepartiet)	1
	Centre Party (Senterpartiet)	3
	Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)	2
	Liberal Party (Venstre)	1
Total number of members:		25

Verran kommunestyre 1972–1975 ^[21]  

Party name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	16
	Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)	1
	Centre Party (Senterpartiet)	3
	Socialist People's Party (Sosialistisk Folkeparti)	2
	Liberal Party (Venstre)	3
Total number of members:		25

Verran kommunestyre 1968–1971 ^[22]  

Party name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	15
	Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)	1
	Centre Party (Senterpartiet)	3
	Socialist People's Party (Sosialistisk Folkeparti)	3
	Liberal Party (Venstre)	3
Total number of members:		25

Verran kommunestyre 1964–1967 ^[23]  

Party name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	18
	Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti)	1
	Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)	1
	Centre Party (Senterpartiet)	5
	Liberal Party (Venstre)	4
Total number of members:		29

Verran herredsstyre 1960–1963 ^[24]  

Party name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	11
	Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgerlige Felleslister)	5
	Local List(s) (Lokale lister)	1
Total number of members:		17

Verran herredsstyre 1956–1959 ^[25]  

Party name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	10
	Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti)	1
	Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgerlige Felleslister)	6
Total number of members:		17

Verran herredsstyre 1952–1955 ^[26]  

Party name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	8
	Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti)	2
	Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgerlige Felleslister)	5
	Local List(s) (Lokale lister)	1
Total number of members:		16

Verran herredsstyre 1948–1951 ^[27]  

Party name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	8
	Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti)	2
	Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgerlige Felleslister)	6
Total number of members:		16

Verran herredsstyre 1945–1947 ^[28]  

Party name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	6
	Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti)	2
	Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgerlige Felleslister)	4
Total number of members:		12

Verran herredsstyre 1938–1941* ^[29]  

Party name (in Norwegian)		Number of representatives
	Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)	7
	Local List(s) (Lokale lister)	5
Total number of members:		12
Note: Due to the German occupation of Norway during World War II, no elections were held for new municipal councils until after the war ended in 1945.

Mayors

The mayors of Verran:^[30]

• 1901–1904: Jørginus Stavrum (V)
• 1905–1910: Jørginus Grande (H)
• 1911–1928: Gunnar Aftret (V)
• 1928-1928: Arne Karlsen (LL)
• 1929–1931: John M. Viken (Ap)
• 1932–1934: Tomas Stavrum (LL)
• 1935–1942: Gunvald Engelstad (Ap)
• 1943–1945: Otto Sandhaug (NS)
• 1945-1945: Gunvald Engelstad (Ap)
• 1946–1947: Nils Kvam (Ap)
• 1948–1950: Toralf Aalberg (Ap)
• 1951–1953: Magne Følstad (Ap)
• 1954–1963: Toralf Aalberg (Ap)
• 1964–1971: Olav Stavrum (Ap)
• 1972–1979: Arthur Mogstad (Ap)
• 1980–1993: Rolf Ystmark (Ap)
• 1993–2003: Bjørn Skjelstad (Sp)
• 2003–2004: Kåre Olsen (Ap)
• 2004–2007: Robert Bjørk (Ap)
• 2007–2011: Frank Christiansen (Ap)
• 2011–2015: Bjørn Skjelstad (Sp)
• 2015–2019: Anders Lindstrøm (Ap)

Economy

Forestry is an important industry in Verran. There is also a paper mill in Follafoss that is a large factory. The paper mill is owned by Södra Cell Folla.

See also

• List of former municipalities of Norway

References

1. "Navn på steder og personer: Innbyggjarnamn" (in Norwegian). Språkrådet.
2. "Forskrift om målvedtak i kommunar og fylkeskommunar" (in Norwegian). Lovdata.no.
3. Bolstad, Erik; Thorsnæs, Geir, eds. (2023-01-26). "Kommunenummer". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget.
4. Statistisk sentralbyrå (2018). "Table: 06913: Population 1 January and population changes during the calendar year (M)" (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2019-03-05.
5. Statistisk sentralbyrå. "09280: Area of land and fresh water (km²) (M)" (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2019-03-05.
6. Jukvam, Dag (1999). "Historisk oversikt over endringer i kommune- og fylkesinndelingen" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Statistisk sentralbyrå.
7. "Bakgrunn" (in Norwegian). NyeSteinkjer.no. Retrieved 2017-10-02.
8. "Fylkesmannens tilrådning av grensejustering Verrabotn-Verran og IndreFosen kommune" (PDF). Fylkesmannen i Trøndelag. 2018-07-03. Retrieved 2019-03-05.
9. Rygh, Oluf (1903). Norske gaardnavne: Nordre Trondhjems amt (in Norwegian) (15 ed.). Kristiania, Norge: W. C. Fabritius & sønners bogtrikkeri. p. 168.
10. "Civic heraldry of Norway - Norske Kommunevåpen". Heraldry of the World. Retrieved 2023-02-18.
11. "Verran, Nord-Trøndelag (Norway)". Flags of the World. Retrieved 2023-02-18.
12. Hansen, Tore; Vabo, Signy Irene, eds. (2022-09-20). "kommunestyre". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 2023-01-01.
13. "Table: 04813: Members of the local councils, by party/electoral list at the Municipal Council election (M)" (in Norwegian). Statistics Norway.
14. "Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2011 - Nord-Trøndelag". Valg Direktoratet. Retrieved 2019-10-20.
15. "Kommunestyrevalget 1995" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1996. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
16. "Kommunestyrevalget 1991" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1993. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
17. "Kommunestyrevalget 1987" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1988. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
18. "Kommunestyrevalget 1983" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1984. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
19. "Kommunestyrevalget 1979" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1979. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
20. "Kommunevalgene 1975" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1977. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
21. "Kommunevalgene 1972" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1973. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
22. "Kommunevalgene 1967" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1967. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
23. "Kommunevalgene 1963" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1964. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
24. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1959" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1960. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
25. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1955" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1957. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
26. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1951" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1952. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
27. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1947" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1948. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
28. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1945" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1947. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
29. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1937" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1938. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
30. Vanebo, Odd H. (2011). "Ordførere i gamle Verran kommune". Vet hvor godt vi har fått det og hvem vi kan takke for det. Verran arbeiderparti 100 år (in Norwegian). Kirkenær: Lodiz. ISBN 9788299864503.

External links

• Trøndelag travel guide from Wikivoyage
• Municipal fact sheet from Statistics Norway (in Norwegian)