New Terms of Reference for Committees

Today the City of St. John’s ratified new terms of reference for six advisory committees, two experts panels and two working groups.
 
“These revamped and repurposed committees are the result of a review that was undertaken in 2014-15,” explained Mayor Dennis O’Keefe. “The review looked at governance issues for our advisory committees, including operational matters and areas of responsibility and mandate.”
 
Specifically, the review:

• clarified the roles and responsibilities of members of advisory committees including staff, public members and Council representatives;
• considered alternative options and recommended consolidating some committees, repurposing others and the creation of one new committee;
• enhanced the overall governance by changing reporting relationships of committees to standing committees, and/or departments and identified lead staff for each committee to ensure connections across the City organization;
• considered the role of the advisory committees as public engagement tools in the continuum of decision-making; and
• clarified recruitment and selection processes to ensure transparency and consistency.The need to be responsive and progressive is one of the City’s new strategic directions, as identified in the Strategic Plan 2015-2018; and one goal is to achieve this by creating a culture of engagement,” said Mayor O’Keefe. “Our committees, experts panels, working groups and other engagement tools ensure we connect with the public and gather different perspectives.”

 
“We thank all members of our existing committees. They have been contacted individually and notified of the new terms of reference,” the Mayor stated. “We will start a process in the coming weeks to establish or re-establish the committees.”
 
The aim is to transition to the new committees early in 2016. A recruitment process will be put in place with oversight on selection. Existing members will be encouraged to apply for membership on the new committees as per the composition guidelines. As part of the new governance model, terms of reference will be reviewed every two years to ensure committees are effective and the terms of reference continue to be relevant to city plans and strategies. More information about the review as well as the new terms of reference for all committees can be found on the City’s website.
 
Media Contact:
Kelly Maguire
Media Relations
City of St. John's
709-576-8491
kmaguire@stjohns.ca
 

BACKGROUNDER - Committee Descriptions
 
The new/repurposed committees are as follows:

• Accessibility and Inclusion – to report to Community Services and Housing Standing Committee
• Arts and Culture – to report to Community Service and Housing Standing Committee
• Downtown Advisory Committee – to report to Economic Development, Tourism and Public Engagement Standing Committee
• Environmental Advisory Committee – to report to Planning and Development Advisory Committee
• Municipal Advisory Committee on Youth – to report to Community Services Standing Committee
• Seniors Advisory Committee - to report to Community Services Standing Committee 

These committees will be chaired by members of the public and have lead staff attached to them and a Council Champion.
 
Two new Experts Panels:

• Built Heritage Experts Panel - reporting to the Planning and Development Standing Committee
• Animal Care and Control Experts Panel – reporting to the Community Services Standing Committee 

These Experts Panels will be comprised primarily of public persons who have specific expertise related to the topic of the panel. 
 
Two committees have been transitioned into working groups:

• Affordable Housing Working Group – working directly with staff to deliver on existing plans and strategies
• Paratransit Working Group – working directly with staff on ensuring delivery of effective service 

These working groups will have Council Champions.