| The provincial government sets out
the ground rules governing municipalities in the
Local Government Act. This Act is the framework
which guides the creation of local government
and covers all facets of its operation. The basic
responsibility for local government services and
decisions lies with municipal councils.
When Saanich was incorporated in 1906 a Mayor and Council
was elected to determine its policies and oversee its responsibilities. |
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Additional Links:
Civic Holiday Schedule
Mayor's
Inaugural Address |
THE COUNCIL
The Council is the governing body of the municipality and is responsible to see that its
powers are used for the benefit and protection of its citizens.
All the powers of Council are exercised by bylaws and resolutions.
The Local Government Act states that these decisions can only
be made at regular, or at specially convened, Council meetings
where there is a quorum, or fixed number of Council members
present.
Council establishes policies for the community and adopts
bylaws or resolutions based on these policies. It must then
ensure that these policies are executed by the municipality’s
administration in the day to day business of the community.
THE MAYOR
The Mayor has special powers and duties as the head and chief executive officer of Saanich.
In addition to the required duties as a member of Council, the Mayor:
- Sees that the law for the improvement and good government
of Saanich is carried out;
- Communicates information to Council and recommends bylaws,
resolutions and measures that, in his opinion, may assist
the peace, order and good government of Saanich in relation
to the powers conferred on the Council by any Act;
- Establishes standing committees for matters he considers
would be better regulated and managed by means of committee,
and appoints members of Council to the committees; but
the proceedings of a committee are subject to the approval
of Council, except delegated executive or administrative
proceedings;
- Inspects and directs the conduct municipal officers and
employees, directs the management of municipal business
and affairs.
THE MUNICIPAL CLERK
The Office of the Municipal Clerk is responsible for the organization of Council's agenda,
keeping minutes of Council/Committee meetings, preparation of bylaws, the safekeeping
of municipal records, and the provision of information to the public. In addition, the
Office of the Municipal Clerk is responsible for:
- Processing and coordinating all business relative to Saanich
Council
- Carrying out statutory requirements in relation to the Local
Government Act
- Providing information and directing enquiries to the appropriate
departments
- Providing advice with respect to Council procedures, policies,
and functions
- Coordinating and providing sufficient information to Council
to support the Council decision making process
- Providing secretarial service to the majority of Council’s
committees
- Administering the Freedom of Information and Protection
of Privacy Act and processing requests to access
records.
The Municipal Clerk and her staff routinely
carry out correspondence on Council’s behalf and are
responsible for the publication of official notices. It is
the practice in Saanich for the Municipal Clerk to attend
and oversee the administration of all regularly scheduled
Council/Committee of the Whole meetings which at present are
held on Monday evenings. The Municipal Clerk works hand in
glove with the Mayor, Councillors and the Municipal Administrator
in coordinating the business of Council.
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