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An interim preparatory body appointed for the wellbeing county of Western Uusimaa

26.8.2021 10.37Updated:2.3.2022 11.38

Until a county council is elected, and a county government appointed by the council starts its operations, the interim preparatory body will be responsible for preparing the start of the operations and administration of the wellbeing services county of Western Uusimaa. The city and municipal boards of Western Uusimaa have approved the principles related to the composition of the interim preparatory body.

The City Board of Espoo appointed an interim preparatory body on 23 August 2021. It consists of nine members: 

  • Espoo: 
    • Sanna Svahn, Director of Social and Health Services (deputy member Markus Paananen, Director of Health Services) 
    • Markus Syrjänen, Director of Administration and Development (deputy member Ari Erkinharju, Procurement Director) 
    • Mari Ahlström, Director of Family and Social Services (deputy member Minna Hoffström, Director of Elderly Services) 
    • Timo Kuismin, Director of Legal Affairs (deputy member Jouni Majuri, City Secretary) 
  • Lohja: Tuula Suominen, Director of Wellbeing (deputy member Raija Lindroos, Administrative Manager) 
  • Raseborg, Hanko, Ingå and Siuntio: Benita Öberg, Director of Social and Health Services at Raseborg (deputy member Cathrinne Wetterstrand, Director of Social and Health Services at Siuntio) 
  • Kirkkonummi and Kauniainen: Jaana Koskela, Director of Social and Health Services at Kirkkonummi (deputy member Ulla Tikkanen, Director of Social and Health Services at Kauniainen) 
  • Karkkila and Vihti: Timo Turunen, CEO of Karviainen Joint Municipal Authority (deputy member Mari Haapanen, Director of Culture and Wellbeing at Vihti) 
  • Länsi-Uusimaa Rescue Department: Veli-Pekka Ihamäki, Chief Fire Officer (deputy member Kimmo Markkanen, Head of Support). 

The interim preparatory body will meet 1–2 times a month and at other times as necessary. The first meeting was on Friday, 27 August 2021. 

The county elections will be held on 23 January 2022, and the county council will start its operations on 1 March 2022. As of 2025, county elections will be held at the same time as municipal elections. 

Tasks of the interim preparatory body 

According to Section 10 of the Act on the Implementation of the Reform of Health, Social and Rescue Services, the task of the preparatory body is, in cooperation with the authorities from which tasks and personnel performing them are to be transferred to the wellbeing services county, to 

  1. determine which personnel will be transferred to the wellbeing services county and prepare proposals for personnel transfer plans and agreements for the county council 

  1. participate in determining the movable and immovable assets to be transferred to the wellbeing services county 

  1. participate in determining the agreements to be transferred to the wellbeing services county and the related rights and obligations 

  1. participate in determining the information and communication technology systems and solutions supporting the management and service functions to be transferred to the wellbeing services county 

  1. prepare the organisation of the operations and administration of the wellbeing services county and the selection of the auditor 

  1. decide on the budget of the wellbeing services county for 2021 and 2022 

  1. participate in the organisation of the first county elections 

  1. prepare other matters directly related to the start of the operations and administration of the wellbeing services county.