07-39
Mark G. c ,
Chief Administrative Officer.
,
I.;
lZta Hofhuis
Warden
READ A FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD TIME AND FINALLY PASSED THIS
DECEMBER 2007.
1
3 TH DAY OF
2
1. THAT the Corporation of the County of Elgin hereby adopts a Policy for
Accountability and Transparency of the Actions of the Council and its Administrative Staff,
attached as Schedule "A" hereto and forming part of this By-Law.
THAT
this by-law shall
come Into force and effect on
the date of
its passing
NOW THEREFORE
enacts as follows:
the Municipa
WHEREAS Council and its Administrative Management
providing a strong, well-managed municipal government.
Council
of the Corporation of the County of
Elgin
and Staff are committed
WHEREAS the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c. 25, S. 270(1), provides that a
municipality shall adopt and maintain policies with respect to the manner in which the
municipality will endeavour to ensure that it is accountable to the public for its actions and
that its actions are transparent to the public; and
to
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF"
AND TRANSPARENCY OF THE ACTIONS OF THE COUNCIL AND ITS
BEING A BY-LAW TO ESTABLISH A POLICY RESPECTING THE ACCOUNTABILITY
By-Law No. 07-39
COUNTY OF ELGIN
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To ensure fiscal responsibility and accountability
To promote cultural services
To nurture and support dignified long-term care
To be recognized as a desired employer
To promote Elgin as "The Place to Live"
To forge community partnerships
To provide innovative and collaborative quality service
To recognize and seize opportunities for improvement
To build and maintain an efficient, affordable, effective and safe transportation
network that accommodates the diverse needs of our communities and is able
to support economic development and sustainable growth.
The following Corporate Goals have been adopted by the Municipality and are upheld in
the day to day operations of the Municipality:
4.
Accountability, transparency and openness are standards of good government that
enhance public trust. They are achieved through the Municipality adopting measures
ensuring, to the best of its ability, that all activities and services are undertaken utilizing a
process that is open and accessible to its stakeholders. In addition, wherever possible,
the Municipality will engage its stakeholders throughout its decision making process which
will be open, visible and transparent to the public.
Corporate Goals
The Council of the County of Elgin acknowledges that it is responsible to provide good
government for its stakeholders in an accountable and transparent manner by:
. Encouraging public access and participation to ensure that decision making is
responsive to the needs of its constituents and receptive to their opinions;
. Delivering high quality services to our citizens; and
. Promoting the efficient use of public resources.
3.
Policy Statement
Transparency - The principle that the Municipality actively welcomes
stakeholder participation and openness in its decision-making processes
through an opportunity to make delegations and written submissions.
Additionally, transparency means that the Municipality's decision-making
process is open and clear to the public.
i)
Definition(s): Accountability; Transparency
i) Accountability - The principle that the Municipality will be responsible to
stakeholders for decisions made and policies implemented, as well as
actions or inactions.
its
its
2.
The Municipa/ Act, 2001 (the Act) requires that all municipalities adopt and maintain a
policy with respect to the manner in which the municipality will endeavour to ensure that it
is accountable to the public for its actions, and the manner in which the municipality will
endeavour to ensure that its actions are transparent to the public. The purpose of this
policy is to provide guidance for the delivery of the Municipality's (County of Elgin)
activities and services in accordance with the principles as outlined herein. This policy
has been developed in accordance with the Act to comply with Section 270.
1
Purpose/Application
OF THE COUNCIL AND ITS ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
A POLICY FOR ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY OF THE ACTIONS
SCHEDULE "A"
By-Law No. 07-39
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Public Participation and Information Sharin
The Municipality ensures that it is open and accountable to its stakeholders
through implementing processes outlining how, when and under what rules
meetings will take place. The Municipality's meetings will be open to the
public when and as required under the Act, and members of the public will
have an opportunity to make delegations or comments in writing on specific
items at these meetings. In addition, the Municipality has adopted policies,
which ensure that participation by the public can be meaningful and effective,
through timely disclosure of information by various means including print
media, websites, etc. Some specific examples include:
1. procedural by-law
2. code of conduct for Councillors
3. economic development strategic plan
4. delegation rules
5. records retention
6. planning processes
7. public notice by-law
8. appointment of a Closed Meeting Investigator.
i)
Internal Governance
The Municipality's administrative practices ensure specific accountability on
the part of its employees through the following initiatives:
1. code of conduct for staff
2. performance management and evaluation
3. hiring policy
4. orientation/continuing education
5. health and safety
6. work/life balance
7. compensation/benefit
8. responsibility for ensuring that administrative practices and
procedures recognize Council's commitment to accountability
and transparency, as described in the CAO's appointing by-law.
i)
Financial Matters
The Municipality will be open, accountable and transparent to its stakeholders in
its financial dealings as required under the Act. Some examples of how the
Municipality provides such accountability and transparency are as follows:
1. internal/external audit
2. reporting/statements
3. long term financial planning
4. asset management
5. purchasing/procurement
6. sale of land
7. budget process.
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The principles of accountability and transparency shall apply equally to the politica
process and decision-making and to the administrative management of the Municipality.
5.
POliCY Requirements
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