Our year by the numbers: 2024 Council annual report to the community
Procedural By-law Amendments
After a lengthy community engagement period, Council introduced a new meeting schedule, a comment period at Council meetings, and revived question period at both meetings to enhance transparency and public engagement.
Council Changes
Early in 2024, Councillor Chris Collins resigned to become a Justice of the Peace. Council chose to hold a by-election in the spring and welcomed Darrell Toms as our new Councillor, representing the Rural Ward on June 6, 2024.
Walton Street Reconstruction
Council broke ground on Phase 2 of the Walton Street reconstruction in late April, completing the project on time and on budget by fall. The community celebrated the milestone at the Candlelight Festival. During Phase 2, Council approved free transportation and allocated parking ticket revenue to the HBIA to support downtown business continuity.
Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) hiring
We said goodbye to CAO Candice White, who left for a new opportunity, and welcomed Tonia Bennett as our Interim CAO. We are working through the CAO recruitment process and will provide updates through our regular channels soon.
Youth Councillor Position
Council advanced the Youth Councillor position to engage young people in local government and hear their perspectives more directly. The new Youth Councillor will be announced in 2025.
Organizational Changes
Council supported the CAO through some organizational restructuring to create efficiencies and improve customer service. This included establishing a department for Environmental Services and municipal oversight of the PHAI project, moving transit to Works and Engineering, GIS to Finance, and HR to the CAO’s office.
Other Notable Achievements:
- Transportation Opportunities: Council passed a by-law to remove municipal barriers for vehicle-for-hire providers like Y Drive, Lyft, and Uber, effective June 1, 2024, improving transportation options, removing taxi restrictions and attracting new providers. Additionally, after much advocacy from the Municipality, VIA Rail resumed its early train route to Toronto in the spring, benefiting local commuters.
- Child Care Centre: In collaboration with Northumberland County, the Municipality facilitated the opening of a new child care centre at our former Ruth Clarke facility, providing 30 new spots for children in our community. We continue to work with the County on future childcare spaces.
- Loyalist College Port Hope Campus Renovation: In September, we proudly welcomed Loyalist College students to the newly renovated Port Hope campus on Pine Street, marking an exciting chapter for the college and our community.
- Port Hope Walk-in Clinic: Council supported and endorsed the re-opening of the Port Hope Walk-in Medical Clinic.
- Student Transit Rate: Council amended the Fees and Charges By-law to make the fee for the special student pass free.
- Potential future power generation opportunities in Wesleyville: Council supported continued dialogue and engagement with Ontario Power Generation (OPG), the Ministry of Energy and Electrification, and local stakeholders to explore the development of clean energy generation projects at the Wesleyville site.
Achievements at the County level:
- Warden Brian Ostrander, on behalf of Northumberland County Council, proclaimed November 22, 2024 as ‘National Housing Day’ in Northumberland County, to recognize this day as an opportunity to reflect upon and address the housing challenges faced by the community and to support unhoused individuals who deserve the dignity of having a safe and stable place to call home.
- To help address the urgent local need for housing and shelter services in Northumberland, the County partnered with Transition House Coalition to open a 24/7 shelter services hub for modernized shelter services, located at 310 Division Street, Cobourg. Shelter services offered include:
- A drop-in 24/7 year-round warming/cooling hub on the ground floor. This space provides individuals experiencing homelessness with a safe and warm place to rest, access washroom and shower facilities, do laundry, and get something to eat.
- 35 emergency shelter spaces on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the building
- 10 transitional housing units on the 4th floor to offer longer-term supportive housing solutions (anticipated to be occupied by early 2025)
- Health, wellness and skill-building programming and resources
The Role of Council
As outlined in section 224 of the Municipal Act, Council's duties involve representing the public and considering the Municipality's well-being and interests. Their responsibilities include deliberating and authorizing policies and programs, determining municipal services, and ensuring transparent and accountable governance. Council also maintains financial integrity and complies with legislative requirements.
Municipal councils have a broad range of responsibilities and may choose to organize their work using committee structures. At the Municipality of Port Hope, we use a Committee of the Whole structure as well as advisory committees made up of a mix of councillors, staff and members of the public. These committees carry out the work of council and then report back to council with recommendations.
Council Composition
- Council of the Municipality of Port Hope is comprised of seven members; one member elected as Mayor and six elected as Councillors.
- Of these Councillors, four are elected from the Urban area and two are elected from the Rural area, ensuring comprehensive coverage and attention to all areas of our Municipality.