Evolving administration

Enjoying high-quality public administration is a basic civil right. The objective of provincial administration is to provide efficient, flexible and capable administration. The State Provincial Office directs the operation of the Stare Local Offices and of the City Administrative Courts. The state local districts manage certain local government duties such as local police services, prosecution, recovery proceedings, register administration and general administration. The services of State Local Offices are available at service offices and service points in addition to the central locations. A number of these service points are Citizens’ Service Offices provided jointly with other authorities. The State Provincial Office promotes the development of the Citizens’ Service Offices and of electronic transactions in cooperation with actors in the area.

Evaluation of basic services guides service development

It is duty of the State Provincial Office to assess annually the availability and quality of basic services in evaluation locations defined by the governing Ministries. The State provincial Office estimates the general provision of basic services within the province. This generates comparison information available to service providers. At the same time, the State provincial Office generates information for nationwide use about the status of basic services and development needs, for instance, for the purpose of preparing legislation and for monitoring national objectives and programmes.

International co-operation

International cooperation is part of the work of the State Provincial Office. The State Provincial Office works actively in neighbouring area cooperation and plans and implements EU projects together with national and international partners.

Guarantor of civil rights and legal protection

The State Provincial Office safeguards the legal protection of the population of the province. Its main objectives are civil rights and legal protection.

If a complaint requires action from the State provincial Office, such action can take the form of a remark for future reference or a reprimand. In its decision, the State Provincial Office can also provide administrative instructions to the body against which the complaint was lodged as to how the matter at hand should have been handled. Furthermore, the State Provincial Office serves as the appellate authority in certain legal protection matters in education services and in matters concerning special care programmes for the mentally handicapped.

The State Provincial Office provides administrative executive assistance to other authorities, The State provincial Office can require (on threat of a fine, threat of action or threat of suspension) a company, a local authority or other organization to abide by any order or prohibition issued by the State Provincial Office or any authority asking for executive assistance from it.

State Provincial Office supports regional development and welfare

In promoting regional development, welfare and citizens’ safety, the State Provincial Offices participate in the compilation of regional strategic programmes and promote networking. Through control and supervision, the State Provincial Office ensures that welfare services are equitably available to all citizens irrespective of their place of residence.

The State Provincial Office secures and promotes basic services by awarding financing. It grants structural fund financing to project which bring training and working life closer together and promote the regional economy. Project funding for social and health care services includes social and health care establishment and development projects and different types of special stare grant.

Preparing for exceptional conditions through co-operation

In municipalities and organizations in the public administration, emergency plans have been drawn up to secure the living environment, food supply and services, and ensure cooperation even under exceptional conditions.

The State Provincial Office co-ordinates the cooperation of the authorities, anticipates risks in its area and identifies risk sites. Readiness is monitored and developed through regular readiness exercises and training.

The State Provincial Office arranges regional civil defence courses for the key emergency personnel in cooperation with the Defence Forces. The courses provide general information about national security policy and about how authorities and businesses prepare for exceptional conditions.

A host of permits

There are sectors of trade and industry within the purview of State Provincial Offices that by law require a licence to practice. The conditions of licences and permits vary. The major reason for an activity being subject to licence is the public interest, i.e. safeguarding consumers and healthy business. The conditions require of a professional for granting a licence include professional skill, blamelessness, financial solidity and general operating prerequisites. In the case of some licences and permits the State Provincial Office is allowed discretion, balancing aspects of supply and demand.