Cooperation in challenging circumstances

Grindvikings have shown exceptional endurance and hope in difficult times, times that hardly have a historical parallel. There is a broad consensus in Icelandic society to stand with the community in Grindavík, and the government has also done its best to meet these unprecedented projects. The project is nowhere near finished and yesterday I introduced one more step in the effort to support the community and the residents of Grindavík; the establishment of an executive committee on the issues of Grindavík. The bill was worked on in close collaboration with the town council and is about providing increased assistance in the planning of important projects and better planning the involvement of the central government.

The government approved the submission of a bill on the executive committee yesterday, and if the bill becomes law, the committee will manage, plan and coordinate actions, ensure efficient cooperation with the local government and public bodies, and have an overall overview of Grindavíkur town's affairs. The municipality of Grindavíkur asked for cooperation regarding the organization and governance of the municipality's projects in the unusual circumstances that are currently in the municipality, and it is proposed in the bill that the executive committee work temporarily until the next municipal elections in 2026. The municipality of Grindavíkur will continue to manage the municipality's management, staffing and are responsible for and have full financial management authority over statutory and non-statutory projects, which are not specifically assigned to the executive committee.

The committee's main tasks will be community service, construction and repair of important infrastructure in Grindavík, e.g. for operating a service team in the field of welfare and school services for the residents of Grindavíkurbær, i.a. regarding school and leisure activities, social services, child protection services, services for older people, disabled people and other vulnerable groups and support in the field of housing and labor market issues. These are projects that have so far been carried out by the Civil Defense and other authorities.

The aim of this step is primarily to care for the residents of Grindavík town, to promote the success of the community in Grindavík for the future and to ensure safety and services in accordance with the needs of the community. With these changes, the state's involvement is clearer than it has been so that increased results are achieved. The current events in Grindavík are extremely challenging for the residents of Grindavík, but with solidarity and empathy as a guide, along with better planning of state aid, we will be better able to deal with the challenges that the Grindavík fires have brought. Go Grindavík!