Mayor and Council
Welcome to the Township of Langley Mayor and Council for the 2022-2026 term. Read more in this news post.
Known as the Birthplace of BC, it was here in the Township of Langley that the proclamation that created the crown colony of British Columbia was made on November 19, 1858. Incorporated in 1873, the Township is a unique place that respects its past while building towards a thriving, sustainable future. Home to six distinct, vibrant communities, and surrounded by scenic rural beauty, it has a population of over 130,000 people who live within 316 square kilometres.
Since its incorporation, local government in the Township has been provided by a Mayor (formerly a “Warden” and later a “Reeve”) and Council. Currently, a Mayor and eight Councillors make up Council. Members of Council are elected for four-year terms.
Council’s primary duties are to create administrative policy, adopt bylaws on matters delegated to local government through the Local Government Act and other Provincial statutes to protect the public, and to collect taxes for those purposes. Council also acquires, manages, and disposes of the Township’s assets. Council’s vision sets a course of action, and charts goals that are accomplished by municipal staff under the direction of the Chief Administrative Officer.
Responsibilities of Mayor and Council
The political decision-making structure in the Township is a multi-faceted process that involves input from a number of sources, including:
- citizens through a variety of forums, including public meetings, public hearings, open houses, delegations, and petitions;
- a variety of Council-appointed advisory committees;
- a variety of public and private groups and organizations;
- other levels of government;
- staff reports, presentations, and studies.
Council then must synthesize and analyze this information to determine the needs and expectations of the community.
While Mayor and Council are responsible for policy-making, municipal staff are responsible for translating policy into action and delivering various municipal services such as arts, culture, and community initiatives, community development, engineering, parks and recreation, protective services, and public works.
Council powers
Council is the governing body of the municipal corporation and the custodian of its powers, both legislative and administrative. It is a continuing body, notwithstanding changes in membership through the election process every four years. Council is responsible for establishing policy directions, monitoring and evaluating the implementation of programs, and authorizing the revenue collection and expenditures required to fund the Township's operations.
The Local Government Act, and the Community Charter state that Council can only exercise the powers of the corporation in the proper form, either by bylaw or resolution passed at a regular or special meeting when a quorum is present.
It is important to remember that individual members of council cannot make a valid and binding commitment on behalf of Council.
Powers and duties of the Mayor
The Mayor is the Chief Executive Officer of the municipality. In addition to the powers and duties inherent in being a member of Council, the Mayor:
- sees that the law for the improvement and good government of the municipality is carried out;
- communicates information to Council and recommends bylaws, resolutions, and measures which, in his/her opinion, may assist the peace, order, and good government of the municipality in relation to the powers conferred on the Council by any Act;
- establishes standing committees for matters he/she considers would be better regulated and managed by means of committee, and appoints members of Council to the committees, but the proceedings of a committee are subject to the approval of Council unless executive or administrative powers have been delegated by bylaw. The Mayor also acts as chairperson at Council meetings, and is the principle representative of Council.