Regular Council meetings are open to the public. Citizens are encouraged to attend Council to observe our municipal government in action.
Essex Town Council generally meets the first and third Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m. in the Essex Town Hall Council Chambers (33 Talbot Street South, Essex). When a meeting would fall on a holiday, it is moved to Tuesday.
Meetings will also be streamed to the Town's YouTube channel at youtube.com/user/EssexOntario
Regular and Special Council meeting dates are posted on the Council Calendar.
Council agendas are posted on the Council Calendar on Thursday afternoons prior to Council meetings. Minutes are released as part of the next meeting agenda and are posted on the Council Calendar after they are approved.
Visit our Agendas and Minutes page to find out more.
Any person who wishes to appear before Council as a Delegation on a matter that relates specifically to a matter contained in the Regular Council Meeting Agenda shall submit a Delegation Request Form no later than 4:30 PM on the Friday immediately preceding the date of the Regular Council Meeting. The Clerk shall have the sole authority to determine if the subject matter does in fact relate specifically to a matter contained in the Regular Council Meeting Agenda for purposes of allowing or denying the Delegation and the Clerk will introduce such Delegation Request Form(s) at the time of adopting the Published Agenda.
If you would like to address Council as a delegation, you must submit a Delegation Request Form to the Clerk by 2:00 p.m. on the Tuesday prior to the meeting. Copies of this form are also available at the Municipal Office.
Before you decide to appear before Council, please consider discussing your concerns with a member of Town staff or your Council Member.
You may also wish to review the Guide for Delegations, which explains how to make a request, deliver your presentation, and comply with the procedural rules that govern Town Council meetings.
Council is governed by rules of procedure contained in Procedural By-law 1926.
What is a Delegation? |
Members of the public who wish to make a presentation to Council on their own behalf or on behalf of a company or organization are called delegations. |
Before you make a request |
Before deciding to appear before Council, please consider discussing your concerns with a member of Council or Town staff. Staff can provide valuable advice on many issues and may be able to address your concerns or assist in solving your problem without requiring a formal appearance before Council. |
How to make a request |
Any person who wishes to appear before Council as a Delegation on a matter that relates specifically to a matter contained in the Regular Council Meeting Agenda shall submit a Delegation Request Form no later than 4:30 PM on the Friday immediately preceding the date of the Regular Council Meeting. The Clerk shall have the sole authority to determine if the subject matter does in fact relate specifically to a matter contained in the Regular Council Meeting Agenda for purposes of allowing or denying the Delegation and the Clerk will introduce such Delegation Request Form(s) at the time of adopting the Published Agenda. The form collects contact information and details on the issue you wish to present to Council and, if relevant, any steps you've already taken to resolve the matter. Copies of printed or presentation materials must be provided to the Clerk in advance of the meeting. |
Rules for Delegations |
Delegations are heard by Council at the beginning of the meeting. The Clerk will invite you to approach Council to make your presentation. The following rules are intended to provide guidance in addressing Council:
Procedural rules for the conduct of meetings, as set out in By-law 2159, are followed by Essex Town Council. In keeping with those rules, you must observe proper decorum in the Council Chambers and follow directions given by the Chair. Please refrain from the following:
After your presentation, you should remain at the table to answer questions from Council members. The Chair will determine when the question period is over and will thank you for your presentation. At this point you may leave the table and return to the gallery. Council may then debate the issue or deal with it in the order in which it appears on the agenda. Council will move to the next item on the agenda immediately after your matter is dealt with. |
How to contact the Clerk's Office |
Clerk's Office 33 Talbot Street South Essex, Ontario N8M 1A8 Phone: 519-776-7336 ext. 1100 or 1101 Email: clerks@essex.ca Office Hours: Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
Petitions allow citizens the opportunity to provide Council with input on important decisions. A petition can be effective when the information contained in it is accurate and verifiable, and when the petition is recognized and accepted by decision makers. The Town of Essex Petition Policy sets out the criteria that petitions must meet and provides directions on how to submit a petition to Council.
From time to time, Council may need to hold closed meetings to discuss specific matters. This means that the meeting is closed to the public. In accordance with the Municipal Act, only certain matters may be considered during a closed meeting including the purchase and sale of land, litigation or potential litigation, labour relations, and personal matters about an identifiable individual, including employees.
The Code of Conduct for Members of Council outlines the principles of good conduct and ethics that Council Members are expected to demonstrate in the performance of their duties as elected officials.
The Town of Essex has appointed an Integrity Commissioner to investigate reports of behaviour or activities that contravene the Code of Conduct. Please view the Integrity Commissioner page on this website for more information.
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