Town Council

General presentations

• 2207378 – Víkurgata 11B

  Item 2 from the harbour board's minutes of 10 August.
  A submission from Idea ehf, reg. no. 601299-2249 dated 27 July 2022, in which an application is made for the plot at Víkurgata 11B in Straumsvík to erect a permanent building. A lease agreement is in effect between Hafnarfjarðarhöfn and Idea for the temporary use of the said plot.

  The Harbour Board agrees to propose to the Town Council that the plot at Víkurbraut 11B be allocated to Idea ehf, registration no. 601299-2249, subject to the further conditions of the planning and building officer.

  The town council unanimously agrees to allocate the plot of land to Idea Ltd.

• 1907017 – Harbour area, Master plan amendment

  Item 1 from the harbour board's minutes of 26 August.
  The planner's comments on the observations received regarding the proposal for an amendment to the harbour area in the 2013-2025 Master Plan for Hafnarfjörður were presented. The proposal was advertised from 16 March to 27 April 2022. Comments were received. At its meeting on 25 August, the Planning and Building Committee approved the planning officer's report on the comments received and referred the matter to the Harbour Board for confirmation.

  The Harbour Board approves the proposed report of the Planning Officer and the published proposal, and refers the matter to the Town Council for ratification.

  Hildur Rós Guðbjargardóttir speaks. Rósa Guðbjartsdóttir replies.

  Guðmundur Árni Stefánsson takes the floor.

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

  Representatives of the Social Democratic Alliance make the following motion:

  The Social Democratic Alliance's town councillors support the main principles found in the proposed amendments to the Master Plan/Harbour Area.
  It is clear that one of the premises for these changes in land use is the potential/planned relocation of the Technical College to the harbour area in Hafnarfjörður. The project is exciting, but there are many things to consider. Following discussions in the town council, the town councillors of the Social Democratic Party consider it important to have all the facts on the table, such as those concerning the council's financial commitments, detailed planning, road matters and more. In light of this, a more detailed report from the mayor is requested regarding the status of the matter, the next steps and the timeline. The mayor's report should be submitted by 1 October.

• 2010458 – Carbon Sequestration in Straumsvík, Carbon Sequestration Plant, Carbfix Coda Terminal

  Item 4 from the minutes of the Town Council meeting of 25 August.
  A proposal put forward by the Social Democratic Party to the town council on 17 August.

  The Hafnarfjörður Town Council agrees that a general letter of intent/framework agreement will be finalised as soon as possible between the Municipality of Hafnarfjörður, the Port of Hafnarfjörður, Carbfix and, where applicable, other stakeholders, such as the government and Rio Tinto, regarding development in the Straumsvík harbour for the Carbfix project. It is important that this proposed collaboration is formalised as soon as possible.
  Furthermore, a management and project board shall be established for this project, which will include elected representatives, town officials and, where appropriate, other stakeholders.

  Following discussion, the town council agrees to prioritise formalising as soon as possible the collaboration between Carbfix, the Port of Hafnarfjörður and the Municipality of Hafnarfjörður, and, where applicable, other stakeholders, such as Rio Tinto and the Icelandic government, regarding the next steps in Carbfix's plans. Particularly concerning development in the Straumsvík harbour. In such a framework agreement, implementation phases would be scheduled, the main points of the agreement on Carbfix's harbour facilities in Straumsvík would be outlined, as would other services. Furthermore, the financial terms and funding for the agreement would be defined. It is important to properly introduce the plans to the town's residents and stakeholders in the run-up to each phase of the project. The Town Council also agrees that a municipal working group on the project will be appointed, and that its terms of reference and appointments will be finalised at the council's next meeting.

  The above decision of the Town Council is referred to the Municipal Council for confirmation.

  Speaking are Rósa Guðbjartsdóttir, Jón Ingi Hákonarson and Guðmundur Árni Stefánsson.

  The Town Council unanimously approves the Town Council's disposal and minutes.

  Representatives of the Social Democratic Alliance make the following motion:

  The Social Democratic Alliance's town councillors welcome the fact that the majority party's town councillors have followed the suggestions and recommendations of the Social Democrats on the town council and harbour board regarding working methods and procedures in the preparation of this major project. This concerns, amongst other things, the drawing up of a framework agreement between the parties, the presentation of the matter to the town's residents, and the appointment of a working group/executive committee of elected representatives to deal with the matter.

• 2208539 – Emergency Management of the Municipality of Hafnarfjörður 2022-2026

  Item 6 from the minutes of the Town Council meeting of 25 August.
  A letter of instructions has been submitted for processing.

  The Town Council approves the attached letter of mandate and refers it to the Town Council for ratification.

  Valdimar Víðisson speaks.

  The town council confirms the town council's unanimous decision.

• 1512128 – User-directed personal assistance NPA

  Item 7 from the minutes of the Town Council meeting of 25th August.
  Item 3 from the minutes of the Family Council meeting of 23 August.

  Information on user-controlled personal assistance is available ahead of the meeting.
  The Family Council agrees that the hourly rate for NPA contracts in Hafnarfjörður will be based on the calculations of the NPA Centre. The change will be retroactive, taking into account the collective agreement between Efling and the NPA Centre from 1 January 2022.

  The matter is referred to the council for supplementary budget and for approval by the council.

  The representative of the Independence Party abstains and the observer representative of Viðreisn concurred with the minutes of the Family Council.

  Representatives of the Social Democratic Alliance welcome that this matter has finally been approved by the Family Council with the votes of representatives from the Progressive Party and the Social Democratic Alliance. The Social Democratic Party has long campaigned for NPA users in Hafnarfjörður to be on the same footing as users in other municipalities, where the NPA Centre's calculations of the contracts' hourly rate are used. Those calculations are based on the collective agreements of the NPA Centre and Efling for the support workers of NPA users. However, it is very regrettable how long it has taken to achieve this outcome.

  The Town Council confirms the decision of the Family Council and also approves the attached schedule, referring it to the Town Council for ratification.

  The Social Democratic Party submits the following motion:

  The Social Democratic Party's representatives on the town council welcome these improvements and adjustments to the NPA tariff and support this increase in funding for this important service. It is noteworthy and welcome that representatives of the Progressive Party and now the Independence Party on the town council have approved this improvement in the law, for which the Social Democratic Alliance has been campaigning for the past few months.

  Viðreisn submits the following motion:

  A representative of Viðreisn welcomes this self-evident improvement in the law and the change of heart by the majority of the Progressive and Independence parties.

  Valdimar Víðisson speaks. Also speaking are Árni Rúnar Þorvaldsson and Guðmundur Árni Stefánsson, and Rósa Guðbjartsdóttir interjects, to which Guðmundur Árni replies.

  Then Árni Rúnar Þorvaldsson speaks for the second time. Stefán Már Gunnlaugsson also speaks.

  The town council unanimously approves the town council's resolution and, in doing so, the accompanying appendices.

  Representatives of the Social Democratic Alliance make the following motion:

  The Social Democratic Alliance welcomes the change of heart by the majority of the Progressive and Independence parties in this important matter of justice for disabled people. Representatives of the Social Democratic Alliance on the Family Council and in the Town Council have campaigned for this outcome for the past few years, but until now have been speaking to the deaf ears of the majority. It was therefore pleasing that the Progressive Party came around to the Social Democratic Alliance's way of thinking at the last Family Council meeting, and that the Independence Party then followed suit at the Town Council meeting. We welcome today's outcome, but it is regrettable how long it has taken the majority of the Progressive and Independence Parties to agree to such a self-evident improvement in the rights of disabled people.

• 2103116 – Hraun West, major plan amendment

  Point 1 from the minutes of the Planning and Building Committee of 25 August.
  A revised description was submitted regarding changes to the Hraun West master plan.

  The Planning and Building Committee approves the description for the amendments to the Hraun Vestur master plan and refers it to the Town Council for ratification.

  Stefán Már Gunnlaugsson speaks, and Orri Björnsson replies.

  Gudmundur Árni Stefánsson speaks. Rósa Guðbjartsdóttir replies, to which Gudmundur Árni responds.

  Gudmundur Arni speaks for the second time.

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

• 2201649 – Selvogsgata 3, change to the local plan

  Item 5 from the minutes of the Planning and Building Committee of 25 August.
  The Planning and Building Officer's service meeting approved on 23 February 2022 that a proposal for a change to the detailed plan for Selvogsgata 3 be subject to a local consultation. The change concerns a new building plot for a 4.58×5.31m storage shed in the north-west corner of the plot. The maximum height of the storage is 2.35 m. The roof is single-pitched to the south. Area: 24.3 m². The deadline for submitting comments was 3 June 2022. A comment was received. The City of Hafnarfjörður's response to the comment received has been presented.

  The Planning and Building Committee approves the proposal for the detailed plan for Selvogsgata 3 and refers it to the Town Council for ratification.

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

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

  Item 6 from the minutes of the Planning and Building Committee of 25 August.
  The City Board, acting on behalf of the City Council of Hafnarfjörður, approved on 16 June the publication of the proposal by Jóhann Einar Jónsson, on behalf of the landowners, for the detailed plan for plot 31.C in Hamranes. The proposal provides for two 5-6 storey blocks of flats with up to 58 flats. A car park is planned for the site. The proposal was advertised from 6 July 2022 to 17 August 2022. No objections were received. A comment from Veitur was submitted.

  The Planning and Building Committee approves the proposal for the detailed plan for plot 31.C and refers it to the Town Council for approval.

  Guðmundur Árni Stefánsson speaks. Orri Björnsson replies, and Guðmundur Árni replies in turn.

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

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

  Item 7 from the minutes of the Planning and Building Committee of 25th August.
  The Hafnarfjörður Town Council, at its meeting on 1 July 2022, approved the proposal by Eggert Jónasson, on behalf of Þarfaþing Ltd., for a new detailed plan for Áshamar 50, plot 6a, in accordance with Section 1. subsection 43. of the Planning Act.
  The proposal provides for a building of up to five storeys for a block of flats with up to 40 flats. The upper floors contain flats, while the ground floor is intended for commercial activities, retail, services or other specialised uses. A car park with a basement and surface level parking is proposed. The proposal was on public display from 12 July to 23 August 2022. No comments were received. A comment from Veitur has been submitted.

  The Planning and Building Committee approves the proposal for the detailed plan for Plot 6.A and refers it 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 8 from the minutes of the Planning and Building Committee of 25th August.
  The Town Board, on behalf of the Hafnarfjörður Town Council, approved on 1 July the publication of the proposal by Hjalti Brynjarsson, on behalf of the landowners, for a local plan for Hringhamar 10, plot 20B.
  The proposal provides for 70 flats in three 4-6 storey buildings, along with a car park and on-site parking spaces. The proposal was advertised from 12 July to 23 August 2022. No comments were received. A comment from Veitur has been submitted.

  The Planning and Building Committee approves the proposal for the detailed plan for plot 20.B and refers it to the Town Council for approval.

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

• 0809375 – Ásvellir, Haukasvæði, change to the detailed plan

  Item 12 from the minutes of the Planning and Building Committee of 25 August.
  Response to comments on the environmental assessment report for the development of the Haukar sports complex.

  The Planning and Building Committee approves the submitted response to the comments and observations received during the consultation period on the environmental assessment report for the development of the Haukar sports grounds, and refers it to the town council for approval.

  Guðmundur Árni Stefánsson speaks.

  Valdimar Víðisson takes over the chair.

  Kristinn Andersen speaks. Also, Guðmundur Árni speaks for the second time.

  Kristinn Andersen will chair the meeting again.

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

• 1912116 – Refugees, coordinated reception

  Rósa Guðbjartsdóttir speaks and proposes that the town council adopts the following resolution:

  Responsibility for refugee services referred to the Ministry of Social Affairs

  Since 2015, the Municipality of Hafnarfjörður has been one of three municipalities in the country to have entered into an agreement with the government to receive individuals seeking international protection. The municipality has carried out this important social task with dedication and ambition, and a great deal of expertise has been developed. In addition, the municipality has taken in a large group of refugees through the coordinated reception system. It has now reached the point where nearly 200 children who have come to the country as refugees are in Hafnarfjörður's primary and nursery schools, and the municipality places great emphasis on providing them with good support.
  In recent months, the Municipality of Hafnarfjörður has repeatedly informed the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Labour Market that the municipality cannot take in any more refugees for the time being, as its infrastructure has long since reached its limit. especially with regard to school services and support for children.

  Nevertheless, the number of refugees without a contract with the municipality has increased by several hundred in recent weeks. The people have come here and are settled in facilities that the Immigration Directorate has set up in the municipality entirely without consultation with the municipal authorities. In communications from the municipality to the ministry, it has been made clear that it is impossible for the City of Hafnarfjörður to take in any more refugees and provide them with the services that the law requires of their resident municipality, such as school services for children.
  As discussions and correspondence with the ministry and the Directorate of Immigration have not yielded any results, responsibility for the provision of this service is hereby referred to the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Labour Market. Hafnarfjörður by no means shirks its participation in the project and wishes to continue to carry it out well, with the interests of refugees and asylum seekers as its guiding principle. However, the state must fulfil its responsibility in this matter and come to the aid of the municipalities that have taken on these tasks.
  The municipality is legally obliged to safeguard the interests of all children who are already in the nursery and primary school system. However, due to a lack of consultation, the municipality's infrastructure cannot accommodate any further increase in refugees without a contract, and therefore the City of Hafnarfjörður requests that the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Labour Market take responsibility for ensuring that appropriate services for refugees are provided.

  Arni Runar Thorvaldsson also speaks.

  The town council unanimously approves the above-mentioned minutes and that they be sent to the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Labour Market.

Minutes

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

  Minutes of the Family Council from 23rd August.
  Minutes of the Town Council from 25th August.
  a. Minutes of the Harbour Board meeting of 10 August.
  b. Minutes of the Culture and Tourism Committee from 17 August.
  c. Minutes of the SSH board meeting of 12 August.
  d. Minutes of the SORPU bs. board meeting of 19 May.
  Minutes of the Strætó bs. board meeting of 1 July.
  Minutes of the Planning and Building Committee from 19 July and 25 August.
  Minutes of the Environment and Operations Committee from 24 August.
  a. Minutes of the SORPU bs. board meeting of 29 April.
  Minutes of the Education Committee from 24 August.
  Minutes of the Sports and Leisure Committee from 28th June.
  Minutes of the Presidential Commission from 29 August.

  Kristín Thoroddsen speaks under item 4 of the minutes of the Education Committee meeting of 24 August. Guðmundur Árni Stefánsson replies. Kristín responds to the reply. Árni Rúnar Þorvaldsson also makes a reply, to which Kristín responds.

  Guðmundur Árni speaks under the same item. Kristín replies.

  Árni Rúnar Þorvaldsson speaks under items 4 and 6 of the minutes of the Education Committee from 24 August.