City-wide

The board of Stockholm Harbour AB approved lifting the swimming ban at nine inner-city locations, including Djurgården, parts of Årstaviken, and Reimersholme, as well as for city-approved swimming structures. This decision, which will allow swimming in more places, now moves to the Stockholm City Hall AB Group Board before being proposed to the Municipal Council for final approval.

The Board of Stockholm Ports Ltd. approved the basis for the 2027 budget and the strategic direction for 2028-2029, which was then submitted to the Stockholm City Hall Ltd. Board. The budget includes a SEK 1 billion investment plan for 2027-2029, focusing on increasing revenue, operational efficiency, and achieving a fossil-free port.

The City Council will review the 2025 annual reports for both the Stockholm City Coordination Association (FINSAM), which coordinates financial rehabilitation efforts for residents, and the Greater Stockholm Fire Department. The City Executive Board proposes that the Council approve these annual reports and grant discharge from liability to both boards for 2025, thereby endorsing their management of finances and operations.

The City Council will consider a proposal to lower and simplify Kulturskolan Stockholm's fee structure, effective August 1, 2026. This would reduce most course fees, for example, long courses from 750-950 SEK to 650 SEK, and allow more low-income households access to free Kulturskolan. The aim is to increase equity and access to cultural activities for children and young people in Stockholm, though the opposition argues that general reductions are not effective in reaching underrepresented groups.

The City Executive Board will respond to a referral from the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency regarding guidelines for achieving equal protection against accidents for people with disabilities. While Stockholm is positive about the initiative to strengthen protection, it advises against formulations that could be interpreted as imposing new, stricter fire safety requirements on group homes and elder care based on factors such as distance to a fire station.

The Climate and Enterprise Department proposes new regulations to complement EU rules on critical raw materials and net-zero industries, aiming to expedite permit processes for related projects by introducing deadlines and designated contact points, such as the County Administrative Boards. The City of Stockholm has no objections, but finds the 45-day deadline to deem an application complete to be short, while acknowledging the opportunity to comment later in the process.

The City Council is proposed to adopt a detailed plan to enable the expansion of the new Yellow metro line between Fridhemsplan and Älvsjö. This 7.8-kilometer stretch will include six new stations: Fridhemsplan, Liljeholmen, Årstaberg, Årstafältet, Östbergahöjden, and Älvsjö. The expansion aims to strengthen public transport, connect city districts, and facilitate new housing and workplaces in a growing Stockholm.

The City Executive Board is recommended to approve the basis for the City of Stockholm's 2027 budget, along with planning for 2028 and 2029. This document outlines strategic priorities for addressing challenges such as economic uncertainty, climate transition, safety, and housing construction. Several parties, including the Liberals, Sweden Democrats, Centre Party, and Christian Democrats, have submitted reservations with their own proposals and opinions, concerning issues like crime prevention, choice within social services, and construction rates.

Liberal Party members proposed that Stockholm implement more summer pedestrian streets and squares to vitalize the city and boost local businesses, while ensuring public transport accessibility and citizen dialogue. The city responded that it is already continuously expanding summer pedestrian zones (9 new locations by summer 2026, totaling 64), with the Traffic Administration ensuring public transport flow by avoiding bus routes and engaging residents and businesses through information and open houses. Several committees and organizations support summer pedestrian zones but emphasize the importance of dialogue and consideration for public transport and emergency services.

Two Center Party politicians proposed a real-time, interactive map for Stockholm's snow removal efforts, including sandboxes, accessible via an API, to help residents plan travel. However, the City Executive Board advised against it, citing the need to first address questions of snow removal responsibilities, staff work environment risks, and prioritizing high-quality snow removal over real-time information.

Destiny Zandi Lindgren (KD) suggested the city investigate using school music rooms as rehearsal spaces after hours due to a shortage of such facilities. The City Executive Board deemed this unnecessary, as work is already underway to make more school premises, including music rooms, available to associations and cultural life after school, which includes clarifying rules for responsibility, equipment, and costs.

Councillors Claes Nyberg and Kristin Jacobsson (C) proposed implementing mental health screening in Stockholm's compulsory schools, including a mandatory meeting with a school counsellor in seventh grade, to identify and support students struggling with the rise in youth mental ill-health. The City Executive Board rejected the motion, stating that the city's existing student health services are already preventative and health-promoting, with health visits in first, fourth, and eighth grades, and students able to contact student health services as needed.

Jonas Naddebo (C) proposed a strategy for Privately Owned Public Spaces (POPS), where private property owners could establish and manage public areas like squares and green spaces. However, the City Executive Board believes new public spaces should primarily be city-owned and managed, and that collaboration with private actors is a better approach, as current legislation limits the full implementation of Naddebo's proposal.

Jonas Naddebo (C) proposed that the City of Stockholm should invest more in green roofs for new constructions and existing municipal properties, as well as facilitate their implementation for private property owners, citing benefits for stormwater management, temperature reduction, and biodiversity. However, the City Executive Board, along with several committees and offices, while acknowledging the benefits of green roofs, does not wish to make them a standard solution. They argue that solutions should be chosen based on what best suits each specific location and building, and that tools like the Green Space Factor already promote green areas.

Liberal Party members Jan Jönsson, Björn Ljung, and Elin Hjelmestam proposed that Stockholm develop a strategy for sustainable construction, focusing on wood and other climate-smart materials, to address emissions and prioritize such projects in land allocations. However, the City Executive Board, led by Governing Mayor Jan Valeskog, recommends rejecting the motion. They argue that the city's existing Climate Action Plan 2030 and Environmental Program 2030 already cover these objectives, and an additional strategy could detract from implementing current initiatives.

Councillor Lovisa Hedin (Christian Democrats) proposed that Stockholm develop a strategy for villa and terraced housing, aiming to identify suitable areas for smaller homes and to enable more small-scale housing during densification to preserve the character of villa areas. However, the City Executive Board stated that existing plans and ongoing work on a new comprehensive plan already address this need, rendering a separate strategy unnecessary, as Stockholm's limited land must be efficiently utilized to build numerous homes for everyone.

The City of Stockholm presented its 2025 annual report, detailing financial results and goal fulfillment. Despite reduced government grants, the city recorded a surplus, decreasing the need for investment loans. Decisions included approving the report, adjusting some committee budgets, and increasing allocations for skills development by SEK 100 million and social investments by SEK 150 million.

Councillor Jan Jönsson (L) proposed making it easier for political youth organizations to visit Stockholm schools, aiming to boost youth political engagement and democratic development through clear guidelines, support materials, and encouragement for schools to invite these groups while ensuring safety. However, the City Executive Board stated that principals already have this authority and support materials exist, while the opposition (M and L) argued the issue isn't legal but a lack of administrative support for schools.

Councilor Andréa Hedin (M) proposed that students in early and middle primary school should not receive personal digital devices to take home, advocating for teaching and homework primarily with books and pens, and for the city to develop guidelines for introducing digital tools. The City Executive Board, along with the City Management Office and the Education Committee, rejected the motion, arguing that a ban could disadvantage students without home technology and those with disabilities requiring digital aids, and that pedagogically and age-appropriately used digital tools are vital for learning and an equitable school.

Jan Jönsson (L) proposed Stockholm investigate introducing advanced humanities classes (like philosophy, history, languages) in city schools, aiming to offer the same depth for these subjects as currently exists in math and science. However, the City Executive Board and Education Committee believe a separate investigation is unnecessary, suggesting the matter can be addressed within ongoing curriculum development, citing high eligibility requirements for advanced classes and low application rates for current humanities programs.