Post on 20-Feb-2016
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SUMA Regional Meetings Fall 2009Newly Elected Officials Session
Municipal Councils andCouncil Meetings
The Municipalities Act & The Cities Act
Sets out municipal powers and duties Powers – discretionary authority
Council MAY pass bylaws to establish tax policy
Duties – required actions Municipality SHALL provide information
respecting education tax collections, etc on a monthly basis More details required September and January
The Municipalities Act& The Cities Act
Permissive legislation Powers are broadly described
Natural Person Powers Regulatory Powers
Purposes of municipalities
Provide good government Provide needed or wanted services,
facilities, etc Develop safe, viable community Foster economic, social, and
environmental well-being Take care of public assets
Act principles and purposes Municipalities are
Responsible, accountable level of government within its jurisdiction
Subject to provincial and federal laws Purposes of the Act
Provide legal structure Provide powers, duties and functions Provide flexibility to address needs Ensures municipalities are
Accountable to electors Responsible to encourage and enable public participation
Elected official’s roles
Work collectively, not individually Advocate for community as a whole Respect roles of others, such as the
administrator Representative
Responsive to public opinion Mandate
Empowered to make decisions
Administrator’s role
Advisor to council Implements council policy Towns and villages with population
100 or more require certified administrator
Some duties set out in legislation
Communication
With other members of council Focus on issues, not other factors Voice your concerns
With administrator Build trust with frank, open dialogue
Communication
With the public Informal conversations Local news media Town hall meetings Attending council meetings Petition for public meeting Petition for referendum
Keys to working effectively
Become informed Familiarity with local issues Knowledge of common issues Participate in regional and provincial forums Municipal Leadership Development
Program Municipal Capacity Development Program
Keys to working effectively
Follow procedures Know and understand local processes Understand and accept roles
Communicate With the administrator With each other With the public
Contact information
Ministry of Municipal AffairsStrategy and Sector RelationsAdvisory Services
410 – 1855 Victoria AvenueRegina SKPhone (306) 787-2680www.municipal.gov.sk.ca
What do you do?
A member of council acts unilaterally and without authorization
What do you do?
A member of council refuses to declare a pecuniary interest (financial conflict of interest)
What do you do?
The agenda for the upcoming meeting includes a topic of vital importance for the community. The item must be dealt with at this meeting. You will be unable to attend due to a prior commitment which cannot be rescheduled.
What do you do?
Council must deal with a critical situation 2 days after its last meeting.
The matter cannot wait until the next meeting.
What do you do?
A vocal minority has lobbied Council to enact a bylaw
Council senses there is controversy – the bylaw suggested by this interest group may not be widely supported
What do you do?
A citizen complains about the administrator’s attitude to you
What do you do?
Member of council continually disrupts meetings
What do you do?
The community is deeply divided on a municipal initiative
What do you do?
Council is unable to agree on the priority of municipal projects and initiatives