A report examining cost surrounding the timing of Chatham-Kent council meetings has left councillors divided.
At their most recent meeting, members of council voted 10 to 7 in favour of administration putting together a report outlining potential cost savings if council meetings were moved from a 6 pm start time to regular business hours.
“There is some cost savings to be had by moving meetings to weekdays, you’d save on meals, you’d save on staff time,” said South Kent Councillor Trevor Thompson.
Chatham Councillor Brock McGregor added an approved friendly amendment for residents to be allowed to voice their opinion on what time meetings are held through a survey on Let’s Talk CK.
“I think it would be helpful for the next council to have that financial information but also to have some information, some preliminary feedback from the public,” said B. McGregor.
North Kent representative Rhonda Jubenville voiced her concern moving to daytime council meetings.
“Daytime meetings disproportionally exclude working residents, shift workers, parents and students. This creates a public record that looks like the community is disengaged when in reality the meeting time is the actual barrier,” said Jubenville.
“Evening meetings broaden who can show up and speak. Residents expect to be able to watch decisions that affect their taxes, roads, recreations and services. Daytime meetings make that practically impossible for most households.”
Councillors Jubenville, B. McGregor, Ryan Doyle, Amy Finn, Melissa Harrigan, Alysson Storey, and Mayor Darrin Canniff voted against the motion.
The report won’t be presented until the next term, allowing the new council to establish its own procedures and meeting schedules.
