7.1 Collaboration and Implementation Plans
To achieve the objectives of the regional plan, municipalities, organizations, companies, associations, and institutions in East Iceland must engage in close collaboration. Well-prepared decisions on resolving common interests in East Iceland will lead to the desired outcomes in environmental, economic, social, and cultural matters.
The Regional Planning Committee, on behalf of local governments, monitors the implementation of the plan and manages its amendments in accordance with Article 9 of the Planning Act. Austurbrú, a regional development agency, is tasked with the administration of the committee according to an agreement with the Association of Local Authorities in East Iceland. The committee may delegate specific tasks to Austurbrú as needed to achieve the plan’s goals but retains the freedom to assign tasks elsewhere. The project manager of Austurbrú serves as the committee’s staff member.
An action plan will be developed to consolidate the objectives that require implementation through general and detailed planning, and responsible parties will be identified for other objectives, including those requiring implementation through national plans.
Municipalities and their support institutions must ensure internal consistency in their planning documents so that, for example, general and detailed plans align with the regional plan’s strategy. Municipalities’ action plans must also prioritize according to the regional plan and its goals. Examples of action plans include, but are not limited to:
- Destination plans
- East Iceland Regional Development Plan
- SSA (Association of Local Authorities in East Iceland) priority projects
- Priorities of the East Iceland Development Fund
- Austurbrú’s work plans
- Project plans for specific projects
- Municipal budgets
- Majority agreements of town and municipal councils
The Regional Planning Committee shall point out any discrepancies between the described strategy in the plan and other plans. Municipalities in East Iceland and their support institutions must incorporate the strategy into their general plans and other action plans within 24 months of the plan’s approval. When significant changes are made to general plans, regional development plans, Austurbrú’s work plans, or other public action plans, the Regional Planning Committee must be consulted to ensure alignment with the regional plan’s strategy.
Proposals for changes to general plans must always explain their consistency with the regional plan. When changes are considered significant and concern regional interests, the Regional Planning Committee’s opinion on the alignment with the regional plan must be sought. Guidelines will be developed for local councils and the Regional Planning Committee regarding this process.