In the local news, the main stories are these.

It has been a while since the last post. The reason is simple… there is a lot going on in a large household, and household chores take priority. Things have now slowed down a bit, and time has opened up for writing. As before, the last few months have been marked by a busy life, celebrations and projects related to summer and the harvest in all areas. The cleaning and tidying of our beautiful farm began with sweeping the streets and footpaths in April, and subsequently, they took residents, primary and nursery school pupils and Staff of the town and businesses in Hafnarfjörður ...stepped up and took an active part in cleaning their local area. The clean-up days in May were considered a great success this year, and you all deserve praise for your contribution. The Hafnarfjörður Work Camp then began operations in mid-June, with around 650 teenagers working on mowing, cleaning and beautification until August. Unfortunately, we have not quite managed to ensure the mowing and cleaning of public and open spaces that are more difficult to access and require machinery and larger decisions, it must be admitted. We are working on long-term solutions for these issues, and we plan to begin implementing them this summer, but to push ahead with them in full force as soon as early next spring. A competition is currently underway – Beauty Pageant 2016 – where everyone is encouraged to nominate properties, parks, streets and businesses that are considered exemplary in their tidiness and beauty. Awards for the most successful nominees will be presented at a ceremony in August. I encourage you all to choose the property, street and person you think is best and send your nomination to hafnarfjordur@hafnarfjordur.is

Human resources and individual initiative

The importance of each individual's contribution to society can never be quantified. Its importance is immense, and the work is indispensable to any society. Every day, I meet individuals, businesses and organisations who are doing good things through their voluntary work, and we have tried our utmost to support this good work. This support is not always financial; it also comes in the form of work, facilities and publicity. We find it very difficult to provide financial support for all projects, and fortunately, those who approach us have come to greatly appreciate the other ways we can offer our support. Awards for encouragement were presented at the Town Cinema. in April to individuals who have excelled in their work for the benefit of children and young people in Hafnarfjörður. This time, the award went to Arnfríður and Jóhann Óskar for their involvement in the founding of the Skateboard Club – the excellent work being done there. 

Recently held 3SH one of the most glorious Triathlon days This was the first time the competition area was expanded, opening up the opportunity for more people to take part. This year, the competition extended into the centre of Hafnarfjörður and concluded there amidst great celebration. The competition was a great success, and there is speculation that it will be expanded even further next year. 

We use benches is a good example of a successful collaboration and community project run by volunteers and idealists. The project's aim is to promote increased physical activity among older people and enable them to go for walks in their local area. The project involves getting municipalities, businesses, associations, institutions and individuals to support the project by sponsoring the creation of a bench or benches. Numerous active partners have been involved in the project in Hafnarfjörður, and the collaboration has resulted in 43 new benches and a map showing all the walking routes where there is less than a 250-metre distance between benches. There is a great deal of high-quality talent within the community of Hafnarfjörður, and the same is true of the staff of the City of Hafnarfjörður. 

The town employs nearly 2,000 individuals, all of whom play an important role. Many individuals have dedicated their time and effort to the village for many years, and in recent weeks we have said farewell to three individuals who have reached retirement age, ready to sit on the sidelines and enjoy the pleasures of life. Magnús Baldursson, The education director of many years retired at the beginning of May after almost 28 years in the post, and his contribution to education in Hafnarfjörður is invaluable. Már Sveinbjörnsson He stepped down as harbour master in May after a successful two-decade tenure. Among other things, Már has been involved in extensive development work at the harbour and deserves great thanks for it. Ingibjörg Einarsdóttir, Head of Education and Leisure Services, retired at the beginning of July after more than 20 years in the post. Ingibjörg has been involved in a wide variety of educational projects over the years, and her work extends far beyond Hafnarfjörður, particularly through the Stóru upplestrarkeppnina. We thank these individuals for their excellent collaboration and selfless contribution to the town over the years.

Events and celebrations

The first day of summer was celebrated with a five-day cultural festival – Bright days. There, the homely music festival HEIMA marked the beginning on the last day of winter, and then everyone pitched in, artists, designers, The Folk Museum, the library, Hafnarborg, the Scouts, choirs, shopkeepers, restaurants and many others joined forces to put together a programme of diverse events, exhibitions and happenings from Wednesday to Sunday. Bjartir dagar is the first national town festival of the year and this year's event in Hafnarfjörður was a fantastic success, thanks to all the participants. The crowds and enthusiasm during these days are a sign of things to come here in the Bay; development is rapid, creativity is abundant, and our profile is beginning to gain a strong foothold internationally. 

Since the Bright Days, one festival has followed another; Walk in Town, Living Saturdays, Seafarers' Day and 17th June which also went very well, and the number of participants, both in the planning and in the celebrations, has seldom been greater. Here has Newly established Marketing Agency of Hafnarfjörður played a major role as an incentive and a liaison between companies. Seafarers' Day was held in a different format this year, and businesses and organisations at Flensburg Harbour and in the surrounding area organised a two-day festival at the harbour, where there were boat trips, games, challenges, exhibitions, food and drink, and more. The 17th of June was also in many ways unique, with the celebrations spreading to more places than ever before. A formal programme could be found in at least three locations, and there was plenty going on. The weather was on our side, and the atmosphere was fantastic. There has been a great deal of life at the harbour and on Strandstígur so far this summer, with pedestrians and cyclists—both residents and visitors—as well as sailors making use of the superb facilities we have here at the harbour in Hafnarfjörður. We live on a goldmine. 

Of course, we then followed our boys all the way to Euro 2016. The trumpets were sounded Football party at the new home ground of Hafnarfjörður at Thorsplan where nearly 2,000 cheerful guests gathered, watched the match and celebrated Iceland's great success at the European Championship. In early July, both were launched. Angling competition for 6-12 year olds and Summer festival in Víðistaðatún in fantastic weather. Nearly 400 children and teenagers who have taken part in the summer activities in Hafnarfjörður so far this summer gathered there, including children from play schemes and young people from the work experience programme. Facilities included a water slide, games, challenges, kubb and football. 

The next big event in the pipeline is our participation in the Pride Parade. As in previous years, the City of Hafnarfjörður is taking part, and this year's parade is being organised by the peer education staff in collaboration with the creative summer jobs programme and an arts group, who are also responsible for the decorations and the choice of theme.

Multiculturalism in Hafnarfjörður

Three new refugee families settled in Hafnarfjörður in April. These were 11 individuals of all ages who were refugees from Syria. Their integration into Icelandic circumstances and the community here in Hafnarfjörður has gone beyond expectations, and it is clear that the preparation which has taken place over the past few months is directly benefiting the people and their professional reception. Everyone has pulled together to help the families settle in quickly and safely, and they, just three months later, are already starting to take an active part in the community, although they are still some way from being fully integrated. The group has supporters they can turn to, in addition to having attended Icelandic lessons over the past few weeks. 

Good preparation for the reception of refugees in Iceland has attracted well-deserved attention, and it was decided to hold European consultation on the reception and integration of refugees in Iceland, the rights and opportunities of refugees in the host country and support for active participation in society. The meeting took place at the Learning Centre by the Stream at the beginning of June. Representatives from the governments and experts in refugee affairs from the Nordic and Baltic countries gathered there to discuss the integration of refugees. The aim of the meeting was to find an effective approach that takes into account the interests, rights and responsibilities of both the refugees and the community. A new family, the fourth this year, is due to arrive in Hafnarfjörður this August.

The finances

The 2015 annual report for the Municipality of Hafnarfjörður showed an operating loss of approximately 512 million króna. The increase in wages due to job evaluation and new collective agreements, along with pension liabilities, has a significant impact and largely explains the deviation from the budget. However, the outlook is for better times, and the first months of 2016 show that the review and operational audit in 2015, which resulted in a number of cost-saving measures, is directly benefiting the municipality's operations. 

Over the last few months, we have been systematically tendering the services we purchase. This is necessary, both to keep us on our toes and aware of market developments, and equally to keep our service providers on their toes, ensuring we receive a first-class service in line with increasing needs and changes in our working environment. In most cases, the tenders are delivering us significant benefits and efficiencies. For example, we have recently put our security service out to tender, where we are In safe hands with Securitas, telephone and telecommunications service where Vodafone came out on top and Meals for nursery and primary school canteens in the town where negotiations are still ongoing. 

These measures and others are making it possible to rethink arrangements and provide better services on more favourable terms. A good example is the recent decisions on Changes to the fee structure and subsidies in the education and leisure sector. Thus, the sibling discount will be significantly increased from autumn 2016, monthly leisure grants will be raised, and the age limit for grants will be increased from 16 to 18 years. This is an important step towards reducing costs for families in Hafnarfjörður, ensuring equal access to sports and leisure activities for all, and at the same time combating teenage dropout. It is hoped that these measures will create increased scope for more targeted maintenance and development within the municipality. We create this room by making efficiencies in areas where they can be made without compromising the services and quality of life for those who live and work in Hafnarfjörður. 
We recently signed Memorandum of Understanding with ASÍ which involves the development of 150 rental flats in Hafnarfjörður, intended for individuals and families with lower incomes. With this, we aim to address the accumulated need in the rental market among a group that has had a particularly difficult time.

Vacant plots

We recently set off with advertisements on industrial estates which are suitable for a variety of activities, are flexible in size and advantageous in many respects. These are mainly plots in a rapidly expanding industrial estate at Vellina in Hafnarfjörður, an area which is well-located for all transport, whether by air, lorry or ship. Furthermore, work on the slip road junctions is set to begin no later than 2017, which will further improve access to and from the area. We are looking to attract companies seeking a forward-thinking location, ready to join the diverse range of businesses already established in the area. The business park is divided by activity and is therefore ready to welcome different companies of all sizes and types, such as those in tourism, retail, services, the knowledge industry and manufacturing. Companies such as Icelandair, Promens and Naust-Marine are among those that have established themselves successfully in the area. Shortly, we will also be advertising residential plots in Skarðshlíð, where the development of around 230 homes is planned. An overview of available plots from the City of Hafnarfjörður and detailed information can be found at The town's homepage

Organisational changes

All organisational changes at the City of Hafnarfjörður are advertised in the Fréttablaðið, in addition to which news of proposed changes is published on the town's website and Facebook page. It has been decided that to buy the entire property at 2 Lækjargata which is colloquially known as The Dwarf. It is planned that work on the amendment to the Lækjargata – Dvergslóð local plan, and possibly the immediate vicinity, will begin shortly. The site is in a desirable area for residential development but has been under-utilised for years, and the building is an eyesore for the town's appearance. A proposal to Amendment to the local plan for 5 and 7 Hellubraut is currently being advertised. The change consists of allowing a two-storey house to be built on the plot at 5 Hellubraut, instead of a 1.5-storey one, and demolishing the existing house and garage at 7 Hellubraut, with a new house to be built in their place. An information meeting about Reconstruction of Hraun – west It was held in mid-June and was well attended. There is great interest in the redevelopment and development of this area, which was originally established as an industrial estate. The local council now plans to build a mixed-use development there for light industry, services and housing. 
I hope this writing is informative and sheds light on some of the diverse projects we are currently working on. I would like to remind residents and businesses of my weekly surgery hours on Tuesday mornings, where I am happy to meet with anyone who wishes to have a chat with me. Appointments can be booked by calling 585-5506.

An overview of the main news from the last few days and weeks:

• Partnership on the development of housing
• Fanney appointed Director of Education
• Twenty receive cultural grants
• Summer job – fristund.is
• Primary School Champions 2015-2016
• Fees for containers
• Ludwig appointed harbour master
• Ingibjörg Einarsdóttir honoured
• Hrafnhildur's fantastic achievement
• Trafficking in persons given special attention
• Twin town meeting in preparation
• A new venture in music school
• A visit from Cuxhaven
• Guttó – cradle of cultural life
• The Seventh Green Flag at Norðurberg
• Grants and Equality Awards
• New nearby bins
• School festival becomes a neighbourhood festival
• Environmental education and outdoor teaching
• Hafnarfjörður Treasure Hunt
• The Little Elf Farm in Oddrúnarbæ
• 650 young people clean the town
• Shadow elections in Hafnarfjörður
• Graduation of the Multidisciplinary Department
• Green Flag for Hafnarfjörður's Work School
• Industrial plots in a growth area
• A business park for all kinds of companies
• Foster families wanted
• New Hafnarfjörður news website
• Disc golf with the family
• The town is buying Lækjargata 2
• Hunting and fish farming in Kleifarvatn