08.05.2023
Meeting press release of the the Board of the Regional Assembly
The provincial government met on Monday 8 May in Oulu.
In advocacy matters, Provincial Director Markus Erkkilä spoke about the state of play of influencing the Government Programme.
TUULI project's landscape survey has been completed
The TUULI project studies new areas suitable for wind power, which will be indicated in the regional plan for the energy and climate phase of Northern Ostrobothnia. The landscape survey now completed is the last preparatory study of the TUULI project. The combined effects caused by several wind power projects have also been taken into account in the assessment of landscape impacts at a distance of 40 km beyond the borders of the Northern Ostrobothnia region.
The report takes into account the effects on landscape areas and built cultural environments of regional and national value, nature and cultural tourism areas of regional significance, as well as recreational areas and routes. The disturbances visible in the landscape include industrial areas of regional significance, regional and national electricity lines, as well as peat production areas and soil extraction areas.
The landscape survey and its appendices can be found from this link.
The update of the maritime spatial plan is being accelerated
The maritime spatial plan supports the sustainable use of the sea and improves the conditions for maritime activities and the state of the marine environment. Since the adoption of the maritime spatial plan, there have been major changes on the energy front and the sea area is of interest to wind power operators. Sweden and Åland have reacted to the changed situation and started updating the maritime spatial plan with the aim of increasing the production potential of offshore wind power. The provinces of mainland Finland and the Ministry of the Environment are also in a hurry to update the maritime spatial plan.
The Regional Council of Southwest Finland continues to act as a coordination federation for maritime spatial planning cooperation. Separate funding is sought from the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund. Planning will continue in the eMSP NSBR, Sea2Land and MSP Green projects, which have already received EU funding. At the same time, preparations are being made for the launch of a new planning round with an accelerated timetable to accelerate, among other things, the development of offshore wind power. In 2023, the monitoring and evaluation of the first maritime spatial plan will be completed.
Changes in membership
- The Siikajoki Council has declared that Tiina Hovi (Centre) has lost her right to stand as a deputy member of the Northern Ostrobothnia Regional Council and has elected Riitta-Liisa Salmenkangas (Centre) as a new deputy member of the Regional Council for the remainder of her term of office.
- As of 1 May 2023, Risto Leppänen was appointed as an alternate member of the Northern Ostrobothnia Region Cooperation Group.
In brief
- It is proposed to the Regional Council that it approves the amendments to the Administrative Regulation of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia: Chapter XVII is added to the Administrative Regulation: Jurisdiction in exceptional circumstances and in the event of disturbances in normal circumstances, as well as the duties and powers of the Director of Administration and Human Resources in Section 15, add the paragraph ‘The Director of Administration and Human Resources may delegate his or her decision-making powers in respect of paragraphs 3 to 5 to his or her subordinate office-holder’.
- In the interim report, key financial indicators for January-March were reported to the provincial government. During the period under review, the Union's economy has materialised as planned and there are no significant deviations from the budget.
- The Provincial Government was notified of the Audit Board’s evaluation report for 2022. The Audit Board approved the evaluation report on 28 April 2023 and sent it to the Provincial Council for information.
- The state of play of the Karelia CBC programme was noted.
- Decisions of the Provincial Director for the period 4 to 28 April 2023
- Opinions issued by the Office for the period 4 to 28 April 2023
Agendas and minutes
the the Board of the Regional Assembly agenda
the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region agendas and minutes
