About council committees
You can find out how Wrenford council members and residents are appointed to standing committees, advisory groups, and city boards. City Council relies on committees to help you get detailed plans reviewed and recommendations made before full council makes a final decision. This policy explains the rules for forming these groups.
Eligibility and composition
Standing committees are made up of elected officials. The mayor and councillors are appointed to these committees by full council. For example, the Planning and Environment Committee meets on the first Tuesday of each month and reviews development applications, official plan amendments, and zoning matters.
Advisory committees and local boards—such as the Wrenford Public Library Board or the Tamsin Valley Conservation Authority—often include a mix of elected officials and resident volunteers. Resident members are appointed through a public application process so you can have a direct voice in local boards.
Who can serve
- Standing committees: Open to mayor and councillors only.
- Advisory committees: Open to any Wrenford resident who meets the specific expertise or community representation requirements for that group.
- City employees: Staff may attend as non-voting advisors or secretaries but cannot vote on policy or budget matters.
Appointment process
- City Manager's review: The City Manager reviews proposed committee compositions and ensures they align with city operations and provincial legislation.
- Council approval: The mayor and councillors vote on committee appointments at a regular council meeting. Most appointments are confirmed by a simple resolution.
- City Clerk's role: The City Clerk's office issues formal letters of appointment, maintains the official committee roster, and records all meeting minutes.
Terms and vacancies
Standard appointments run for two years, unless the province or a local board requires a different term. Members may be reappointed once. If a member resigns or leaves office, the City Manager proposes a replacement, and council approves the vacancy fill at the next available meeting.
Expectations and responsibilities
If you serve on a committee, you are expected to:
- Attend meetings regularly and participate in discussions.
- Review all background reports and agenda packages before meetings.
- Declare any conflicts of interest in line with the Conflict of interest policy.
- Respect the Code of conduct for elected officials during all proceedings.
Committee chairs report recommendations back to full council. Council retains the final decision-making authority on all policies, budgets, and by-laws.
Contact
For questions about committee appointments, meeting schedules, or to request meeting accommodations, you can contact the City Clerk's office.
City Clerk: Nadia Kowalczyk
Phone: 519-555-0100
Email: [email protected]
Address: 100 Mercer Street, Wrenford, ON N4Q 1A1