14.11.2023
Meeting press release of the the Board of the Regional Assembly
The provincial government held a hybrid meeting on Tuesday 14 November in Oulu. The agenda included, among other things, an economic and action plan, the planning principles for the proposal phase of the energy and climate phase regional plan for Northern Ostrobothnia, a review of the state of play of the electricity transmission grid, and an update of the transport and logistics strategy for Northern Finland.
The economic and operational plan proceeds to the provincial council's deliberations
The Provincial Government proposes to the Provincial Council that it approves the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia's Economic and Operational Plan 2024-2026 and the budget 2024.
The 2024 budget foresees a reduction in operating costs compared to the previous year’s budget. It is estimated that the number of personnel will decrease during the planning period, which will contribute to the rebalancing of the economy. However, municipal salary solutions have an impact on the increase in personnel costs of personnel covered by municipal financing. Membership contributions have been increased by 3% compared to 2023. However, the increased municipal membership fee income is not sufficient to cover operating expenses, so the balance of the profit and loss account requires a change in the development fund, from which EUR 219 617 is recognised as revenue. The surplus/deficit for the financial year is EUR 0.
Amendments to the Rules of Procedure
The Provincial Government proposes to the Provincial Council that it approves the proposed amendments to the Administrative Regulation of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia. Jussi Rämetin, Regional Director, who took office on 1 September 2023 Director's Agreement He did his work differently than before. In terms of key tasks, the regional director will have his or her own support unit. The Administrative Regulation also specifies the duties of the Director of Administration and Human Resources, as some of the duties are delegated to the Head of Human Resources. The title of the Director of Administration and Human Resources will be proposed to be changed to Director of Administration. It is proposed to delete some of the administrative provisions relating to the decision-making on the presentation or the possibility of delegation.
Northern Finland's transport and logistics strategy to be updated
The regional governments of Kainuu, Central Ostrobothnia, Lapland and Northern Ostrobothnia have decided to update the transport and logistics strategy for Northern Finland. Sitowise Oy has been chosen to carry out the update, coordinate the dialogue with stakeholders and carry out the impact assessment of the strategy-level transport system plan. The strategy will be completed in February 2024. The strategy for the approval process of the provincial governments will come in March 2024.
Joint Smart Specialisation Strategy for Eastern and Northern Finland adopted
Regional government approves joint smart specialisation of Eastern and Northern Finland strategy, the aim of which is to create a common framework for the provinces of Eastern and Northern Finland to promote the skills and development covered by the strategy. The strategy supports the implementation of regional smart specialisation strategies. The joint smart specialisation strategy of the regions of Eastern and Northern Finland enables cross-regional cooperation as well as the preparation of joint projects and funding applications by the regions.
In brief
- The Provincial Government proposes to the Provincial Council that it decide to transfer EUR 300 000 from the balance sheet surplus/deficit account to the Development Fund of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia. Currently, the amount of uncommitted funds in the Development Fund is EUR 268 603.47. In previous years, a surplus of EUR 565 449.64 has been accumulated in the balance sheet surplus/deficit account.
- At its meeting on 12 December 2022, the provincial council approved an initiative for measures entitled ‘In the next period, the possibility of restoring the natural life cycle of migratory fish in the provincial waters will be explored’. A report will be prepared for the initiative in spring 2024, based on the existing knowledge base on the state of the region's water bodies and migratory fish stocks. The survey covers the river systems considered to be the most important for migratory fish.
- The regional government was presented with the principles of planning solutions for regionally significant wind power areas and an overview of the electricity transmission situation.
- Regional Director Jussi Rämet was granted unpaid leave from 4 to 5 December 2023, from 2 to 5 January 2024 and from 31 January to 5 February 2024.
- Decisions of the Regional Director for the period 12.10.-6.11.2023
- Statements by the Office for the period 12.10.-6.11.2023
the the Board of the Regional Assembly agenda
