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# Accountability and Transparency Policy
The Municipal Act requires that all municipalities have a policy that holds the municipality accountable to the public. The Town of Shelburne Accountability and Transparency Policy outlines the measures Shelburne takes to maintain transparency.
## Definitions
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.
Transparency - The principle that the municipality actively encourages and fosters stakeholders participation and openness in its decision making process. Additionally, transparency means the municipality's decision making process is open and clear to the public.
## Policy statement
The Council of the Town of Shelburne acknowledges that it is responsible to provide good government for its stakeholders in an accountable and transparent manner by:
* Encouraging public access and participation to ensure that decision making is responsive to the needs of its constituents and receptive to their opinions
* Delivering high quality services to our citizens
* Promoting the efficient use of public resources
Accountability, transparency and openness are standards of good government and enhance the public trust. They are achieved through the municipality adopting measure 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, where possible, the municipality will engage its stakeholders throughout its decision making process which will be open, visible and transparent to the public.
## Corporate values
To create open communication through teamwork and cooperation both at the Council level, as well through Town staff and all committee members. Within the corporation, mutual respect and the highest of integrity will be maintained by its elected officials, Town employees and members of committees within the Corporation, as well as addressing matters with the general public.
## 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:
Financial matters
The municipality to be open, accountable and transparent to its stakeholders in its financial deals as required under the Act. Some examples of how the municipality provides such accountability and transparency are as follows:
1. Internal/external audit
2. Reporting/statements
3. Long term financial planning
4. Asset management
5. Purchasing/procurement
6. Sale of land
7. Budget process
Internal governance
The municipality's administrative practices ensure specific accountability on the part of its employees through the following initiatives:
1. Code of conduct for staff
2. Performance management and evaluation
3. Hiring policy
4. Orientation/continuing education
5. Health and safety
6. Work/life balance
7. Compensation/benefits
8. Responsibility for ensuring that administrative practices and procedures recognize Council's commitment to accountability and transparency
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 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 the 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. Some specific examples could include:
1. Procedural By-law
2. Code of Conduct for council and staff
3. Strategic plan
4. Delegation rules
5. Records retention
6. Planning processes
7. Public notice by-law or policy
Contact Us
**Administrative Office**
203 Main Street East
Shelburne, ON L9V 3K7
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 519-925-2600
Fax: 519 -925-6134
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