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RDN - Area A During the run-up to the November 2011 municipal elections I indicated, as part of my election platform, that I would favour a feasibility study on restructuring our local governance model. Since then, I have been reminded of my promise numerous times. Since November 2011, a number of electoral areas have petitioned the provincial government to provide funding – approximately $40,000 – for a restructuring study as provided under legislation. In replying to these requests, the provincial government has simply stated that they are currently reviewing the process under which the restructuring process takes place. RDN Electoral Area (EA) ‘F’ (Coombs, Hilliers, Errington, Meadowood, Whiskey Creek) is one of the areas that has applied for a restructuring study. As a matter of interest, if EA ‘F’ were to incorporate, their population (7,450) would rank them at #71 out of the more than 400 incorporated areas in B.C. The Area ‘A’ population (7,150) is only slightly smaller than that of EA ‘F’.
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Traditionally, the way the restructure program works is as follows: •There is usually a grassroots initiative by residents about exploring a different form of governance. •The EA Director indicates support for the idea of an incorporation study taking place in the community. •The EA Director brings the idea of the study forward to the RDN board, and if the RDN board supports the study, the RDN Board passes a resolution indicating its support and requesting the provincial government to fund the study. Upon receiving a request for funding that is supported by a RD board resolution, the Ministry determines a number of things, such as availability of grant money, the apparent viability of the area proposed for the study and the availability of Ministry staff resources. •The next step would be determining the level of support for the study within the community. This is usually done by the EA Director holding a public meeting that RDN and ministry staff attend and answer questions from the public. Support for the study should be broadly based, e.g. by community and/or ratepayers groups, improvement district/s,
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business community, etc. •The Ministerial decision about whether or not a study will be sanctioned and funded follows the public meeting. •If it is determined that there is a broad base of support for the study, ministry staff work with the EA director and RD staff to determine the make-up of the volunteer restructure/governance committee and the terms of reference (TOR) for the study. The EA director is an exofficio (non-voting) member of the committee. •Based on the TOR, the study committee submits a request for proposals and proceed to hire a consultant, with input from RD and Ministry staff, to write the study. Within the next two months, it is my intention to begin the formation of a broadly-based committee as the first step in the restructuring study process. This is not a decision to be taken lightly; however, without the benefit of the restructuring study the question of whether or not incorporation of EA ‘A’ (Cedar, Yellowpoint, South Wellington, Cassidy) is financially viable and desired by the constituents will remain an unresolved matter.