21.08.2023
Meeting press release of the the Board of the Regional Assembly
The provincial government held its first meeting of the autumn season in Oulu on Monday, 21 August. In matters of lobbying, Provincial Director Markus Erkkilä presented the key issues of the Government Programme from the perspective of the Regional Council.
Up to 3% increase in municipal funding for 2024, no Epiphany reception
The Economic and Action Plan 2024-2026 will be prepared in accordance with the guidelines adopted by the Provincial Government in June. On Monday 21 August, the meeting discussed the size of municipal funding and possible economic adjustment measures for the 2024 budget. The largest increase in budgetary expenditure is in staff salaries, which will increase significantly in 2023 and 2024 as a result of municipal wage settlements.
The provincial government decided that the amount of municipal funding would be no more than 3% for 2024. It was also decided not to organise a Epiphany reception in 2024.
The provincial government decided on the financial framework for municipal funding after a vote. In connection with the discussion, Juha Pylväs, supported by Tiina Hanhikorpi, proposed that the financial framework for municipal financing be raised by a maximum of 3% and that the Epiphany reception not be held in 2024. Mikko Korkeakoski, supported by Kaarina Kailo, Esa Aalto and Sari Nurro, proposed that the financial framework for municipal funding be increased by a maximum of four pts, that no Epiphany reception be held in 2024 and that other austerity measures be sought. Juha Pylvä's performance was supported by Jussi Ylitalo, Tiina Hankikorpi, What Heikkilä, Marjut Lehtonen, Hanna Markkanen, Lauri Nikula and Juha Pylväs. Esa Aalto, Kaarina Kailo, Mikko Korkeakoski, Jari Leathernen and Sari Nurro.
The new service agreement between the Regional Councils and the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities enters into force on 1 January 2024
For its part, the Provincial Government approved the service agreement between the Regional Councils and the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities. The agreement will enter into force after signature on 1 January 2024.
The service agreement concerns the services and cooperation provided by the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities to provincial associations in return for a service fee. Through the agreement, the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities supports cooperation between the regional councils with the partnership model and offers the regional councils the services mentioned in the agreement as well as cooperation in advocacy. The new service agreement will move from service fees graduated according to the size of the county to equal contributions. Starting from the beginning of 2024, the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities' annual service fee for all counties is EUR 12,000.
The TE2024 project in Northern Ostrobothnia supports municipalities in the TE service reform
Government-produced employment and economic development services (TE services) will be transferred to municipalities' production responsibility on 1 January 2025. The TE2024 project in Northern Ostrobothnia provides the municipalities of Northern Ostrobothnia with information on the reform and supports the organisation of the reform and the municipalities' preparation for the change. The project produces information on financing and the effects of the reform on the municipal economy, as well as analyses of the service and structural reform of integration using scenario models. The project will run until the end of 2024.
More information from the project website.
Changes in membership
At the City Council meeting on 22 May 2023, Oulu City Council granted Merja Rasinkangas (PS) resignation from the Northern Ostrobothnia Regional Council and elected Anneli Näpä (Centre) as a new member of the Regional Council for the remainder of her term of office.
In brief
- The second interim report of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia for 2023 was recorded for information.
- The approvers of the invoices were closed as of 1 September 2023.
- The AKKE management project was granted self-financing from the Development Fund of the Regional Council of North Ostrobothnia up to a maximum of EUR 92,000.
- An update of the description of the management and control system for the Renewable and Skilled Finland 2021-2027 and a clarification of the description of the management and control system for the Sustainable Growth and Jobs 2014-2020 Finnish Structural Fund Programme were recorded for information.
