Residents invited to share feedback on the current governance structure
Cobourg, ON (April 25, 2023) – Cobourg Municipal Council, through the Legislative Services Division and Municipal Clerk is currently undertaking a review of its governance by-laws and policies. As part of this review, Council is seeking resident feedback and recommendations on the current governance structure and ways it can be improved.
In 2021, Council received an Organizational Review conducted by KPMG which was designed to provide a comprehensive review on the Town’s corporate structure, service delivery and staff resourcing. The final report had several recommendations that were approved by Council for implementation through a Staff report from the Chief Administrative Officer. One of those recommendations contained within the report was that the Town may want to re-evaluate the current use of the Council Coordinator role for governance in favor of a standing committee structure. KPMG noted that the use of a Council Coordinator structure does not appear to reflect best/common practice for Ontario municipalities.
The Town of Cobourg is committed to building a Town Hall that works through openness and transparency, where elected officials and municipal staff work towards the best interests of the Town as a whole and where positive relationships are built with the public, community organizations and other stakeholders. The Town of Cobourg governance structure and systems should enable and support these goals. The Town of Cobourg, through the Legislative Services Division and Municipal Clerk is currently conducting a review of its governance by-laws and policies. As part of this review, Council is seeking resident input regarding what is working well and where improvements could be made, particularly on transparency, accountability and how residents are able to participate in municipal decision making. The review will also provide commentary on the existing advisory committees and their Council reporting structure and ways that the Legislative Services Division believes that Council can improve efficiencies.
The goal of the governance review and any proposed amendments is to update the current Procedure by-law and other governance related policies and by-laws to streamline processes and improve the efficiency of the business of Town Council and its Committees and Boards.
How to get involved
To share your thoughts on the Governance Review, please contribute to the following public engagement opportunities on www.EngageCobourg.ca:
Additional Information
For a full report on Council’s current structure, including roles and responsibilities and the Powers and Duties of Council, please see the“Documents” section of the Engage Cobourg project page for the Municipal Clerks introductory report.
Timelines and Next Steps
At the Monday, April 24, 2023, Committee of the Whole meeting, Council made the recommendation to create a Governance Review Working Group consisting of the Municipal Clerk, Deputy Clerk, Chief Administrative Officer, Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Council to appoint a rotating Member of Council to the Governance Review Working Group consisting of Councillor Randy Barber, and Councillor Miriam Mutton. This Working Group will prepare all necessary periodic reports and interim analysis and updates to Council including public engagement findings and recommendations; and, to draft by-law and policy provisions, with any additional public feedback to be presented to Council at a Governance Review Public Meeting on June 19, 2023, for full review of proposed structure.
The survey and forum will be available for public input until May 29, 2023.
Register on Engage Cobourg Today!
Residents of the Town of Cobourg are encouraged to create a profile online and participate in current public engagement projects. To register on Engage Cobourg, an online public engagement platform designed to gather feedback and comments from residents, visit engagecobourg.ca and click the Register Today! button. For questions or help registering please email communications@cobourg.ca.
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Media Contacts | Brent Larmer |
About The Town of Cobourg
The Town of Cobourg is a lakeside community (population 20,500) located on the north shore of Lake Ontario halfway between Toronto and Kingston and has been recognized multiple times by MoneySense Magazine as “One of Canada’s Best Places to Live” in populations under 25,000.
Founded in 1798, Cobourg is rich in heritage offering a vibrant downtown, sophisticated small-town atmosphere and renowned waterfront that serves as a popular getaway destination. As the largest town in Northumberland County, Cobourg is personified by historic Victoria Hall, hosts a 143,000 sq. ft. multiple purpose community centre, an educated and skilled labour force, flourishing commercial sector and supportive municipal government. Cobourg has received the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Sustainable Communities Award, accolades from the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Alliance, and multiple heritage, environmental, and event awards.