All agenda items

This matter concerns the follow-up of Stockholm's chemical plan for 2025–2031. The Sweden Democrats, via Anders Edin, inquired how the committee ensures the plan is actively monitored, deficiencies addressed, and not merely a formality. The Environment Department replied that the chemical plan is integrated into the city's environmental program, with specific committees and companies responsible for achieving the goal of reduced harmful substance use, and a follow-up for 2025 is underway and will be reported in the spring.

The Environmental Administration has responded to the Municipal Board's referral regarding an action plan to make Stockholm a more age-friendly city. The Administration approves the plan but emphasizes the importance of climate adaptation in homes and urban environments, especially given the vulnerability of older people during heatwaves. They want the city to more clearly consider indoor climate when planning new housing for seniors, to avoid the high-temperature problems often seen in newly built apartments.

The Stockholm City Council is set to designate Majroskogen as a nature reserve. This approximately 58.6-hectare area, located between Svedmyra, Tallkrogen, Gubbängen, Hökarängen, Stureby, and Bandhagen, will be protected to preserve its biodiversity and secure a vital recreational space for residents. The decision includes specific rules regarding activities such as lighting fires and dog walking, along with a management plan to maintain and enhance its natural value.

The City Planning Committee proposes a detailed development plan for the Hjulsta interchange in Akalla and Hjulsta to expand E18 on/off-ramps and add a new ramp from Förbifart Stockholm, aiming to improve traffic flow and connectivity between Stockholm and Järfälla, and to create a new pedestrian and bicycle path. The Environment and Health Protection Committee has submitted comments emphasizing the need for the plan to clarify the impact on protected natural areas, particularly for bats and birds, and to ensure the maximum possible preservation of natural land.

The City of Stockholm welcomes the Ministry of Climate and Enterprise's proposal for digital solutions for environmental code supervision and reporting, aiming to simplify processes for municipalities by centralizing data submission. However, the City emphasizes the need to clarify responsibilities for personal data, public access, and secrecy, and to thoroughly analyze security risks associated with the large volume of data to be stored centrally.

The Environmental and Health Protection Committee proposes that the City of Stockholm continue collecting construction and demolition waste alongside bulky refuse of the same material type, such as a broken wooden chair and wood scraps, at recycling centers and via mobile services. This aims to simplify proper sorting for residents and reduce transportation, which is expected to yield better environmental outcomes. The proposal, an amendment to the city's waste regulations, will now be sent to the City Council for final approval.

The Environmental Administration has reviewed and approved the revised food strategy for the City of Stockholm, now titled "The City of Stockholm's Food Program – Good Food for Health, Climate, and Environment." This program outlines how the city will ensure all food served in municipal operations, such as schools and elder care, is sustainable, healthy, and climate-smart, while also encouraging residents to make more sustainable food choices.

The Environment and Health Protection Committee has approved its annual report and financial statement for 2025, showing a surplus of 1.3 million SEK. They have focused on a range of environmental and health issues, including intensified efforts against contaminated areas and PFAS substances, combating welfare crime, developing systems for reduced plastic use, and planning for more nature reserves.

The Liberals have proposed increasing the number of summer pedestrian streets and squares in Stockholm starting in summer 2025 to create livelier urban environments. The Culture Administration supports this, seeing an opportunity for more cultural activities, provided public transport isn't negatively impacted and residents, businesses, and cultural groups are included in planning.

Council member Andréa Hedin (M) proposes a pilot project for "campus schools," where schools, associations, and civil society offer a wide range of after-school activities like homework help, sports, and culture to provide children and young people with a safe and meaningful leisure time. The Culture Administration agrees on the importance of safe leisure and the potential of schools as meeting places, but suggests evaluating existing initiatives like free after-school clubs and "Skärholmen Tillsammans" before launching a new pilot.

The City of Stockholm is updating its food strategy to a new "food program" aimed at providing healthier, climate-smarter, and more resilient food for both residents and municipal operations. This program has two parts: "Sustainable Meals in City Operations," focusing on schools, preschools, and elderly care, and "Food City Stockholm," which targets everyone influencing residents' access to sustainable food. Key goals include at least 70% of all procured food being organic, with a 100% organic target for certain items like dairy, though the Culture Administration has noted potential challenges in sourcing without increased costs or reduced quality.

The City Executive Board issued a revised action plan for an age-friendly city to the Culture Committee for their opinion. The Culture Department reviewed the changes, which primarily clarified their role in social inclusion for the elderly. The Department finds the new wording aligns with their current work, including library efforts to combat digital exclusion and focus on preventing loneliness, and the Culture Committee has no further comments beyond what they have previously stated.

The Culture Committee is proposed to grant SEK 1.2 million to the Mossutställningar association for the establishment of a new studio house, Fjädermossa, in Sätra. Set to open in spring 2026 at Stensätravägen 9, this initiative will provide 28 studios and approximately 30 workspaces for professional artists, aiming to strengthen Stockholm's cultural infrastructure, particularly in the southwest where affordable studios are scarce.

The audit reviewed safety at Stockholm's recreation centers in 2025 and found that while committees generally have good safety routines, there are shortcomings such as unpracticed evacuation procedures and undocumented checks of staff criminal records. Järva and Södermalm, in particular, need to improve their follow-up of privately run recreation centers and report concerns when there's suspicion that children are at risk.

The Real Estate Department plans a comprehensive renovation of the green-classified building Pelarbacken Större 4 on Götgatan, Södermalm, which currently houses Södergården community centre, Söderbokhandeln bookstore, and other shops. This renovation will address the building's poor condition and lack of modern standards (e.g., an elevator), ensuring compliance with fire safety and accessibility laws, improving energy efficiency, and preserving its cultural-historical value. All tenants will need to evacuate from Q3 2026 to Q2 2028 during the works.

Kulturskolan in Norra Innerstaden must vacate its current Odenplan premises by December 31, 2026, due to unavoidable noise disturbances from music lessons affecting another tenant. The Culture Administration has therefore been tasked with finding a new space within Norra Innerstaden, aiming to provide a more long-term and suitable venue for up to three times more students, accommodating all of Kulturskolan's artistic expressions, not just music.

The Stockholm City Archives presented its 2023 annual report, highlighting increased accessibility to the city's public information. They handled 21,000 requests for archived material, a nearly nine percent increase, and welcomed 44,000 visitors to their premises and 99,000 to their website, with grade transcripts being the most sought-after. The archives also digitized materials and offered programs on diverse histories, attracting 6,900 participants.

The Department of Culture believes it has met its 2025 goals, providing Stockholm residents with access to a rich cultural life, with a particular focus on children, youth, seniors, and people with disabilities. They have also requested an additional 10.7 million SEK to renovate the Kungsträdgården stage roof and upgrade the lock and alarm systems at Asplundhuset (City Library).

The report "Information about Kulan 2025" details how Stockholm's children and students participate in cultural activities through the Kulan initiative. In 2025, there were 126,488 cultural visits using the Kulan premium, which subsidizes 50% of cultural programs for preschools and schools. Visits increased in preschools and elementary schools, particularly in Järva, where many children experienced multiple cultural events.

The Culture Committee has received the Kulturskolan's activity plan for 2026. The plan aims to make Kulturskolan more well-known, accessible, and inclusive for all children and young people in Stockholm, regardless of background or where they live. This includes reduced fees from autumn 2026, efforts to reach underrepresented groups such as boys and young people in certain areas, as well as an expanded range of offerings and improved safety within the activities.