HomeMy WebLinkAboutADM 170 Accountability and Transparency PolicyCITY POLICY/PROCEDURE
Approval:
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Date Originated:
December 2007
Policy Number:
Classification:
ADM
Reference: ,
Resolution # 231/07
----Dated:
Category:
170
Policy Title:
ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY POLICY
POLICY STATEMENT:
The Council of the City of Pickering acknowledges that it is responsible to provide good
government for its stakeholders in an accountable and transparent manner by:
• Openness and fairness when transacting City business;
• Encouraging public access and participation to ensure that decision making is
responsive to the needs of its constituents and receptive to their opinions;
• Efficient and effective financial management;
• An open, responsive meeting process that ensures citizens have access to and
awareness of the Council/Committee business being discussed;
• Delivering high quality services to our citizens; and
• Promoting the efficient use of public resources.
Accountability, transparency and openness are standards of good government that
enhance public trust. They are achieved through the municipality adopting measures
ensuring, to the best of its ability, that all activities and services are undertaken utilizing a
process that is open and accessible to its stakeholders. In addition, wherever possible, the
municipality will engage its stakeholders throughout its decision making process which will
be open, visible and transparent to the public.
POLICY OBJECTIVE:
The Municipal Act, 2001 (the Act) requires that all municipalities adopt and maintain a
policy with respect to the manner in which the municipality will try to ensure that it is
accountable to the public for its actions, and the manner in which the municipality will try to
ensure that its actions are transparent to the public. The purpose of this policy is to provide
guidance for the delivery of the municipality's activities and services in accordance with the
principles as outlined herein. This policy has been developed in accordance with the Act to
comply with section 270.
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CITY POLICY/PROCEDURE
Approval:
Date Originated:
December 2007
Policy Number:
Classification:
ADM
Reference:
Resolution # 231/07
Date Revised:
Category:
170
Policy Title:
ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY POLICY
GENERAL:
01 Definitions:
01.01 Accountability — The principle that the municipality will be responsible
to its stakeholders for decisions made and policies implemented, as
well as its actions or inactions.
01.02 Transparency — The principle that the municipality actively encourages
and fosters stakeholder participation and openness in its decision
making processes. Additionally, transparency means that the
municipality's decision making process is open and clear to the public.
02 Responsibilities:
02.01 Council to:
a) Approve the Accountability and Transparency Policy.
b) Approve Amendments to the Accountability and Transparency Policy.
c) Support the Accountability and Transparency Policy.
02.02 Chief Administrative Officer to:
a) Support the Accountability and Transparency Policy.
02.03 Department Heads to:
a) Support the Accountability and Transparency Policy.
02.04 City Clerk to:
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CITY POLICY/PROCEDURE
Approval:
Date Originated:
December 2007
Policy Number:
Classification:
ADM
Reference:
Resolution # 231/07
Date Revised:
Category:
170
Policy Title:
ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY POLICY
a) Support the Accountability and Transparency Policy.
b) Recommend and prepare any necessary amendments to the Policy.
c) Be responsible for collecting concerns or complaints relating to this
Policy.
03 Policy Requirements:
The principles of accountability and transparency shall apply equally to the political
process and decision making and to the administrative management of the
municipality.
03.01 The municipality will be open, accountable and transparent to its
stakeholders in its financial dealings as required under the Act. Some
examples of how the municipality provides such accountability and
transparency are as follows:
a) Internal Audit
b) External Audit
c) Purchasing Policy
d) Financial Control Policy
e) Acquisition and Disposal of Land Policy
f) Budget process
g) Execution of Documents By-law
h) Employee Code of Conduct
i) Performance Review and Evaluation Policy
j) Occupational Health & Safety Policy
03.02 Public Participation and Information Sharing:
The municipality ensures that it is open and accountable to its
stakeholders through implementing processes outlining how, when and
under what rules meetings will take place. The municipality's meetings
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CITY POLICY/PROCEDURE
Approval:
Date Originated:
December 2007
Policy Number:
Classification:
ADM
Reference:
Resolution # 231/07
Date Revised:
Category:
170
Policy Title:
ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY POLICY
will be open to the public when and as required under the Act, and
members of the public will have an opportunity to make delegations or
comments in writing on specific items at these meetings. In addition,
the municipality has adopted policies which ensure that participation by
the public can be meaningful and effective, through timely disclosure of
information by various means including print media, websites, etc.
03.03 Complaint Process:
The City Clerk shall be responsible for collecting concerns or
complaints related to this policy.
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