Turku City Region Joint Municipal Authority started its operations
During this summer, the councils of the municipalities of the core city region (Kaarina, Lieto, Naantali, Raisio, Rusko and Turku) approved a treaty establishing a joint municipal authority. The aim of the joint municipal authority is to strengthen political cooperation by increasing the vitality, competitiveness and retention capability of the region. The Board of Turku City Region held its first meeting on 17 August 2022.
Inter-municipal cooperation can be used to develop and improve the services offered to residents in a cost-effective and sensible manner. Through the activities of the joint municipal authority, common operating methods can be found to facilitate the municipalities’ current and future challenges. This can also mean better and more accessible services for municipal residents.
More systematic and uniform advocacy will make it possible to take care of the interests of the entire region both nationally and within the EU, for example when deciding on funding programmes.
The joint municipal authority does not have decision-making powers binding on the member municipalities, nor will it carry out future projects, which is why the municipalities will continue to make decisions on these matters independently. The joint municipal authority strives to find common policy guidelines to ensure that the municipalities move in the same direction for the benefit of the entire region.
Cooperation seeks common solution models for municipal challenges
The Board of Turku City Region held its first meeting on 17 August at Villa Solin in Turku. The meeting discussed the implementation of the start-up measures and, among other things, the recruitment of the Director of Turku City Region. In 2020, a strategy template was prepared for the region, which will be updated and used in building the action plan and budgeting.
The cost to the municipalities for 2023 will be around EUR 2 per resident. However, the net cost will remain much lower, as the amount charged will cover joint reports that the municipalities have carried out and paid for themselves.
“After the first board meeting, there is a clear demand for this type of cooperation. The spirit of the meeting was excellent, and I believe that the rest of the board members share my feelings,” says Minna Arve, Chair of the Board of Turku City Region and Mayor of the City of Turku.
Niina Alho, Vice Chair of the Board of Turku City Region and Chair of the City Council of Kaarina, is along the same lines:
“The meeting was good and constructive. The municipalities are facing many challenges, and the cooperation can help us find common solution models together. The expectations are high.”
Board decisions 17 August
The Board of Turku City Region decided to launch a study on the network of sports facilities. The aim is to determine the amount, quality and availability of both public and private sports facilities from the perspective of municipal residents. The goal is that the regional sports facility network develops and responds to the needs of local residents and is easily accessible, for example through a joint reservation system.
The Board of Turku City Region also decided to open a debate on the reform of the employment service. The responsibility for providing employment services will be transferred to municipalities in 2024. This opens a lot of opportunities for increasing inter-municipal cooperation. Through the discussions, the aim is to examine the overall situation of the preparation of the reform and to find a common view of the opportunities for cooperation and the objectives set for it.
Members and deputies of the Board of Turku City Region:
Alho Niina (Vice Chair), Kaarina; deputy Rautanen Hannu
Arve Minna (Chair), Turku; deputy Miikkola Mikael
Elo Piia, Turku; deputy Wulff Nicke
Forsblom Toni, Naantali; deputy Hagsberg Sirpa
Helesvirta Jussi, Rusko; deputy Suovanen Hanna
Junnila Vilhelm, Naantali; deputy Tanila-Järvinen Reetta
Laulumaa Janne, Raisio; deputy Mero Jonna
Mattila Antti, Rusko; deputy Uschanov Crista
Mikkola Mari, Lieto; deputy Kolkkala Riina
Pilpola Juhani, Lieto; deputy Marjomaa Juhani
Rantanen Elina, Turku; deputy Helin Perttu
Salonen Jari, Raisio; deputy Kangasoja Mikko
Virolainen Anne-Mari, Kaarina; deputy Hans Huttunen
