County steps closer to general government system

New Tecumseth Free Press May 29, 2013
Simcoe County’s governance committee is recommending a four month trial run that would replace the three standing committee system of council with a committee of the whole structure whereby all 32 county councillors would meet collectively to deal with all matters.

Currently, councillors sit separately as either members of Corporate Services, Human Services, or Performance Management, with various subcommittees, and those that also include representatives from the separated cities of Barrie and Orillia (paramedic services, long-term care and social services). Councillors not sitting on a particular committee do not see the staff reports, background, and recommendations until it reaches County council at the end of each month.
According to the recommended Option 1 in the report to the County’s governance committee which met yesterday, under the proposed changes:
members would convene as Committee of the Whole commencing at 10:00 a.m. on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month;
business related to all standing committees would be considered at each meeting;
business items that involve external representatives (citizen appointees and the cities’ representatives) would be considered at the outset of each meeting;
Museum, Archives and Library matters would be considered once per month at the outset of the Committee of the Whole meeting on the 2nd Tuesday of each month;
Council meetings would be held immediately preceding the Committee of the Whole meetings commencing at 9:00 a.m.;
the recommendations from each Committee of the Whole meeting would be considered at the next regular meeting of Council.
“The Option 1 model Orders of the Day have been aligned to mirror, as much as possible, the current structure of the County’s Standing Committees and the existing Council format. This ensures ongoing role of the existing Chairs/Vice Chairs in the County current Standing Committee structure,” according to the report prepared by County Clerk Brenda Clarke. “It is proposed that this Committee of the Whole option be implemented on a trial basis commencing in September 2013. Councillors and external appointees would be encouraged to provide feedback during the pilot to the Governance Committee, through the County Clerk. Subject to Council’s approval and direction, it is suggested that the Governance Committee evaluate the pilot in January 2014 and provide a final recommendation for Council’s consideration at that time.”
The recommendations now move on to each of the committees for their consideration, and then forward to County council at the end of June meeting, which kicks off their two month summer recess. Recently councillors rejected changes that would have made the Warden’s position a full-time, four year term.