Advisory Committees are an important part of local governance. Advisory Committees work on specific mandates, they engage in discussions, information sharing, and they make recommendations to Town Council. This is all done in a formal meeting environment, with a chairperson and Town support staff. All committees work in accordance with the Municipal Government Act.
To make recommendations to Council, Committee members work on behalf of community, to review information, and to build consensus with others who serve on the committee.
Committee members will often be asked to read background agendas in advance of a meeting. These packages contain a meeting agenda as well as the reports, documents and correspondence that will be worked with at the meeting.
Advisory committees meet between four and 12 times a year and meetings can take up to two hours.
Inclusion:
The Town of Wolfville welcomes and encourages applications from Black, racialized and Indigenous Peoples, 2SLGBTQ+, newcomers to Canada, and People with Disabilities. If you are a member of a group that has been historically excluded from opportunities, we encourage you to self-identify in your cover letter or resume and to share your pronouns. If you require any accommodation to support submitting your application or navigating the process, please reach out to the Clerk Laura Morrison.
Please also feel welcome to start a conversation about this opportunity at any time.
The application deadline is October 31, 2024.
ACCESSIBILITY
The Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC) provides advice to council on identifying, preventing and removing barriers experienced by people with disabilities in municipal programs, services, initiatives and facilities.
The Accessibility Advisory committee plays a big part in helping the Town of Wolfville become a barrier‐free community and ensuring obligations under “An Act Respecting Accessibility in Nova Scotia” Chapter 2 of the Accessibility Act (2017) are met.
Committee members will play a role in drafting and revising the Town’s Accessibility Plan and they will provide comment, advice and recommendations on other timely matters.
With or without lived experience, committee members are encouraged to work as a team to build consensus and to offer recommendations that will improve access for all members of our community.
Commitment – meet at least four times a year Monday evening 4:30pm-5:30pm for a 2 or 3-year term starting in December 2024.
We will have 2 year and 3 year term positions vacant.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
The Audit Committee provides advice to Council on all matters relating to audit and finance. Specifically, the committee fulfils the requirements outlined in Section 44 of the Municipal Government Act and they assist council in meeting its responsibilities by ensuring the adequacy and effectiveness of financial reporting, risk management and internal controls.
Committee members are asked to work to build consensus, under the chairperson, completing a number of action items each year including the review of the qualifications, independence, quality of service, performance and fees of the External Auditors. The committee will also recommend the appointment of an auditor to council. The committee, with management, and the external auditor, will review the annual audited financial statements and the internal control management letter received from the auditors and recommend any changes to council, as required.
The committee will review financial policies, internal controls, and risk management, including insurance coverage.
Financial knowledge and understanding of accounting principles is considered an asset for any committee applicants.
Commitment – meets at least 4 times per year, additional meetings may be necessary – Fridays at 9:00am to 11:00am for a 2-year term, starting in December 2024.
PLANNING ADVISORY COMMITTEE (PAC)
The Planning Advisory Committee is responsible for providing clear and complete advice and policy options to Council on issues related to the development, standards, and planning of our town’s spaces, specifically concerning:
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Heritage Planning and Preservation
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Environmental Issues
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Building Standards
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Housing Issues
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Parks, Trails, Playgrounds and Open Space Planning
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Landscaping and Beautification of Municipal Property; and
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Any other related matter referred to this Committee by Council or by the Chief Administrative Office
The committee shall meet monthly on Thursdays 4pm-6pm (except in the month of August), or as otherwise required to fulfill the duties as outlined on a two year term vacancy.
