8 key issues

We will work with the strong businesses already operating in Akureyri to drive growth and increased opportunities, while paving the way for new players who are ready to invest and create jobs.

We will simplify regulations and lower property taxes to support small and medium-sized businesses, making it easier for small entrepreneurs to operate and increasing the likelihood that people start businesses such as neighbourhood cafés, bakeries, restaurants, and shops.

Akureyri needs to form a strong counterweight to the capital region. We are all on the same team and should commit to supporting Northern businesses and shopping locally whenever possible to strengthen the economy of the North.

Development has been strong in recent years with corresponding improvements in quality of life for residents. This includes the new airport terminal, Norðurtorg, Austurbrú, the Nökkvi Sailing House, a new Krónan store, new healthcare centre in Sunnuhlíð, a new atNorth data centre, and Holtahverfi. Exciting projects are underway including Móahverfi, construction starting at the campsite area, Hofsbót, the pier, a design competition for Akureyri field, and a new neighbourhood west of Hagahverfi.

We need to continue this development and even accelerate it. We must increase the supply of housing across all price ranges, focusing on affordable housing and first-time buyers. We also need more options for seniors who want to downsize, freeing up larger properties in sought-after neighbourhoods.

Neighbourhoods should be family-friendly and include services. That's why we need to improve the operating environment for small businesses.

Infrastructure development in new neighbourhoods must be accelerated so lots are buildable on schedule with streets, sidewalks, and preschools in place for residents.

One of the simplest measures to stimulate development is to defer public fees and spread them over the construction period. The municipality is much better positioned for financing than individuals building single-family homes.

Planning needs to be thought through for the longer term, and ideally planning should always be ready to respond to fluctuations in population development and business growth.

Akureyri should be the best place to raise children. We should admit to preschool twice a year so children are not discriminated against based on when they were born.

The Akureyri model has worked well, but there is room to increase flexibility in care hours and summer holidays to meet the different needs of parents.

School grounds and buildings have been well maintained in recent years, but we need to do better in providing specialised support for students and teachers.

We need to ensure access to education for music teachers and increased collaboration between music schools, traditional schools, and event organisers to create more opportunities for young musicians to perform and develop.

Improved air connections play a key role in strengthening tourism and business in the region, improving living conditions, and attracting investments and new residents.

A good foundation has been laid for international flights, but frequency and continuity throughout the year must be increased so people have more opportunities to use this and create businesses that rely on it.

Greatly improved walking and cycling paths can also open up new types of tourism in the region, promote outdoor activities and public health, and reduce traffic congestion and the community's carbon footprint.

We also need to advocate for shortening the route between Akureyri and Reykjavík, as this reduces transport costs, lowers carbon footprint, and is the most efficient shortening of the national highway possible.

We prioritise health with improved home nursing and stronger services for senior citizens. For example, with a new community hall to strengthen social life and reduce social isolation. We also want to work with the Red Cross to establish the Men in Sheds project in cooperation with the Forestry Society in Kjarnaskógur.

Additionally, we will develop a quality-of-life hub with a heated courtyard where seniors and other residents can enjoy the outdoors in comfort using waste heat from our new data centres.

We support strong cultural and sports activities for all age groups, promote diverse events, and ensure a vibrant town centre year-round. Music, arts, and culture are at home in the town centre, but concerts in Kjarnaskógur could also be explored, as has been done with great success in the Botanical Garden.

Strong cultural and sports activities contribute to a vibrant community life where there is always something happening, which also supports a thriving business environment and development of more diverse services.

With improved facilities and a stronger framework, we create an energetic community that benefits both residents and visitors.

Property taxes have risen excessively with the sharp increase in housing prices in recent years, which has greatly improved the municipality's finances — finances that have often been strained, as in many other municipalities.

However, we do not believe it is right to increase the tax burden on people and businesses due to housing price increases beyond general price levels. Therefore, available fiscal space will be used to lower property taxes for residents and businesses, and efforts will be made to streamline administration to fund the town's ambitious services.

Municipal properties will also be reviewed and their roles evaluated to maximise their efficiency and utilisation.

We will work closely and systematically with the government to strengthen Akureyri's infrastructure as a regional town serving all of the Northeast.

The party will push and facilitate so there are no delays in the expansion of Akureyri Hospital, while ensuring that the new Coast Guard helicopter unit is based here and a suitable helipad location is found at the hospital.

The Vocational School of Akureyri should be expanded in line with growing business needs, and the construction of new nursing homes should be accelerated.

We also need to push for transport improvements such as a new bridge, roundabout, and underpass to Skógarböð.

Through cooperation, determination, and clear demands, we ensure the government fulfils its obligations to the townspeople.