Body: Council Type: By-law Meeting: Regular Date: 2021 Collection: By-laws Municipality: Frontenac County
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Document Text
Procedural By-law Review September 22, 2021
History
Procedural By-law Review Committee was established in 2020 with the following goals: • Undertaking a comprehensive review of the Procedural By-law • Make recommendations on the County of Frontenac Procedure By-law. • ensure that provisions are made in the Procedural By-law to address the findings made by the Ombudsman, which may include provisions for: technological issues such as when livestreaming goes down during an open meeting; Monitoring of live broadcasts to ensure transmission quality to allow meetings to be paused if issues arise; Provide telephone conferencing or other alternatives for members of the public who are unable to watch a livestream. • draft and submit by-law, processes and procedures •
Key Facts • Subsection 238 (2) of The Municipal Act, 2001, provides that every municipality and local board shall pass a procedure by-law for governing the calling, place and proceedings of meetings. • There is little prescription in Section 238. • County of Frontenac Council’s Procedural By-law was enacted in 2013 and is composed of 63 pages, including the Schedules for Council Advisory Committees and External Boards. It has been amended 26 times. • The Committee was tasked to review the Procedural By-law to conduct a comprehensive review of the By-law, to develop simplified and streamlined processes and procedures, easier access to documentation while recognizing legislative requirements, access and transparency.
Effect on Stakeholders
The Procedural By-law affects multiple stakeholders: • The Public, including both the general public, interests groups, local businesses and organizations • County Council • Warden • Chief Administrative Officer • The Clerk • Area Municipalities and Agencies, Boards and Committees • The Media
Committee Goals
- Revised By-law may include: simplified provisions, plain language, reduced prescription, facilitate faster decision-making, reflect legislative requirements, reflect findings and recommendations by the Ontario Ombudsman support accountability and transparency.
- Develop new processes that would support the new procedural by-law as well as provide effective meeting management including: clear processes, documented rationale for processes, simplified processes and procedures
Next Steps/Process/Timeline •
• •
Review the current Procedural By-law. section by section What are critical elements that must be included in the Procedural By-law What is policy - should it be excluded Prepare new by-law with Committee input Present by-law for Council’s consideration
Questions
