TOWN GOVERNANCE

Structure

The Township of Scugog is one of eight lower-tier municipalities that form the Region of Durham. Situated in the Greater Toronto Area, the Corporation of the Township of Scugog was created on January 1, 1974. Scugog was established by the amalgamation of the Townships of Reach (Ward 1), Scugog (Ward 3), Cartwright (Ward 4) and the Village of Port Perry (Wards 2 & 5).

The Township is divided into 5 Wards, each represented by a Ward Councillor. The ward councillors are elected by constituents in each ward whereas the Mayor and Regional Councillor are elected at large. The seven members of Council serve a four year term.

Regular Council meetings are held in the Municipal Office Council Chambers usually twice a month except in the months of July and August, with one evening meeting to accommodate those unable to attend during the day. Please click here for the Council and Committee schedule.

The Township’s administration is headed by a Chief Administrative Officer who oversees four departments which includes Corporate Services, Planning & Public Works, Parks, Recreation and Culture and Fire & Emergency Services. These departments provide a number of services including but not limited to: municipal elections, commissioning documents, administration of Council and Committee meetings, fire protection, roads, animal control, planning and development, building permits, corporate budget, property taxes, parks, arenas, museum.

Council Meeting Agenda

The Council Meeting agenda is the official guide for Council Meetings. Prepared by the Clerk’s office, the agenda, which follows a format and criteria outlined in a Procedure By-Law, contains the draft minutes of the previous meeting, information on delegations to Council, staff reports, correspondence to Council and by-laws. The public is encouraged to attend as all meetings of Council are open to the public. During meetings the public may be requested to leave while Council moves into a “closed session” to discuss matters of a confidential nature as permitted by the Municipal Act, 2001, as amended. The agenda is available in the Clerk’s office or on the website on the Friday preceding the Council meeting. Please click HERE to view the Agendas & Minutes.

Delegations to Council

Persons desiring to appear before Council or Committee are required to makes arrangements with the Clerk’s Department. The request for a delegation must be received by the Clerk’s Department by 4:30 p.m. on the Tuesday prior to the Council or Committee meeting. The request must include the name, address, telephone number and reasons for the appearance. The delegation may speak for five minutes followed by a question period. Debate between the delegation and Council is not permitted and generally, the delegations are received for information or Council may direct staff to provide additional information at a future meeting. Decisions are usually not made until the staff report is debated.

A delegation shall be permitted to speak only once on the issue and shall not be placed on a future agenda to discuss the same matter within six months of the last appearance by the same delegation unless there is new information that Council should be made aware of.

When appearing before Council, individuals are asked to come to the delegation desk, state their name and direct their questions and/or comments to the Council. The appropriate way to address Council is to preface their surname with “Mayor” or “Councillor”. Applause or other displays of public outburst are inappropriate.

Petitions & Communications

Every communication presented to Council should be legibly written or printed, signed by the author, include their address and must not contain any defamatory allegations, impertinent or improper matter. Delegations are requested, for the public record, to provide a copy of their speaking notes and any additional information they present which is not included in the agenda to the Clerk.

Meeting Proceedings

By-Law 148-07 governs the proceedings of Council, the conduct of its members and the calling of meetings. The Mayor is the official Chair of Council meetings and, in the absence of the Mayor, the Deputy or Acting Mayor will preside. The Regional Councillor is the Deputy Mayor in the Mayor’s absence. A quorum of 4 members is required for the Mayor to call the meeting to order. Although the agenda sets out the order of business, Council can change the order or add business at the time of the meeting. Council “speak” through a resolution of Council or by by-law. With each item of business, the Mayor will read the motion which is then moved and seconded by the other members. The floor is then open for debate, following which Council will vote on the subject. The motion, when approved by the majority of Council, becomes a resolution and forms part of the public record (minutes). The final minutes will be posted on the web site once they are adopted by Council or Committee generally at the next regular meeting.

The public is encouraged to attend meetings and become involved in municipal government. For further information regarding the Council agenda, minutes or to arrange a delegation to Council, please contact the Clerk’s office.