12.02.2024
Meeting press release of the the Board of the Regional Assembly
On Monday 12 February, Regional Director Jussi Rämet discussed the preparation and objectives of the preparation of the Northern and Eastern Programme, the planning of clean and stable energy production at Hanhikivi and the Act on the Use of Territories.
Launch of the second round of maritime spatial planning
The Provincial Government decided to start drawing up a joint maritime spatial plan of the Regional Council of Lapland, the Regional Council of North Ostrobothnia, the Regional Council of Central Ostrobothnia and the Regional Council of Ostrobothnia for the areas of the North Bothnian Sea, the Kvarken and Bothnian Bay and their exclusive economic zone. According to the objective of the Maritime Spatial Planning Co-ordination Group, the draft plan should be completed in 2026. The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia participates in the joint coordination of maritime spatial planning cooperation of the coastal regional councils, which will continue to be led by the Regional Council of Southwest Finland.
Maritime spatial planning is part of the EU’s Integrated Maritime Policy (IMP), which aims at a smart, sustainable and inclusive blue economy. The aim is to promote the sustainable development and growth of the different uses of the sea area, the sustainable use of the marine area's natural resources and the achievement of good environmental status in the marine environment.
Regional structure to be achieved in Northern Ostrobothnia by 2050
The desired regional structure in 2050 expresses the will of the North Ostrobothnian people for the future. It takes into account ongoing development trends at different levels and includes long-term ambition. According to the target schedule, the data will be completed in spring 2024. The regional structure review has been carried out in connection with the preparation of the new regional plan for the energy and climate phase, in parallel with the national land use development picture work led by the Ministry of the Environment. The regional structure work complements the information on the current state of Finland's regional and municipal structure in the national land use development picture work and creates a self-sufficient vision for the future of Northern Ostrobothnia. The Regional Structure of Northern Ostrobothnia 2050 report and thematic and composite maps serve as a complementary knowledge base in the proposal phase of the regional plan for the energy and climate phase. The regional structure data is sent to the member municipalities for a round of comments.
Northern Transport Strategy 2036 draft published
The Northern Transport Strategy 2036 is a strategic vision shared by the regions of Northern Ostrobothnia, Lapland, Kainuu and Central Ostrobothnia for the development of the region's transport system. The strategy focuses on trans-regional transport and logistics issues that affect the whole of northern Finland. The draft Northern Transport Strategy was published on 17 January 2024. Strategic development projects and potentials whose planning or implementation is realistic by 2036 have been put at the centre of the strategy's operational programme. Among the measures, the most important key measures have been prioritised. The vision, objectives and measures of the draft strategy for the Northern Transport System guide regional and regional transport system planning. The strategy will be brought to the approval hearings of the provincial governments in March 2024.
Change of membership
- The Provincial Government decided to release Business Finland's representative Juha Pulkkinen and his deputy Teija Pakanen from the membership of the cooperation group of the Northern Ostrobothnia Region.
In brief
- The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia (Lohi Iijoki 2 project) orders 1-year-old salmon chicks from Kuusamon Jalokala Oy in Iijoki for EUR 0.395/piece for 2025 (VAT 0 %). A maximum of 175,000 fish are purchased and the total value of the purchase is a maximum of 69,125 e (VAT 0 %).
- The Regional Government approved the strategic cooperation agreement between the municipalities of Northern Ostrobothnia, the Welfare Region and the Regional Council, the main objective of which is to help the Welfare Region and the municipalities and the Regional Council to direct their own and joint activities.
- On 17 December 2023, Juha Richter from Oulu submitted a municipal initiative entitled ‘Birth on the rise in Northern Ostrobothnia’. The office of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia has prepared a response to the municipal initiative, which is attached to the agenda and will be presented at the meeting.
- The Government decides on national regional development priorities on a government-by-government basis. The main themes for 2024 are demographic trends and observations, environmental sustainability, regional and municipal structure, transport and communications connections, livelihoods and RDI activities, availability of labour, competence and education, and inclusion and well-being. The Regional Council prepared the regional situational picture in cooperation with the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment of Northern Ostrobothnia and it was submitted to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment on 26 January 2024. The situational picture of Northern Ostrobothnia was presented to the preparatory network and ministries on 1 February 2024. The actual regional development debate will take place in April 2024 by major region.
- The post of Administrative Director is open from 8 February to 1 March 2024. Expert work is purchased from MPS Career for the filling process. The interview group will meet in week 10 to summarise the applicants and present their own proposal to the Provincial Government on 11 March 2024 on the persons invited to the meeting for an interview.
- Decisions of the Regional Director for the period from 6 January to 5 February 2024
- Opinions issued by the Office for the period from 6 January to 5 February 2024
the the Board of the Regional Assembly agenda
