Municipal Council

General presentations

• 1101009 – Council Grants 2011

  The draft regulations on grant-making were reconsidered, but the matter was deferred at the last council meeting.

  The Town Council approves the attached regulations, which will come into force from the next financial year.;

• 0805185 – Strandgata 8-10, housing issues

  The new lease agreement for the above-mentioned premises is to be considered.

  The Chairman of the Town Council moves the following motion: The Town Council resolves to authorise the Mayor to finalise the proposed lease agreement and instructs the Executive Committee and the Executive Department to proceed with the detailed arrangements for the administrative premises in consultation with the heads of other departments.The councillors from the Independence Party propose that a decision on the matter be postponed until the outcome of discussions on the refinancing of the municipality's debts is known.

  The Independence Party's proposal to postpone the matter is then defeated by 3 votes to 2.

  The proposal from the chairman of the town council is approved by 3 votes to 2.

  The councillors of the Social Democratic Alliance and the Left-wing Greens submit the following statement for the record:

  In the explanatory notes to the 2011 budget, it states, inter alia: “Among the measures to be implemented next year will be a reorganisation of the use of the town's property portfolio. .. The aim will be to reduce the number of sites and to consolidate them. This will result in better utilisation of premises, manpower and finances, as well as creating a foundation for improving services for the town's residents, through greater synergy and interdisciplinary cooperation.“Drafts of a favourable lease agreement for the Byr premises in the town centre are on the table, which will ensure that almost all of the council's administrative functions will be located in one place in the town. This creates significant advantages for residents who need to access services from the council. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that the agreement creates the basis for disposing of other premises where the city has had its operations, terminating other lease agreements, and leasing or selling property owned by the city.  The work on the financial restructuring of Hafnarfjörður is based on the budget being adhered to. The reorganisation of property use is part of what is stipulated there and effectively reduces the municipality's liabilities.The savings realised by this measure will quickly offset the costs associated with the rent and relocation.  The most expensive option regarding housing is not to approve the agreement, so it is hard to see what the representatives of the Independence Party are motivated by, other than to stir up a political storm.

  The Independence Party councillors state:

  uncertainty still exists regarding the refinancing of the City of Hafnarfjörður's loans, amounting to billions of krónur, and it is therefore unwise to commit the municipality, with a new lease agreement and foreseeable developments, while such a situation persists and conditions on the property market are difficult.

  Therefore, we cannot approve this proposal at this time.

  The councillors from the Social Democratic Alliance and the Left-Green Party refer to their submitted motion from earlier in the meeting.