Committees and Boards

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Are you interested in providing citizen input into the strategic direction setting of the municipality? If so, you should consider joining a Committee or Board for the Town of Cobourg! This page will advertise any vacancies in our Committees and Boards and provides information on the application process. Below you will also find our current list of Committees and Boards that provide direct links to their webpages.

Current Vacancies

There are currently two (2) vacancies and 7-9 new positions available for Advisory Committees or Local Boards. Applications will be accepted until vacancies are filled.

One (1) vacancy for the Transportation Advisory Committee.
One (1) vacancy for the Accessibility Advisory Committee.
7-9 positions available for the new Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee.

The Town of Cobourg typically recruits for Advisory Committee and Local Board members on two (2) specific occasions:

Immediately after a Municipal Election; and
As vacancies occur throughout the year.

For information on how to apply to the Advisory Committees please refer to the Application Process below.

Application Process

Eligibility

To be eligible to serve on an Advisory Committee or Local Board:

You must reside in the municipality, or be an owner/tenant of land (or spouse of same) for the duration of your term
At minimum, you must be 18 years of age, unless otherwise specified in the Committee or Board’s Terms of Reference
You are not employed by the Town of Cobourg

In addition to the general eligibility requirements listed above, specific skills and/or experiences required for membership on each Advisory Committee or Local Board shall be established by way of Terms of Reference approved by Council. Bylaw 008-2019 currently establishes the Town of Cobourg Composition and Terms of Reference for Advisory Committees, Local Boards and Internal Working Groups.

How to Apply

To apply to become a member of an Advisory Committee or Local Board:

Complete the Advisory Committee and Local Board Application Form.
Submit the completed Application form in person or by mail to 55 King Street West, Cobourg ON K9A 2M2, Attn. Legislative Services Department, by e-mail at clerk@cobourg.ca, or by fax at 905-372-7558.

If you are unable to complete the application form for reason of disability, accessible and alternate formats are available at the request of the Municipal Clerk’s Office and special provision by the Municipal Clerk may be made as a result for those individuals requesting an alternative format when submitting an application.

Selection Process

All appointments are made by Council. Copies of all applications will be made available to Council for consideration. Council will appoint qualified applicants to vacancies based on the information submitted in and attached to the application form. Appointments to Advisory Committees or Local Boards may take up to eight (8) weeks after the deadline date to be fully processed and filled. After appointments are finalized by Council resolution, the Municipal Clerk will notify all applicants, informing them of the Council’s decision.

Term of Appointments

Unless otherwise legislated, the term of appointment to an Advisory Committee, Quasi-Judicial Committee or Local Board, by way of Council resolution, shall be a four (4) year term which coincides with the existing term of Council who appointed them.

The maximum length of service to an Advisory Committee or Local Board shall be no longer than six (6) consecutive years on a singular Committee or Board. Applicants may reapply to a Committee or Board in which they have served six (6) consecutive years only after an absence of one (1) year. During this time, applicants are still eligible to apply to an alternative Town of Cobourg Committee or Board.

In order to maintain long-standing, contributing members, an Advisory Committee member may ask Council for an exemption to the one (1) year mandated absence.

Current Advisory Committees, Local Boards and/or Ad Hoc Committees

Advisory Committees

Accessibility Advisory Committee

The purpose of the Accessibility Advisory Committee is to raise the profile of accessibility issues and promote initiatives that support a universally accessible community for the Town of Cobourg.

For more information, visit the Accessibility Advisory Committee page.

Civic Awards Advisory Committee

The purpose of the Civic Awards Advisory Committee is to oversee the annual Civic Awards Program that recognizes outstanding contributions and achievements in the Town of Cobourg.

For more information on the Civic Awards Advisory Committee, please click on their Terms of Reference.

Sustainability and Climate Change Advisory Committee

The purpose of the Sustainability and Climate Change Advisory Committee is to promote the protection, maintenance and awareness of the environment within the community and to provide advice concerning environmental and climate change policy, planning and sustainability.

For more information, visit the Sustainability and Climate Change Advisory Committee page.

Transportation Advisory Committee

The purpose of the Transportation Advisory Committee is to promote the community participation in advising the Cobourg Municipal Council regarding the design, development, implementation and monitoring of policies, programs and facilities to enhance and promote a safe, sustainable and accessible transportation system within the Town of Cobourg.

For more information, visit the Transportation Advisory Committee page.

Cobourg Heritage Advisory Committee

The purpose of the Cobourg Heritage Committee is to advise, assist and make recommendations to Council on matters relating to the conservation of cultural heritage resources.

For more information, visit the Cobourg Heritage Committee page.

Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee

The purpose of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee is to educate, advice and make recommendations to Cobourg Municipal Council on matters related to parks, open spaces, waterfront, recreational facilities and programs, to reflect the needs of the community and to encourage a healthy lifestyle.

For more information, visit the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee page.

Planning and Development Advisory Committee

The purpose of the Planning and Sustainability Advisory Committee is to advise the Cobourg Municipal Council on matters relating to the Corporation’s land use planning and sustainability programs.

For more information, visit the Planning and Development Advisory Committee page.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee *NEW

The Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Advisory Committee of Council recognizes the Town of Cobourg’s multicultural heritage and the mix of national, ethnic, and racial origins which exist in our population. This Committee is committed to the promotion of equity, racial acceptance, and multicultural education where citizens are empowered to achieve their full potential in our community. Further, the Committee is committed to creating safe spaces for all persons to voice their opinions and understanding and to work together to create inclusion in Cobourg.

Member Qualifications

Members must be Cobourg residents, rights holders living in the boundaries of the Williams Treaties, and/or individuals who work for organizations that provide services to Cobourg residents.

The following qualifications will be considered for appointing members to the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Advisory Committee of Council:

Experience working in teams, with community groups, boards, or organizations,
Knowledge of equity, diversity, and inclusion matters,
Living or lived experience as a member of the identified groups, and
Commitment as a change-agent in equity, diversity, and inclusion matters in the community

Quasi-Judicial Committees & Local Boards

Committee of Adjustment

The Committee of Adjustment is a quasi-judicial decision-making body that considers applications for Consent (to sever land), applications for minor variances from the Zoning By-law, and any other variances specified under the Planning Act R.S.O 1990. The committee will also act in the capacity of a Property Standards Committee.

For more information, visit the Committee of Adjustment page.

Property Standards Committee

The Property Standards Committee is a quasi-judicial body that hears appeals to orders issued by Property Standards Officers for violations of the Property Standards By-law. As a Property Standards Committee, if an owner or occupant upon whom an order has been served is not satisfied with the terms or conditions of the order, they may appeal to the Committee.

The Committee is authorized by Section 15.3 of the Building Code Act to:

Hear an appeal filed by the appellant.
Have all the powers of the Property Standards Officer and may confirm the order or may modify or rescind it, or may extend the time for complying with the order.
When an appeal has been taken, give notice or direct that notice be given of such hearing to such person as the Committee considers should receive such notice.

Cobourg Public Library Board

Public Libraries Act R.S.O. 1990, Chapter P.44 states that the Council of a municipality may, through the provision of a bylaw, establish a public library under the management and control of a local board (Cobourg Public Library Board).

The purpose of the Cobourg Public Library Board is to provide a range of programs and services to the residents of Cobourg and to support lifelong learning endeavors.

For more information, visit the Cobourg Public Library page.

Cobourg Police Services Board

The Ontario Police Services Act R.S.O. 1990, Chapter P.15 provides the responsibilities of Police Services Boards respecting oversight, labour relations and quasi-judicial functions.

The purpose of the Cobourg Police Services Board is to ensure the delivery of adequate and effective policing by appointing members to the Service who work with the Chief in identifying objectives and priorities.

For more information, visit the Cobourg Police Service Board page or the Cobourg Police Service website.

Ad Hoc Committees

Christmas Magic Ad Hoc Committee

Duties and Functions

The Christmas Magic Ad Hoc Committee shall act in an advisory capacity to provide recommendations to the Cobourg Municipal Council regarding the location of the 2019 Christmas Magic Display of Lights.

To achieve this goal, the Christmas Magic Ad Hoc Committee shall:

Consult with appropriate Town Departments to consider the budget implications on the possible locations of 2019 Christmas Magic;
Consider all potential light pollution effects, or any other environmental effects on trees or other types of plants if used to hold lighting or decorative fixtures relating to Christmas Magic;
Consider the logistics of suitable locations as they relate to entertainment, amenities and/or activities for participants attending the Municipal Event;
Identify, engage, and work with other community groups and partners who are actively engaged in the celebration of the 2019 Christmas Magic; and
Undertake any other assignment pertaining to Cobourg’s celebration of the 2019 Christmas Magic as may be requested by Council.

Composition and Term of Appointments

The Christmas Magic Ad Hoc Committee shall be composed of the following members:

Arts, Culture and Tourism Coordinator;
Parks and Recreation Coordinator;
Up to six (6) and no less than two (2) citizens appointments selected by the Municipal Council;
Director/Deputy Director of Community Services (non-voting member);
Manager of Marketing and Events (non-voting member);
Manager of Parks (non-voting member); and
Community Events Coordinator (non-voting member).

The term of office for Members of the Christmas Magic Ad Hoc Committee shall conclude no later than August 31, 2019 and after a final report has been presented and received by the Municipal Council regarding the location of the 2019 Christmas Magic Display of Lights.

Authority

Town of Cobourg's Advisory Committees and Local Boards are governed by our Terms of Reference and Procedural Bylaws, and our Advisory Committee Policy and Procedures.