How We Work | City of Delta

About Council

Since incorporation in 1879, Delta City Council has been the governing body of Delta. The Mayor and six Councillors make up Delta City Council. The primary functions of City Council are to establish administrative policy, to adopt bylaws governing matters delegated to local government through the Community Charter and other Provincial statutes for the protection of the public, and to levy taxes for these purposes. City Council is also empowered to manage, acquire, and dispose of City assets.

The Mayor is the head and chief executive officer of the municipality. In addition to the Mayor's powers and duties as a member of Council, the Mayor has powers as set out in the Community Charter. These powers and duties include:
- Seeing that the policies and bylaws for the improvement and good government of the municipality are carried out;
- Communicating information to Council and recommending bylaws, resolutions, and measures that, in the Mayor's opinion, may assist the peace, order and good government of the municipality in relation to the powers conferred on Council by any Act;
- Establishing standing committees of Council for matters the Mayor considers would be better regulated and managed by means of committee and appointing members of Council to these committees;
- Inspecting and directing the conduct of officers and employees, directing the management of municipal business and affairs;
- Returning for reconsideration a bylaw, resolution or proceeding of Council;
- Presiding at Council meetings; and
- Preserving order at Council meetings and deciding the points of order that may arise.
When the Mayor is absent from a meeting or if the Office of the Mayor becomes vacant, Council must appoint one of its members to be Acting Mayor.
City Council is the governing body of the City of Delta and the custodian of its powers, duties, and functions, both legislative and administrative. The Community Charter specifies that the purpose of local government, which is defined as being Council, includes:
- Providing good government for its community;
- Providing works, services, facilities, and other things that the municipality considers necessary or desirable for all or part of its community;
- Providing stewardship of the public assets of its community; and
- Fostering the current and future economic, social and environmental well being of its community.
Delta City Council collectively develops policies through adopting bylaws and passing resolutions.
It is important to note that individual members of Council cannot make a decision on behalf of Council or give direction to staff. To do either, they must give a collective direction as a group at a properly convened Council meeting.
Council may not grant special privileges or immunities to individuals or corporations unless the Community Charter specifically allows them to do so. Generally speaking, they cannot lend money to corporations, give away land, guarantee loans for business purposes, or give tax reductions.
The Community Charter requires that Council exercise its powers at regular or special meetings when a quorum is present. The Charter allows each municipality to establish the size of its Council by bylaw. The Charter also stipulates that if a bylaw is not adopted, municipalities having a population greater than 50,000 are to have a Mayor and eight Councillors. Delta has a bylaw that stipulates that Council consists of the Mayor and six Councillors. A quorum consists of four members.

How the Council Process Works

Delta Council sets a Council meeting schedule annually in accordance with the Community Charter. Generally, Regular Council meetings are scheduled twice a month on Mondays, and alternate between Council Chamber at Delta City Hall and the Theatre at the North Delta Centre for the Arts. Members of the public wishing to attend Council meetings may view a copy of the Council Agenda online or obtain a copy from the Office of the City Clerk at City Hall.
If you are unable to attend Council meetings but are interested in the proceedings, the meetings are broadcast live through video streaming and archived on the website.
A Public Hearing is a meeting of City Council that is held to provide an opportunity for members of the public to share their views with Council if they feel that their interest on land use applications such as zoning amendments and official community plan amendments is affected.
On November 30, 2023, the Province of BC amended the Local Government Act to prohibit local governments from holding a public hearing for rezoning applications that are all or predominantly (greater than 50%) residential, where the proposed rezoning is consistent with the local government’s official community plan. To learn more about the legislation, regulations, and policy related to Bills 44, 46, and 47, please visit the Province of BC's website.
Public Hearings are scheduled, as needed. The items for consideration at a Public Hearing are published by way of a notice in the Delta Optimist and the North Delta Reporter, and on the City's website in advance of the Public Hearing. Agendas and Minutes are available to view online.
All persons who believe that their interest in property is affected by a proposed bylaw will be afforded a reasonable opportunity to be heard or to submit written submissions.
All written submissions must be addressed to Mayor and Council, must include the writer's full name and mailing address, and be received by the Office of the City Clerk.
To participate by electronic means, you must register with the Office of the City Clerk by submitting a Request to Speak Virtually at Public Hearing form. Once registered, you will be provided the details needed to participate.
Requests to participate by electronic means must be received by the Office of the City Clerk no later than the date specified in the Public Hearing notice.
You do not need to register to speak in person.

Contact Delta Council

You can communicate with Council through the following means: