Council questions and requests for information, initiative

Jussi Salonen presented the following council initiative:

We are in the final months of the current council term. Our attention is beginning to turn to the future – to new goals, decisions and cooperation. However, this is also a time to evaluate the past:
what experiences and needs have this council term left in our minds? What issues have needed clarification or reform? This time, I would like to focus in particular on the functioning of the administration and related areas for development, on which I am submitting a council initiative.

1. Delay in updating the administrative regulations

On 11 November 2024, the council decided to oblige the municipal board to prepare amendments to the administrative regulations based on the evaluations of the 2017–2025 council term. The schedule was clear: the proposals must be submitted to the council for consideration at its meeting on 12 May 2025.

However, the municipal board did not take action until 10 February 2025, and the working group did not begin its work until 27 February 2025.

This causes unnecessary haste in the preparation process. Why did it take so long for the municipal executive board to take action?

It is noteworthy that this work was already started in November in the Central Uusimaa welfare area.

2. The changed nature of council

questions Originally, the purpose of council questions was to highlight municipal development issues and questions about the municipality’s activities. Recently, as was the case four years ago during the election campaign, they have begun to take on a different tone, targeting individuals and communities.

This highlights the need to clarify the definitions of council questions in the administrative regulations and the related process and its various stages

. During this council term, it has been unclear how the parties mentioned in council questions are informed of them and given the opportunity to correct any errors. This process worked better during the previous term.

Although the purpose of council questions is to promote good governance, their use can sometimes take on a politically motivated tone.

For this reason, it is important that there are clear principles for the handling of council questions in the administrative regulations.

3. Ethical guidelines and rules of procedure for

institutions On 7 February 2022, the council approved the ethical guidelines and rules of procedure for institutions proposed by the municipal executive. These guidelines commit to the following principles:

– Openness, a respectful

culture of discussion and consistent leadership – Appropriate social media behaviour, honesty and the correction of misunderstandings

– It is acceptable to disagree, but in a respectful manner – without personal attacks

– Mutual respect between elected representatives and

public officials We are all committed to these principles as elected representatives.

Just last week, political parties and the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities published a joint appeal for a civilised atmosphere of debate in the 2025 local elections.

4. The role of the mayor and social media behaviour In the

Tuusula mayor model, the mayor is the highest political and operational leader. This means that the mayor’s position is not just one of many positions of trust, but rather that the mayor is the political figurehead and institution of the entire municipality, whose actions influence the entire municipal atmosphere.

The role of the mayor includes promoting neutrality and constructive dialogue between all political groups. It

is therefore particularly important that the mayor consistently adheres to approved ethical guidelines and institutional rules.

In terms of social media behaviour, this means

:- Neutrality and discretion – no participation in confrontation

.- No personal criticism or insinuations

.- No support through likes or comments for posts that contain incorrect or misleading
information.

Contrary to what is claimed in a Facebook video by a certain councillor, as Deputy Mayor I have not built the Fjällbo pier for myself. Nor have I had a ferry pier built at the expense of the municipality’s residents.

I feel that when the mayor responds to posts containing such false and misleading claims, he is not acting in a manner befitting his position. The mayor is expected to exercise considerable discretion so as not to directly or indirectly confirm incorrect information or promote political confrontation.

5. Council question regarding my role as chair of the audit committee

On Thursday, I was informed by the chair of the council that a council question would be presented today regarding my role as chair of the audit committee.

We discussed this matter preliminarily at the last meeting of the Audit Committee and made a note in the minutes:

“A council question presented on 3 February 2025 concerning the chair of the committee was discussed. It was agreed to return to this matter in subsequent meetings.”

However, this agreed procedure is partly complicated by the fact that I have not received responses from the municipality of Tuusula to my requests for information in the manner required by the Administrative Procedure Act. I have not received any

response to some of my requests for information. In their response, I have been advised to turn to the Administrative Court.

6. Areas for improvement in administration There are areas for

improvement in the administration of the municipality of Tuusula – in fact, a real need for improvement.
Requests for information and responding to them is one example of this.

Despite numerous questions and requests for information, there has still been no answer as to why the promotion of well-being and health has been transferred to the education sector.

The difficulty in obtaining information raises concerns about the openness of the administration and the transparency of decision-making. The administration must operate in such a way that decision-making and responsibilities are clear and information is readily available.

When the new Chief Executive Officer starts work in Tuusula in a week’s time, I hope that a completely different kind of attention will be paid to administration, its development and expertise in the future. Improving the clarity of information and decision-making is one of the most important areas for development in the municipality of Tuusula.

I propose that

1.
the council prepare more detailed provisions in the administrative regulations concerning the handling of council matters and the process of submitting questions, preparing responses, taking stakeholders into account in this process, presenting them to the council, and their impact on the legal protection of individuals.

2. The current status and development needs of responding to requests for information and any
additional requirements for compliance with the administrative regulations and other municipal guidelines are assessed.

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