The Regional District of Nanaimo is finding it’s more efficient to hold more meetings to make decisions and fewer meetings to make recommendations.
The RDN been holding regular board meetings twice per month now since May after previously holding one committee of the whole and one board meeting each month.
The format was recently reviewed by RDN staff, who found the current arrangement to be efficient and effective. Staff pointed out the agenda is shorter as items are no longer seen and discussed twice, as was the case with the committee of the whole and board meeting structure.
READ MORE: Regional District of Nanaimo to discontinue committee of the whole meetings
Staff recommended to the board it continue with the new format, which also helps speed up consideration of all committee recommendations. It’s been noted referrals have been fewer, indicating a high level of trust in committee decisions, which staff indicated is also a critical factor for efficiency.
The RDN has not completely eliminated committee of the whole meetings, but they will only be conducted for specific purposes and will be held at the direction of the chairperson.