Sign language used in City Council discussion on the financial plan for the coming years

At this City Council meeting, sign language interpretation was piloted for the first time to improve the accessibility of meetings. During the preliminary debate on the financial plan, each council group and the Youth Council gave their group statements, which were interpreted into sign language. Based on the experiences of the pilot, a decision will be made on the possible continuation of sign language interpretation at meetings.

The detailed plan for the Vantaa tram depot enables the construction of a planned tram depot in Vaarala, Vantaa. The plan allocates 20,000 square metres of floor area for storage, servicing and maintenance facilities for trams, as well as office and staff facilities within a block designated for buildings and facilities serving municipal engineering infrastructure, with a maximum of two storeys. In addition, a protective green area is designated where the environment will be preserved. The detailed plan includes provisions related to groundwater protection, carbon neutrality, energy, noise control, urban landscape and green construction.

The amendment to the detailed plan for the Metsolanmäki daycare centre expands the current block area for public buildings by incorporating part of a park and enables the existing daycare building in Metsola to be extended to two storeys.

Personnel report 2024: Salaries increased and employee turnover decreased

At the end of 2024, the City of Vantaa employed 8,258 people, of whom 6,152 were permanent employees and 2,099 were fixed-term. The average age of personnel was 45, and the average length of employment was 9 years. The education and early childhood sector was the most female-dominated (85% women), while men were most represented in the urban environment sector (56%). A total of 416 people worked in supervisory roles, 69% of whom were women. In 2024, employee turnover decreased to 8.3%. The greatest recruitment challenges were in early childhood education and teaching.

Personnel expenses amounted to €422.9 million, which is 7.3% higher than the previous year. Salaries were increased in accordance with the municipal sector agreement. ePassi was introduced as a provider of employee benefits, and the Flex benefit enabled support of €200 per year for wellbeing, sports and cultural services.

In addition, the meeting discussed council initiatives concerning, among other things, a memorial for victims of the civil war, the comfort and safety of Myyrmäki centre, Vetokannas beach, children’s and young people’s growth into global citizenship, Carers’ Day, induction loop systems, air purifiers in daycare centres, differences in learning outcomes, accessible playgrounds, sustainable construction, and the Myyrmäki cycling route.