Purpose
Pursuant to the authorities granted under the Ontario Heritage Act, the purpose of Heritage Advisory Committee is to assist the Municipality in an advisory capacity on heritage matters including architectural, material culture*, historical and natural heritage. This can be accomplished through conservation or restoration initiatives, education, or heritage designation of the built or natural environment.

The Committee, working with staff resource persons and with local community associations such as the North Grenville Historical Society and the Old Town Kemptville Business Improvement Area, may advise and recommend; provide knowledge and expertise; facilitate the work of the organizing body; and act as a liaison between politicians, organizational staff, members of the public and other stakeholders with regard to matters of architectural, historical or cultural ** significance.

Pursuant to the Ontario Heritage Act, the authority to consent to alterations to designated properties, natural heritage landscapes and heritage conservation districts is delegated to the Director of Planning & Development for the Municipality, subject to prior consultation with the Heritage Advisory Committee.

The Committee shall have regard to the shared priorities of the Council Workplan and forthcoming Community Strategic Plan.

Membership
Minimum of Four (4) Volunteer Members and a Member of Council. The Chairperson shall be a volunteer member selected by the Committee members.

In considering the appointment of members to the Committee, Council shall consider the following:
a) influential decision makers (current and retired) from various sectors;
b) individual members willing to take on specific responsibilities for specific areas of the program;
c) the individual's qualifications and commitment as they relate to the Council's adopted programs/policies; and
d) availability of members to participate in the programs/policies and attend Committee meetings.

Advisory Experts
The Committee will invite additional content experts to attend regular meetings and to present at specific meetings in order to meet its mandate.

Meetings
The Committee shall meet at least six times a year. Additional meetings shall be held at the call of the Chair. Agenda packages will be sent out the week prior to the meetings and published on the Municipality’s website. Draft minutes will be distributed by email to each Committee member by the Clerk’s Office within one week following the meeting.

Department Jurisdiction
Planning & Development – The Director is responsible to ensure that all associated legislative responsibilities to the Committee are fulfilled.

Staff Contact
Director of Planning & Development

Administrative Support
The Clerk’s Office shall provide minute taking and agenda preparation and distribution in conjunction with the Chairperson.

Budget
The Director of Planning & Development shall bring forward budget requests of the Committee as part of the Municipal budget process.

*Material cultural can be described as any object that humans use to survive, define social relationships, represent facets of identity, or benefit man's state of mind, social, or economic standing.

** The Ontario Heritage Act provides municipalities with enhanced powers to preserve and promote Ontario’s cultural heritage. Municipal Cultural Planning is a new approach to local cultural development. It is asset-based community development that begins with identifying broadly defined local cultural resources (including cultural heritage properties) and then leverages them for economic development and community building.