With the new Council for 2022 to 2026, Council Town Staff looked into a different Governance model and that has now been approved. One part of the change is that several Advisory committees were suspended.
Information on Advisory committees
There were thirteen advisory committees (2 and 8 suspended), governing boards (2) or ad hoc committees (1). Their membership consists of Cobourg residents and elected councillors. Any questions or submissions should be made to Council and not to citizens on these committees. If you are interested in participating, vacancies become available from time to time and are advertised on the Town's web site. Most committees appointments are for the term of the council. That means that the 2023 appointments will expire November 2026. Application forms are available online. Go to this page then scroll down - Click Vacancies.
Note also:
- A resident may make a delegation to these committees and is allowed 10 minutes. To make a delegation request, find the committee meeting on the Escribe Agenda Page here and submit a delegation request.
- Residents (the public) may attend these committee meetings as observers and may raise a hand and, at the discretion of the chair, may make a comment. The main point is attending as an observer.
Committees and Boards
Below is a summary of Cobourg's Boards and advisory committees (in alphabetical order). Committees with members are shown below with the note "effective 2023" - others are on hold. Assigned councillors will certainly change going into 2023. See the Town's page on committees for more info: Committees page
Accessibility Advisory Committee - effective 2023
The role of the Committee is to provide sound advice and recommendations to the Cobourg Municipal Council on matters relating to the goal of ensuring that individuals with disabilities shall be assured access to basic services generally available in the community.
Meeting Dates: Third Wednesday of every month from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Members: Elizabeth Sheffield, Kathryn Richards, Carole Anne Bell-Smith, Cheryl Blodgett, Jerry Ford, Adam White, Councillor Aaron Burchat, Councillor Adam Bureau.
Web page
Civic Awards Advisory Committee - to re-convene in 2024
The Town of Cobourg Civic Awards recognizes local residents who have helped benefit the community through outstanding volunteerism and community involvement. The Committee is established to submit recommendations to Council for various Civic/Municipal, Federal and Provincial awards programs. There are no awards in 2023 due to insufficient nominations. Instead, the award event will be in Spring 2024.
Meeting Dates: Meets on an ad hoc basis.
Members: Jennifer Ashley, Olinda Casimiro, Jane Connolly, Reva Nelson, Heather James, Elizabeth Selby. Possibly also Mayor and a Council member - not announced.
Web Page
Cobourg Heritage Advisory Committee - effective 2023
The Cobourg Heritage Advisory Committee is established to advise, assist and make recommendations to Council on matters relating to the conservation of cultural heritage resources, applications for repeal of designations, construction, alterations, and removal or demolition of heritage properties and matters relating to the conservation and designation of heritage properties and districts in accordance with the Ontario Heritage Act and the Town of Cobourg Heritage Master Plan.
Meeting Dates: The committee meets one Wednesday every month from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Additional meetings are scheduled as required.
Download schedule with deadlines and related council dates.
Members: Graham Andrews, James Young, Elizabeth Betancourt, Kenneth Forsyth, Daniel Gaito, Councillor Brian Darling, Deputy Mayor Nicole Beatty
Web Page
Cobourg Police Service Board - effective 2023
The Cobourg Police Services Board (CPSB) is the civilian body that governs the management of the Police Service. As mandated by the Ontario Police Services Act.
Meeting Dates: The Cobourg Police Services Board meeting every third Tuesday of every month at 9:00 am at Venture 13.
Members: Dean Pepper - Town appointee and deputy Chair, Sean Graham - Provincial Appointee, Ronald Kerr - Provincial Appointee and Chair, Deputy Mayor Nicole Beatty, Councillor Adam Bureau,
Web page
Cobourg Public Library Board - effective 2023
The Cobourg Public Library Board operates under the authority of Ontario Public Libraries Act, which defines the library's roles and responsibilities to the municipality and the province, and defines the services it is required to deliver. The Act establishes the Library Board as the governing body, responsible for setting policies and directing the affairs of the library. The purpose of the Cobourg Public Library Board is to provide comprehensive and efficient public library services to the residents of Cobourg, reflecting Cobourg's unique needs, as set out in the Public Libraries Act.
Meeting Dates: Third Wednesday of each month at 7:00 pm on Zoom.
Members: Mike Duncan - Chair, Joanne Hearst, Bonnie Young, Marian Neill, Ken Williamson - Vice Chair, Councillor Burchat, and Councillor Larry Williamson (Hamilton)
Web page
Committee of Adjustment - effective 2023
The Committee of Adjustment is a quasi-judicial body that holds public hearings to consider applications submitted to the Town of Cobourg Planning Department for minor variances to the Zoning By-law and consents for land severances, lot additions, rights-of-way, easements, mortgages and other interests in land for a period equal to or greater than twenty one years. The Committee operates independently from Council.
Meeting Dates: Last Tuesday of every month from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Members: Robert Marr - Chair, Peter Delanty, David Dexter, Brian Murphy, Terry Brown
Web page
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee - no longer active
Joint Municipal Election Compliance Audit Committee - not required until 2026
The Municipal Elections Act, 1996, requires that municipalities establish a committee to hear applications for compliance audits of the election campaign finances of candidates and registered third-party advertisers.
Meeting Dates. None scheduled. Information on the Committee’s meetings (including dates, location, and agendas) and decisions will be posted on the eSCRIBE Meeting Portal.
Members: Lorraine Brace, William (Bill) Graham, James Hunt, Lynn Patry, Tom Tordoff.
One Vacancy
No Web page
Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee - no longer active
Planning and Development Advisory Committee - no longer active
Sustainability and Climate Change Emergency Advisory Committee - no longer active
Transportation Advisory Committee - no longer active
Zero Emission Ad Hoc Committee - on hold