Brudenell, Lyndoch and Raglan, Township of

The Ombudsman reviewed a meeting of council for the Township of Brudenell, Lyndoch and Raglan. The Ombudsman found that the Township's procedure by-law did not reflect the current procedural requirements of the Municipal Act, 2001. The Ombudsman recommended that the Township make several amendments to its procedure by-law, including that public notice be provided for all regular and special council and committee meetings; that council pass a resolution about the general nature of the matter to be considered in camera before going into closed session; and that council prohibit voting in camera except for procedural matters or for giving directions to staff.

The Ombudsman reviewed a meeting of council for the Township of Brudenell, Lyndoch and Raglan. During the closed session, council received an update form staff about a matter that was before an administrative tribunal. The Ombudsman found that this topic fit within the exception for litigation and potential litigation, which includes matters before administrative tribunals. The Ombudsman noted that it is not necessary that council also receive legal advice or discuss litigation strategy for this exception to apply; rather, council may simply receive information or ask questions about the status of the litigation.

The Ombudsman reviewed a meeting of council for the Township of Brudenell, Lyndoch and Raglan. During the closed session, no formal minutes were taken. Although the Township has adopted the practice of recording its closed session meetings, only an incomplete recording of this meeting was available. The Ombudsman noted that audio recordings should not replace the written records as required by the Municipal Act, 2001. The Ombudsman recommended that the Township ensure that both open and closed session minutes are kept of all meetings of council, local boards, and committees. The Ombudsman also recommended that the Township ensure meeting records are complete and accurately reflect all of the substantive and procedural items that were discussed.

The Ombudsman reviewed a closed meeting held by council for Township of Brudenell, Lyndoch and Raglan to discuss a former employee. The closed meeting relied on the personal matters exception. Council members expressed personal opinions about the individual’s behaviour and discussed actions the municipality should take to address a particular issue. The Ombudsman found that the discussion fit within the personal matters exception.