Welfare and Vitality Committee

The Development Director presents several current affairs to the board, which are proposed to be addressed for information. The agenda includes the property and facilities program introductory discussion, organizational and participation activities, and current affairs of the youth council. Additionally, the financial situation of well-being and vitality services from the beginning of 2026 will be addressed. The board is proposed to note all presented matters for information.

The board reviews a response to a council motion proposing an investigation into the resource needs for early youth work (ages 10-13) in Lempäälä. The investigation indicates that the municipality currently provides youth services in three areas through school community coordinators and youth activity coordinators, with the main target group being young people aged 12-20. The response includes an overview of current personnel resources (11.5 person-years), facilities and activities, and evaluates the accessibility of services in different parts of the municipality. The matter also addresses potential development needs, particularly from the perspective of early youth work.

Official decisions from the period 15.1.-11.2.2026 are presented to the committee for information. Official decisions are decisions made by municipal officials within their authority without the matter being separately processed in the committee. The decision list is delivered to committee members as an attachment to the agenda and to the Teams workspace weekly.

The board is presented with the meeting agenda and the order of business for approval. This is a standard procedure to ensure that all matters to be discussed in the meeting are known and will be handled in the agreed order. If necessary, the board may decide to take up other matters or change the order of business.

The committee is considering a proposal for a five-year service purchase agreement for swimming hall services, which would enable more affordable swimming hall fees and expanded services for residents. The agreement with P.K Uimahallipalvelut Oy would cost 500,000 euros annually and would be valid from February 2026 to January 2031. Through this agreement, especially schoolchildren and other municipal groups would have broader access to swimming hall services. The costs of the agreement have already been taken into account in the municipality's budget.

The committee reviews for information several current issues from different service areas. In library services, the usage figures for 2025 increased significantly: loans increased by 8.9% and visitor numbers by 9.54%, and in February, collection floating between libraries was initiated. Sports services received a 10,000 euro grant for a family sports counseling project, and youth services had a total of nearly 29,000 participants in 2025. Additionally, unemployment statistics are presented: Lempäälä's unemployment rate was 9.3% in December while the Pirkanmaa average was 13.6%.

The Welfare and Vitality Committee is proposed to decide on a response to the senior and disability council's motion regarding the transfer of the Community House to become part of Lempäälä House. The background of the motion is the challenges that have emerged in the Community House established at Hakkari Manor regarding the functionality, accessibility and barrier-free access of the premises, due to which the usage rate has decreased significantly after 2022. The preparer presents an assessment of whether transferring the Community House operations to Lempäälä House would be more sensible than continuing the current location. The decision would affect local associations' and organizations' opportunities to obtain free meeting and activity spaces.