18.08.2025
Decisions of the provincial government
The Regional Government of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia met on 18 August 2025 for its first meeting in autumn. The meeting was the last meeting of the current provincial government. The provincial council will elect a new provincial government on 8 September 2025. This is an announcement of the meeting's decisions. The minutes will be published at the following address: the agendas and minutes of the institutions;
Link to agenda: Agenda 18.8.2025
Please find enclosed the decisions of the meeting:
Regional Director's assessment and target discussion
The Provincial Government took note of the report of the President of the Provincial Government on the evaluation and target discussion. The objectives for 2025 were to clarify the role of the Regional Council, develop advocacy work, promote the well-being of the personnel and clarify the management system.
Economic and operational plan 2026-2028 and budget 2026 of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region
The provincial government approved the strategic objectives, measures and indicators for 2026 and a 1.6 per cent increase in the budget's financial framework for 2026. The proposal for an economic and operational plan for 2026-2028 will be discussed in the Provincial Government on 22 September 2025.
Interim report 2/2025
The second interim report for 2025 was recorded for information. During the review period, the Union's finances and operations have been carried out as planned and there are no significant deviations from the budget and the action plan.
Standard salary model of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia - KVTES
The standard salary model of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia was approved. The new flat-rate salary model replaces the previous job requirement assessment system. The standard salary model must be implemented by 30 September 2025.
Entry into force of the regional plan for the energy and climate phase of Northern Ostrobothnia
Pursuant to Section 201 of the Land Use Act, the provincial government ordered the provincial plan for the energy and climate phase of North Ostrobothnia, approved by the provincial council on 27 May 2025, to enter into force before it became legally valid. The Provincial Government stated that at the time of its entry into force, the phase-provincial plan would repeal or amend the plan solutions of the regional plans of Northern Ostrobothnia as set out in the plan documents.
Audit Board’s evaluation report 2024
The Audit Board’s evaluation report for 2024 was noted.
Competitive tendering of information management services
The Provincial Government suspended the tendering of IT services, launched a new tendering procedure and authorised the Administrative Director to prepare a new tendering procedure and to sign and publish the tender documents. There are significant errors in the contracting entity’s tender documentation which may have influenced the preparation of tenders and which cannot be eliminated without jeopardising the position of tenderers, so the invitation to tender had to be suspended and reorganised.
Acquisition of occupational health care
The provincial government initiated the procurement of occupational health care, authorised the Agency’s staff to prepare the tender documents on the basis of a market dialogue and authorised the Administrative Director to sign the tender documents.
Meeting schedule of the Provincial Government in autumn 2025
The meetings of the Provincial Government for the autumn term 2025 will be held according to the following schedule:
The meetings of the Regional Government of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia are planned to be held on 22 September, 27 October, 17 November and 16 December 2025. The meetings of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia are planned to be held on Monday 8 September 2025 and 8 December 2025. The dates and places of the meetings of the Regional Council and Government are announced on the website of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia.
Election of the election committee of the provincial council for 2025-2029
The Provincial Government proposes to the Provincial Council that it (1) elect five members of the Electoral Commission and their personal deputies for the term of office of the Provincial Council, and (2) elect a chairperson and a deputy chairperson of the Electoral Commission from among the members of the Electoral Commission.
Election of the President and Vice-Presidents of the Provincial Council
The Provincial Government proposes that the Provincial Council elect a President and the necessary number of Vice-Presidents for the 2025-2029 term of office of the Provincial Council.
Election of the members of the Provincial Government for 2025-2029 and the election of the President and Vice-President of the Provincial Government
The Provincial Government proposes to the Provincial Council that it (1) elects 13 members and their personal deputies to the Provincial Government, and (2) elects the President and Vice-President of the Provincial Government for the term of office of the Provincial Government 2025-2029 from among the elected members of the Provincial Government.
Election of the members of the Audit Board for the period 2025-2029 and the election of the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Audit Board
The Provincial Government proposes to the Provincial Council that it (1) elects seven members of the Audit Board and a personal deputy for each member, and (2) elects the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of the Audit Board from among the members of the Audit Board for the term of office of the Audit Board 2025-2029.
Publication of joint municipal authority notices 2025-2029
The provincial government proposes to the provincial council that 1) the notifications of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia be published on the website of the joint municipal authority, unless otherwise provided for in special legislation; (2) Where appropriate, notices shall be published in newspapers, depending on the subject matter: Kaleva, Koillissanomat, Raahen Seutu or Kalajokilaakso; 3) In the vacancy notices, the provincial government and the provincial director may select the media considered appropriate for the purpose in which the notice is published.
Board of Governors' Initiative: Transition to the electronic meeting procedure / What is Flöjt
The provincial government responded to the council initiative in accordance with the explanatory memorandum. Response to the initiative.
Cases of report
Signed for information:
– Visit of the Coalition Party's ministerial group on 18 August 2025
– Visit of the Finns Party parliamentary group on 27 August 2025
– Meeting of Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Essayah 12.8.2025
– Municipal needs as distributive items in 2025 by administrative sector
EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and Cohesion Policy
Statements by the Office for the period 3 June to 11 August 2025
The statements made by the Office were noted.
Official decisions for the period 3.6.-11.8.2025
Notice was given of the decisions taken by the office-holders. The provincial government does not exercise the right of withdrawal under section 92 of the Local Government Act.
Additional information
Lauri Nikula, President of the Provincial Government, tel. +358 40 913 5722
Jussi Rämet, Regional Director, tel. +358 40 586 3877
