TOWN OF VIEW ROYAL Committee of the Whole Report - DRAFT OATH OF OFFICE BYLAW NO. 901, 2014

DRAFT OATH OF OFFICE BYLAW NO. 901, 2014

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT the Committee recommend to Council that Council give first, second and third readings to Oath of Office Bylaw No. 901, 2014 at the next regular meeting of Council.

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER'S COMMENTS:

I concur with the recommendation.

PURPOSE OF REPORT:

To present a draft replacement bylaw to the Town's current "Oath of Office" bylaw.

TIME CRITICAL:

Consideration of a new "Oath of Office" is timely given that successful candidates in the November 2014 elections will need to take their oath of office at the inaugural Council meeting set for December 2, 2014.

BACKGROUND:

The Town adopted an Oath of Office Bylaw in 2011 (Bylaw No. 807 – see Attachment "A") after historically utilizing the Provincially prescribed oath set out in Local Government Elections Regulation 380/93. The oath approved under Bylaw No. 807 not only includes the contents from BC Reg. 380/93 but also incorporates a reference to section 117 of the Community Charter, reinforcing the importance of confidential materials that Councils deal with from time to time.

DISCUSSION:

At this time it is proposed to replace the Oath of Office Bylaw with one that emphasizes the powers and responsibilities of the office that reflect the values and priorities of the community. In this way, the oath can be seen to strengthen the accountability of Council members to their electors. The draft oath (see Attachment "B") still includes the more legalistic elements – covering the requirements to not contravene legislation relating to elections, conflict of interest and in-camera matters – but it is written in more "user-friendly" language.

Specifically the draft replacement bylaw affirms that the elected official will:

• perform duties faithfully and with integrity;
• perform duties of the office without private interests providing influence;
• abide by the Provincial statutes, bylaws and policies that govern the Town; and
• consider the best interests of the community at all times.

BUDGET IMPLICATIONS:

There are no budget implications related to this initiative.

ALTERNATIVES TO RECOMMENDATION:

1. Do nothing – retain the existing Oath or Solemn Affirmation of Office Bylaw No. 807, 2011.
2. Adopt the proposed bylaw with amendments.

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT the Committee recommend that Council give first, second and third readings to Oath of Office Bylaw No. 901, 2014 at the next regular meeting of Council.

SUBMITTED BY: S. Jones, Director of Corporate Administration

REVIEWED BY: K. Anema, Chief Administrative Officer