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New system could reduce number of Collingwood council meetings

Currently, councillors meet at least five times a month between three committee and two council meetings
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As part of amendments proposed to the Town of Collingwood's procedural bylaw, councillors may choose to continue using coloured cards for voting after meetings move back to in-person.

The Collingwood council committee structure could be changing.

On Monday night during the special initiatives standing committee meeting, councillors will be considering changes to their procedural bylaw, which will include making a recommendation whether they will continue with the existing committee structure, or move to a committee of the whole structure. The change would reduce the number of monthly meetings from five to three.

As part of the procedural bylaw discussion, councillors will also be considering allowing hybrid model meetings post-COVID, where some could participate using virtual options while others attend in-person.

“Even with a full end to pandemic considerations, consideration should also be given to how participants have adapted to a virtual meeting platform and the ability to participate in a meeting from anywhere,” noted clerk Sara Almas in her report to council. “We have seen some of the highest public participation rates while holding virtual meetings both at the standing committee and council levels, as well as with our local boards and advisory committee meetings.”

As of now, members of council sit for three different committees monthly:

  • Strategic Initiatives
  • Corporate and Community Services
  • Development and Operations Services

The existing system divides up the broad range of council responsibility into specialized areas of interest. Not all council members serve on each committee. There are also two regular council meetings at the end of each month to ratify the business discussed at the three meetings.

Under the newly proposed committee-of-the-whole system, there would be two committee of the whole meetings at the beginning of the month, and one council meeting at the end to ratify all the month’s business.

A committee of the whole is comprised of all members of council who fully participate in debate and forward recommendations to council for final decision. The format is less formal and more discussion-oriented.

Also as part of Monday’s discussions, councillors will be considering keeping colour coded cards for voting once they return to in-person meetings, which were first implemented during the pandemic. The order of business during meetings may also be re-arranged, with in-camera discussions happening at the beginning of meetings.

Discussions on procedural bylaw updates will be taking place during Monday’s strategic initiatives standing committee meeting, which will start at 2 p.m. To view the full agenda including the YouTube link, click here.


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Jessica Owen

About the Author: Jessica Owen

Jessica Owen is an experienced journalist working for Village Media since 2018, primarily covering Collingwood and education.
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