Council‑in‑Committee Meeting Summary – January 13, 2026

Norfolk County Council-in-Committee met on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. The meeting was held in Council Chambers and streamed online. Below are highlights from the meeting. View the meeting agenda, reports and time-stamped video.  

Council meetings determine final decisions based on recommendations from the Council-in-Committee meeting. Once approved, meeting Minutes will be posted on the Council and Committee Calendar.  

Highlights of reports and decisions 

Waste Update – Medical Exemption Policy, Condominium Corporation Collection, and Social Housing Collection (PW‑25‑026)

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Several updates related to waste collection were considered; a summary is below. Council received the report and approved the recommendations. 

Waste Collection Exemption Policy 

• Approved a Waste Collection Exemption Policy for medical and diaper waste that allows eligible households to receive additional waste collection for medical or diaper-related needs 
• Residents approved under the policy will be permitted to receive a larger or additional waste cart, following the documentation and application process established by the County 

Waste Collection Services at Condominium Corporations 

• Approved updates to the Technical Guidelines for Waste Collection Services at Condominium Corporations, allowing municipal collection only for those meeting the updated technical standards 
• These standards require roads and driveways to allow collection trucks to move safely without reversing. Each home must put its own garbage and organics at the end of its driveway; shared or common collection points will not be allowed 
• Only fully residential condo developments qualify, and they must apply and be approved before service begins 

Multi‑residential Social Housing properties 

• Confirmed that multi‑residential social housing properties must obtain private waste collection services 
• Clarified that social housing with private internal roadways must either meet condominium‑collection technical guidelines or use private collection 
• Confirmed that social housing properties with individual driveways on municipal streets may participate in curbside collection if they follow residential waste rules 
• These provisions will be incorporated when the Waste Management By‑law is next updated 

Waste Management By‑law 

• Waste Management By‑law is expected to be brought to Council in the next few months 

Water and Wastewater Collection Policy and Program Update (CS‑26‑001)

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Council deferred the report and asked staff to return to Council with more information about the costs associated with charges for late payment. 

Recommendations included: 

• Norfolk County is changing how water and wastewater bills are handled, moving to an in‑house billing system on February 1, 2027 
• Bills will now come every two months, and property owners—not tenants—will be the official account holders responsible for payment 
• If bills become overdue, the County will send reminders and may add unpaid amounts to the property tax bill if they remain unpaid 
• The new Water and Wastewater Collection Policy (GP‑47) will take effect on February 1, 2027 

2026 SWIFT Board Member Representation (CS‑26‑008)

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• Council received information on the 2026 representation requirements for the SWIFT Board 
• SWIFT’s goal is to bring reliable high‑speed internet to rural and underserved areas so residents, farms, and businesses can stay connected and fully participate in work, school, services, and daily life
• Councillor Masschaele will be appointed for the 2026–2028 term 

Providing for an Alternate on the Grand Erie Public Health Board - 2026, CS-26-014 

• Norfolk County is proposing to appoint an alternate Council member to the Grand Erie Public Health Board to ensure the County is always represented when one of its regular appointees cannot attend a meeting 
• Council deferred the nomination to the January Council meeting 

Consent items 

• Council received items for information, including the Homelessness Services and Response Information Bulletin 

Deputation

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• Paul Hammond appeared as a deputation regarding the future Lynwood Arts Centre 
• Lynnwood Arts faces significant upcoming capital and operating cost pressures and is seeking Council’s support while assessing long‑term options 
• The Board requested that Council consider two possibilities: relocating to the Eva Brook Donly Building or purchasing its current site to self‑manage 
• Council directed staff to report back in March on progress made