The first meeting of the newly-elected council in the Town of Battleford was called to order Monday evening, Nov. 7.
Before they could get down to business, Mayor Ames Leslie and councillors were sworn into office by the town’s solicitor, Jeff Baldwin.
Councillors sworn in included returning incumbents Susan McLean Tady, Shelley Boutin-Gervais, Doug Laing and Gordon Yarde. Sworn in for the first time were Kevin Russell and Judy Pruden.
With the new term now begun it was, perhaps, appropriate for the recommendation by CAO John Enns-Wind for council to adopt a new code of ethics. According to the report presented to council, following findings of conflict of interest in the RM of Sherwood, the provincial government has made moves to strengthen the Municipal Act to protect against conflicts of interest in the future.
All municipal councils in the province are now required to adopt a code of ethics by Feb. 27, said Enns-Wind, who recommended council pass the resolution now, rather than later, in an effort to continue to update the town’s existing outdated policies.
Speaking on the resolution, Mayor Leslie addressed Enns-Wind, saying “I definitely like what you’ve captured in the Town of Battleford official policy,” adding “it’s good to see something on paper.”
The resolution was moved by Councillor Gordon Yarde and passed unanimously.
