Newsletter August 2, 2018
Are the Mayor's Public Engagement Task Forces
a "Barrier" to Public Engagement?
If Oak Bay Council doesn’t have the worst record for Public Engagement and Transparency in Canada they must score high on the list.
At the beginning of this Council term residents were not allowed to attend Council priority sessions. Oak Bay Watch believes that the only reason this changed was by residents requesting assistance from the B.C. Ombudsperson’s Office. As a result of that action, residents were permitted to attend, but not to participate in, Council’s Strategic Priority planning sessions.
This is a far cry from International Association for Public Engagement standards (IAP2) that state:
Public Participation Goal
As reported in our July 20, 2018, Council Report, Council approved the latest Mayor’s Task Force Public Engagement Report on July 16, 2018, but delayed implementation for the next Council.
So what was the rush to get the Public Engagement Report approved? Just to provide a check mark and add yet another report to the un-implemented growing pile of reports? For example, why would many of the March 24, 2017 Urban Forest Strategy Report’s straight-forward recommendations to protect the tree canopy, not have been prioritized and implemented by now? Other bylaw amendments, an infill strategy and basement suite terms of reference were all drafted and approved very quickly.
Instead, 18 months after adoption the June 2018 Strategic Priorities Report states a “phased” Urban Forest Implementation Plan has been approved however, so far there have been no amendments to the Tree Protection Bylaw or zoning setbacks and, no progress information or detail has been provided although requested. Presumably, then, it will be dependent on the next Council to establish standards.
When will the public get a chance to provide their viewpoints they have identified as priorities? The July 2018 Public Engagement Report states these are:
"Overall, there is a desire to see the District go further than meet the minimum requirements for public consultation. The community wants more information shared electronically, both in terms of staying informed and providing input to the District. In terms of topics of greatest interest to the community, there is a consistent theme of wanting increased information related to development, housing, and land-use planning, as well as community priorities and budgeting”.
Oak Bay Watch Perspective:
The Mayor cannot keep on establishing Public Engagement Task Forces that recommend Public Engagement Standards – he has had plenty of time to take action by now. If the Mayor and some Councillors have become the barriers to public engagement and transparency – the new Public Engagement Report recommends removing the barriers. That goal can be achieved with the upcoming election.
October 20, 2018, Civic Election: Time for a Change
*******Please help us continue to provide you with information about Community concerns and Council decisions and actions. Oak Bay Watch members also help community groups with their specific development concerns. Donate to Oak Bay Watch - even $5 or $10 dollars provides expenses for door- to- door handouts and helps us maintain our website. Oak Bay Watch is committed to ensuring the Community gets the full range of information on budget, governance and all key development issues – a well-informed opinion cannot be made without this.
(Please use Donate Button at bottom of oakbaywatch.com Home Page)
Keep informed please sign up for our newsletter – bottom of Newsletter Menu Item.
Are the Mayor's Public Engagement Task Forces
a "Barrier" to Public Engagement?
If Oak Bay Council doesn’t have the worst record for Public Engagement and Transparency in Canada they must score high on the list.
At the beginning of this Council term residents were not allowed to attend Council priority sessions. Oak Bay Watch believes that the only reason this changed was by residents requesting assistance from the B.C. Ombudsperson’s Office. As a result of that action, residents were permitted to attend, but not to participate in, Council’s Strategic Priority planning sessions.
This is a far cry from International Association for Public Engagement standards (IAP2) that state:
Public Participation Goal
- Inform: To provide the public with balanced and objective information to assist them in understanding the problem, alternatives, opportunities and/or solutions.
- Empower: To place final decision making in the hands of the public.
As reported in our July 20, 2018, Council Report, Council approved the latest Mayor’s Task Force Public Engagement Report on July 16, 2018, but delayed implementation for the next Council.
So what was the rush to get the Public Engagement Report approved? Just to provide a check mark and add yet another report to the un-implemented growing pile of reports? For example, why would many of the March 24, 2017 Urban Forest Strategy Report’s straight-forward recommendations to protect the tree canopy, not have been prioritized and implemented by now? Other bylaw amendments, an infill strategy and basement suite terms of reference were all drafted and approved very quickly.
Instead, 18 months after adoption the June 2018 Strategic Priorities Report states a “phased” Urban Forest Implementation Plan has been approved however, so far there have been no amendments to the Tree Protection Bylaw or zoning setbacks and, no progress information or detail has been provided although requested. Presumably, then, it will be dependent on the next Council to establish standards.
When will the public get a chance to provide their viewpoints they have identified as priorities? The July 2018 Public Engagement Report states these are:
"Overall, there is a desire to see the District go further than meet the minimum requirements for public consultation. The community wants more information shared electronically, both in terms of staying informed and providing input to the District. In terms of topics of greatest interest to the community, there is a consistent theme of wanting increased information related to development, housing, and land-use planning, as well as community priorities and budgeting”.
Oak Bay Watch Perspective:
The Mayor cannot keep on establishing Public Engagement Task Forces that recommend Public Engagement Standards – he has had plenty of time to take action by now. If the Mayor and some Councillors have become the barriers to public engagement and transparency – the new Public Engagement Report recommends removing the barriers. That goal can be achieved with the upcoming election.
October 20, 2018, Civic Election: Time for a Change
*******Please help us continue to provide you with information about Community concerns and Council decisions and actions. Oak Bay Watch members also help community groups with their specific development concerns. Donate to Oak Bay Watch - even $5 or $10 dollars provides expenses for door- to- door handouts and helps us maintain our website. Oak Bay Watch is committed to ensuring the Community gets the full range of information on budget, governance and all key development issues – a well-informed opinion cannot be made without this.
(Please use Donate Button at bottom of oakbaywatch.com Home Page)
Keep informed please sign up for our newsletter – bottom of Newsletter Menu Item.