Kouvola savings plan puts libraries and swimming pools at risk

Yle has obtained a confidential list of savings measures prepared by officials in the city of Kouvola. The proposals include closing the Inkeroisten and Valkeala swimming pools next year, temporarily laying off city employees, making extensive cuts to cultural grants and reducing the library network.

The measures would save just over seven million euros. The list has been presented to politicians as an alternative to tax increases during preparations for the city’s 2027 budget.

The city government has decided that a 0.3 percentage point tax increase could be introduced in 2027. It would bring in an estimated five to six million euros a year.

The savings list remains under consideration because the tax increase has not been secured. The Kokoomus group, the second-largest political group on the city council, opposes it, while the Social Democratic Party considers it an option.

However, Kokoomus, the Social Democrats and the Centre Party agree that the full savings package cannot be implemented as proposed. Together, the three groups hold 43 of the council’s 59 seats.

Parties divided over tax increases

Kokoomus group leader Katriina Vesala said the party did not consider a tax increase necessary in itself.

“If the alternatives include temporary layoffs, staff reductions or cuts that would have a very strong impact on services, then we would rather examine the revenue side,” said Social Democratic group leader Henna Hovi.

The Centre Party would accept a small tax increase, but not the proposed 0.3 percentage point increase.

Temporary layoffs and swimming pool closures

Vesala said Kokoomus would not temporarily lay off teaching staff, but considered it possible that temporary layoffs in some other employee groups could be justified under the current financial circumstances.

The Social Democrats do not consider any temporary layoffs an option. Centre Party group leader Riitta Torikka said her group shared that position.

The Social Democrats would not change the timetable for closing the swimming pools. Torikka also said the issue should not be decided repeatedly.

The current decision is for the Valkeala and Inkeroinen swimming pools to remain open until the swimming pool at Kouvola’s Sports Park is completed. Their future will then be assessed based on customer numbers and their technical service life. A service network review identified 2028 as a possible closure year.

The Kuusankoski swimming pool is scheduled to close in 2027, when the Sports Park swimming pool is completed.

According to Vesala, Kokoomus would be willing to consider whether it is financially viable to keep the existing large pools open for a few months after the new pool is completed. A six-month change to the closure timetable could produce substantial savings, she said.

Library and cultural services under review

Kokoomus, the Social Democrats and the Centre Party agree that library services should be reviewed. The matter is due to come before decision-makers in early autumn.

Not all libraries may be needed, the party leaders said, while the services provided by libraries are also changing. Torikka said increasing self-service opening hours was one possible way to save money.

The savings list proposes cutting more than 600,000 euros from the North Kymenlaakso Music Institute.

Kokoomus said different educational institutes should not be examined separately, but that their cooperation should be considered. The Social Democrats would be prepared to review the music institute’s grant if the number of students falls. The Centre Party had not yet discussed cultural grants as a group.

Hovi said decisions would ultimately be made through votes, as the parties have different views on the political choices involved. Both Kokoomus and the Social Democrats also want further savings measures to be examined, including changes to structures, more efficient use of the organisation and better use of the city’s building stock.