New Governance Structure Implemented as of May 1, 2023

New Governance Structure Implemented as of May 1, 2023

During the last term of Council, Council moved to the Committee of the Whole (COTW) governance structure. The 2022-2026 term of Council began in November 2022, and at that time, members of Council expressed their wishes to return to the previous Standing Committee governance model. At the direction of Council, Staff have been working to create the necessary changes to implement this new model, which started May 1, 2023.

The new Standing Committee governance model includes the following:

• Budget Committee of the Whole – This committee will oversee and consider the annual budget, as well as make recommendations on matters relating to the financial management of the municipality. The committee will consist of all members of Council.
• Corporate Services Standing Committee – This committee will oversee Legal, Clerks, Human Resources, By-laws, IT, Fire Services, and CAO matters. Due to the internal facing matters that will be discussed here, this committee will not include community members. Further, this committee may be considering matters of a confidential nature.
• Community Services Standing Committee – This committee is comprised of up to four (4) members of Council and up to three (3) community members, and will oversee the activities of the Town’s Community Services Department and will include matters pertaining to parks, trails, open space, facilities, recreation, and culture.
• Finance Standing Committee – This committee is comprised of up to four (4) members of Council and up to three (3) community members, and will oversee the activities of the Town’s Finance Department, including procurement, annual user fees, audits, claims, and any other matters that may require committee consideration.
• Planning and Development Committee – This committee is comprised of up to four (4) members of Council and up to three (3) community members, and will oversee the activities of Planning, Development, Heritage, and Building, as well as any other matters that may require committee consideration. (The Planning Open House and Statutory Meetings will continue with participation of members of Council as required).
• Public Works Standing Committee – This committee is comprised of up to four (4) members of Council and up to three (3) community members, and will oversee the activities of the Town’s Operations Department (roads and water), Engineering, and the Town’s Asset Management Plan, as well as any other matters that may require committee consideration.

All Standing Committees will be live streamed, and will follow the rules stipulated in the newly amended Procedural By-law (20-65).

In addition, there will also be Advisory Committees who support the Standing Committees and Council. The Advisory Committees include: the Age Friendly Advisory Committee; the Culture Advisory Committee; the Committee of Adjustment; the Grimsby Economic Development Advisory Committee; the Grimsby Green Advisory Committee; the Grimsby Heritage Advisory Committee; the Grimsby Public Library Board; the Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee; the Joint Fire Services Advisory Committee; Grimsby Power Inc.; and Niagara Power Inc.; and the Niagara Transit Commission.

Council meetings will remain the first and third Monday of each month [except during the summer schedule (i.e. the months of June, July, and August) in which there is only one Council meeting on the first Monday of each month].

As per their 2023-2026 Strategic Priorities, Council is dedicated to ensuring that all Grimsby residents have meaningful opportunities to engage in their municipality and community. Under this new governance structure, there will be opportunities for public consultation, feedback, and engagement.

Mayor Jordan said “During our campaigns, we heard loudly from residents that they were unhappy with the Committee of the Whole governance structure. Our Council is dedicated to making the governance structure transition to ensure we provide meaningful opportunities for our residents to express their thoughts, feelings, and ideas. It is the intention of Council to be as open and transparent with the community as possible, and we hope that this governance structure change will be a great first step towards that goal”. Mayor Jordan continued, “Thank-you to Staff for making this transition possible, and for all the hard work you have done behind the scenes to make this happen”.

Agendas, minutes, and information from each meeting can be found on the Town’s website here: https://www.grimsby.ca/en/town-hall/agendas-and-minutes.aspx?_mid_=20924.

The new Standing Committee governance structure began May 1, 2023.

Contact Information:

Clerk’s Department
clerks@grimsby.ca