The Township of Scugog is one of eight lower-tier municipalities that form the Region of Durham. The Township is divided into five wards, each represented by a Ward Councillor. Ward Councillors are elected by eligible voters residing within the wards that the candidates are running in. Voters in all wards elect the Mayor and Regional Councillor and all seven elected members of Council serve a four-year term. Members of Council are required to adhere to the code of conduct established under By-Law 34-19. This By-law oversees the good conduct and ethics that Township of Scugog stakeholders could expect from its elected representatives.

Administration

The Township's administration is headed by a Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) who oversees five departments, including:

  • Community Services
  • Corporate Services
  • Development Services
  • Finance Department
  • Fire and Emergency Services

These departments provide a number of services to the community, including:

Council meetings

Council holds regular meetings in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Office, except for the months of July and August, in accordance with the meeting schedule.   All Council meetings are open to the public, except for closed meetings. Individuals are welcome to speak at a Council meeting as a delegation.

Council agendas

Corporate Services prepares Council meeting agendas, according to the Procedure By-law. Agendas include:

  • Draft minutes from the previous meeting
  • Information on speakers (delegations to Council)
  • Staff reports
  • Correspondence to Council
  • By-laws

Meeting proceedings

Procedure By-law 68-18 governs the conduct and proceedings of Council. The Mayor is the official Chair of Council meetings. In the absence of the Mayor, the Deputy or Acting Mayor is the Chair.

A quorum of 4 members is required for the Mayor to call the meeting to order. Although the agenda sets out the order of business, Council can change the order or add business at the time of the meeting.

With each item of business, the Mayor reads the motion, which is then moved and seconded by the other members. The floor is then open for debate and then Council votes on the subject. The motion, when approved by the majority of Council, becomes a resolution and forms part of the public record (minutes).

Learn more about Council and Committee meetings, agendas and minutes.

Petitions and communications

Every communication presented to Council should:

  • Be legibly written or printed
  • Signed by the author
  • Include the author's address
  • Not contain any defamatory allegations and impertinent or improper matter

Delegations must provide a copy of their speaking notes and any additional information they present (not included in the agenda) to the Clerk for the public record.