prince edward island municipal orientation ‘2007 roles, responsibilities and relationships 10:00...
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Prince Edward Island Municipal Orientation ‘2007
Roles, Responsibilities and Relationships
10:00 AM – 12:00 NoonFebruary 17, 2007
Session Leader – Don Smeltzer
The Agenda
Introduction and Overview Local Government – Some of the Basics Group Exercises Local Government: The Team in Action Roles and Responsibilities – Who does
What Needs Wrap Up Questions
What Do You See?
Young or Old?
How Many Squares?
Important to Remember
Each of us can look at the same thing and see something different!
BNA Act
Distribution of powers is given to Federal and Provincial
Governments
In the Scheme of Things
Municipal governments are creatures of the provinces and may be dissolved, enlarged, made smaller and/or have powers given to or taken away – at the whim of the responsible provincial government.
Municipal Government Powers
The power that a municipality has to govern is given to it by the province in which the municipality is located.
Municipalities Act
In PEI, the Municipalities Act prescribes the powers given to towns, villages and communities and prescribes the regulations under which a council may be elected and what authority is given.
Cities
Incorporated under:
Charlottetown Area Municipalities Act
City of Summerside Act
Levels of Authority
Provincial Government __________________ Municipal Governments ______ Councils ____________ Administrations
Conflict of Interest
Municipalities Act PEI Section 23: No member of Council shall, subject to
section 17, derive any profit or financial advantage from his (or her) position as a member of Council and, where a member of Council has any pecuniary interest in or is affected by any matter before the Council , he (or she) shall declare his (or her) interest therein and shall abstain from the voting and discussion thereon. 1983, c33, s24.
Conflict of Interest
It is also important for each member of Council to review section 123 of the Canadian Criminal Code. This section relates to what is considered the “…bribing or unlawful influence of municipal officials…” defined as a member of municipal council or a person who holds an office under a municipal government;
Situation One
You are a councillor in a medium size PEI municipality. Just before leaving home to attend a regular Council meeting, you receive a phone call from a resident complaining that a municipal employee has been using equipment of the municipality for personal use. The resident wants you to raise this at tonight’s Council meeting.How do you respond?
Situation Two Just elected, you campaigned on the need for honesty
and open government. Re-zoning of a property from R-2 to a C-1 to allow for construction of a commercial enterprise is on the agenda. The owner of the property is a well known business person who worked on your campaign. Only a few know that the business made a financial contribution to your campaign effort. The business person was recognized by the municipality several years ago as “Entrepreneur of the Year.” You are supportive of the re-zoning; it will create additional, badly needed jobs in the community but there has been opposition from some residents Outcome of the vote is uncertain and your support is considered crucial. What position do you take?
Situation ThreeYou are in charge of personnel and shortly will be interviewing applicants for a new public works position. The son-in-law of a Council member has applied. The Councillor is a member of the Public Works Committee and, while you make decisions on this level of employee, the practice has been to review applications for full-time positions with the Public Works Committee, before finalizing your choice. How should this situation be handled?
Situation FourThe municipality has been negotiating privately with an off-island business to locate in the community’s Industrial Park. Agreement has just been reached. The Mayor has scheduled an official announcement for Monday. All Council members have been advised of the latest development. Councillor Murray ran for office on the need to attract business to the municipality. In a radio interview this morning he has identified the business name and spoke about the number of jobs that will be created. How might the Mayor be feeling about this interview?
Video Program
Local Government: The Team in Action
Roles and Responsibilities – Council/Council Members
establishing overall direction;
approving annual budgets;
providing leadership;
Roles and Responsibilities – Council/Council Members
establishing priorities/setting tax rates;
providing residents with an appropriate mix and level of services;
approving policies;
Roles and Responsibilities – Council Members
adopting bylaws, resolutions and plans;
maintaining good public relations and transparency of operations;
avoiding conflicts of interest;
Roles and Responsibilities – Council/Council Members
providing competitive salaries and benefits
supporting skill upgrading and professional development;
operating within legislated legal limits;
Roles and Responsibilities – Council/Council Members
governing for the present and future;
evaluating as well as providing support and encouragement to the Chief Administrative Officer;
Roles and Responsibilities – Council/Council Members
promoting a system of governance where professional ethics, trust, honesty, openness and the desire for excellence is encouraged.
Roles and Responsibilities – CAO/Senior Staff
providing quality information and advice to Council;
administering approved policies
and bylaws of Council;
managing the day-to-day operation of the municipality;
Roles and Responsibilities – CAO/Senior Staff
informing Council and its committees of options, alternatives and implications;
managing the budgeting process;
overseeing the municipality’s legal obligations;
Roles and Responsibilities – CAO/Senior Staff
informing Council and its committees of options, alternatives and implications;
managing and evaluating personnel;
listening and being a mentor and role model; praising, correcting, rewarding;
Roles and Responsibilities – CAO/Senior Staff
ensuring that ongoing staff development takes place;
evaluating policies and programs;
maintaining an open mind and having a commitment to ongoing professional development;
Roles and Responsibilities – CAO/Senior Staff
preparing draft policies and budgets;
responding to public enquiries; advising on policies;
keeping up-to-date and informed of developments affecting municipal operations;
Roles and Responsibilities – CAO/Senior Staff
networking with colleagues;
maintaining an operating environment where professional ethics, trust, honesty, openness and the desire for excellence is encouraged;
Needs of Council/Councillors
public input and public support;
political and management leadership;
joint ownership of decisions;
clear role statements and guidelines;
Needs of Council/Councillors
common, shared goals and objectives;
sense of achievement and satisfaction;
recognition for the good that is being done;
appropriate compensation;
Needs of Council/Councillors
accurate, honest information;
Courtesy and respect;
other needs?????
Needs of Employees
detailed job descriptions;
authority to perform the assigned responsibilities;
feedback on performance;
support when mistakes are made;
Needs of Employees
healthy working conditions including adequate staff and technical resources to do the job well;
fair, competitive salaries and benefits;
support and encouragement;
free time to charge their batteries;
Needs of Employees
other needs?????
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