BACKGROUND

The Governance Standing Committee plays a central role in maintaining and enhancing the Board’s governance framework. Its key roles and responsibilities include overseeing Board officer and standing committee elections; conducting quarterly Board effectiveness assessments; leading regular reviews of Board by-laws and governance policies; supporting recruitment, appointments of Board members; and overseeing CEO and MOH performance reviews, compensation recommendations, and succession planning. The Committee also maintains a rolling work plan that ensures cyclical reviews, annual attestations, and continuous governance improvements. The Committee meets at least four times per year and is empowered to request information, invite staff participation, recommend the engagement of external advisors, and meet in camera when necessary. These responsibilities strengthen the Board’s accountability, ensure transparency, and support informed decision-making.

PROPOSED MOTION                        

Whereas, the establishment of a Governance Standing Committee will strengthen the Board’s oversight, ensure consistent application of governance practices, and enhance accountability and transparency in Board operations; and

Whereas, the committee would include the Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer and one additional Board member to ensure balanced representation and broaden governance capacity.

Now therefore be it resolvedthat the Windsor-Essex County Board of Health approve the establishment of the Governance Standing Committee;

FURTHER THAT, the Board elect a fourth voting member to serve on the Committee alongside the Chair, Vice-Chair, and Treasurer, ensuring full and representative committee membership.