Vantaa City Council approves the budget for 2024 – Säde Tahvanainen elected as the Chair of the Council
On 13 November 2023, the Vantaa City Council elected Säde Tahvanainen (SDP) as the new Chair of the Council and accepted Antti Lindtman’s resignation as he takes up duties as the Chair of the Social Democratic Party of Finland. The City Council also approved the budget and tax rates for 2024 and the economic plan for 2024–2027.
Kaupunginvaltuusto äänesti täydennysvaalissa uudeksi puheenjohtajakseen Säde Tahvanaisen.
In addition, the City Council approved the town planning proposal for Pellavapolku in Jokiniemi. The change enables the construction of two five-storey residential buildings. The residential houses on the plot will be demolished and the existing three plots will be joined together.
The City Council also discussed a number of councillors’ initiatives on competitive tendering, Vantaa’s 50th anniversary commemorative coin, biodegradable sunscreens, further training for special education teachers, school mealtimes and working conditions, and Swedish-language youth work.
Vantaa invests in the future and youth services
Vantaa continues to grow, and the city has reduced its debt steadily. In the next few years, the city will make multiple investments to support its vitality. In addition to the ongoing day-care centre and school construction projects, the construction of the Elmo Swimming Hall and the Sports Hall of North-eastern Vantaa will begin soon. The construction of the Vehkala campus of Vantaa Vocational College Varia will continue, the renovation of the main building of Håkansböle Manor will begin, and the renovation of the culture centre Vernissa will be completed. The building of the Vantaa tramway will also begin. In particular, the city is investing in youth work, subsidies, park meals and libraries.
In the budget for 2024, the city’s operating revenue amounts to EUR 343 million and operating expenditure to EUR 1,032.4 million. The investment expenditure amounts to EUR 198.4 million with a total of EUR 53.1 million budgeted for new construction. The loan stock will increase by approximately EUR 89.7 million. The reserve for loans is increased by the city’s basic investments, the investment in the Vantaa tramway, and the temporary decrease in land sale revenue. The City of Vantaa’s tax rates for 2024:
• income tax rate 6.4
• general real estate tax rate 1.28
• permanent residence 0.41
• other than permanent residence 1.25
• power plant 3.10
• unbuilt building site 6.00.
Vantaa tramway and more residential buildings included in the MAL 2023 plan
The City Council approved the strategic land use, housing and transport planning in the Helsinki region (MAL 2023 plan). MAL 2023 details the municipalities’ joint goals for the development of the Helsinki region until 2040 and establishes a vision of development for up to 2060. For Vantaa, the most important project is the Vantaa tramway. MAL 2023 also includes projects to improve the road to Hämeenlinna between Ring I and Kaivoksela and to build a station in Lapinkylä. In addition, the number of apartments will increase from the currently agreed 2,640 apartments to 2,720.
A detailed list of decisions made at the Council meeting can be found attached. The meeting agenda and minutes will be made available at www.vantaa.fi/paatoksenteko.
