TOP 10 REASONS WHY COLLINGWOOD NEEDS AN
EXPERIENCED CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER (CAO)
We have reviewed/read KPMG’s recommendations on the CAO position/ hiring process, support the recommendations and believe that Collingwood needs an experienced and qualified CAO who can bring perspective, vision and leadership to our community.
Here are the top 10 reasons why the Town should hire a seasoned top bureaucrat:
10. Fiscal, Social and Environmental Sustainability
Each community has its challenges and different approaches must be taken to ensure that all residents are supported and have equal access to services. Sustainability means that fiscal, social and environmental issues are balanced and that plans move forward to address unique community requirements. Ensuring that a community can be sustained for decades to come is the work of an accomplished CAO.
9. Draws the line between Council’s Responsibilities and the Responsibilities of the Administration
The leadership of a municipality is a shared role. Strong Council/Staff teams are aware of their responsibilities and work in lockstep to ensure that the public is well served. Council is elected to set policy and direction, ensure that there are mechanisms in place to meet legislative requirements and represent the needs of the residents.
Council is there to weigh and consider the merits of staff and community advice in approving reports.
Period. Council does not direct staff other than the CAO and that is done as a collective.
The administration lead by the CAO is charged with the responsibility to develop and implement plans with community input, prioritize work, administer within the budget guidelines, direct and guide staff and offer Council professional and transparent advice. A strong CAO knows the difference and is the conduit to the staff team.
8. Community Driven Strategic Plan and a Fiscal Plan
The Town has gone through community driven strategic planning processes in the past that have served to prioritize what needs to get done to make Collingwood a better place to live for all residents. The Town does not have a current strategic plan completed in this term. The role of a strong CAO is to develop a plan that asks the community what is important and then the delivers on what is considered the priorities.
7. Transparency
The call for transparency in local government has never been greater. The public has entrusted local politicians with their tax dollar and their belief that the use of the tax dollar and decisions on issues would ultimately have the greater good of Collingwood in mind. Great lengths need to be made to ensure that openness and evidence of due process is documented. This is the role of a competent CAO.
6. Communications and Community Engagement
Residents believe that Council is an extension of their thoughts and needs for the community. Every critical issue needs to have been thought of in advance and staff must ask the residents what they feel is important and should be considered in the final decision making. Facilitating public engagement and offering consistent communications is the role of a proficient CAO.
5. Inspiring Leadership
A good leader is a visionary who hits the ground running, leads by example, inspires critical thinking and considers staff the expert in their respective field. Along with that comes the responsibility of staff to have the latest knowledge about their discipline in offering the public the highest level of service by maximizing limited resources. The role of the CAO is to bring pride to the Public Service and offer quality services with demonstrated accountability.
4. Innovation and Working Better Together
A community driven leader takes an inventory of the community partners and uses this expertise in the solving of critical problems facing the community. A CAO facilitates and animates the incredible talent within the community to work better together and work collectively toward the desired results.
3. Safeguard Policies
A skilled CAO ensures that there are policies in place to ensure the highest
level of openness and transparency (that word again). All work gets tendered or receives
competitive bids, there is evidence of legislative compliance and no self interest is entertained.
Integrity and conflict legislation requirements are exceeded. This will be baseline work of a
solid Chief Administrative Officer.
2. Accountability and Measures
Council and staff must be accountable to the public. Plans must be put in
place with stated outcomes and timelines. Council and staff need to report out to the public on
the status of these plans and be held accountable for their work. Performance measures are
put in place to show that there is movement toward a desired future. A CAO with the needed skills
will put measures and process in place to hold public servants and council accountable to the
residents and businesses.
1. And the top reason Collingwood needs an experienced CAO is..............
Because the other 9 items would have already been dealt with if we did have an experienced
CAO.
Here are the top 10 reasons why the Town should hire a seasoned top bureaucrat:
10. Fiscal, Social and Environmental Sustainability
Each community has its challenges and different approaches must be taken to ensure that all residents are supported and have equal access to services. Sustainability means that fiscal, social and environmental issues are balanced and that plans move forward to address unique community requirements. Ensuring that a community can be sustained for decades to come is the work of an accomplished CAO.
9. Draws the line between Council’s Responsibilities and the Responsibilities of the Administration
The leadership of a municipality is a shared role. Strong Council/Staff teams are aware of their responsibilities and work in lockstep to ensure that the public is well served. Council is elected to set policy and direction, ensure that there are mechanisms in place to meet legislative requirements and represent the needs of the residents.
Council is there to weigh and consider the merits of staff and community advice in approving reports.
Period. Council does not direct staff other than the CAO and that is done as a collective.
The administration lead by the CAO is charged with the responsibility to develop and implement plans with community input, prioritize work, administer within the budget guidelines, direct and guide staff and offer Council professional and transparent advice. A strong CAO knows the difference and is the conduit to the staff team.
8. Community Driven Strategic Plan and a Fiscal Plan
The Town has gone through community driven strategic planning processes in the past that have served to prioritize what needs to get done to make Collingwood a better place to live for all residents. The Town does not have a current strategic plan completed in this term. The role of a strong CAO is to develop a plan that asks the community what is important and then the delivers on what is considered the priorities.
7. Transparency
The call for transparency in local government has never been greater. The public has entrusted local politicians with their tax dollar and their belief that the use of the tax dollar and decisions on issues would ultimately have the greater good of Collingwood in mind. Great lengths need to be made to ensure that openness and evidence of due process is documented. This is the role of a competent CAO.
6. Communications and Community Engagement
Residents believe that Council is an extension of their thoughts and needs for the community. Every critical issue needs to have been thought of in advance and staff must ask the residents what they feel is important and should be considered in the final decision making. Facilitating public engagement and offering consistent communications is the role of a proficient CAO.
5. Inspiring Leadership
A good leader is a visionary who hits the ground running, leads by example, inspires critical thinking and considers staff the expert in their respective field. Along with that comes the responsibility of staff to have the latest knowledge about their discipline in offering the public the highest level of service by maximizing limited resources. The role of the CAO is to bring pride to the Public Service and offer quality services with demonstrated accountability.
4. Innovation and Working Better Together
A community driven leader takes an inventory of the community partners and uses this expertise in the solving of critical problems facing the community. A CAO facilitates and animates the incredible talent within the community to work better together and work collectively toward the desired results.
3. Safeguard Policies
A skilled CAO ensures that there are policies in place to ensure the highest
level of openness and transparency (that word again). All work gets tendered or receives
competitive bids, there is evidence of legislative compliance and no self interest is entertained.
Integrity and conflict legislation requirements are exceeded. This will be baseline work of a
solid Chief Administrative Officer.
2. Accountability and Measures
Council and staff must be accountable to the public. Plans must be put in
place with stated outcomes and timelines. Council and staff need to report out to the public on
the status of these plans and be held accountable for their work. Performance measures are
put in place to show that there is movement toward a desired future. A CAO with the needed skills
will put measures and process in place to hold public servants and council accountable to the
residents and businesses.
1. And the top reason Collingwood needs an experienced CAO is..............
Because the other 9 items would have already been dealt with if we did have an experienced
CAO.