Council Adopts Strategic Plan for 2024-2029
STRATHROY-CARADOC – The municipality council unanimously adopted a new strategic plan for 2024-2029 during their council meeting on June 17. The plan, presented by consulting firm Cash & Associates, outlines comprehensive strategies aimed at fostering community development and addressing future challenges.
During the session, presided over by Mayor Colin Grantham, council members reviewed the strategic document, which envisions a vibrant and inclusive community over the next five years. The strategic plan is a result of extensive community engagement, including a notable 27% response rate to a random sample public survey and an open public survey that drew responses from 7% of the adult population in Strathroy-Caradoc.
The plan encompasses six key goals: enhancing local infrastructure and capital investment, driving economic development and job creation, improving community well-being and quality of life, ensuring community safety, elevating municipal customer service, and managing growth challenges. These goals reflect the community's priorities, such as updating infrastructure to meet regulatory requirements and expanding economic opportunities by leveraging the municipality’s strategic location and heritage.
Bill Winegard, one of the Municipal Strategic Planning Associates (MSPA), highlighted the council's commitment to strategic foresight, stating, "this plan is not just about addressing immediate needs but also preparing for future challenges." He emphasized the role of strategic planning in aligning council actions with community expectations and ensuring that resources are directed towards initiatives that have the highest impact.
Councillor John Brennan expressed his support for the plan, noting its dual focus on immediate and long-term goals. "This is an interesting document for ratepayers," said Brennan. "It not only outlines our goals for this term but also sets a roadmap for the next council term."
The council's discussion also touched on the importance of maintaining a high standard of life through collaborative efforts with various organizations and enhancing municipal services to better serve the public. The strategic plan is seen as a critical tool in guiding the municipality towards sustainable growth and operational efficiency.
The session concluded with two motions passed by council. The first adopted the strategic plan, while the second directed the CAO to develop a detailed implementation and measurement plan, ensuring that the strategic initiatives are effectively monitored and updated annually.
David Gomez, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Middlesex Banner
