A recommendation by Norfolk County staff to start meetings earlier was not well received by council.
Yesterday (Wednesday), our elected officials looked at a staff report that reviewed the 2025 calendar, setting dates and times for meetings.
In that report, staff recommended that Council and Council-in-Committee meetings change their start times to 9:30 a.m.
Councillor Kim Huffman was first out of the gate to raise some concerns.
Huffman’s memory of the situation was correct.
Norfolk County Council used to begin at 5 p.m., with the idea at the time being that individuals with a day job could still find time to represent their community.
However, this late start time, and an often hefty agenda, did tend to lead to marathon meetings that would go well into the night.
During the term of council from 2014 to 2018, a decision was made to move the start of meetings to 3 p.m. on a trial basis, eventually being voted in as permanent.
That decision was not unanimous, though, as councillors at the time argued that 3 p.m. would cut into individuals’ workdays, thus limiting who could apply for a council seat and who could attend their meetings.
Other councillors around that table felt that when they had meetings often going past 10 p.m., perhaps decisions were being made without a sound mind.
Then, in February of 2022, the current term of council moved the start time to 1 p.m., with the large agendas being a key reason for the change.
The staff report noted that the 9:30 a.m. start time would prevent meetings, wherever practical, from extending into the evening hours when Council may have other commitments.
It would also ensure all staff are on hand, as it would be during their regularly scheduled shift.
Councillor Tom Masschaele acknowledged there are benefits for those at council chambers, but perhaps not for the public trying to watch at home.
Another concern raised by Councillor Mike Columbus was how this decision could impact the next election.
Mayor Amy Martin said she would support her fellow council members if they wanted to stick to the 1 p.m. start time, but she was interested in just how much money these late meetings are costing,
Councillor Alan Duthie agreed changes needed to happen, but an earlier start time was not the issue.
He said there is a root problem behind all the time changes that have been made in the past, and the one being suggested by staff now.
Councillor Chris Van Paassen, who was the Chair at this particular meeting, added some insight from his experience as to why Norfolk’s meetings usually last hours.
When watching shorter meetings in other municipalities, Van Paassen says most discussions are saved until a motion is on the floor, with a few brief questions to staff – but those rules tend to be a little more loose in Ontario’s Garden.
Councillor Duthie moved the motion to keep meetings at their regular 1 p.m. start time in 2025 and for staff to look at ways to shorten council meetings moving forward.
He also agreed to a friendly amendment from Mayor Martin to have staff come back with a cost breakdown of how much money is being spent keeping staff on hand during those long council meetings.
Written by Matt LeBlanc