The politicians running in the municipal elections in Valmiera municipality promise broad support to entrepreneurship, not only in the city, but also in other territories of the municipality. Currently, woodworking and metalworking entrepreneurs, as well as military industrialists, are planning to set up operations in two industrial parks. Politicians are promising tax allowances and a reduction of red tape to boost entrepreneurship.

Politicians surveyed by LETA said that the city council already has optimized the school network, so no changes are planned for the next four years. The politicians are ready for a larger participation of the state in Vidzeme Hospital, but the municipality should retain at least 51 percent of the company's shares.

In the current municipal elections, 128 candidates are running for 19 seats on the Valmiera regional council, or 6.7 candidates per seat.

What other changes are needed in the municipal school network over the next four years?

For Valmiera and Vidzeme, Janis Baiks: We have developed a strategy for the development of the education ecosystem of Valmiera municipality for the years 2024-2030 and decided to strengthen the established network of general education institutions in Valmiera municipality. There are no planned changes in the education network in the next four years. We plan to strengthen the municipality's school network in line with today's changing requirements and future challenges in education, which is particularly important given the demographic trends in Latvia.

The four-year goal for education is to continue to improve the infrastructure and facilities of educational institutions (especially STEM), to further develop accessible, inclusive and quality education that meets the needs of pupils of all ages and fosters the development of individual talents. Our focus is on close cooperation between educational institutions at all levels and linking them to the economic specialization areas of the county. The education system in Valmiera municipality produces leaders, specialists and independent thinkers. The education system is designed to be innovative and creative, where institutional infrastructure and technology integration are essential. Over the next four years, we see an increasingly active involvement of local communities, businesses and organizations in the municipal education system to jointly strengthen the educational environment, including lifelong learning. Mechanisms are being put in place to improve the quality of education and to strengthen an education system that is flexible and adaptable to future challenges.

National Alliance, Uldis Jansons: The network of municipal schools has been consolidated. Both the schools and the municipality need to work on attracting students and diversifying the educational offer. It is even necessary to think about attracting staff to ensure the quality of education.

We believe that schools should be close to where children live, so we want to adapt the admission rules to this. At the same time, we will be ready to respond to changes in the composition of the population in the towns and villages of the municipality.

Union of Greens and Farmers, Edvins Straume: The school network has been optimized by the council until 2030 and no changes are needed.

Latvian Association of Regions, Ringolds Arnitis: Changes in the school network are not necessary at the moment, as they have been made in Valmiera. However, after two years, the results of the decisions taken on school reorganizations and closures should be evaluated.

What solutions do you plan for the development of housing stock in the municipality - renovation of the existing housing, construction of new housing?

For Valmiera and Vidzeme: Valmiera municipality in cooperation with the municipal capital company Valmieras Namsaimnieks has been carrying out projects in the rental housing program for several years: in 2018, two apartment blocks with 150 rental apartments were commissioned, while in autumn this year 120 low-rent apartments will be completed, and a project application for the construction of another 120 low-rent apartments, which would total 390 rental apartments in Valmiera, has been submitted for evaluation.

It is also planned to attract funding from the European Investment Bank for the construction of 150 rental apartments. The municipality's course towards rapid economic growth encourages the private sector to develop apartment blocks and detached houses.

The municipality is looking for ways to support private initiatives through the creation of infrastructure. Currently, private companies are developing the construction of three apartment blocks in Valmiera, which will have a total of 78 apartments. There are about 100 private houses under construction in Valmiera. This has been facilitated by a change in the banks' lending policy towards private sector financing for building construction and family lending.

National Alliance: New rental houses are being actively built in Valmiera. Currently 150 rental apartments have been put up for auction, and two more apartment blocks are planned to be built in the near future. In parallel, apartments and houses owned by the municipality are being maintained in the municipality's territorial administrations. The largest number of available apartments is in Seda. The municipality has decided to dispose of the apartments in multi-owner houses by auction. We will support private investors in their plans to add to the housing stock.

Greens/Farmers: Affordable housing is being addressed through the Altum program and two 60-apartment low-rent houses are currently being built in the municipal capital company. Private developers have also seen an opportunity to make money and are actively building apartment blocks in Valmiera.

Latvian Association of Regions: We plan to continue building new housing in Valmiera and in the region where business is developing, for example in Naukseni or Rujiena. Support is planned for the renovation of apartments for young professionals, for example in Mazsalaca or for families with young children.

In which sectors is it planned to attract investors, what will be the municipality's support programs for entrepreneurs?

For Valmiera and Vidzeme: Two industrial parks are being developed - Valmiera Industrial Park and Valmiera Export and Industrial Park, which offer the necessary infrastructure for entrepreneurship. The Valmiera Industrial Park will host timber industry entrepreneurs. In the Valmiera Industrial and Export Park, a cluster of metalworking companies is already being formed, where metalworking companies are already cooperating and military industry companies are operating, but there is still room for other industries to develop.

A total of seven new production facilities are currently under construction in the Valmiera region. Solutions are being sought to build the necessary infrastructure.

For the eighth year, entrepreneurs in Valmiera municipality have access to funding from the business support program Zile to promote new products and innovations, strengthen existing businesses and encourage the creation of new businesses.

The municipality also provides funding for business development in historically significant sites open to the public in order to promote sustainable conservation, restoration and maintenance of the historic environment. Property tax rebates were granted to industrial enterprises.

National Alliance: We will continue to work on the development of the industrial park. We will support and promote local food production. We plan to attract investors in the timber industry, metalworking, freight transport and IT. We support the existing program Zile and support for remigrants to start a business. New support programs are continuously being developed in cooperation with businesses.

Greens/Farmers: The municipality is building industrial parks and there is demand for industrial sites. The only instrument of support is the reduction of real estate tax, which is already up to 90 percent.

Latvian Association of Regions: Detailed assessment of any potential investor's offer, including the impact of its potential activities on the current situation, including on the labor market. Particular emphasis on attracting investors to areas outside Valmiera, thereby creating jobs in rural areas. Increase of available funding in the support program Zile, prioritizing small/family businesses such as crafts. Creation of new support programs for business start-ups with all possible tax/rent rebates for at least first three years. Practical assistance for business start-ups or existing entrepreneurs in dealing with various issues in the municipality and its institutions, e.g. the building authority, in a more expeditious manner. Free business training for potential and existing entrepreneurs, networking between entrepreneurs, marketing activities to promote the market for products and services. Review and eliminate the need for various permits for small businesses in the municipality.

What are the priorities for strengthening security in the municipality?

For Valmiera and Vidzeme: Security at the municipal level has a much broader definition. Citizens associate security with a well-paid and stable job, with comfortable and accessible housing, with quality education for children, with accessible medical care and social protection, with a passable road, with a visible policeman or paramilitary, with a municipality they can trust, with an understanding of how to act in different situations.

Every building should have a shelter for different emergency situations. The municipality has set up and continues to set up shelters in public buildings, and the basements of apartment buildings need to be cleaned up more actively. The municipality in cooperation with the Valmieras Namsaimnieks, which is the largest building manager in Valmiera, carries out the adaptation of basements, but this is in those buildings where the manager is a municipal capital company. Thus, the adaptation of buildings managed by a private owner requires a quicker and more willing involvement of private owners. Education of the population about the types of hazards, what to do, information about civil protection measures is essential, as is regular civil protection training for professionals.

National Alliance: We believe that work on civil protection needs to move faster. Improving shelters and information for citizens. In parallel, the municipal police should be strengthened with adequate equipment and expertise, including the development of a network of surveillance cameras throughout the municipality.

Greens/Farmers: Strengthening the volunteer firefighters' movement and integrating it into the security system.

Latvian Association of Regions: A platform for cooperation between state and municipal services should be established in the county to deal with crisis situations, such as gas or chemical accidents. It should be based on a detailed procedure, regularly improved and strengthened with modern technology, ensuring continuity of operations and involving citizens and volunteers. Civil protection plans should continue to be regularly updated and practical training in their implementation should be provided at municipal level to encourage cooperation between the responsible services, private bodies and citizens. Information materials should be developed to provide concrete and practical information on civil protection, crisis situations and security issues in different formats (print, audio, video), with the aim of providing civilians with answers to unclear questions, as well as specific actions to take in the event of different hazards (e.g. directions, assembly points, shelters, etc.), thus reducing uncertainty and confusion among the population.

Will you support state participation in Vidzeme Hospital and under what conditions?

For Valmiera and Vidzeme: The municipality is not opposed to state participation in Vidzeme Hospital, but we believe that the municipality should retain at least 51 percent of the company's shares.

National Alliance: At the moment we do not see a big contribution for the state involvement. We believe that it is necessary to maintain the current status, as the hospital is developing rapidly, new specialists have been recruited, and there is a gradual change of generations and technologies. The profits of the capital company are to be fully retained by the municipality for the development of the hospital.

Greens/Farmers: There is no clear answer. More information is needed on the gains and losses.

Latvian Assocation of Regions: We support state participation in Vidzeme Hospital because we believe that quality and accessible healthcare in the regions is essential for the well-being of society. State participation can ensure stable financing, help to introduce a common quality standard, and promote long-term development and modernization of the hospital. In addition, information with appointments and availability of doctors would be coordinated. The majority of the capital should remain in the ownership of the municipality and the regional identity of the hospital should be preserved. It is also important that public involvement makes a real contribution to improving patient care - in terms of infrastructure, staff recruitment and remuneration.