The Central Finland welfare area has received the green light from the administrative court to implement its controversial service reduction plan, despite multiple appeals. On Thursday, the court issued an interim decision not to prohibit the execution of the regional council's decision regarding service cuts. The court pointed out that there is insufficient cause to halt the implementation of the council's resolution, which had been previously frozen due to the appeals.

A total of 12 appeals have been filed against the service network decision at the Hämeenlinna administrative court, including objections from several municipalities such as Keuruu, Karstula, Kinnula, and others. The welfare area had halted the changes to its service network earlier in the year due to these challenges. However, it expedited the case by submitting its statement to the court in mid-February and requesting permission for implementation, which has now been granted.

While the administrative court has allowed the implementation of the service reductions, the resolution of the appeals is expected to take over a year. This delay may have significant implications for the local governments and the communities affected by the planned service cuts, as the future of welfare services in the region hangs in the balance until the court addresses the pending appeals.