Council Engagement Survey Seeks Feedback on Opportunities for Dialogue

Visit EngageCobourg.ca to share your thoughts

Cobourg, ON (January 20, 2025) – The Town of Cobourg’s Clerk’s Department invites residents to participate in a survey to share their experiences and suggestions for engaging with Municipal Council.

The survey is open until March 10, 2025, and can be accessed through the Council Engagement Survey project page at EngageCobourg.ca. Responses are anonymous, and the survey is open to everyone.

Background Information
In December 2023, following an extensive review and community engagement program, Council enacted a new procedural by-law choosing to move to a standing committee process in 2024.

Standing Committee Structure at a Glance
Standing Committees are affiliated with municipal divisions and overall priorities and policy decisions. Cobourg now has three standing committees consisting of:

• Community Services, Protection and Economic Development Standing Committee - Meetings held on the second Wednesday of the month at 9:30am
• Public Works, Planning and Development Standing Committee – Meetings held on the second Wednesday of the month at 1pm
• Corporate Finance and Legislative Standing Committee – Meetings held on the second Thursday of the month at 1pm. 
• Regular Council meetings are held on the last Wednesday of the month at 6pm 

Advisory Committees and Local Boards
Meetings for the following Statutory Local Boards and Advisory Committees are currently ongoing:

Legislative Committees:

• Accessibility Advisory Committee 
• Audit and Risk Committee
• Heritage Advisory Committee 

Quasi-Judicial:

• Committee of Adjustment
• Property Standards Committee

Local Boards:

• Police Service Board 
• Cobourg Public Library Board 
• Downtown Business Improvement Area Board of Management

Ongoing Engagement and Updates
The procedural by-law dictates such things as the structure of Council Meetings, how decisions are made, steps taken to ensure meetings are transparent and open to the public and how citizens are able to communicate with Council on agenda items or issues in our community. Cobourg Council and staff are therefore committed to ensuring that Council procedures and decision-making processes are accessible to our community. 

In September 2024 further changes were made to the procedural by-law following community and Council feedback. Now staff are reaching out to seek feedback from residents on the new structure and their experience with it.

How to Get Involved
Visit the survey at www.EngageCobourg.ca and submit your feedback. If you require an alternative format, contact the Communications Department: communications@cobourg.ca or call 905-372-4301.