Esityslistan

Esityslista is the official agenda used for meetings in Finnish public administration and many organizations. It lists all matters to be discussed, provides background information, and includes the proposed actions or decisions by the authority responsible for each item. The term is commonly used in municipal councils, boards, and committees, and the document is often referred to as the agenda or asialista in some contexts.

A typical esityslista contains several standard elements. It begins with meeting details such as date, time, and location. Each agenda item is numbered and titled, followed by a brief description, references to relevant background materials, and the preparer or department responsible. For each item, the esityslista usually presents a Päätösehdotus (the proposed decision) or recommended outcome, along with any required attachments (liitteet) such as reports, maps, or legal texts.

Preparation and access are important aspects. The esityslista is usually prepared by the secretary or the relevant administration and distributed to council or board members before the meeting. In many municipalities and organizations, the esityslista and its attached documents are published publicly on official websites to support transparency; confidential items may be restricted.

Relation to other records is also notable. The esityslista serves as the planning and decision-making reference for the meeting, while the actual decisions and discussion are recorded later in the meeting minutes (pöytäkirja). The esityslista thus functions as a precursor document that enables informed deliberation and accountability in decision-making processes.