Heritage Advisory Committee

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.

* Material culture 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.

Membership

The Committee shall be comprised of a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 9 volunteer members and up to 2 member of Council, all of who have voting rights. A staff person(s) from Planning & Development may also attend meetings as a liaison(s) to the Municipality. 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.

The Committee shall endeavor to have at least one member under the age of 25 and shall endeavour to be gender balanced.

The Committee, by a majority vote of its members, may recommend to Council to remove any member of the Committee who does not fulfil their obligations under their appointment.

Committee Structure

Committee Chair

The Committee shall elect a Chair and Vice Chair from among its volunteer members. The positions will be elected by a secret ballot by a majority of the voting members of the Committee.

The Chair and Vice Chair will have a concurrent four-year term. In the absence of the Chair and Vice Chair, the Committee shall appoint an Acting Chair.

The Committee Chair or Vice Chair will present the Committee's report and recommendations to the Municipality's Committee of the Whole or Council, as required.

Advisory Experts

The Committee may 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 Committee will prepare an annual budget for individual projects or tasks to be undertaken in any year. The Director of Planning & Development shall bring forward budget requests of the Committee as part of the Municipal budget process.

Current Committee Members