By Stephen Vance, Staff
Meaford’s council has established its strategic priorities for the next three years, and they have pledged to “provide leadership and effective governance in the delivery of quality, sustainable services”.
The new strategic priorities for council were developed over the course of a series of meetings beginning in December of last year. The plan approved by council at their October 13 meeting says that council’s priorities will include investing in municipal infrastructure, growing the economy, and ensuring sustainability.
The document describes Meaford as “a welcoming and authentic community; safe, accessible, active, vibrant and green. It’s a place we proudly call home where we celebrate our culture, heritage and natural beauty. We are a “community of communities” with sustainable and progressive development in the residential, agricultural, commercial and tourism sectors and in a bustling downtown.”
In the 20-page draft document, a message from Mayor Barb Clumpus stresses the importance of having developed strategic priorities for council.
“A strategic plan plays a critical role in shaping a community. It creates a focus for the expected outcomes and specific activities needed to address Council’s long term vision, and their priorities. It clearly sets the direction for staff to align departmental plans, staffing and budgets, and is a key component in the accountable relationship between the Chief Administrative Officer and Council,” wrote Clumpus. “This Council’s five priorities are: growing our economy, investing in infrastructure, strengthening our community, leading in Municipal government, while ensuring sustainability.”
The mayor also said that the new strategic priorities for council will now help guide the upcoming and future budget processes.
“Equally as important, it contains ideas that will help to create a more livable, welcoming, beautiful and prosperous community,” said Clumpus.
Final approval of the document is expected at the October 26 council meeting.
