Authors

• Foundation for Municipal Development

Keywords

consolidation of municipalities, employment programmes, identity, local finance, local government, municipal government, municipal managers, municipalities, provinces, public sector, public services, social economy

Abstract

The survey charted the thoughts of municipal managers and chairpersons of municipal executive boards. There were questions on the present state and the future of municipal administration and finances, among others. Several questions pertained to provinces: which provinces were considered to be attractive as regards livelihood, employment and travel, which provinces would prosper in the changing society, which were entrepreneur-friendly, and which were actively trying to improve the province's future prospects. The survey carried a set of attitudinal questions regarding the consolidation of municipalities. The respondents were asked to assess the optimal number of municipalities in Finland and to choose arguments for and against the consolidation of municipalities. Views on the current province division were also probed.

Municipal leaders were asked which factors the identity of their municipality was based on at present, and which factors it should be based on in the future. The survey canvassed opinions on which services were inherently the domain of municipalities, and which services could be provided by non-governmental organisations. On the other hand, some questions asked which services could be left to citizens' own activity, or to other bodies.

Some questions focused on the relationship between municipalities and certain other organisations (trade unions, employers' association, the Regional Development Fund, and regional environment centres). The respondents also rated the usefulness of various bodies to municipal development (e.g. different ministries, universities, central hospitals).

Background variables included the respondents' sex, status in municipal administration, municipality size, and province (according to the previous province division) and region of the municipality.