Council seeking greater police board transparency

Months of delays surround board’s meeting minutes, says Lougheed
By Chris Simon Innisfil Scope January 19 2011
The South Simcoe Police Board needs to be more accountable to local residents and government, says Innisfil councillor Doug Lougheed.
Lougheed, a retired 33- year veteran of the force, made the comment after council formally asked the police board to provide more timely meeting minutes and correspondence, during a recent council meeting. The issue stems from an influx of board minutes that were received by the town on Jan. 5, many of which date from several months ago.
In total, the board submitted minutes from six meetings, with the oldest created in mid-April. Lougheed says the delay in correspondence, and lack of information contained within the minutes, is simply unacceptable for a publicly-funded organization.
“We need to be advised in a more timely fashion,” he said. “When you look at the minutes in detail, there’s indications of special and committee meetings reported, (with a promise those) minutes will be provided later. They’re never posted on the board website, nor does the town ever see this stuff. They have to be open and transparent. This board is governed under the Municipal Act, as we are. We should be seeing everything the public should receive. We never see business plans with regards to million dollar projects.”
The police board currently employs about 78 officers, 40 civilian staff and 31 auxiliary volunteers, and has a nearly $14.5 million budget. It costs about $556 per household to operate the force in Innisfil and Bradford West Gwillimbury, a figure that has prompted several town council members to call for a service review at some point this term.
Councillor Rod Boynton, who served as a member of the board during the previous council term, agrees with Lougheed.
“I asked the very same question of that committee,” he said. “Our clerk (Jason Reynar) and town staff have made a request to them. That’s why you’re seeing this flood of information coming right now. Our staff followed up on this … all of a sudden they go busy and did this. It really was not working well at all. It still would not hurt to recommend (better communication).”