All agenda items

The Social Welfare Committee approved a proposal to distribute SEK 1.7 million to private providers of social services and services under the Act concerning Support and Service for Persons with Certain Functional Impairments (LSS). These funds, earmarked in the City Council's 2026 budget, are intended to strengthen employee wellness for providers that applied, such as Misa AB which received SEK 196,905 and Nytida dagliga verksamhet which received SEK 305,080.

The Social Welfare Committee approved the Social Administration's proposal not to raise fees for permits, registrations, and supervision of alcohol, tobacco, and nicotine-free product sales in 2027. This means fees will not be indexed to the municipal activity price index for that year, as current fee levels are deemed sufficient to cover costs. The proposal has now been forwarded to the City Council for a final decision.

The Social Welfare Committee in Stockholm approved implementation guidelines for introducing work shoes for staff in social psychiatry, substance abuse and dependence, and support and service for people with disabilities. This decision is conditional on the City Council making an overarching policy decision for work shoes within welfare services. The guidelines aim to provide clear support to district councils and private providers in introducing work shoes, thereby promoting a good working environment.

The Stockholm Social Welfare Committee approved a report on combating incorrect welfare payments and benefit fraud in 2025. The report highlighted positive financial outcomes but noted challenges in prevention and the city's IT systems. The committee decided to forward the matter to the City Executive Board and district committees for their information, despite a reservation from the Moderate Party arguing for a more proactive approach.

The Social Welfare Committee in Stockholm approved the 2025 annual report for personal ombudsmen. The report indicated 580 people received support, but highlighted service queues, increasingly complex needs among clients (including financial vulnerability and co-occurring conditions), and shortcomings in psychiatry, primary care, national insurance, employment services, and social services, as well as inter-agency cooperation. The Sweden Democrats submitted a separate statement proposing an expansion of the personal ombudsmen's preventative social work.

The Social Welfare Committee decided to approve the direction for Stockholm City's Security Award 2026. This 50,000 SEK award aims to recognize and encourage initiatives that prevent violent extremism. This is part of the city's broader effort to increase security and strengthen democracy, especially given the spread of violent extremist environments and anti-democratic ideals among young people.

The Social Welfare Committee adopted a report detailing 470 Lex Sarah reports received in 2025 concerning deficiencies in social services and LSS in Stockholm. Of these, 186 were deemed deficiencies, and 34 serious cases were reported to the Health and Social Care Inspectorate (IVO). Most reports originated from the disability sector, elderly care, and child and youth services, primarily concerning shortcomings in service delivery and due process.

The Stockholm Social Welfare Committee approved the 2025 Social Services Report, which details the current state and development of social services. Key findings include an increase in households receiving financial assistance and seeking budget and debt counseling, while child welfare reports stabilized but still commonly cited violence, neglect, or abuse. Support sought for domestic violence rose, though the number of individuals in protective housing decreased.

The Social Welfare Committee in Stockholm approved its first tertial report for 2026, covering financial forecasts and goal attainment from January to April. The Committee also established systems for internal control, risk and materiality analysis, a procurement plan, and an action plan against violent extremism for 2026–2027. While the proposal was generally supported, Jan Jönsson (L) partially advocated for it, criticizing the lack of analysis regarding actual effects on individuals and the follow-up of children in care.

The Stockholm City Social Welfare Committee approved the Social Welfare Administration's opinion on a government referral regarding the "Legally Secure Social Care for Children and Young People (SOU 2026:8)" inquiry. While supporting proposals for increased expert involvement in LVU processes, clearer timelines for immediate seizures, and structured care termination reviews, the administration stressed the need for sufficient resources, competence, and collaboration, also questioning the short consultation period. Jan Jönsson (L) issued a separate statement criticizing the short consultation period and highlighting a paradox in strengthening the child perspective in LVU while potentially lowering the age of criminal responsibility.

The Social Welfare Committee in Stockholm was informed about several ongoing initiatives, including a collaboration between the Social Welfare Administration and the Eldercare Administration with Gävle regarding welfare fraud. The committee also received approximately 8 million SEK in government grants over two years to combat men's violence against women, which will fund regional work, develop counseling methods, and create web-based educational materials.

The Social Welfare Committee decided that the administration should respond to a letter from the Moderate Party regarding the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within social services. The Moderates' inquiry concerned current AI use for transcription and documentation, the committee's view on expanding AI to reduce administration and improve quality, existing pilot projects, and how data protection regulations, especially for sensitive personal data, are ensured with AI use.

The Culture Committee responded to a motion from Annika Elmlund and Sophia Granswed Baat (M) regarding making Stockholm more enjoyable through culture, freedom, and social community. The motion proposed seven measures, including making more land available, lowering fees for cultural actors, lifting alcohol bans, allowing outdoor seating on "free weekends," revising noise regulations, extending public transport hours, and launching "open streets" pilot projects. The Committee decided to refer the administration's report to the City Executive Board, welcoming the motion's ambition while noting that the administration is already addressing several issues and many proposals require collaboration with other administrations. Oscar Sameland (M) and Niclas Peyron (L) dissented, wishing to fully approve the motion.

At the meeting, Jonas Naddebo (C) inquired about Herman Bergman's art foundry, and it was revealed that the cultural strategy staff had unsuccessfully tried to find new premises for it. Additionally, information was provided that the property owner had applied for a demolition permit, which the City Museum for Cultural Environment advised against due to the building's high cultural-historical value.

The Culture Committee decided to task the Culture Administration with procuring a new framework agreement for the transport of art and museum objects. This new agreement, estimated at approximately SEK 7.2 million over a maximum period, will secure specialized transport services for Liljevalchs and Museums and Art, both domestically and internationally, as the current agreement expires at the end of 2026.

The Culture Committee approved a grant of SEK 750,000 to Södergården for a meeting place for young transgender people aged 18-30 during 2026. This initiative aims to combat social isolation, improve mental health, and provide a safe space focused on community, creativity, and empowerment. The Sweden Democrats reserved their position, arguing that cultural policy should not fund separatist activities and that such efforts belong within social policy.

The Culture Committee has granted concert organizer Selam 2 million SEK to establish a new music venue in Marievik, scheduled to open in March 2027 with a capacity for up to 660 people. This venue will host various events including concerts, club nights, festivals, literary evenings, art exhibitions, and stand-up comedy. The Sweden Democrats dissented from the decision, arguing that funding should prioritize children, youth, seniors, and individuals with disabilities, and that commercial aspects of the operation should be privately financed.

The Stockholm Culture Committee has approved an additional 656,000 SEK in funding for Mittiprickteatern (400,000 SEK) and Teatergruppen Pero (256,000 SEK). This support is for cultural programs in preschools and schools in 2026, through the "Kulanpremien" concept. The decision was made because the theaters, having previously received delegated funding, are experiencing high demand, and the total amount exceeded the delegation limit.

The Culture Committee approved a major technical upgrade of Hägerstensåsens community center (property Valutan 1), including a new roof with solar panels, window renovation, and updated plumbing and electrical systems, to ensure its long-term function and suitability for activities. The committee also approved the estimated rental costs and instructed the Director of Culture to sign a temporary lease with SISAB for Kulturskolan during the project, as all tenants will need to evacuate for the renovation, expected to finish by Q1 2029.

The Culture Committee noted the operational plans for Stockholm City Library and Museums and Art for 2026. Niclas Peyron (L) issued a special statement emphasizing, among other things, the importance of realizing the library and culture school project in Liljeholmen, ensuring staff safety from harassment at libraries, and that the Medieval Museum should not be closed for too long.