Council

Norwich Township Council

The Corporation of the Township of Norwich is governed by an elected Council consisting of a Mayor and four Councillors. Councillors are elected, one per Ward. Wards are divided by the boundaries of the former municipalities in effect prior to amalgamation in 1975. The Village of Norwich, the former municipalities of North Norwich, South Norwich and East Oxford.

 

Council Meeting Schedule 2022

Code of Conduct

Code of Conduct for Council, Local Boards and Committees

The Municipal Act, 2001,S.O. 2001, c. 25, at section 223.2, authorizes a municipality to establish a Code of Conduct for members of the Council of the municipality and of local boards of the municipality.

A Code of Conduct helps to ensure that members of Council, Local Boards and Committees share a common basis of acceptable conduct. These standards are designed to supplement to the legislative parameters within which members must operate. These standards should serve to enhance public confidence that Township’s elected and appointed representatives operate from a basis of integrity, justice, trust and courtesy.

Procedural By-law

The Township of Norwich is committed to the principles of Accountability and Transparency in its governance, operations, and activities. As part of this commitment, Council has enacted By-law 57-2017 governs the proceedings of the Council of the Township of Norwich and its Committees and Boards. This is to ensure that meetings of Council and its Boards and Committees, transpire in an open and accessible manner that allows members of the public opportunities to participate in the local decision-making process.

The Procedural By-law governs the calling, place, and proceedings by which Meetings of the Council occur, how Council discusses, deliberates, and make decisions on matters that affect the community, and also provides for such things as the Order of Business, Public Participation, and conditions under which a Closed Meeting may be held.


Faq

In most cases, resident concerns can be resolved by Township staff. If staff is unable to resolve the issue, they will provide advice about the steps to be taken next. One of the steps could be to appear before Council as a delegation.

Any person wishing to appear before Council as a delegation is required to submit a request in writing including name, address and telephone number (to be reached during office hours) as well as an explanation of the issue to be addressed. Please include all facts pertaining to the issue for inclusion in the agenda.

The request must be received by the Clerk’s Office no later than 4:30 on the Wednesday prior to the Council Meeting.

Delegations are limited to 10 minutes in length. At the conclusion, members of Council will seek clarification to any questions they have, with the delegation or staff.

The decision of Council will be made in public usually while the delegation is present unless additional information or time is required before a decision is made. The Clerk will confirm in writing the decision of Council to the delegation.

Please direct any questions regarding delegations to the Clerk's Department at 519-468-2410.

All Council meetings are open to the public. There is a seating area located within the Council Chambers (building behind Administration building) for members of the public to observe the meetings.

Citizens attending the meeting are invited by the Mayor to provide comments during the Public Meeting session during matters related to land use planning or drainage works.

When Council is required to move into a Closed Session, members of the public will be asked to leave the Council Chambers. Closed Sessions are held to discuss the following items: the security of the property of the municipality or local board; personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees; a proposed or pending acquisition or disposal of land by the municipality or local board; labour relations or employee negotiations; litigation or potential litigation, including matters before administrative tribunals, affecting the municipality or local board; advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose; a matter in respect of which a council, board, committee or other body has authorized a meeting to be closed under another Act.

Closed Meeting Investigator and Integrity Commissioner

The Integrity Commissioner is an independent and impartial position that reports dierectly to council and whose powers and duties are set out in the Municipal Act, 2001. 

For assistance in contacting the Integrity Commissioner, please contact the Township of Norwich CAO / Clerk. 

CLOSED MEETINGS

According to Section 239 of the Municipal Act, all meetings of Council and Boards must be open to the public. A meeting or part of a meeting may be closed to the public if the subject matter falls under one of the exemptions of the Act. 

For assistance regarding a closed meeting investigation, please contact the Township of Norwich CAO / Clerk

Closed Meeting Investigator and Integrity Commissioner - Gregory F. Stewart

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Council Meeting Dates

Exceptions

Meetings of Council are typically held at 9:00 a.m. or 7:00 p.m.

However, when a Committee of Adjustment meeting is scheduled, Council is held immediately following the Committee of Adjustment