Legislation on local government in Finland

Finnish municipalities have a broad range of responsibilities. As self-governing entities, they can undertake various functions, but they also have a statutory obligation to perform a number of duties. Moreover, the law sets out a number of functions that are at municipalities' own discretion. However, should they decide to undertake them, they must observe the relevant special legislation.

The Ministry of Finance's Department for Municipal Affairs is responsible for preparing general laws governing municipal functions. The following acts come under the Department's purview:

• Local Government Act
  
• Act on Local Authority Boundaries
  
• Act on the Employment Security of Municipal Officeholders
  
• Act on Municipal Officeholders' and Employees' Pensions
  
• Act on the Bargaining Rights of Municipal Officeholders
  
• Act on the Commission for Local Authority Employers
  
• Act on Central Government Transfers to Local Government
  
• Act on the Municipal Guarantee Board
  
• Act on the Helsinki Metropolitan Area Council.

There are special laws on the services municipalities must provide for their residents. The most important of these are in the fields of social welfare and health, education and culture. The legislation covering these services is the responsibility of the Ministries of Education and Social Affairs and Health.

Municipalities are responsible for the maintenance of streets and local roads in their territory. Moreover, they also perform functions in the field of environmental administration, such as land use planning, building regulation, environmental protection and waste management. Municipalities are also responsible for consumer counselling and a number of functions in the area of rural industries. Under the Electoral Act, they must also contribute to the organization of national and local elections.

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