Chatham-Kent could see a change in its number of councillors for the first time since the municipality was amalgamated.
Following a third-party review of council’s size and structure, council members will be asked on Monday to choose one of four recommendations — reduce the number of council seats by one, three, or five, or keep council’s size status quo.
Chatham-Kent Council currently has 18 members; one mayor and 17 councillors.
The recommendations were made as part of a council-approved review conducted by consultant firm StrategyCorp. The firm was hired by the municipality earlier this year to examine council composition and ward boundaries, in an effort to ensure an effective and equitable system of representation for all residents.
To date, StrategyCorp has conducted one-on-one meetings with councillors, the chief administrative officer and other senior staff. As well, public engagement was conducted through community meetings and an online survey.
The firm’s recommendations are also based on Chatham-Kent’s current population, projected population growth, previous election participation, and council size of other comparable municipalities.
Chatham-Kent has conducted previous reviews of the municipality’s ward boundaries in 2015, 2011, and 2008, however, no changes were adopted, leaving the ward boundaries unchanged since amalgamation in 1998.
During Monday’s meeting, administration will also recommend that council instruct StrategyCorp to move forward with a review of CK’s ward boundaries. Should council do so, draft ward boundary maps would be presented to council in November, followed by additional public consultation. A final report with recommendations will then be presented to council in December.
