All agenda items

Kulturhuset Stadsteatern AB's 2025 annual report, reviewed by both the city audit and authorized auditors, shows the company generally operates efficiently and financially soundly, meeting most targets. However, improvements are needed in internal control, contract management, fire risk follow-up, short-term inventory handling, and establishing a system for climate compensation for air travel.

This matter concerns the formal reporting of the previous minutes from meeting 7/2025 for Kulturhuset Stadsteatern AB. This is a routine administrative item confirming the board's acknowledgement of previously made decisions and discussions.

Jonas Naddebo (C) proposed automating simpler permit processes, such as building permits and outdoor seating permits, to reduce long processing times for residents and businesses, citing Nacka and Huddinge as examples. The City Executive Board responded that the city is already addressing these issues through digitalization, new case management systems, and reorganizations, thus deeming the motion's purpose already fulfilled.

A motion from the Sweden Democrats aims to halt plans for approximately 140 new homes in Klubbensborgsbacken, Mälarhöjden, arguing it would destroy the area's character, nature, and reduce access to green spaces. The city responded by highlighting the significant housing shortage and emphasized that the planning process, currently paused, is democratic and transparent, allowing for dialogue and revisions before a final decision.

Liberal members proposed a new model for spreading detailed development plan fees over time to ease costs for construction companies, especially smaller ones, and stimulate building during downturns. The City Executive Board rejected the motion, stating that the current continuous invoicing model is transparent and that significant project costs are mainly due to broader economic factors, not planning fees.

Two SD politicians proposed halting new housing plans at Lågbron 1 in Långbro Park, arguing it would damage the park and that the existing building should be preserved. The City Executive Board suggests responding by stating that housing development plans have already been cancelled, but plans for a new public use, like a café, at the site will continue.

Jan Jönsson (L) proposed that the City of Stockholm establish Viva Lyceum healthcare and nursing, a dedicated education center combining upper secondary and adult education in healthcare, to attract more people to the sector and reduce staff shortages, partly by subsidizing driving licenses for graduates. However, the City Executive Board advises against merging the educational programs due to organizational and pedagogical challenges and a lack of evidence that it would be more effective than existing initiatives. The city has, however, already decided to offer paid driving licenses to students in healthcare programs starting in autumn 2025, which addresses that part of the proposal.

Jan Jönsson (L) proposes that SISAB, owner of Stockholm's school properties, should cover the costs of replacing outdated entry systems in schools, rather than the schools themselves. This aims to enhance safety and working conditions in schools, addressing the increased threat of school shootings. The majority of the City Executive Board agrees that entry system costs should be a property owner's responsibility and notes this is already being investigated as part of an ongoing review of the cooperation agreement.

Jan Jönsson (L) proposed that the City of Stockholm inventory and renovate all schoolyards to make them accessible to everyone, including children with disabilities, citing a report from Funktionsrätt Stockholm highlighting exclusion. The City Executive Board suggests responding to the motion by referring to ongoing work, as the city is already enhancing accessibility in preschool and schoolyards through various programs and renovations, with a specific focus on children with disabilities.

Jan Jönsson (L) proposed that Stockholm should offer vocational programs at popular inner-city schools currently dominated by theoretical studies, aiming to boost their appeal and attract more students, particularly in high-demand fields like healthcare, construction, and automotive. The city responded that it is already actively strengthening vocational programs, citing a successful relocation to Bromma Gymnasium and ongoing training for study and career counselors. However, the majority expressed concerns about the cost and potential lack of student interest in placing new vocational programs in the inner city.

Swedish Democrats proposed developing the Rålambshov Park amphitheater into a safer, year-round hub with a café, dance stage, and ice rink. The City Executive Board responded that the city is already working to activate and improve safety there through measures like bush trimming, tribune renovation, and creating a dance floor and ice rink, deeming the existing plan sufficient while also aiming to keep the space open for various events. The Swedish Democrats filed reservations, arguing further action is needed.

Motion proposers Jan Jönsson and Anne-Lie Elfvén (L) request that the City of Stockholm investigates its involvement in the operations at the Eolshäll boys' home, where boys were subjected to abuse from the 1970s to the 1990s, and also examines possible compensation measures. They argue that new information indicates the city had clear supervisory and payment responsibilities. However, the majority believes the issue is too complex for the city to investigate alone and that a national inquiry, possibly with a model similar to Norway's "rettferdsvederlag" (fairness compensation), would be better to provide redress for the victims.

Council members Jan Jönsson and Anne-Lie Elfvén (L) proposed closer integration of Stockholm's social services with research, suggesting a "research hub" for social workers and researchers at social offices and clearer guidelines for evaluating social interventions. The City Executive Board rejected the motion, stating that effective collaborations with universities already exist and that the focus should instead be on improving digital systems for data collection and analysis within social services.

Councillor Andréa Hedin (M) proposed that municipal employees should be granted paid leave to become foster parents, citing a model in Karlskrona, and that this be actively promoted to address the shortage of foster homes and reduce placements in often inadequate HVB homes. The City Executive Board rejected the proposal, arguing it would jeopardize the city's skills provision and noting that the Karlskrona model hasn't increased foster homes, though they affirmed the city's ongoing efforts to recruit and support foster families.

The Centre Party proposed Stockholm become a pilot city for self-driving cars with Waymo to gain direct experience, but the City Executive Office and Traffic Committee believe current international networking is sufficient. While Farsta and Södermalm district committees expressed current reservations, the Municipal Board majority rejected the proposal, agreeing that existing methods for monitoring developments are adequate. The Centre Party, however, stressed the need for Stockholm to be more proactive to avoid falling behind.

The Liberals, represented by Jan Jönsson and Björn Ljung, propose that Stockholm prioritize the renovation and maintenance of culturally significant buildings without burdening associations with steep rent increases or evictions, suggesting a budget reallocation and a new cultural heritage fund. The ruling majority, represented by Alexandra Mattsson, agrees on the importance of both associations and building maintenance but deems the fund insufficient and the Liberal budget too small. They point to ongoing efforts, including a new rental model where the Culture Committee could become a primary tenant to stabilize association rents, and clarified responsibilities for the Property Committee regarding maintenance, as a more structural and long-term solution.

Hanna Wistrand (L) proposed that Stockholm investigate building a year-round multi-sport track for skiing, cycling, and para-sports, envisioned as traffic-free, lit, transit-accessible, disability-friendly, and with artificial snow capability. The City Executive Board supports the initiative as it aligns with current efforts to expand sports facilities and ongoing discussions with sports federations, but deems a separate investigation unnecessary at this time.

The Liberals propose that the City of Stockholm investigate a "relaunch grant" for sports clubs financially impacted by facility closures for renovations, and develop a long-term plan to increase sports facility access, possibly by subsidizing private halls or building temporary solutions. However, the City Executive Board advises against this, stating the city already offers replacement times and rental support, is developing an updated strategy, and a new grant would be difficult to distribute fairly and be costly.

André Nilsson (L) proposed that the City of Stockholm investigate building an artificial surf wave at Slussen to boost recreation, tourism, and activity in the city center. While several committees found it technically feasible, they emphasized that Slussen's crucial functions of regulating Lake Mälaren and managing boat traffic must take precedence. Further studies on safety, economics, and environmental impact are required, and the proposal will be addressed in the upcoming budget.

The Liberals propose "School Peace," a SEK 10 million initiative to enhance traffic safety around Stockholm's schools by improving crossings, lighting, paths, and speed limits, with a special focus on winter snow removal in the outer districts. The City Executive Board acknowledges the city's existing systematic work and annual SEK 15-20 million investment in school traffic safety but highlights the need for parents to change their behavior and reduce driving children to school.