The Township of Langley announced sudden changes to council procedure bylaws that were covered in excellent detail by The Langley Union. To keep it short, they are trying to reduce the number of votes to formally censure from a 2/3 vote of council to a simple majority. They are also trying to remove the requirement that acting mayor rotation be shared.
Here is the concern – this gives a majority slate too much power over independent councilors. This makes not only for poor governance but as we can see in neighboring Langley City council conduct challenges can become incredibly expensive legal battles.
The timing is funny, the Province is drafting a new harmonized local government code of conduct.
These changes are being voted on in monday’s council meeting which means we don’t have much time to act. I am working with Cheryl Wiens to organize a write in campaign to slow down these proposed changes.
Our asks in the letter are simple – defer the censure rules to when the Province’s code of conduct rules are finalized and simply adopt those and vote against the acting mayor rotation.
Please sign the letter: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/opposing-the-proposed-amendments-to-council-procedure-bylaw