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“We face enough challenges in London that we need people to focus their time on it. I think we’re a big enough city that this shouldn’t be just something you do (in your spare time),” van Holst said.

Van Holst, a former teacher, doesn’t work a day job, in order to dedicate his time to his councillor responsibilities. He attends all standing committee meetings, even those of which he is not a member.

So, a daytime schedule makes sense for him. But other councillors work day jobs.

The full-time versus part-time debate has been a point of contention for politicians and resurfaced last year when council approved a hefty pay raise.

Today councillors make about $36,000. But starting next term, their pay will be tied to the median full-time employment income in London. In 2015, that rate was $51,739.

Coun. Virginia Ridley, who chairs the governance working group, disputed the idea that investigating a new schedule is about pushing elected officials into a full-time box.

“This is looking at: Are we most effectively and efficiently using our time? We have staff that start at 8 a.m., and when we are there until midnight, they’re there until midnight, too,” she said.

She echoed van Holst’s concerns about the impact of late meetings.

“I don’t feel like good decisions are made when people are tired and cranky,” Ridley said.

She questioned the assumption that evenings are the best time for Londoners to attend or participate in meetings. Shift work and other schedules might make earlier meetings a viable option. But council won’t know until the public weighs in, Ridley said.

The suggestion passed unanimously by the governance work group. To go out and ask Londoners what they think is the next step, if approved by council.

mstacey@postmedia.com

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