16.12.2025
Meeting press release of the the Board of the Regional Assembly
The Regional Government of Northern Ostrobothnia convened its last meeting of the autumn season on 16 December in Oulu. The Provincial Government approved the report on internal control and risk management and the equality and non-discrimination plan of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia.
Report on internal control and risk management for 2025
The Internal Control Report 2025 was adopted. Internal auditing is carried out in accordance with the annual audit plan approved by the Regional Director. Each year, the provincial government is notified of the previous year's internal audit report on the audits carried out, the audit findings and recommendations for the development of operations. The findings and actions taken in the areas of responsibility's internal control and risk management have been discussed in the Executive Board meetings on a third-year basis. No significant internal control weaknesses have been identified in the past period. Contract management has been developed by starting to review existing contracts and by updating contract monitoring and metadata. In 2025, several guidelines have been developed or updated to support the implementation of internal control. In addition, an operating model for the notification and authorisation of secondary activities has been established.
Equality and non-discrimination plan 2026-2027
The Regional Government approved the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia's equality and non-discrimination plan, which has been drawn up in cooperation with the employer, personnel representatives and personnel. The plan is based on a personnel survey. The pay survey required by the Equality Act has been carried out according to the salary data for October 2025. The plan includes an assessment of the implementation of the objectives and measures of the 2024-2025 equality and non-discrimination plan.
Rules of Procedure of the North Ostrobothnia Regional Cooperation Group confirmed
The task of the regional cooperation group (MYR) is to coordinate the preparation and implementation of plans, programmes and agreements related to regional development. The term of office of the cooperation group is the municipal election period. The provincial cooperation group approves and the provincial government approves the rules of procedure of the cooperation group, which serves as a key steering document for the cooperation group's operations and defines meeting practices, decision-making methods and the tasks of the secretariat.
The the Board of the Regional Assembly took note of:
- a presentation on the EU financial framework 2028-2034 and a state of play of preparations for the new programming period;
- an update on the state of play of funding under the EU's regional and structural policy programme Renewing and Skilled Finland 2021-2027 and on the state of implementation and implementation of national funding;
- a proposal to amend the Renewable and Skilled Finland 2021-2027 programme as part of the mid-term review of cohesion policy;
- the implementation of the 2024 Internal Audit Service recommendations;
- a proposal on developing the well-being at work and operating culture of the staff of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia.
In brief
- It was found that the decisions of the provincial council of 8 December 2025 were taken in the prescribed order, that the provincial council did not exceed its powers of action and that the decisions were not unlawful and decided to implement the decisions of the provincial council.
- Decisions by Officials between 12 November and 9 December 2025. The provincial government did not exercise the right of withdrawal under Section 92 of the Local Government Act.
- Issued by the Office opinions between 12 November and 9 December 2025.
the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region agendas and minutes
