Education Council

General presentations

• 1201082 – School organisation in Hafnarfjörður

  A summary by the Head of Department on the status of the working group's proposals on the organisation of schools, as set out in the working group's interim report of 11 April, was presented.

  Questions, answers and discussions on the Education Director's summary and further presentations on the status of matters concerning the aspects covered by the summary.$line$$line$ A proposal from the Chair of the Council: It is proposed that the working group on school organisation be dissolved and its tasks transferred to the Education Committee.$line$$line$The representatives of the Independence Party wish to record: „It is noted at this meeting that extensive deliberations are taking place within the education department regarding the future organisation of school affairs, without these being presented and discussed in the working group that was specifically appointed to address the matter.$line$a) It is clear that the portable classrooms due at Áslandsskóli around the turn of the year will only suffice for the current school year, and discussions regarding a permanent building for the school must be accelerated. $line$b) Due to the extensive considerations regarding the foreseeable population growth in Vogar, it would be desirable for a working group on school provision to meet to discuss them. $line$c) Information is requested on the cost of the nursery class at Hvaleyrarskóli for comparison with other classes, and further information on whether the class is to be run in the future. $line$d) It is clear that a solution needs to be found for the number of nursery places in autumn 2014 due to a foreseeable increase in the number of children, and once again it would be useful for a working group on school organisation to discuss the matter.$line$$line$Representatives of the Independence Party consider it essential that a working group on school organisation meets as soon as possible to ensure that a broad consensus can be reached on the future organisation of school affairs in Hafnarfjörður with the involvement of all parties in schoolcommunity.“$line$Sigurlaug Anna Jóhannsdóttir (sign)$line$Helga Ingólfsdóttir (sign).$line$$line$The majority party representatives respond to the Independence Party's memo as follows: „At the request of the minority, the majority of the council intends to reconvene the working group on the basis of the previous letter of instruction, to submit further proposals regarding the organisation of schooling as soon as possible.“$line$$line$

• 0909258 – Education Department, course delivery

  A brochure was presented regarding a course for nursery school staff for the autumn term of 2012.

  The Early Years Development Officer briefly went over the proposed course booklet and answered questions about the organisation of the courses.

• 1210430 – Association of Primary School Teachers' address

  At the town council meeting on 7 November, the following resolution was passed:$line$$line$At the meeting of the Hafnarfjörður town council on 7 November, a proposal from the Félag grunnskólakennara í Hafnarfirði regarding catering was discussed.The following resolution was passed: “The Hafnarfjörður Town Council endorses the plans of the Mayor as set out in the letter dated 6th. of this month regarding the comments made by the Félag grunnskólakennara í Hafnarfirði, that a meeting be convened on the arrangements for school canteen services in Hafnarfjörður's primary schools with representatives from the school office, primary school staff, the Purchasing Manager, a representative of Skólamatur ehf., the Town Council and the Education Committee. It is also proposed that an independent party be commissioned to conduct an assessment of the food in Hafnarfjörður's primary schools in accordance with general requirements and the recommendations of the Public Health Institute. Furthermore, the mayor is tasked with comparing the canteen arrangements in other municipalities.“$line$$line$

  A proposal was made by the chair of the council that the representative of the education committee be Helena Mjöll Jóhannsdóttir. Approved unanimously.

• 1006286 – Environmental and resource policy.

  Draft environmental and resource policy for Hafnarfjörður, together with accompanying documents, has been submitted. A report from the Education Committee is requested by the end of November.

  The Chair of the Education Committee proposes that the draft policy be referred to school leaders with a request that they discuss it in the nursery and primary school councils for consideration. Comments will be requested by the end of November.

• 1008213 – Education Committee, agenda

  From the minutes of the Presidential Committee of 2 November last. $line$$line$2. Town Council meetings before the Christmas and summer holidays in 2013: „The last meeting before the Christmas holiday will be on 19 December next. The first meeting in the new year will be on 16 January 2013 and the last meeting before the summer holiday will be on 3 July 2013.“This means that the last meeting of the Education Committee before the Christmas break will be on 10 December, the first meeting after the New Year will be on 7 January, and then meetings will be held fortnightly.

  Presented for information.

• 1211113 – From the Presidential Commission

  Item 4 from the minutes of the Presidential Committee meeting of 2 November was presented. 4. Delegation of authority from the town council, boards and committees to municipal employees – the right to raise matters in the town council, boards and committees.A memorandum from the Legal and Welfare Department of the Association of Icelandic Municipalities was presented, in response to an enquiry from the City of Hafnarfjörður on the matter. The Presidential Committee has concluded that the recommendations contained therein should be taken into consideration. The Presidential Committee sees no reason to change the rules in force in the municipality concerning the delegation of authority or the terms of reference for councils and committees. $line$$line$F However, the Presiding Committee considers it necessary to draw attention to the following points regarding the delegation of authority and the right of political representatives to raise matters: Section 27 of the Municipal Government Act provides for the right of a councillor (this also applies to representatives on boards and committees) to raise matters at meetings concerning the municipality. Based on this provision and their oversight role, representatives can request that matters under consideration by officials be raised at meetings, where an official will report on the status or resolution of the matter. However, the relevant council or committee cannot decide the matter due to the delegation of power. The Presiding Committee considers it important that political representatives respect the procedure that, when dealing with sensitive matters concerning individuals, e.g.d. social services matters, such cases are discussed and their status reported on confidentially outside the agenda, but are not taken up for specific consideration at a meeting, except on the basis of general powers to refer matters for disposal. $line$$line$Furthermore, the importance of representatives on the town council, direct enquiries from residents to the Mayor and/or the relevant Head of Department, thereby respecting the boundaries of authority and division of labour within the governance of Hafnarfjörður municipality. If a representative requests information on a specific matter, that request shall be handled in accordance with the procedures on the accessibility of documents to town councillors. Finally, it is worth reminding you that the handling of matters by staff based on a delegation of authority from the town council, council or committee shall be reliably communicated to the individual concerned, along with an explanation of their right to appeal the decision within and/or outside the City of Hafnarfjörður's administrative system, as appropriate, in accordance with applicable regulations.“ $line$

  Presented for information.