Reykjavík council chair challenges colleague over service reforms

Einar Þorsteinsson, chairman of Reykjavík City Council’s executive committee, questioned whether city councillor Skúli Helgason was “in balance” during a council meeting on Tuesday, mbl.is reported.

The meeting addressed changes to the organisational structure of the city’s School and Leisure Department and Welfare Department.

The executive committee approved the mayor’s proposal for extensive changes to both departments last month, and a new organisational chart took effect at the beginning of September. The changes resulted in 86 redundancies, while 32 employees were to be offered new or altered positions.

“Councillor Skúli Helgason calls this an attack on services for children and families, saying that the basic structure of the local community is being undermined and turned upside down overnight. He says the basic units of the welfare society are being attacked. Excuse me, is the councillor not in balance?” Einar said after reading Helgason’s remarks.

Einar had earlier criticised what he described as councillors speaking “with incredible disrespect” about the professional leaders of the departments, including the directors of the School and Leisure Department and the Welfare Department. He said they had shown strong professional leadership during the changes and had the broadest overview of the system.

“Do you think these managers and their closest colleagues have made it their goal to undermine the foundations of the welfare society?” Einar asked. “I know the political rivalry is intense, but this is going too far.”