15.04.2024
Decisions of the provincial government
The provincial government met on Monday 15 April. In matters concerning lobbying, Provincial Director Jussi Rämet highlighted the preparation of the Northern Agenda, the Parliamentary Assembly meeting on 25 April 2024 and the objectives of the European Parliament elections in the IP area.
Toni Saranpää appointed Administrative Director of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia
The provincial government unanimously elected FM Toni Saranpää to the position of Administrative Director.
According to the interview group, Saranpää's strong experience and competence in the duties of an administrative director in municipalities and joint municipal authorities, good knowledge of the municipal operating environment and municipal finances, excellent knowledge of municipal and administrative law, good knowledge of regional development legislation, excellent Finnish and English language and Swedish language proficiency at official level, as well as the personal qualities revealed in the interview, supported Saranpää's choice.
Saranpää is currently the Administrative Director of the municipality of Kempele. From 2010 to 2019, he worked for the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia, including as Director and Head of Administration. He has also served as Administrative Director of the City of Ylivieska.
The post of Administrative Director became vacant following the resignation of the current Administrative Director as of 1 September 2024. By the deadline, a total of 23 applications for the post of Administrative Director were received, of which five candidates were interviewed.
Preparation of the Strategy 2025+ of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia to begin
It was decided to start preparing the Strategy 2025+ of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia. In line with the target schedule, the new strategy will be completed at the end of 2024. The implementation period of the current strategy ends at the end of the current year. Renewal of the strategy is necessary due to significant changes in the operating environment. Provinces and municipalities are facing a historic change due to administrative reforms. The coming years will require change management and strategic positioning. The renewal of the strategy is based on a follow-up and impact study of the current strategy and its recommendations.
The desired regional structure in 2050 expresses the future of the North Ostrobothnian will
The data for the target regional structure of North Ostrobothnia in 2050 was approved. The regional structure review has been carried out in connection with the preparation of the new energy and climate phase regional plan 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 development picture work on national spatial use. It creates a self-sufficient vision for the future of Northern Ostrobothnia. The report on the regional structure of North Ostrobothnia 2050, as well as the thematic and composite maps, serve as a complementary knowledge base in the proposal phase of the regional plan for the energy and climate phase and in the preparation of the new regional programme starting in late 2024.
The EMMI project investigated the climate impacts of electricity transmission
The second work package of the EMMI-Energy Transition and Climate Impact Assessment project carried out in the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia investigated the climate impacts of wind power projects and related electricity transmissions marked in the energy and climate phase regional plan of Northern Ostrobothnia throughout their life cycle. In addition, the climate impacts of solar power production were studied on a general level. More information can be found on the EMMI project website: https://www.pohjois-pohjanmaa.fi/kehittaminen/omat-hankkeet/emmi/
Karelia ENI CBC programme's co-operation negotiations ended
The cooperation negotiations concerning the Karelia ENI CBC programme ended on 25 March 2024. The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia acts as the managing authority of the Karelia ENI CBC programme. The tasks of the Karelia ENI CBC programme will be permanently phased out by 30 June 2025.
Changes in membership
- The Regional Government appointed Raija Näpän as the representative of the Youth Friends Association to the Organisational Advisory Board of Northern Ostrobothnia, replacing Arja Sutela.
- The Provincial Government appointed Antti Rovamo, representative of the Finnish Student Union OSAO, as an alternate member of the cooperation group for education and research.
In brief
- A follow-up and impact study on the Strategy 2020-2024 of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia was recorded for information.
- The revised teleworking guidelines were adopted for the period from 1 May to 31 December 2024.
- The interim report 1/2024 was recorded for information.
- The approvers of the invoices were closed with effect from 15 April 2024.
- Appointed representatives of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia to the Baltic Sea Commission's Working Group on Energy and Climate Esa Aalto (member) and What Heikkilä (deputy member) until the end of 2025.
- The meeting of the Provincial Government on 13 May 2024 was postponed to Monday 6 May 2024.
- Decisions of the Provincial Director for the period 5 March - 4 April 2024
- Opinions issued by the Office from 5 March to 4 April 2024
Agendas and minutes
the the Board of the Regional Assembly agenda
