The welfare committee — what is it?

The welfare committee is a municipal body in Kirkkonummi that handles residents’ appeals on basic welfare matters — such as transport services and home care fees. On Wednesday 27 October I attended the welfare committee meeting for the first time. Unlike municipal committees, the welfare committee’s agendas and minutes are not shared, as the meetings deal with the affairs of individuals. For this reason, not everyone necessarily knows what the welfare committee does.

How does the board work in practice?

In practice, when a resident (i.e. you) files an appeal against a municipal decision relating to basic welfare — for example transport services or home care fees — the welfare committee decides whether to approve or reject the appeal. If no appeal is filed, no change to the decision will be made. First, the official responsible for the service — for example the head of basic welfare — collects the materials and legal provisions relating to the appeal and then presents to the committee whether to approve or reject the request. In the welfare committee, we then read through the materials, look at what the law and the municipality’s rules say about the matter, and make our decision accordingly. A single meeting may contain several such cases, and no other matters are handled.

What can be learned from the experience?

Not every decision necessarily feels humane, but the municipality’s rules and legal provisions require drawing a line somewhere, and the welfare committee cannot always deviate from them. However, every case offers something to learn, and for example the welfare board can be informed that a particular municipal rule needs updating. Sometimes it is worth deviating from the municipality’s rules, because by supporting those in need we can provide more humane and sometimes also more cost-effective basic welfare. This is also a good insight into what people genuinely need but are not necessarily currently receiving. I also intend to use everything I learn here in the regional council, should I be elected.

In the meantime, though, let us take care of each other, and remember to give support where it is needed most!

I have written more about the social and health care reform: the significance of sote for the welfare society , what would happen without a health centre and about abolishing healthcare fees .