June 15, 2009 - District of Mission

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Background:
As noted in the summary, council has requested a job description for the role of
council liaison. The following information will attempt to address the
recommendations above as well as provide background for the proposed policy.
Overview of Commissions
Council has appointed 3 commissions, and the title of the councillor's role is
different in each. The Social Development Commission has the mayor appointed as
the "chair". The Cultural Resources Commission has Councillor Scudder appointed
as "council representative". It is only the Mission Community Heritage Commission
that has a "liaison" appointed - currently Councillor Scudder.
In practical terms, there is little or no difference between being a "liaison" or a
"council representative". The real question is what is the councillor's role in these
situations
It would be helpful to take a broader look at commissions, to try to determine what
the councillor role should be.
Role of Commissions
If we look to the defined role of a commission it is: "A commission may be
appointed by council from time to time to address a broadly defined mandate
representing a topic of community wide scope and complexity, which is defined by
the terms of reference adopted by council."
Council also specifically identifies:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
the product to be delivered by the commission;
the schedule for delivery of the product;
the specific terms of reference for the commission;
appointees to the committee including the designated council representative
and alternate;
the chair and vice chair of the commission;
the staff member(s) (if any) who may assist the select committee;
(g) whether funding is required for the commission to carry out its work, and the
source of that funding.
The people council selects for commissions are appointed based on a broad base of
expertise and interest. Council establishes the terms of reference for a commission
and the commission is then charged with developing a strategic plan to implement
the terms of reference, and to provide quarterly progress reports to council.
Underlying Operating Principle of Commissions
There is an underlying operating principle in relation to commissions that requires
clarification, and which should provide the answer to the role of the council
appointee to commissions.
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