| |
|
 The
Nova Scotia Gazetteer identifies approximately 2,750 official community
names. These range from historical communities that have been in existence
prior to the founding of Nova Scotia to new subdivisions. Although there
are a multitude of communities, only 55 municipalities and 22 villages have
incorporated status. For some of these communities, identity has become
an issue and there has been an expressed desire to strengthen the sense
of community identity within municipalities.
|
| What is community identity? |
|
The term "community" or "community identity" means
different things to different people, especially where physical and social
boundaries cease to coincide. Community identity can be broadly defined as
a community of interest or an emotional attachment or sense of belonging
to a geographic area. With respect to local government decision-making,
community identity is often represented as some form of geographic
community within a municipal unit. Citizens’ concerns with community
identity can range from simple recognition of their geographic area to
community participation (representation and access) to community decision
making (service levels, development control).
|
| Why is there a weakening of community identity? |
|
There are a number of factors which can contribute to a weakening
of community identity. These can include:
- growth beyond the early historic community boundaries
- a decrease in population base
- a decline of a community’s economic base, either through the loss
of industry or diminished natural resources
- realignment of municipal boundaries
- a loss of influence in decision making
|
| Opportunities to develop community identity. |
|
Community identity is not something that can be forced or
legislated into existence and may take time to consolidate new structures
and for new processes to evolve. However, the suggestion that the above
factors automatically lead to a reduction in community identity is not necessarily
the case. For example, with changing local government structures, there
is the potential for community identity to be strengthened. Options are
available under the Municipal Government Act (MGA) and elsewhere,
to create structures to refocus the existing communities to deal with the
variety of local issues and strengthen their community identity. There are
of course a variety of areas outside of the formal committee structures
to enhance identity.
|
|
|
The Municipal Government Act provides a variety of
opportunities to enhance community identity, through the establishment of
various types of committees by council. These committees offer a
range of forums for citizens to have a voice in local government on a variety
of issues.
The types of committees include:
|
| Standing, Special and Advisory Committees |
|
1) The council may establish standing, special and
advisory committees (MGA s.24).
This is a general provision in the MGA, providing latitude for a council
to have committees on issues as they see fit and council may appoint
citizens and councillors to this committee. The MGA provides municipalities
the ability to set the guidelines for these committees and requires the
municipality adopt the appropriate policy. More specific power to establish
citizen committees are found in some subsequent sections.
|
| Citizen Advisory Committees |
|
2) The council may establish, by policy, citizen advisory
committees which shall advise the council, as directed by the council (MGA
s. 26).
This is a broad ranging provision that does not limit the potential
duties of these citizens’ committees or their membership and would allow
the formation of a committee to work with a council on the issue of
community identity and other issues of concern to the community and council.
|
|
|
3) The council may establish, by policy, a community
committee for an area (MGA s.27)
As mentioned earlier, geography is a key component of communities. This
is a significant provision as it allows for the creation of community
committees for a geographical area. These committees work within defined
boundaries (i.e., a community) as established by council. The powers that
council may afford community committees are broad and may include:
- monitoring the provision of services to the area for which the
committee is responsible and recommending the appropriate level of
services and identifies, areas where additional services are required or
improvement is necessary;
- the establishment of one or more advisory subcommittees:
- making recommendations to council on any matter respecting improvements
to services including,
- inadequacies of existing services (for example street lighting and
sidewalks) and the manner in which they might be resolved;
- by-laws or regulations, including planning regulations;
- the adoption of polices that would allow the people of the area
to participate more effectively in the governance of the area (for
example, neighbourhood groups, business groups, special interest
groups).
The establishment by a council of such a committee could go a long way
toward giving communities a formal voice on many issues that are of direct
interest to them.
|
| Area Planning Advisory Committees |
|
4) A municipality may establish by policy, one or more
area planning advisory committees to advise the planning advisory committee
or joint planning advisory committee on planning matters affecting a specific
area (MGA s. 201).
Where communities wish more participation in planning matters, the MGA
also provides for the creation of Planning Advisory Committees and Area
Planning Advisory Committees for specific areas (i.e., a community). These
committees must include members of the public and they offer an excellent
means of providing community participation on planning issues. Although most
municipalities have established Planning Advisory Committees, the use of
Area Planning Advisory Committees is less common. When an area planning
advisory committee has jurisdiction over an area that includes a village,
the village commission may appoint at least one member of the committee.
All these provisions offer opportunities for community involvement in
municipal decision making.
The foregoing provisions are available to all municipalities. As well the
MGA provides for the Halifax Regional Municipality only, for the
establishment of community councils, as these existed in that municipality
only, when the MGA came into effect
|
|
|
5) The council of the Halifax Regional Municipalitymay
by policy, establish a community council for an area( MGA s. 521).
These "mini councils" are made up of members from the regional
council for the area in question which must include at least all or parts of
three polling districts. The regional council delegates certain powers such
as recommending the level of services, determining expenditures to be
financed by area rates or deciding on rezoning applications to these
councils. There are presently five community councils in HRM. Although
community councils have certain authority, it has been argued, however, the
geographic areas they serve is still quite large.
|
| MGA Information Bulletin #28 |
|
Further detail on the inclusion of citizens and community
members in municipal government is provided in Tab 2, Information Bulletin
#28, Citizen Participation, of the Municipal Government Act Resource
Binder. This Bulletin may be viewed in the MGA Resource Binder or on
the Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Services web-site. http://www.gov.ns.ca/snsmr/muns/legal/mga
/infobltn/particip.htm
|
|
|
If a municipality wishes to pursue the avenue of developing
special or citizen or community advisory committees in municipal government,
the Municipal Government Act requires that the municipality adopt
the appropriate policy. The Nova Scotia Model Policy Manual for Municipalities
by the Association of Municipal Administrators, Nova Scotia, provides the
model policies to accomplish this. The relevant Chapters include:
- Chapter 2, Policy on Committees of Council
- Chapter 3, Citizen Advisory Committees Policy
- Chapter 4, Community Committees Policy
|
| Community Identity requires municipal commitment. |
|
Community identity cannot be legislated or forced, this is
something that must evolve and be encouraged to take root. It is clear that
municipalities are crucial to fostering and enhancing community identity
within their boundaries. As illustrated, the tools are available for all
municipalities in Nova Scotia to strengthen their community identity through:
Special and Advisory Committees; Citizen Advisory Committees; Community
Committees; and Planning Advisory Committees. What is required is the commitment
of the municipal council and the citizenry.
|
| How do I become involved? |
|
As a Council, there is the ability to set up these various
committees. All that is required is the adoption of the appropriate policies
and nomination of the members of the group, in accordance with the MGA.
As an individual or a member of a business group, neighbourhood group or
special interest group, which is interested in forming such committees, it
is suggested that you write to your council or councillor outlining your
concerns. Indicate in your letter the type of committee you would like to
see set up and if you wish to become more involved, offer your name or
nominate an individual who is willing to sit on this committee.
The formation of these committees can be an integral part of the
community and municipality working together in achieving the common goal of
strengthening the sense of community in your municipality.
|
