10.03.2025
Meeting press release of the the Board of the Regional Assembly
The provincial government met on Monday 10 March in Oulu. In matters concerning lobbying, Regional Director Jussi Rämet presented the current state of implementation of the Northern Finland Programme and a proposal for further development of cooperation between Northern Finland, Northern Sweden and Northern Norway.
Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia's financial statements in surplus
The Regional Board approved the report and financial statements of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia. The budgeted operating costs for 2024 amounted to EUR 6 093 107 and the actual operating costs amounted to EUR 6 011 923,83. The largest item of expenditure was personnel costs of EUR 3 749 530.53, which exceeded the budget by EUR 34 876.19. The second major item of expenditure was purchases of services amounting to EUR 1 658 689.17. They were below the budget of EUR 129 230.49. Operating income was budgeted at EUR 5 883 019 and realised operating income was EUR 5 966 230.56. The municipalities of Northern Ostrobothnia paid a total of EUR 3,737,844.99 in membership fees to the association.
The result for the financial year was EUR -60,121.58. EUR 157 769.87 was recognised as revenue from the Development Fund. The surplus for the financial year is EUR 97 648.29.
Preparation of the regional programme continues in accordance with the development themes
The preparation of the provincial programme for Northern Ostrobothnia 2026-2029 has started in accordance with the work plan. MDI Public supports the preparation and is a methodological expert. The strategic development themes of the regional programme are sustainable competitiveness and renewing investments, well-being and regional resilience in a changing world, as well as a high-quality and attractive living environment. All themes are connected by the region's idea, security and internationality. In the next phase, an electronic survey will be carried out for municipalities and other key stakeholders, as well as three regional events in the first half of April in Oulainen, Kuusamo and Oulu.
The Regional Assembly of Oulu Region's operating model in CPMR
The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia is a member of the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR). On 11 March 2024, the Provincial Government appointed Sari Nurro as the representative of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia (CPMR) and Lauri Nikula as the deputy representative.
The CPMR Baltic Sea Commission has four working groups: Transport, Maritime, Arctic, Energy and Climate Working Groups. The work of the Baltic Sea Commission will be prepared in working groups. On 21 February 2022, the Board of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia elected representatives and deputy representatives to the working groups of the CMPR Baltic Sea Commission. Membership is a parliamentary term. The member of the Maritime Working Group is Sari Nurro, member of the regional government (Deputy member Harri Karjalainen). Jouni Jussinniemi (Deputy member Kaarina Kailo) is a member of the Transport Working Group. Member of the Energy and Climate Working Group until 15 April 2024 was Rami Rauhalla, deputy member of the regional government (Esa Aalto, deputy member). As of 15 April 2024, the current member of the Board of Directors is Esa Aalto, (Deputy member What Heikkilä).
Change of personnel in the Advisory Board for Climate Work
- Jere Viinamäki was appointed to the Northern Ostrobothnia Climate Action Advisory Board as the representative of the Northern Ostrobothnia Youth Council to replace Iida Hyvärinen for the 2022-2025 term of office.
In brief
- The 2024 Internal Audit Report was flagged for information.
- Esa Aalto, member of the Provincial Government, has participated in the meetings of the Climate Working Group of the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR) in Brussels on 17 June 2024, Gozo on 1 October 2024, Heraklion on 5-6 November 2024 and Ancona on 3-4 December 2024. The provincial government approved the travel expenses incurred by Esa Aalto's Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions.
- Sari Nurro was given a mission order to meet EU Commissioner Costas Kadis in Brussels on 8 April 2025.
- The follow-up of the Northern Ostrobothnia Culture Development Programme was noted. The report presents changes in the operating environment and highlights as many examples as possible of development work and activities under the programme from different parts of the region.
- The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia's instructions on preparing for exceptional circumstances and disturbances during normal times were approved. The aim of the joint municipal authority's risk management is to ensure the continuity and uninterruptedness of operations. With the help of risk management, the joint municipal authority seeks to identify the core functions and systems relevant to its operations, set an acceptable level of risk for different functions and implement the necessary risk management measures.
- The provincial government decided to launch a market prospection for IT services. The information management service agreements of municipalities Tiera have been terminated on 28 February 2026. From March 2026 onwards, the information management services of the joint municipal authority must be produced either as own production, by another in-house entity or procured from the market.
- The Assembly of Municipalities will be held on Wednesday 11 June 2025 in Oulu. The Assembly of Representatives elects the members of the provincial council representing the member municipalities and their personal deputies.
- The first meeting of the regional government for autumn 2025 will be held on 11.8.2025. The meetings of the new Regional Government of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia are planned to be held on 22 September, 13 October, 17 November and 16 December 2025. The meeting schedules for the autumn will be decided at the beginning of the new council term, so the planned meeting schedule was noted for information. The meetings of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia are planned to be held on Monday 8 September 2025 and 8 December 2025.
- The decisions of the office-holders for the period from 4 February to 3 March 2025 were recorded. The provincial government did not exercise the right of withdrawal under Section 92 of the Local Government Act.
- The statements made by the Office for the period from 4 February to 3 March 2025 were noted.
Agendas and minutes
the the Board of the Regional Assembly agenda
the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region agendas and minutes
Additional information
Lauri Nikula, President of the Provincial Government, tel. +358 40 913 5722
Jussi Rämet, Regional Director, tel. +358 40 586 3877
