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2007-140 To Adopt An Accountability and Transparency Policy For The Township of Oro-MedonteTHE CORPORATION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF ORO-MEDONTE BY-LAW NO. 2007-140 BEING A BY-LAW TO ADOPT AN ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY POLICY FOR THE TOWNSHIP OF ORO-MEDONTE WHEREAS Section 270 (1) of the Municipal Act, 2Q01, S.C'3. 2001, c.25, as amended, provides that a municipality shall adopt and maintain policies 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 Section 224 of the Municipal Act, 2041, S.IJ. 2401, c.25, as amended, states that it is the role of Council to ensure that administrative policies, practices and procedures are in place to implement the decisions of Council; AND WHEREAS the Council of The Corporation of the Township of Oro-Medonte does not find it expedient to adopt an Accountability and Transparency Policy; NOW THEREFORE the Council of the Township of Oro-Medonte hereby enacts as follows: That the Accountability and Transparency Policy, Schedule "A", attached hereto and farming part of this by-law is hereby adopted. 2. This by-law shat! take effect on the 1 ~t day of January, 2008. BY-LAW READ A FIRST AND SECOND TIME THIS 19T" DAY OF DECEMBER, 2007. BY-LAW READ A THIRD TIME AND FINALLY PASSED THIS 19T" DAY OF DECEMBER, 2007. THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF ORO-MEDONTE ,-.~ ~ ayor, H.S. Hhes ~' Clerk, J. Douglas Irwin The Township of tiro-~edonte Policy PolicylProcedure Subject Page 1 of 2 Section # PQL-A©M-fl8 Administration Accountability and Enacted By Council: Transparency Policy December 19, 2007 Purpose The Municipal Aet, 2Q01, S. C7. 200J, c.25, as amended, (the Act) requires that all municipalities adapt 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. Definitions: Accountability; Transparency 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. Transparency -The principle that the municipality actively encourages and fosters stakeholder participation and openness in its decision making processes. Additionally, transparency means that the municipality's decision making process is open and clear to the public. Policy Statement The Council of the Township of Oro-Medonte 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 opinions; • Delivering high quality services to its citizens; and • Promoting the efficient use of public 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 stakeholders throughout its decision making process which will be open, visible and transparent to the public. 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. Financial Matters The municipality will be open, accountable and transparent to its stakeholders in its financial dealing as required under the Act. Same examples of haw the municipality provides such accountability and transparency are as follows: 1. internallexternal audit 2. reporting/statements 3. long term financial planning 4. asset management 5. purchasing/procurement 6. sale of land 7. budget process Internal Governance The municipality's administrative practices ensure specific accountability on the part of its employees through the following initiatives: 1. code of conduct far staff 2. performance management and evaluation 3. hiring policy 4. orientatianlcontinuing education 5. health and safety 6. worktlife balance 7. compensationlbenefit 8. responsibility for ensuring that administrative practices and procedures recognize Council's commitment to accountability and transparency 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 ar comments in writing an 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, website, etc. Some specific examples include: 1. procedure by-law 2. strategic plan 3. delegation rules 4. records retention by-law 5. planning processes 6. public notice by-law 2