A new, decentralized administration

On 15 May 1997, Parliament resolved that a new county and region in Western Sweden should be created, to incorporate the existing countys of Göteborg and Bohuslän, Älvsborg and Skaraborg except for the municipalities of Habo and Mullsjö. The new county, which is to be known as Västra Götaland, will include 49 municipalities and have a population of about 1,5 million. This is the first time since 1680 that any changes have been made to the boundaries of the provinces in Western Sweden.

As representing the central government, Västra Götaland's new County Administration will have the duties of identifying the condition and requirements of the new province, promoting its development and helping to ensure that nationwide objectives are given their proper place. At the same time it will be charged with ensuring that the new province is managed effectively and efficiently.

Decentralization and coordination will enhance the new County Administration´s accessibility to those whose interests it represents, and will also help to provide collective evaluation and assessment in dealing with the issues it must tackle. It will have units in six towns and cities: Göteborg, Uddevalla, Vänersborg, Borås, Mariestad and Skara. The Governor will have his seat in Göteborg.

With effect from 1 January 1998, all central government bodies represented at provincial level today will instead be represented at the new provincial level. This means that, in many cases, what have until now been three separate authorities will become one. It also means that provincial employment boards, enforcement offices and other bodies will be taking a look at the ways in which they are at present organized, with a view to optimizing effectiveness and efficiency in the future.