All agenda items

Center Party proposed establishing a cycling council in Stockholm, involving politicians, officials, and external stakeholders, to improve planning and foster consensus on cycling infrastructure, thereby preventing issues like blocked or poorly designed bike lanes. However, the City Executive Board, supported by several administrations, rejected the motion, believing a newly hired cycling coordinator at the Traffic Department could address these concerns through enhanced internal and external collaboration. The Center Party maintains that the coordinator's role requires a broader mandate and representation beyond city administrations to be effective.

The Centre Party proposed that Stockholm municipality actively improve cyclist accessibility, including fixing gaps in the cycling network, reducing traffic light and roadwork queues, and using AI for traffic flow. However, the City Executive Board suggests rejecting the motion, stating that the city is already working on similar measures like expanding the network, optimizing signals, and testing AI, thus rendering further assignments unnecessary.

Tom Hedrup (M) proposed that all Stockholm upper secondary students should visit a university at least once before graduation and that collaborations with higher education institutions should be expanded to inspire more students, especially those from non-academic backgrounds, to pursue further studies. The City Executive Board responded that the city already collaborates with universities and Vetenskapens Hus for visits and activities, and principals are responsible for planning these based on school needs. The motion was therefore rejected as similar initiatives are already in place.

The City of Stockholm is revising its guidelines for out-of-hours childcare, effective August 17, 2026. The new guidelines include extended opening hours to allow children to eat dinner and breakfast at more suitable times and to accommodate more parents for drop-off and pick-up. In-home childcare options will be restricted, while co-parenting guardians will have increased responsibility, and the city will no longer provide subsidies to independent providers for this type of care.

Annika Elmlund (M) has questioned Elder and Culture Commissioner Torun Boucher (V) regarding the requirements for cinemas receiving financial support from the city. This follows Biograf Zita, a major recipient of city grants, declaring itself an "Apartheid-free zone" and joining a boycott against Israel, which has been interpreted as antisemitic. Elmlund's inquiry concerns whether the city deems it appropriate for publicly funded entities to take stances on foreign policy issues and if guidelines for cultural support should be amended.

Dennis Wedin (M) has questioned Traffic Commissioner Lars Strömgren (MP) about why the City of Stockholm does not provide information on ice thickness at popular locations like Årstaviken and Riddarfjärden. He argues the city has a responsibility to offer this information to enhance safety for Stockholmers, especially families with children and inexperienced individuals, and requests the traffic administration be tasked with implementing a system for regular ice measurements by next winter season.

Emelie Wassermann (SD) has questioned City Planning and Sports Commissioner Jan Valeskog (S) regarding the situation for visitors to Svedmyrabadet, which has been closed since September 2024 with no decision on its future and no suitable alternative pools offered despite promises. This particularly impacts the elderly and disabled who rely on the warm pools, and now Sandsborgsbadet is also threatened with closure for renovation.

Dennis Wedin (M) questioned Traffic Commissioner Lars Strömgren (MP) on why the investigation into building a roof over Nynäsvägen was halted. Wedin highlights that up to 76,000 vehicles pass daily through Gamla Enskede and Johanneshov, causing noise and air pollution. He also inquired about plans to streamline traffic in southern Stockholm to alleviate Nynäsvägen's impact on residents, especially given public transport cuts.

Johan Paccamonti (M) has questioned Åsa Lindhagen (MP), the City Commissioner for Climate and Environment, regarding the sacrifice of Stockholm's green spaces for urban densification. He highlights Myrberget in Bromma as an example, where new construction plans threaten a vital green area used by Alviksskolan and for recreation. Paccamonti seeks to understand the natural values at risk and what measures the Commissioner is prepared to take to save this green space.

A Moderate politician questioned why an area near Ålstensskogen and Storskogen in Bromma was excluded from the new nature reserve, expressing concern over potential secret plans for large-scale development. The City Planning Commissioner responded that the city aims to balance nature protection with housing needs, hence the reserve is being established while land has also been allocated for approximately 50 new rental apartments (Stockholmshus) in the area. A transparent planning process will allow residents to provide input on the construction plans.

Andréa Hedin (M) questioned Alexander Ojanne (S), Councillor for Security, regarding the School Social Team Plus (SST+) project, which assists students with high absenteeism. Despite its success, the project faced organizational issues, filling only 28 of 60 available spots. Hedin asked how the Councillor viewed this low participation, how SST+ would be developed to reach more students, and when all Stockholm students would have access to this support. Ojanne responded that high school absenteeism is a significant problem, and the city is addressing it broadly, including through SST. He noted SST+ has had many positive effects, and the city will permanent SST+ in the 2025 budget, aiming to reach all focus areas first. A new, integrated SST and SST+ model is currently being piloted in certain districts and will be evaluated by summer 2026 before wider implementation, while regular SST teams are simultaneously being strengthened in other districts.

The Moderate party's Andréa Hedin questioned why it hasn't become easier for seniors to drink alcohol at senior housing and community centers, despite promises from Commissioner for the Elderly Torun Boucher (Left Party). Hedin highlighted that Väduren senior housing in Vasastan has banned liqueur with Thursday coffee and asked why this differs from Hornstull service house, which is now seeking temporary permits. Boucher responded that the city has actively worked on solutions that comply with alcohol law while respecting seniors' self-determination, stating that a solution was found for Väduren where residents can arrange their own events with alcohol. Furthermore, new support has been developed for city districts to simplify the process of applying for serving permits for occasions like holidays.

Councillor Svante Linusson (Centre Party) questioned Traffic Commissioner Lars Strömgren (Green Party) about banning petrol-powered vehicles from cycle lanes due to pollution and health risks. Strömgren agreed with the issue but noted the city currently lacks the legal means to ban only petrol mopeds, and a general ban on all mopeds would push electric ones into car traffic, creating new hazards. Therefore, Strömgren has contacted the Minister for Infrastructure to explore legislative changes that would allow municipalities to implement environmental zones or other measures specifically targeting fossil-fuel mopeds without affecting electric ones.

The Moderates' Andréa Hedin questioned City Commissioner for Schools Emilia Bjuggren (S) on a marketing campaign for municipal schools, arguing funds should prioritize quality over promotion and that preschools shouldn't steer children towards city schools. Bjuggren responded that the goal is for municipal schools to be excellent, upholding choice, and that targeted information efforts during school selection allow parents informed decisions, including collaboration between schools and preschools to highlight municipal offerings like facilities and qualified teachers.

Tom Hedrup (M) has questioned Housing Commissioner Deniz Butros (V) regarding the significant debt within Stockholm's municipal housing companies (Stockholmshem, Familjebostäder, and Svenska Bostäder). The companies' debt now totals about 36 billion SEK, incurring approximately one billion SEK in annual interest, even as construction has slowed.

Johan Paccamonti (M) is challenging Stockholm's new housing policy, arguing that its focus on building multi-family homes in villa areas and reducing green spaces goes against residents' wishes. Paccamonti is asking Housing Commissioner Deniz Butros (V) if she is willing to alter the policy to better meet Stockholmers' desire for villa living and to protect the city's green areas.

Nike Örbrink (KD) questioned Finance Commissioner Karin Wanngård (S) regarding Stockholm's conflicting signals on the planned Eastern Link, arguing it's problematic for the city to sign a letter of intent with the government to secure the project, only for a commissioner to then publicly reject and oppose it, undermining the city's credibility. Wanngård (S) clarified that the letter of intent was a government requirement to secure state funding for subway and tram expansion, merely obliging the city to follow legal processes and provide documentation if the government proceeds, with no financial contribution from Stockholm. The red-green majority remains firm against the Eastern Link, deeming it an unprofitable investment that increases emissions and risks displacing crucial public transport.

Per Rosencrantz (M) questioned Stockholm's escalating debt, nearing SEK 100 billion, particularly Familjebostäder's proposed SEK 1 billion purchase of Hjulstahem, arguing it increases debt without adding new housing and poses a risk to the already highly leveraged company. Finance Commissioner Karin Wanngård (S) countered that the acquisition strengthens public housing and gives the city greater control for developing Hjulsta, including its center, with rental income from 1194 apartments expected to finance the loans and positively impact Familjebostäder's long-term finances.

Therese Lindström (M) has questioned Traffic Commissioner Lars Strömgren (MP) about traffic chaos in southern Stockholm, criticizing the simultaneous large roadworks at Gullmarsplan, Skansbron, and Johanneshov, which cause long queues and increased emissions. Strömgren responded that disruptions are hard to avoid in major projects, but the Traffic Office coordinates efforts intensely, citing worker safety for Skansbron's one-way traffic, and promises to learn from traffic flow measurements. Capacity at Johanneshov is expected by late 2025, and Skansbron will fully reopen by December 9, 2025.

Nike Örbrink (KD) questioned Finance Commissioner Karin Wanngård (S) regarding Stockholm's business climate, which Svenskt Näringsliv reports has deteriorated. Örbrink sought to know what measures are being taken to reverse this trend, how city procurements can become more business-friendly, and what the administration is doing to foster a robust business environment. Wanngård disagreed with the assessment, citing other reports indicating Stockholm's attractiveness to businesses, and outlined measures such as a new business policy, an establishment strategy, improved municipal services, implementing a single point of contact for entrepreneurs, and hiring local business developers.