The Cowichan Valley Regional District has eliminated its topic-specific standing committees, including the community services committee, regional services committee, and corporate services committee.
Instead, two committee of the whole meetings will occur each month, and they will begin at 9:30 a.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month.
A statement from the district said this change is anticipated to create greater efficiency for CVRD staff and elected officials as meeting agendas are not restricted to items related to specific service areas or groupings.
“In talking with directors and staff about this new model, I heard a great deal of enthusiasm for committee of the whole meetings as an improved means for governance and decision-making,” said Lori Iannidinardo, the new chair of the board.
“It’s a model that municipalities already follow, and I think a great example of efficiency is in the amount of time that may pass between items being discussed at service-specific committee meetings and when they are ultimately considered at a board meeting.”
The electoral area services committee will continue to meet at 1:30 p.m. on the first and third Wednesdays of the month.
The full schedule of meetings can be found in the CVRD meeting calendar, and agendas and minutes for past and upcoming meetings can be found on the CVRD board and standing committee meetings page of the CVRD website.