ELORA – Centre Wellington council has deferred a decision on an amended code of conduct and a council-staff relations policy.
At the June 17 committee of the whole meeting councillor Ian MacRae asked that both be deferred to provide council with “more time to consider its content, its intent and ramifications.”
While Bill 68 requires all municipalities to have a code of conduct by March 2019, Mayor Kelly Linton said the township does already have a code of conduct.
“The recommendation that we have is from our integrity commissioner to kind of bump that up a bit and make it a little bit more specific,” Linton said.
Clerk Kerry O’Kane said township integrity commissioner Guy Giorno created the new code of conduct.
He provided a template so that Wellington County and all member municipalities would have similar codes and complaint protocols.
“Council should also note that Mr. Giorno has introduced an informal complaint procedure where members can attempt to resolve matters on their own or with the assistance of the [integrity commissioner] as the mediator or follow a formal complaint procedure that requires the complaint to be filed in writing and submitted directly to the [integrity commissioner],” said O’Kane.
With the deferral, council had until June 28 to submit their written feedback or questions.
Councillor Stephen Kitras asked if citizens could also provide feedback.
“I would think the appropriate avenue for citizens would be to appear as delegations when the matter is considered by council,” O’Kane said.
Key elements in the code of conduct are: provisions to address use of influence, interference with staff, use of property and resources, handling of confidential information, gifts, hospitality, benefits, respectful conduct, discrimination, harassment, etc.
Council also deferred the adoption of a council-staff relations policy on June 17.
“The policy identifies the legislation, policies, procedures and practices the municipality complies with in order to promote a respectful relationship between members of council and staff,” O’Kane said. “The purpose of the policy is to outline the roles and working relationship that exists between council and staff.”
Councillors had to have feedback to O’Kane by June 28.
The code of conduct and council-staff relations policy will be considered at a future meeting.
