empty Council Chambers

Township Council

Township Council meets on the 4th Monday of each month.

Agendas/Minutes   Recordings   Livestream

Please note: Council & Committee minutes prior to May 25, 2020 can be found in the Council agenda following the meeting you are searching for. If you require further assistance, please contact the Clerk’s Department.

Standing Committees

The Township of West Lincoln has three Standing Committees of Council that find ways to address issues in our community:

  1. Administration/Finance/Fire Committee
  2. Planning/Building/Environmental Committee
  3. Public Works/Recreation Committee

Standing committees focus on one area of business, so issues can be debated more thoroughly. View the Township's Council and Committee Proposed Meeting Schedule on the Council calendar. 

January to December 2021 Council and Committee Schedule 

January to December 2022 Council and Committee Schedule

January to December 2023 Council and Committee Schedule

Administration/Finance/Fire Committee

The Administration/Finance/Fire Committee includes all Members of Council, the Mayor and six Councillors. A chair and vice chair are selected for the Committee. The Corporate Services, Finance and Fire Departments report to Council through this Committee.

Meeting times

The committee meets at 6:30 p.m. on the third Monday of the month.

Committee functions

  • Canine control
  • Cemetery administration
  • Current and capital budget preparation and administration
  • Financial matters
  • Fire matters
  • General administrative matters
  • Human Resources policies and compensation plans
  • Public relations
  • School crossing guards
  • Matters that do not fall within the responsibilities of another committee

Planning/Building/Environmental Committee

The Planning/Building/Environmental Committee includes all Members of Council, the Mayor and six Councillors. A chair and vice chair are selected for the Committee. The Planning and Building department reports to Council through this committee.

Meeting times

The committee meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second Monday of the month.

Committee functions

  • Land use planning
  • Economic development and promotion
  • Building issues

Public Works/Recreation Committee

The Public Works/Recreation Committee includes all members of Council, the mayor and six councillors. A chair and vice chair are selected for the Committee. The Public Works and Recreation department report to council through this committee.

Meeting times

The committee meets on the third Monday of the month following the Administration/Finance/Fire Committee meeting.

Committee functions

  • Cemetery operations & maintenance
  • Parking and traffic control
  • Roads
  • Sanitary sewers
  • Sidewalks
  • Storm drainage
  • Street lights
  • Water distribution
  • Parks and Trails
  • Facilities
  • Recreation Services and Programming
  • Culture Services
  • Special Events

Speaking as a delegation at a meeting

A delegation that has previously appeared on the same subject matter is limited to providing only new information in their second and subsequent presentations. The CAO and/or Clerk will decide whether a proposed delegation is repetitious.

To appear as a delegation before a Committee or Council meeting, you need to submit a Request to Speak at a Meeting Form to the Clerk. Please submit your request no later than 4:30 p.m. 10 days before the subject meeting.

*Please be advised that all comments, presentations or delegations submitted to or at a Public Meeting, Committee Meeting, Council Meeting or Special Council Meeting, be they written or verbal submissions, become part of the public forum and may be reported on in local media. As per section 239 of the Municipal Act, all meetings shall be open to the public unless subject matter being considered is exempt. Journalists do not require permission to report names, comments or details shared in a public forum.

Request to Speak at a Meeting

Other committees and boards

To learn more about other Township committees and boards, select your topic of interest below.

Age Friendly Advisory Committee

The Age Friendly Advisory Committee (WLAFAC) is focused on making our Township an age-friendly community. They provide input and suggestions to our Township Council and staff on related initiatives. All residents and visitors are welcome to participate as community members. The Age Friendly Committee may have a maximum of 12 voting members.

Committee of Adjustment

The Committee of Adjustment is an independent body chosen by Council. The Committee consists of five citizens who consider applications for minor variances to Zoning By-laws and applications for consent (severances) under the Planning Act.

Meeting times

The Committee of Adjustment meets on a monthly basis. Please refer to our current Hearing Schedule.

Court of Revision

The Court of Revision is an appeal body established under Section 97 the Drainage Act and is directed by the Township. The Drainage Act sets out a process for constructing new drains or improving existing drains.

The basic idea is that if you are a property owner who would benefit from a new or improved drain, you should pay your share toward the cost of construction. The Court hears appeals and decides if they are valid. The Court of Revision has three members who are chosen by Council for the four-year term. Meetings are held as required.

Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee (JAAC)

The Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee is required under the Ontarians with Disabilities Act (ODA) and Ontario Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA).  The committee assists Council with improving opportunities for persons with disabilities by promoting the implementation of the ODA and the AODA.

The towns of Grimsby, Lincoln, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Pelham, Thorold and West Lincoln formed the JAAC under requirements of the ODA and AODA.

The main purposes and activities of the JAAC are:

  • to advise Councils on the Multi-Year Accessibility Plan and provide Annual Progress Reports
  • to review site plans and advise on accessibility issues within all towns
  • to advise Councils on other accessibility related issues including policies and procedures relating to accessibility issues, customer service etc.

Meeting times

Meetings are held bi-monthly on the second Thursday of the month on a rotation basis with the six participating towns. Please refer to the Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee 2023 Meeting Schedule.

Multi-Year Accessibility Plan

The JAAC prepares an annual report on our Multi-Year Accessibility Plan, which Council approves. The report focuses on the identification, removal and prevention of barriers to people with disabilities.

Mayor's Youth Advisory Committee

The mandate of the Township of West Lincoln’s Mayor’s Youth Advisory Committee (MYAC) is to ensure that youth are involved in the decisions made within the Township of West Lincoln that affect them, their families and friends. The MYAC will present a youth perspective. The MYAC will inform and involve other youth in the Township of West Lincoln.

Public Meetings Under the Planning Act

Before a Zoning By-law Amendment, Official Plan Amendment and/or a Plan of Condominium or Subdivision are adopted, council must hold at least one public meeting where members of the public can formally provide written and/or verbal comments with respect to the application. Notice of a Public Meeting under the Planning Act must be given at least 20 days ahead of the meeting, either through local newspapers or by mail and posted notice.  For meeting notices please refer to the News and Notices page.  The Public Meetings under the Planning Act are normally held on the same evening as the Planning/Building/Environmental Committee meetings commencing at 6:30 p.m.  For more information, such as the time and location of the meeting,  please refer to the Council and Committee Meeting Calendar.  Archived minutes of public meetings may be found as part of the next Council agenda following the Public Meeting.

Other Public Meetings

Meeting notices for other matters, such as public meetings required under the Building Code or as required by the municipality, such as renaming of highways, please refer to the News and Notices page. For more information, such as the time and location of the meeting,  please refer to the Council and Committee Meeting Calendar.  Archived minutes of other public meetings may be found as part of the next Council agenda following the Public Meeting.

West Lincoln Heritage Committee

The Heritage Committee is an advisory committee to Council. It was established to make recommendations on matters relating to the Ontario Heritage Act. Focusing on the identification, preservation, and restoration of buildings that are historically significant to our community. The Heritage Committee has five members, who are chosen by Council for the four-year term.

West Lincoln Public Library Board

The Public Library Board contains eight members who are chosen by Council; one of which is a member of Council. The Board is responsible for the operation, maintenance and promotion of the Township's library branches while adhering to applicable legislations.