SUMA: George Cuff on the Role of Council

Last year I sat in on a session with George Cuff. Mr. Cuff is coming to Kindersley the beginning of April for our Council Retreat. Below are the notes I took of the session.

George Cuff February 5, 2013

What do we do

·         Communicate key truths

·         What is my role? Lead

·         Opportunity person

·         Keep future in mind

·         Provide quality of life, basic services will not keep people

·         Focus on primary client and understand who that is

·         Develop a principle based approach

·         We set the tone – open and transparent

·         I am accountable

What do you do as elected officials

·         Articulate the future

·         Make community centred decisions

·         Provide policy leadership

·         Encourage effective public participation

·         Guard the corporate and community resources

·         Resolve differences

Principles of a Policy Governance Body

·         Primacy of the Council Table

·         Open meetings

·         Adherence to decision-making protocols

·         Regular and transparent reporting

·         Apolitical administration

·         Interests of the whole community

·         Oversight

·         Opportunities for equal participation

·         Respect for administration

·         The mayor as Spokesman for Council

·         Ethical government

·         Good neighbours

·         Self-regulating

·         Accountability

Challenges and Landmines

·         Does the Council add value?

·         Have we established Council’s priorities?

·         Do we communicate with the public?

·         Do we focus on issues not personalities?

·         Do address any friction between members of Council?

·         Do we seek the advice of senior management?

·         Are we aware of our ethical boundaries?

When you know your off the rails

·         Clarity of mandate and authority

·         Effective orientation

·         Clear decision-making (governance) processes

·         Full disclosure by CAO/Administration to Council

·         Independence of the governing body – meet with auditor alone

·         Intentional leadership on the key issues

Gold Seal of Good Governance

·         Oversight of policy decisions

·         Decisions reflect citizen values and concerns

·         Advocacy to other levels of government and to neighbours

·         Ongoing and effective fiduciary monitoring

·         Continual reporting on results; accountability

·         Succession planning – we need a policy around this

Characteristics of a Healthy Council

·         Orientation to governance

·         Refusal to manage the community

·         Respect for the office of Mayor and Councillors

·         Respect by Council for professionalism of management

·         Cooperation between Council and management in developing the strategic agenda

·         Capacity to say no

·         Commitment to ethical government

Key Messages

·         About finding people to govern not to manage

·         Seek new term improvements as to how to govern

·         Be successful if:

            ·         Govern effectively,

·         effective oversight,

·         leadership,

·         reflect public will

      ·         be discerning, persevere & resilient, focus ahead