14.03.2022
Meeting press release of the the Board of the Regional Assembly
The Regional Government of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia held a hybrid meeting on Monday, 14 March. In Oulu, Finland.
Union's financial statements in surplus
The annual report and financial statements will proceed from the meeting of the provincial government to the provincial council in June for approval. The Regional Council of North Ostrobothnia has a surplus of EUR 213,026.22 for the financial year 2021. When EUR 69,006.38 is credited from the development fund, it is proposed that EUR 282,033.22 be recorded in the surplus/deficit account of the balance sheet.
Preparation of the regional plan for the energy and climate phase in Northern Ostrobothnia is progressing
The responses to the participation and assessment plan of the regional plan for the energy and climate phase of Northern Ostrobothnia were accepted as the basis for the further preparation of the regional plan. on the participation and evaluation plan 31 responses were received. The prerequisites for emission-free and renewable energy production in the region, as well as the transmission and storage of electrical energy, became the most important subject of feedback. It is proposed that the potential of decentralised and centralised solar energy be investigated for the whole province. Electricity transmission, i.e. new power lines in the regional grid and the expansion of the main grid, raise concerns as well as the impact of the sharp increase in wind power on the loss of biodiversity and carbon sinks.
Members appointed to the committees
The Regional Government appointed the members of the Northern Ostrobothnia Youth Council for 2022-2023 and for the term 2022-2025 to the Northern Ostrobothnia Advisory Board for Climate Work, the Northern Ostrobothnia Organisational Advisory Board and the Northern Ostrobothnia Education and Research Cooperation Group. Hanna Markkanen was appointed to the Northern Ostrobothnia Youth Council and Jussi Ylitalo and Esa Aalto to the Advisory Board for Climate Action. Ylitalo was appointed as Chair of the Climate Work Advisory Board and Aalto as Vice Chair.
North Ostrobothnia Regional Council grants 10,000 euros to Ukraine
The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia participates in providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine by allocating a grant of EUR 10,000 through the Finnish Red Cross.
Other issues
- Lucille Ehrhart, Secretary General of the Baltic Sea Commission, is currently visiting Northern Ostrobothnia and Oulu. Ehrhart informed the provincial government about the activities of the Baltic Sea Commission.
- Regional Director Pauli Harju and Programme Director Marko Ruokangas told about the effects of the war in Ukraine on the activities of the Regional Council of North Ostrobothnia as the Managing Authority of the Karelia CBC programme and other international activities.
- The Northern Ostrobothnia Culture Development Programme 2022-2030 was adopted. The development programme is a shared vision of what kind of cultural region North Ostrobothnia wants to be.
- The internal control and risk management guidelines were approved. The guidelines set out the key procedures for the practical implementation and reporting of internal control and risk management.
- The provincial president's contract was approved.
- Development Manager Päivi Keisanen presented the Just Transition Plan for Northern Ostrobothnia (JTF). Finland's JTF + State funding amounts to EUR 644 million. In accordance with the Government's policy, EUR 119.4 million will be allocated to Northern Ostrobothnia. The use of JTF funding is conditional on territorial just transition plans. If the Commission approves all the provincial plans, the JTF could start in autumn 2022. The transition plan to be submitted to the Commission will be approved by the Provincial Cooperation Group.
Additional information
Jussi Ylitalo, President of the the Board of the Regional Assembly, tel. +358 45 160 6466
Pauli Harju, Regional Director, tel. +358 400 389 152
