15.01.2024
Meeting press release of the the Board of the Regional Assembly
The provincial government held its first meeting in 2024 on Monday 15 January. Regional Director Jussi Rämet raised the issue of the preparation of the agenda for advocacy in Northern Ostrobothnia in cooperation with the municipalities.
North Ostrobothnia's transport system plan to be updated
The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia and the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment of Northern Ostrobothnia have prepared a transport system plan for Northern Ostrobothnia in 2019. The regional transport system work has highlighted the need to update the current plan to meet the requirements set by the changed world situation. In addition, the region's logistical needs are presented in a new light in terms of security of supply in the current situation. Studies have been carried out on the investment potential of industry in the northern region, which have an impact on the strategic objectives of developing the transport system.
The aim is to update the North Ostrobothnia transport system plan to reflect the changed operating environment and transport policy. The update takes into account the impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and changes in traffic flows in the region, the stagnation of traffic to Russia, the effects of climate change on future traffic and the effects of the fuel disruption on traffic flows in Northern Ostrobothnia. In addition, the aim is to examine the traffic flows within the region and the possibilities for their development. The updated transport system plan is expected to be finalised by the end of October 2024. The total cost of the work is 33,400 euros.
Announcement of the post of Administrative Director
Riitta Pitkänen, Director of Administration and Human Resources of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia, has made a notice of resignation from the position of Director of Administration and Human Resources so that her last day of service is 31 August 2024. The Provincial Government decided to declare the post of Administrative Director open from 8 February to 1 March 2024.
Acquisition of one-year-old salmon chicks for 2025
The provincial government decided to launch the procurement of one-year-old salmon chicks for 2025. The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia has applied for state funding under NOUSU for the Lohi Iijoki 2 project, which invests in planting small juveniles of Atlantic salmon and trout. The aim of small juvenile restocking on the river Iijoki and its tributaries is to support the emergence of salmon and sea trout stigmatised in the river. The aim of the small-breeding plantings is also to produce smolts for studies on the Haapakoski downhill migration route. The project aims to plant a maximum of 175,000 one-year-old salmon chicks in 2025. The estimated cost of the acquisition is EUR 125 000. The procurement must be completed by the end of February 2024, so that the selected fish breeder has the opportunity to acquire the necessary amount of salmon roe for rearing the juveniles.
Citizens' Initiative: Birth rate rising in Northern Ostrobothnia
The provincial government took note and sent Juha Richer's municipal initiative to be prepared: “Finland, including Northern Ostrobothnia, is experiencing a significant decline in fertility. This decline threatens the future of our society from many perspectives. The birth defect poses a clear threat to the dependency ratio and the economy, and thus to the very existence of society as a whole. I propose that the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia start to explore in more detail measures and means (e.g. in communications) that can increase the birth rate in cooperation with other parties, encourage family formation and provide support to families in a timely manner, including in cooperation with business and industry.’
Changes in membership
- Reisjärvi Municipal Council has elected Sari Huuskonen (Central) as a new member of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia and Arto Vähäsöyring (Central) as his deputy for the remainder of his term of office.
- The provincial government appointed the following members to the Regional Sports Council as representatives of Northern Ostrobothnia: Eronen Jarmo (Haapajärvi), Kauppila Jukka (Kalajoki), Kortessalo Minna (Raahe), Korpelainen Raija (ODL, Oulu), Miettinen Pauli (Kuusamo), Oulasmaa Kirsti (Ylivieska), Rajaniemi Anneli (Oulainen), Virtanen Katri (Oulu) and Ylitalo Jussi (PoPLi, Tyrnävä).
In brief
- The post of Director of Administration and Human Resources was changed to Director of Administration with effect from 15 January 2024.
- The Regional Government of Northern Ostrobothnia decided that the Northern Ostrobothnia Prize will be awarded annually at the Regional Parliament or at a similar event organised by the Regional Council.
- Ilpo Tapaninen, Strategy Manager, presented the activities of the Northern Ostrobothnia Youth Council in 2023 from the perspective of matters falling within the remit of the Regional Council.
- Decisions of the Provincial Director 12 December 2023 - 5 January 2024
- Opinions issued by the Office for the period from 12 December 2023 to 5 January 2024
Agendas and minutes
the the Board of the Regional Assembly agenda
the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region agendas and minutes
