Bindings

Section 84 of the Local Government Act (410/2015) provides for the notification of interests.

According to the provision, municipal elected officials and office holders must make a declaration of interests regarding their management positions and positions of trust in companies and other entities engaged in business activities, significant assets, and other interests that may be relevant to the performance of their positions of trust and office.

The obligation to declare interests applies to the following public officials and elected officials:

• city ​​council members
• members of an institution performing tasks referred to in the Land Use Act
• council and board chairmen and vice-chairmen
• city ​​manager (also mayor and deputy mayor)
• city ​​council and committee rapporteur.

The institution's deputy members are also subject to declarations of interests.

The notification must be made within two months of the person being elected to the position. The person must also report any changes in their affiliations without delay.

The declaration of affiliation is made to the Audit Committee, which monitors compliance with the declaration obligation and brings the declarations to the attention of the council. If necessary, the Audit Committee may request the person obliged to declare to make a new declaration or to supplement an existing declaration.

The municipality must keep a register of interests in a public information network, unless otherwise provided for by the provisions on confidentiality. Upon the termination of a position of trust or task subject to the obligation to notify, the information concerning the person must be deleted from the register and the information network.