Municipal Council

General presentations

• 2212332 – Agreement on the amendment of the funding of services for disabled people

  An agreement exists between the state and local authorities, dated 16.12.2022, regarding the funding of services for disabled people and an increase in the council tax rate by 0.22%, alongside a corresponding reduction in income tax. This results in the maximum council tax rate increasing from 14.52% to 14.74%.

  The following proposal was put forward.
  With reference to the provisions concerning the change in the funding of services for disabled people in the existing agreement between the state and local authorities, dated. 16.12.2022, based on an amendment to the Act on Municipal Revenue Sources which was passed by the Althingi on 16.12.2022, the Hafnarfjörður Town Council resolves that the council tax rate for the year 2023 will be increased by 0.221 percentage points to 14.70%. As the income tax levy is reduced by a corresponding amount, this decision will not lead to an increase in the total burden on taxpayers, and the council tax rate in Hafnarfjörður will remain below the permitted maximum.

  Rósa Guðbjartsdóttir speaks. Also Guðmundur Árni Stefánsson.

  The town council approves, with 7 votes from representatives of the Independence Party, The municipal council, with 7 votes from representatives of the Independence Party, the Progressive Party and Viðreisn, approves the pending proposal to increase the council tax rate by 0.22 percentage points, making the rate for 2023 14.70%. Representatives of the Social Democratic Alliance abstain.

  Guðmundur Árni Stefánsson was a party to the following record:

  The Social Democratic Party's town councillors welcome the agreement between the government and local authorities on an increased contribution for the welfare of disabled people, as it is much needed. However, the government is still a long way from providing the necessary funding for the project.
  The Social Democratic Party will not vote on this proposal to increase business rates in exchange for a reduction in the national income tax, and this position is consistent with its previous stance, as the minority on the town council refers responsibility for the budget to the majority party, both spending and revenue generation – into the hands of the Independence and Progressive Parties – as all 20 of the Social Democrats' proposals were rejected at the last council meeting when the budget was finalised.

• 2109732 – District Child Protection Council

  A new by-law on the finalisation of child protection services was presented for consideration.

  Rósa Guðbjartsdóttir speaks.

  The town council unanimously approves the proposed by-law on final disposals of the crematorium service.

• 2212184 – Loan 2022

  Item 9 from the minutes of the Town Council meeting of 15 December.
  Guðmundur Sverrisson, Deputy Director of the Finance Department, attends the meeting.
  The Town Council approves the proposed loan agreement and refers it to the Borough Council for ratification.

  The Town Council proposes that the Borough Council approve the following borrowing as provided for in the budget:

  Decision to borrow from the Municipalities' Loan Fund, secured by a charge on the municipality's revenues: The City Council of the City of Hafnarfjörður hereby resolves to borrow from the Municipalities' Loan Fund a principal amount of up to kr. 950,000,000.00 kr., with a final maturity date of 20 March 2039, in accordance with the terms of the loan agreement presented at the meeting, which the municipal council has reviewed. The Municipal Council agrees that as security for the loan (principal, prepayment penalty, plus interest, late payment interest and costs), the revenues of the municipality shall be pledged, pursuant to the authority in 2nd paragraph of Article 68 of the Municipal Government Act No. 138/2011, specifically its business rates and contributions to the municipality from the Municipal Equalisation Fund. The loan is taken to finance the municipality's projects and the purchase of social housing, which constitutes a project of general economic significance, in accordance with Article 3 of the Act on the Establishment of a Public Limited Company for the Municipalities' Loan Fund, No. 150/2006. Furthermore, Rósa Guðbjartsdóttir, ID no. 291165-3899, Mayor, is hereby granted full and unlimited authority to this end on behalf of On behalf of the City of Hafnarfjörður, to sign a loan agreement with the Municipal Loan Fund in accordance with the foregoing, and to receive, sign and issue, and deliver any and all documents, instructions and notices relating to this loan, including a request for the disbursement of the loan.

  Representatives of the Social Democratic Alliance submit the following motion:

  It is clear that the funds for the purchase/construction of social housing in Hafnarfjörður are far from being fully utilised in the current year – only 123 million of 500 million. This once again shows the complete lack of interest from the majority of the Independence and Progressive parties in providing this housing option for the people of Hafnarfjörður. The majority's lack of interest was then confirmed during the budget process when the funds for the purchase/construction of social housing were halved to 250 million. This was done despite an urgent need, as evidenced by the long waiting lists for social housing.

  Valdimar Víðisson speaks. Also, Guðmundur Árni Stefánsson and Stefán Már Gunnlaugsson. Guðmundur Árni Stefánsson speaks a second time. Rósa Guðbjartsdóttir rises to reply, to whom Guðmundur Árni responds. Margrét Vala Marteinsdóttir also rises to reply, to whom Guðmundur Árni responds. Then Valdimar Víðisson rises to reply, to whom Guðmundur Árni responds. Stefán Már also rises to reply.

  Then Hildur Rós Guðbjargardóttir speaks. Rósa Guðbjartsdóttir replies. Stefán Már also replies, as does Guðmundur Árni.

  The town council approves the proposal for a loan with 6 votes from representatives of the Independence Party and the Progressive Party. The councillors from the Social Democratic Alliance and the Reform Party abstain.

  Gudmundur Árni makes the following reservation:

  The Social Democratic Alliance's town councillors will not vote, but express disappointment with the lack of interest and ambition regarding the purchase and construction of social housing, as demonstrated by the figures. Otherwise, reference is made to the party's minutes from the town council on 15 December.

  Valdimar Víðisson makes the following reservation:

  Representatives of the majority of the Progressive and Independence parties submit the following statement: Next year will see a significant increase in social housing. The Municipality of Hafnarfjörður has entered into an agreement with the Bjarg Housing Society for 9 flats to be added to the municipality's social housing stock. These flats will be brought into use in the first half of the new year. Furthermore, the 2023 budget provides for 150 million króna for the purchase of flats for the social housing system. Statements of disinterest in this area are therefore self-defeating.

• 2206176 – Terms of reference for councils and committees 2022-2024, review

  Item 1 from the minutes of the Education Committee meeting of 14 December.
  Draft terms of reference for the education council were presented.

  The Education Committee approves the submitted letter of intent and refers it to the Town Council for confirmation.

  Kristín María Thoroddsen speaks.

  The Town Council approves the attached terms of reference.

• 2212155 – Home payments

  Item 3 from the minutes of the Education Committee meeting of 14 December.
  Draft regulations on home payments were presented.

  The Education Committee approves the attached regulations on home payments and refers them to the Town Council for further approval. From the New Year, parents can then apply for home payments for children from the age of 12 months. The amount is the same as the subsidy for children with childminders. This meets parents' wishes for more options to bridge the gap from the end of maternity leave until a child starts nursery school.

  Kristín María Thoroddsen speaks. Guðmundur Árni Stefánsson replies, to which Kristín responds. Stefán Már Gunnlaugsson also replies, to which Kristín responds.

  Then Karólína Helga Símonadóttir takes the floor.

  The town council unanimously approves the proposed regulations on home payments.

  Karólína Helga makes the following reservation:

  Freedom of choice is very important in modern society. Paid parental leave after maternity leave is a form of choice. After all, many people find they have no other option after maternity leave, or are not prepared to have their children in nursery or with a childminder from the age of 12 months. Nursery staff themselves say that nurseries are not prepared to receive 12-month-old children; they need to be cared for in small groups, and a different setup and services are required than for the age group that is typically admitted to nurseries.

  There have been critical voices regarding cash payments to parents, arguing that this is a step backwards. Experience shows that in most cases, such payments reduce women's participation in the labour force. This could possibly have an effect on . Experience shows that in most cases, such payments reduce women's participation in the workforce. I personally hope that is not the case. That is not to say, in my opinion, that the situation for parents after childbirth has been resolved. The pressure on the authorities must continue to extend maternity leave, and to strengthen the childminder system as well as nurseries. I also hope that the authorities, local councils, education boards and others who have introduced these payments monitor whether they are having an effect on women's participation in the workforce, or the opposite. If so, they should reconsider these policies.

  We choose to vote for this proposal because it is a concrete solution, a solution for parents, and also to tackle the working conditions in nurseries and the huge increase in children entering them in the coming years. We hope that this is not about forcing the other parent, but rather about giving parents the opportunity to choose to stay at home longer with their young child. During the coronavirus pandemic, many workplaces have offered flexibility in relation to work, and reduced working hours have been introduced in most fields. This gives parents an equal opportunity to make this choice.

• 1903112 – Daycare rules and fee schedule

  Item 4 from the minutes of the Education Committee meeting of 14 December.
  Draft amendments to the regulations on payments for the care of children from Hafnarfjörður by day-care providers were presented.

  The Education Committee approves an amendment to the regulations on payments for the care of children from Hafnarfjörður by day-care providers and refers it to the town council for ratification.

  Speaker: Kristín María Thoroddsen. Intervening: Guðmundur Árni Stefánsson.

  The town council unanimously approves the proposed amended regulations on payments for the care of children from Hafnarfjörður by day-care parents.

• 22111277 – Suðurhella 9, Unit 01, change to the detailed plan

  Item 5 from the minutes of the Planning and Building Committee of 15 December.
  Verksýn ehf. submitted an application on 24 November 2022 for an amendment to the detailed plan for Selhrauns South. The proposal concerns a rotation of the building plot and the addition of two new access roads from the street; the plot's utilisation ratio is reduced.

  The Planning and Building Committee agrees to advertise the proposal for an amendment to the Selhraun South local plan and refers it to the town council for approval.

  Unanimously approved.

• 2205256 – Stekkjarberg 11, plot enlargement

  Item 6 from the minutes of the Planning and Building Committee of 15 December.
  A proposal was submitted for an amendment to the detailed plan for Stekkjarberg 11. The proposal provides for three two-storey blocks of flats with a total of up to 26 flats.

  The Planning and Building Committee agrees to advertise the proposal for an amendment to the Setberg local plan for Stekkjarberg 11 and refers it to the town council for approval.

  Unanimously approved.

• 2210556 – Master Plan of Hafnarfjörður 2013-2025, Hamranes amendment

  Item 3 from the minutes of the Planning and Building Committee of 19 December.
  A proposal was put forward to amend the 2013-2025 master plan for Hafnarfjörður, to increase the number of dwellings from 1,500 to 1,900 in Hamranes.
  The Planning and Building Committee agrees to advertise an amendment to the 2013-2025 Master Plan for Hafnarfjörður, increasing the number of dwellings from 1,500 to 1,900 in Hamranes, and refers it to the town council for approval.

  Guðmundur Árni takes the floor under the chairmanship of the President.

  Adjournment at 15:49.

  The meeting resumed at 15:55.

  Guðmundur Árni Stefánsson speaks.

  The town council unanimously approves the decision of the planning and building committee.

• 2201064 – Hamranes plot 19.B, detailed plan

  Item 4 from the minutes of the Planning and Building Committee of 19 December.
  A proposal for the detailed plan for Hringhamar 6, Development Plot 19.B, which was approved by the Planning and Building Committee on 19 July and confirmed by the Municipal Council on 14 September, is re-submitted along with comments from the Planning Authority.
  The Planning and Building Committee of Hafnarfjörður approves the detailed plan for Hringhamar 6, plot 19b, in Hamranes shall be finalised in accordance with the valid Aðalskipulag Hafnarfjarðar 2013-2025 for Hamranes regarding the number of dwellings, in line with the planner's memorandum dated 19.12.2022. The matter is also referred to the town council for approval.

  The town council unanimously approves the decision of the planning and building committee.

• 2206187 – Áshamar 50, plot 6.A, detailed plan

  Item 5 from the minutes of the Planning and Building Committee of 19 December.
  A proposal for the detailed plan for Áshamar 50, development area 6A, which was approved by the Planning and Building Committee on 25 August and confirmed by the Town Council on 31 August, together with comments from the Planning Authority, is re-submitted.
  The Planning and Building Committee of Hafnarfjörður agrees to re-advertise the detailed plan for Áshamar 50 in conjunction with an amendment to the Hafnarfjörður 2013-2025 Master Plan, regarding Hamraness, in accordance with Article 41 of the Planning Act, and refers the matter to the Town Council for approval.

  The town council unanimously approves the decision of the planning and building committee.

• 2205257 – Hringhamar 10, plot 20.B, detailed plan

  Item 6 from the minutes of the Planning and Building Committee of 19 December.
  A proposal for the detailed plan for Hringhamar 10, development plot 20.B, which was approved by the Planning and Building Committee on 25 August and confirmed by the Town Council on 31 August, together with comments from the Planning Authority, is re-submitted.

  The Planning and Building Committee of Hafnarfjörður agrees to re-advertise the detailed plan for Hringhamar 10, plot 20.B, in conjunction with an amendment to the Master Plan of Hafnarfjörður 2013-2025, regarding Hamraness, in accordance with Article 41 of the Planning Act, and refers the matter to the Town Council for approval.

  The town council unanimously approves the decision of the planning and building committee.

• 2206171 – Baughamar 1, plot 31.C, detailed plan

  Item 7 from the minutes of the Planning and Building Committee of 19 December.
  A proposal for the Baughamars 1 detailed plan, development area 31.C, is re-submitted, as approved by the Planning and Building Committee on 25 August and confirmed by the Municipal Council on 31 August, together with comments from the Planning Authority.
  The Planning and Building Committee of Hafnarfjörður agrees to re-advertise the detailed plan for Baughamar 1, plot 31 C, in conjunction with an amendment to the Master Plan for Hafnarfjörður 2013-2025, regarding Hamraness, in accordance with Article 41 of the Planning Act, and refers the matter to the Town Council for approval.

  The town council unanimously approves the decision of the planning and building committee.

Minutes

• 2201211 – Minutes 2022, for presentation to the Town Council

  Minutes of the Planning and Building Committee from 15 December.
  Minutes of the Environment and Operations Committee from 14 December.
  Minutes of the Education Committee from 14 December.
  a. Minutes of the Sports and Leisure Committee from 6 December.
  Minutes of the Family Council from 13th December.
  Minutes of the Town Council from 15 December.
  a. Minutes of the Harbour Board meeting of 30 November.
  b. Minutes of the Culture and Tourism Committee from 7 December.
  c. Minutes of the SSH board meeting of 5 December.
  Minutes of the Presidential Commission from 19 December.

  Margrét Vala Marteinsdóttir speaks under the minutes of the Family Council meeting of 13 December.

  Audur Brynjolfsdottir also speaks under item 6 of the minutes of the Family Council meeting of 13 December.

• 2208236 – Municipal Council, working environment 2022-2026

  Item 1 from the minutes of the Presidential Commission of 19 December.

  The presidential committee unanimously agrees to recommend to the town council that the first town council meeting of the new year be held on Wednesday, 18th January.

  It is therefore anticipated that the first regular meeting week of the council in the new year will begin on Monday, 9th January.

  Rósa Guðbjartsdóttir speaks. Also Guðmundur Árni Stefánsson.

  Unanimously approved.