Political organization

The Local Council is the highest body in Longyearbyen Local Government and makes decisions on behalf of Longyearbyen Local Government unless otherwise stipulated by law or delegation decisions.
The Local Council deals with all matters of a fundamental and overarching nature, while individual cases and matters of lesser importance are delegated to standing committees or the administration. 

The Local Council has 15 members. For the 2023-2027 term, the composition is as follows:

• 7 from the Liberal Party
• 2 from the Conservative Party
• 3 from the Labor Party
• 3 from the Socialist Left Party

Overview of members and alternate members External link, opens in new window..

The Administration Committee (AU) has seven members with deputies who are elected by the local council for the same term as the local council.

Overview of members and deputies External link, opens in new window.

The Administration Committee considers proposals for the financial plan and annual budget. Furthermore, the Administration Committee decides on its own, or makes recommendations to the local board, on matters of a cross-sectoral nature, economic and financial management matters, consultation statements, as well as matters that do not naturally fall under the remit of other committees and other matters that the local board chair chooses to present to the committee. Furthermore, the AU has been delegated the authority to act as a port authority.

When necessary, the AU may also make decisions on matters that should have been decided by the local council when there is no time to convene the local council. 

The AU's tasks and the scope of the delegation are set out in section 3.2 of the delegation regulations pdf, 671 kB, opens in new window.. 

Joint committee (PU)

The PU consists of the members of the administration committee plus two representatives elected by and from among the employees.

The committee shall deal with matters concerning the relationship between the Longyearbyen local council as employer and the employees. These are matters concerning overall personnel and organizational policy, employer policy, personnel policy guidelines, and other matters that, according to law and agreements, must be dealt with by a joint committee.  

The tasks of the PU are set out in section 3.7 of the delegation regulations pdf, 671 kB, opens in new window..

The Technical, Business, and Environmental Committee (TMNU) has five members with alternates who are elected by the local council for the same term as the local council.

Overview of members and deputies External link.

This is a new committee, formed by merging the former Technical Committee (TU) and the Environment and Industry Committee (MNU). 

The Technical, Industry and Environment Committee deals with matters delegated by the local council within its areas of expertise. TMNU decides independently or makes recommendations to the local council on matters relating to electricity and district heating, fire and rescue, technical services, planning and development, property management, liquor licenses, the government's business and innovation strategy, subsidies for business purposes, transport licenses, etc. 

TMNU's tasks and the scope of the delegation are set out in sections 3.4 and 3.5 of the delegation regulations pdf, 671 kB, opens in new window.. 

The Upbringing and Culture Committee (LOKU) has five members with deputies who are elected by the local council for the same term as the local council.

Overview of members and deputies External link.

The Local Community, Upbringing and Culture Committee deals with matters delegated by the local council within its areas of expertise. LOKU decides independently or makes recommendations to the local council on matters relating to schools (primary and secondary education, after-school care), kindergartens, sports and culture (libraries, galleries, cultural schools, cultural centers, sports halls, and outdoor facilities), children and young people (PPT, child and family services, youth activities). Furthermore, the committee shall safeguard the interests of the Longyearbyen local council within the Kåre Tveter Collection, the Svalbard Collection, Svalbardhallen, and the Svalbard Museum. LOKU also decides on the allocation of "Korkpenger" (subsidies to clubs and associations, etc.) and is responsible for awarding the Tyfusstatuetten and Ungdommens kulturstipend.

LOKU's tasks and the scope of the delegation are set out in section 3.3 of the delegation regulations pdf, 671 kB, opens in new window..

The Control Committee, which has five members, is the local government's own control body. Overview of members and alternate members External link, opens in new window..

The Control Committee is assigned a number of fixed tasks in Chapter 23 of the Local Government Act External link, opens in new window..

The Control Committee shall:

• Ensure that the local government's accounts are kept in a satisfactory manner
• Ensure that financial management is carried out in accordance with applicable regulations and decisions
• Ensure that administrative audits are carried out
• Ensure that the administration of the local government's interests in companies is monitored
• Ensure that the local government's annual accounts are audited in a satisfactory manner
• Ensure that issues identified by the audit are followed up

In addition to this, the control committee shall also perform the control tasks requested by the local government.

The control committee has the opportunity to investigate all aspects of the local government's administration, but does not have the authority to review political priorities.