All agenda items

The Social Affairs Administration proposes that Stockholm join "Yrkesresan" (The Professional Journey) starting in July 2027. This national program offers social services employees structured and quality-assured professional development, which is expected to strengthen their work and improve staff retention. The City of Stockholm will be responsible for the regional implementation, allowing for tailored training and deemed more cost-effective than collaborating with StorSthlm.

The City Audit Office reviewed the Social Welfare Committee's operations for 2023 and found them to be largely appropriate, economically satisfactory, and with sufficient internal control. However, several areas for improvement were identified, including clearer guidelines for foster home checks, better fire safety routines in supported housing, and ensuring compliance with payment card rules. The Social Welfare Administration proposes that the Committee approve the report as a response to the Audit Office, and the Committee will address the identified development areas as recommended.

Isabel Smedberg Palmqvist (L) proposed that Kulturskolan, inspired by El Sistema, launch a painting workshop for children and young people to foster creativity and social cohesion, particularly in areas with limited cultural access. The Culture Administration supports the idea and sees potential for establishing it in cooperation with schools, but emphasizes the need for clear collaboration with the Education Administration and additional budget allocation for instructors and materials.

Isabel Smedberg Palmqvist (L) proposed that Kulturskolan, inspired by the El Sistema music program, establish a painting workshop for children and youth to foster creativity and social cohesion, particularly for those with limited access to creative activities. The Culture Department is positive about expanding Kulturskolan's free school collaborations into areas like art and media to reach more children, believing a painting workshop could strengthen creativity and cultural participation. While open to a budget directive to develop the concept, they deem a separate investigation unnecessary as it aligns with the ongoing work on the Kulturskoleplan.

Politicians Isabel Smedberg Palmqvist (L) and Jonas Naddebo (C) have proposed building a new performing arts venue for independent theater, dance, and circus groups in Stockholm, arguing it's essential for their development and outreach with innovative art. However, the Culture Administration believes existing venues are sufficient and a new municipal building could unfairly compete with current lessors to independent groups, thus seeing no need for further investigation.

Isabel Smedberg Palmqvist (L) and Jonas Naddebo (C) inquired about deepening cooperation with thems, but suggested the festival could apply for cultural grants for child and youth programs, like other independent organizations. They also advised contacting the education department for school-based pedagogical projects.

Politicians from L, M, and C have questioned the Culture Department about Stolpersteine, an art project honoring victims of Nazism. They inquired about installing more Stolpersteine in Stockholm and making existing ones more visible and pedagogically useful. The Culture Department responded that any new installations would require collaboration with artist Gunter Demnig to maintain artistic integrity, and noted that the Living History Forum already provides excellent educational materials on the existing stones.

Isabel Smedberg-Palmqvist (L) and Kristina Lutz et al. (M) propose that Stockholm libraries offer more digital books to meet growing demand and increase accessibility. The Culture Department responds that the current digital and physical media offerings largely meet the needs of Stockholm residents, but e-books are more complex as their cost increases with each loan, unlike physical books. The City Library is working to review contract models and is monitoring developments in the e-media market.

Politicians Isabel Smedberg Palmqvist (L), Kristina Lutz et al. (M), and Jonas Naddebo (C) have questioned the Culture Committee on efforts to improve accessibility at Stockholm's venues. The Culture Administration responded that they continuously work to create equal opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in cultural life, partly through a "culture pilot" function that supports venues with accessibility adaptations. The Administration believes current work largely meets needs but acknowledges shortcomings remain, especially in older premises; they currently have no plans to investigate specific initiatives for audio description, subtitling, or alternative ticketing systems, instead addressing such needs via support applications from venue operators.

Politicians from L, M, and C have submitted a letter inquiring if the Culture Department intends to introduce extended self-service hours ("meröppet") at Stockholm's libraries. They seek the department's view on expanding "meröppet" for target groups like students and working adults, and how registration for it can be simplified. The Culture Department responded that "meröppet" is already implemented at eight libraries with more planned, and they continuously work to extend both staffed and unstaffed hours, believing current hours largely meet needs. They are also investigating improvements to the "meröppet" registration process, including digitalization.

Council members from the Sweden Democrats proposed an independent review of the study association Ibn Rushd's activities, compliance with democratic conditions for cultural grants, and whether past funds should be recouped. The Culture Administration responded that a 2024 external review already found compliance, and as Ibn Rushd lost national status, ceased operations on January 1, 2025, and prior checks showed no recoverable deviations, the motion's aims are met, requiring no further action.

A motion from Leif Söderström (SD) proposes that Stockholm tighten its democratic conditions for association grants, meaning organizations that boycott or exclude based on nationality or ethnicity, or have joined "Apartheid-free zones," should not receive support. The Culture Administration, asked to respond, believes current guidelines are sufficient and sees no reason to tighten them. They also refer to a European Court of Human Rights ruling stating that boycotts without incitement to violence are legitimate.

Moderates propose increasing public access to Stockholm's art collection by digitizing it, inventorying and valuing works, recovering missing pieces, and placing art in municipal facilities like schools and nursing homes, alongside reviewing rental models. The Culture Administration supports the ambition but notes ongoing efforts and that expanded measures would require specific funding.

The Ministry of Justice has circulated for comment the National Courts Administration's proposal to remove the courts' obligation to physically bind judgments and decisions, as these are now handled digitally and can be preserved in e-archives, which would also save money. The Stockholm City Archives agrees with removing the obligation but opposes retaining the option to continue binding judgments, as this could lead to inconsistent handling and complicate future archiving and transparency.

The Culture Committee investigated Stockholm City's application of the "one-percent rule" for public art funding and found a strong desire to review its implementation for more flexible financing and better geographic spread. A key conclusion is the need for Stockholm Art to have a clearer mandate and a consolidated budget to strengthen its administration and educational work.

The Culture Administration reports its activity plan for the Cultural Strategy Staff for 2026. The plan aims to increase access to culture for all Stockholm residents, especially children, youth, and seniors, by strengthening cultural support, establishing new cultural venues, and increasing collaboration with schools and recreation centers. Specific goals include a 4% increase in visits to recreation centers, sending 320 more children from vulnerable areas to summer camps compared to 2025, and boosting the use of the Kulanpremien program in schools.

The Culture Administration and the City Archives have presented their annual follow-up on systematic work environment management. The report indicates generally functional work environment efforts within the administration but highlights several areas for improvement. Proposed measures include strengthening communication about existing routines, improving work with health factors, and further developing the collaboration process.

The Culture Committee is to be informed of several delegated decisions made by the department head and other managers. These decisions concern, among other things, procurements of framework agreements for art project managers and wind instruments, call-offs for system development consultants, and agreements on inter-municipal compensation for student places in the cultural school. It also includes decisions on support for culture for the elderly, cultural programs in preschool and school, and artistic production and cultural arrangements.

The City Council is set to consider a proposal to approve the "Action Plan for Roma Inclusion 2030." This plan aims to strengthen efforts for Roma's equal rights in Stockholm and combat discrimination, ensuring Roma have equal access to human rights. It targets all committees and company boards within the city and extends until the year 2030.

The Culture Committee will decide on a total grant of SEK 656,000 to Mittiprickteatern economic association and Teatergruppen Pero economic association for offering cultural programs in preschools and schools during 2026. This grant aims to meet high demand, with the combined annual total for both organizations being SEK 1,456,000.