Welfare and Vitality Committee
20. marraskuuta 2025 16:01 - 18:20
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The committee decided on the distribution of community grants for 2026 totaling 250,000 euros across different activity sectors. The largest share of 90,000 euros goes to sports grants, 36,500 euros for culture, and 25,500 euros for youth activities. The theme for 2026 targeted grants was selected as "Lempäälä 160 years", which guides organizations to apply for support for events and activities related to the municipality's anniversary year. The theme already generated significant interest during the application phase, as there were more targeted grant applications than usual.
Kokouksen laillisuus ja päätösvaltaisuus
The committee reviewed current affairs from various sectors, including the status of the rural administration cooperation area, youth council updates, and the financial and feedback situation for wellbeing and vitality services from October. Additionally, it was decided to move the December meeting from December 11th to an earlier date, Tuesday December 9th at 4 PM. Rural Director Timo Perälampi was present to report on rural affairs. The matters were noted for information without separate decisions.
The committee held a preliminary discussion on the distribution of community grants for 2026 to associations that promote well-being and participation. 27 applications were received totaling 58,320 euros, and it is proposed to grant 45,700 euros from the allocated budget of 60,000 euros. The final decision on the grants will be made by the development director after consulting the committee. The remaining 14,300 euros will be transferred to targeted grants.
The board held a preliminary discussion on the distribution of community grants for 2026 to local associations and organizations. The associations applied for a total of 49,720 euros, but 18,250 euros is proposed to be granted from the available budget of 26,050 euros. The remaining 7,800 euros will be reserved for a separate application round in spring. The theme for the grants is "Lempäälä 160 years" in honor of the municipality's anniversary year.
Lempäälä is participating in the Christmas Mail for the Elderly campaign, collecting Christmas cards for home care clients - cards can be delivered to libraries and Lempäälä House until December 4th. A residents' meeting will be held in Sääksjärvi on November 25th, where participants can influence the development of the area, including zoning of the market square block and planning of youth facilities. Library usage is growing strongly and the 2024 lending record of 500,000 loans will be clearly exceeded in 2025. Lempäälä is seeking state support for implementing a literacy strategy, as the decline in literacy skills is both a local and national concern.
The committee noted the official decisions from the period 16.10.-12.11.2025 and did not take them up for separate consideration. This is a routine procedure where the committee monitors what decisions officials have made within their authority. Official decisions are delivered to committee members weekly for monitoring purposes.
Sports service prices will be increased by an average of 5-15 percent starting from 1.1.2026 in accordance with the municipality's updated rental principles. The largest increases target sauna rental prices (15%), while sports facilities, gyms and instruction activity prices will rise by 5 percent. New discount groups will be added to gym pricing for students, unemployed persons and others in need of support. Going forward, a 10 euro billing fee will be added to all invoices.
The Welfare and Vitality Committee approved the agenda and order of proceedings for its meeting as presented. This is a standard procedure at the beginning of each meeting to ensure that all planned matters are addressed in the agreed order.
Pöytäkirjan tarkastajat
The board held a preliminary discussion on community grants for 2026, for which applications were submitted for cultural activities with 18 applications totaling 46,030 euros and for basic education in the arts with 4 applications totaling 31,200 euros. The available budget is 36,500 euros for culture and 25,500 euros for basic education in the arts, so not all applications can be approved in full. The board provided comments on the distribution of grants, after which the development director will make the final decisions on granting the subsidies. Grants are awarded based on the scope, quality and impact of activities in Lempäälä.
Ilmoitusasiat
Lempäälä received a total of 140,824 euros in inheritance funds through the State Treasury, which has been decided to be used for promoting public swimming services at Vesimaailma Louhi. The goal is to organize 7,000-10,000 additional swimming hall visits annually during 2024-2026 and make 2026 a themed year for water safety and swimming skills in honor of the municipality's 160th anniversary. In 2025, approximately 40,000 euros was used for swimming schools, water rescue training, and swimming activities for different age groups, leaving approximately 100,000 euros available for use in 2026. The measures aim to promote equal opportunities for all residents to use the swimming hall and improve water safety.
The committee held a preliminary discussion on grants for sports associations for 2026 before making the final decision. Eighteen associations applied for a total of 177,000 euros, but only 90,000 euros is available. In the proposal, sports associations would receive a total of 88,250 euros in grants for their activities, and the remaining 1,750 euros would be transferred to targeted grants. The development director will make the final decision based on the committee's comments.
The committee held a preliminary discussion on next year's operating grants for youth associations. A total of 11 associations applied for grants worth 36,000 euros, but the municipality's budget is 25,500 euros. Grants are awarded by the development director after consulting the committee, based on the scope, quality and impact of activities. The final decision will be made later.