SRD staff report on directors input

EASC rejects SRD Staff report on Directors input

The latest version of a Strathcona Regional District staff report on directors input into the reporting process was not received by the Electoral Areas Services committee. Cortes Island Regional Director Noba Anderson said. “I think that’s the first time I’ve ever voted in opposition to receipt of a report in 12 years.” Regional Directors Jim Abram and Brenda Leigh joined her in opposition. 

Screenshot from YouTube recording of meeting shows Chief Administrative Officer David Leitch listening to input from the Regional Directors

Should Staff consult with directors?

The key issue was whether staff should consult with directors before bringing forward reports about their areas. 

Regional Director Gerald Whalley thinks the current system works, “ … The way I look at this, and I think it is work considering, is that when staff gives us a report, as the Electoral Areas Services Committee, on various topics that we are previously unaware of, we should consider this as written notification with the director. Because once it comes here, the director is free to do whatever they want.” 

They can accept staff’s recommendation, defeat it, or make a totally different motion.

“I agree,” said Chief Administrative Officer David Leitch.

Save a lot of time & frustration

Directors Abram, Anderson and Leigh believe it would save a lot of time and frustration if directors were involved in the process.

Anderson said she understand staff’s concern about directors having too much influence in reports, but she missed the era when staff and directors worked together as a team.

“… There were more regular conversations between staff working on reports and myself about things that were happening in this area. I could offer any insight. Staff could take it or leave it. I certainly was not strong arming them, but my knowledge of the area was sought and considered valuable to integrate into recommendations … “ explained Anderson. 

“That’s no longer the case. What happens now is staff makes their best possible recommendations, quite often without a lot of knowledge about what’s happening on the ground.”

Decisions made in ignorance

After reports reach the board, the area director is in a minority and the decision is made by “a lot of other directors who don’t know a lot about it.” 

“I almost never know what is happening between the Regional District and the community unless it either comes on the agenda, or I hear about it from my community members. That is really disheartening to me,” said Anderson.

Abram agreed, “I absolutely support every word that she said. I couldn’t have said it any better.”

“This whole report is just flying in the face of that. It’s at the core of the [dysfunctional] problems with the SRD.” said Regional Director Brenda Leigh. 

So, in a 3 to 1 vote, the Electoral Areas Services Committee decided to not receive this staff report. 

Top photo credit: Cougar Creek in Nootka Sound (Area A) by Richard Baer via Flickr (CC BY SA, 2.0 License)

This program was funded by a grant from the Community Radio Fund of Canada and the Government of Canada’s Local Journalism Initiative