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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07 354 Adopt Policy with Respect to Accountability & Transparency e e e e THE CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF KINCARDINE BY-LAW NO. 2007 - 354 A BY-LAW TO ADOPT A POLICY WITH RESPECT TO ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY WHEREAS Section 270 (1) of the Municipal Act 2001, S.O. 2001, c. 25, as amended, requires a municipality to adopt and maintain a policy with respect to the manner in which the municipality will try to ensure that it is accountable to the public for its actions, and the manner in which the municipality will try to ensure that its actions are transparent to the public; AND WHEREAS pursuant to the said Municipal Act, Section 9 provides that a municipality has the capacity, rights, powers and privileges of a natural person for the purpose of exercising its authority under this or any other Act; AND WHEREAS pursuant to the said Municipal Act, Section 11 (2) provides that a lower-tier municipality may pass by-laws, respecting the governance structure of the municipality and its local boards; NOW THEREFORE the Council of The Corporation of the Municipality of Kincardine ENACTS as follows: 1. That the Accountability and Transparency Policy attached hereto as Schedule "A", and forming part of the By-law, be adopted. 2. This By-law shall come into full force and effect upon its final passage. 3. This By-law may be cited as the "Accountability and Transparency Policy By-law". &: ~~cND TIME ~i, 21. do, m ::;:~ Mayor Clerk READ a THIRD TIME and FINALLY PASSED this 21st day of November, 2007 ~~~~ Clerk SECTION: GENERAL GOVERNMENT-CLERK Page 1 of2 This js Schedule ~ " to By-Law &lOCi" - tt No. :<,FA passed the ~ day of - 20().':::f-- }}, Clerk POLICY POLICY NO: GG.3.6 TITLE/SUBJECT: ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY POLICY ADOPTED DATE: November 21 st 2007 Adopted by By-law No. 2007-354 REVISION DATE: 1. PURPOSE/APPLICATION The Municipal Act, 2001 (the Act) requires that all municipalities adopt and maintain a policy with respect to the manner in which the municipality will try to ensure that it is accountable to the public for its actions, and the manner in which the municipality will try to ensure that its actions are transparent to the public. The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance for the delivery of the municipality's activities and services in accordance with the principles as outlined herein. This policy has been developed in accordance with the Act to comply with section 270. 2. DEFINITION(S): Accountability; Transparency i) Accountability - The principle that the municipality will be responsible to its stakeholders for decisions made and policies implemented, as well as its actions or inactions. ii) Transparency - The principle that the municipality actively encourages and fosters stakeholder participation and opeuness in its decision making processes. Additionally, transparency means that the municipality's decision making process is open and clear to the public. 3. POLICY STATEMENT The Council of the Municipality acknowledges that it is responsible to provide good government for its stakeholders in an accountable and transparent manner by: Encouraging public access and participation to ensure that decision making is responsive to the needs of its constituents and receptive to their opmlOns; Delivering quality services to our citizens; and Promoting the efficient use of municipal resources. Accountability, transparency and openness are standards of good government that enhance public trust. They are achieved through the municipality adopting measures ensuring, to the best of its ability, that all activities and services are undertaken utilizing a process that is open and accessible to its stakeholders. In addition, wherever possible, the municipality will engage its , Page 2 of2 stakeholders throughout its decision making process which will be open, visible and transparent to the public. 4. POLICY REQUIREMENTS The principles of accountability and transparency shall apply equally to the political process and decision making and to the administrative management of the municipality. i. Financial Matters The municipality will be open, accountable and transparent to its stakeholders in its financial dealings as required under the Act. Some examples of how the municipality provides such accountability and transparency are as follows: 1. external audit 2. internal reviews 3. reporting/statements 4. long term financial planning 5. asset management 6. purchasing/procurement 7. disposal ofland 8. budget process ii. Internal Governance The municipality's administrative practices ensure specific accountability on the part of its employees through the following initiatives: 1. code of ethics for staff 2. hiring policy 3. orientation/continuing education 4. health and safety 5. work/life balance 6. compensationlbenefits 7. responsibility for ensuring that administrative practices and procedures recognize Council's commitment to accountability and transparency iii. Public Participation and Information Sharing The municipality ensures that it is open and accountable to its stakeholders through implementing processes outlining how, when and under what rules meetings will take place. The municipality's meetings will be open to the public when and as required under the Act, and members of the public will have an opportunity to make delegations or comments in writing on specific items at these meetings. In addition, the municipality has adopted policies which ensure that participation by the public can be meaningful and effective, through timely disclosure of information by various means including print media, websites, etc. Some specific examples include: 1. Procedure By-law 2. Code of Conduct for Council members 3. Strategic Plan 4. Delegation of powers Policy 5. Records Retention 6. Planning processes 7. Public Notice By-law