22.08.2022
Meeting newsletter of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia 22.8.2022
The regional government held the first meeting of the autumn season in Oulu on Monday 22 August.
Regional Director Pauli Harju raised the issue of transport appropriations in advocacy matters: the planning capacity of the northern connections needs to be improved in spite of the decreasing transport budget frameworks. The Regional Government of Northern Ostrobothnia emphasises that, from the perspective of the accessibility and investment environment of Northern Ostrobothnia, widening and improving the Poikkimaantie road in Oulu is central to the 2023 budget debate. “We need to make sure this goes through”, Harju stressed.
There was a lively debate on the strategic objectives
The strategy of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia 2020-2024 is the basis for operational and economic planning. The provincial government held a discussion on the strategic objectives of the union as a basis for the further preparation of next year's economic and operational plan. At its June meeting, the Provincial Government approved an increase of 4% in the planning framework for the 2023 budget as regards the municipal contribution. The proposal for an economic and operational plan for 2023-2025 will be discussed in the Provincial Government on 26 September 2022 and the plan will then be sent to the member municipalities for an opinion.
Government Programme Objectives for Northern Ostrobothnia 2023
Parliamentary elections will be held in April 2023. The Provincial Government held a discussion about themes important for Northern Ostrobothnia in the Government Programme. Discussions on the objectives of the Government Programme have also taken place at the Northern Finland level in the Northern Finland Advisory Board, which aims to seek common objectives for advocacy in view of the future Government Programme.
The provincial government's development seminar in May sought perspectives on the government's programme objectives.
The themes were focused on the following topics:
Agriculture and climate:
- Influencing EU policy on issues related to agriculture and forestry
- Food and energy security in relation to climate objectives
- Food economy
Knowledge and innovation policy:
- Strengthening innovation policy through national means
- Attraction and resources of the University of Oulu
- Availability of skilled labour
North Ostrobothnia key to Finland's energy transition:
- Creation of a cluster of know-how in the Northern Wind Power Cluster
- Ensuring Northern energy production and investment
Transport and accessibility:
- Commitment to international transport policy and its implementation through funding for TEN-T implementation.
- Taking into account the level of road maintenance financing, primary production, security of supply and industry
- Digital accessibility and accessibility of digital services
Culture
Jari Leathernen represents Northern Ostrobothnia in CPMR
Jari Leathernen has served as the representative of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia in the Baltic Sea Commission of CPMR (Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions). He will chair the Baltic Sea Commission until the annual meeting in Helsinki on 26-27 September 2022. The provincial government appointed Jari Leathernen as the representative of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia in CPMR. The deadline is until the end of 2024. Lauri Nikula was elected as the first deputy member and Sari Nurro as the second deputy member. The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia is represented at the annual meeting of the Baltic Sea Commission in Helsinki by the President of the Regional Government, the President of the Baltic Sea Commission and representatives elected by the Regional Council to its working groups and the Head of International Affairs.
The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia, CPMR, at its 50th annual meeting in Crete, Greece, from 25 to 28 October 2022, is represented by the President of the Provincial Government, the President of the Baltic Sea Commission and the Head of International Affairs.
The Future of Air Transport in Northern Finland project
The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia has prepared the Future of Air Transport in Northern Finland project, for which funding has been sought from the Structural Fund Programme for Sustainable Growth and Jobs 2014-2020. The total cost of the project is estimated at EUR 185 345. In addition to the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia, the Kainuu Regional Council and the Regional Council of Lapland are involved in the project. The Regional Councils of Northern Ostrobothnia, Kainuu and Lapland are responsible for the project's own contribution of EUR 55 604.
Changes in membership
- Marjo-Riitta Tervonen, Head of Inclusion and Interconnection, was appointed as the representative of the North Ostrobothnia Welfare Area to the Organisational Advisory Board of Northern Ostrobothnia.
- In its meeting on 20 June 2022, Oulu City Council elected Heikki Kontturi as a new alternate member of the Regional Council to replace Jaakko Kuusisto for the remainder of his term of office.
In brief
- Kari Aalto, Director of the EU Office for Eastern and Northern Finland, gave a presentation on topical issues related to the EU Office and cohesion policy.
- The Regional Council of North Ostrobothnia's interim report 2/2022 was recorded for information.
- Notifications: REACT-EU allocation powers and launch of the regional development debate process.
Agendas and minutes
Link to the the Board of the Regional Assembly the Agenda
the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region agendas and minutes
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
