Governance
Notes:
Text in italics: objective, policy or action suggested by the planning department.
In 15 to 20 years we will be...
1. A community where the government is transparent, accountable, and fiscally responsible in
their decision making.
To achieve this objective we will:
a. Ensure accountability and transparency in the decision-making processes by
communicating, consulting, and collaborating with residents and stakeholders.
i. Develop a policy for a transparent process for selecting stakeholders for
partnerships.
b. Make all Town documents and Council decisions available to the public.
i. Post Town documents and Council decisions in public arenas.
c. Monitor, measure, evaluate and report on the Town’s performance.
i. Produce regular reports on the progress of policy implementation.
ii. Provide opportunities for residents to evaluate Council.
d. Where possible, use real-time measures to demonstrate positive short-term changes.
e. Seek input from residents and stakeholders for Town Centre developments and
priorities and provide rationale for decisions.
f. Develop and apply a transparent financial plan, and be accountable and responsible to
the plan, its implementation and outcomes.
g. Ensure tax rates are reasonable and competitive and taxpayer dollars are prudently
managed.
h. Ensure human and fiscal resources are directed to the Town’s strategic priorities.
i. Continually strive to make the most efficient use of our fiscal resources.
j. Continue to develop, identify and proclaim the Town’s objectives, desired outcomes,
initiatives and performance measures.
2. A community where residents are involved and engaged in decision making.
To achieve this objective we will:
a. Use a variety of tools and methods to engage residents and stakeholders in decision
making and other Town activities.
i. Implement online tools that provide opportunities for residents to be directly
involved the decision making process.
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b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
ii. Invite residents to set priorities for the Town via surveys and social media
outlets.
Create opportunities for residents to become aware of issues and participate in
meaningful discussion.
i. Establish a permanent Citizen Reference Panel to assess the Town’s needs and
give vision for growth.
ii. Invite and welcome residents to Town Council meetings via the Town’s sign
board, in the Town newsletter, on the Town’s website, and by automatic email
reminders.
iii. Include the agenda for Town Council meetings on the Town’s website with links
to documents explaining topics to be discussed at the meeting.
iv. Consult with residents about the most effective way to engage them in decision
making process.
v. Coordinate events in a way that engages people when they are available and
provide childcare at public meetings.
vi. Host meetings at the Town Centre to discuss general, as well as specific issues
affecting residents, groups and/or neighbourhoods.
Explore opportunities to engage youth in the Town’s activities and decision making.
i. Invite youth to create a photo essay to identify what they care about in the
Town.
ii. Offer political science classes to involve youth in governing the Town.
iii. Create a conduit where youth can bring forward their issues.
Partner with schools to find meaningful ways to engage students in local government
and build a culture of volunteerism.
Collaborate with specific groups prior to policy development to gather their input and
knowledge.
Require public consultation as a prerequisite for all major decisions.
Require Councilors to maintain a list of important issues with the goal of having a nonbinding referendum with three key items at each election.
Continually build on municipal staff and Councilors’ knowledge of the importance of
residents and stakeholders participating in the decision making process.
3. A community where there is increased communication between residents and the Town.
To achieve this objective we will:
a. Implement the communication strategy and measure the percentage of residents
reached by various forms of communication.
i. Communicate to residents through a variety of mediums including print and
social media, radio and TV.
ii. Invite local graphic designers and social media specialists to create engaging and
‘dazzling’ notices.
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iii. Expand the Town’s mass resident email list.
iv. Webcast the Council meetings.
b. Make the Town Centre as a place where citizens can learn how to be involved in their
community.
c. Explore how public spaces, such as the trail system, can be used to facilitate and foster
communication between the Town and residents.
d. Encourage Councilors to attend and speak at meetings in the community to increase
communication between the Town and community groups, share knowledge,
information, and the community’s values.
i. Establish and run open forums where residents can meet with Councilors.
4. A community that is a leader in sustainability and community development.
To achieve this objective we will:
a. Develop a clear set of rules and expectations for sustainable development.
i. Require that sustainability or ‘green’ initiatives have a real impact and are not
just ‘feel-good’ initiatives.
b. Continue to found our decision making in sustainability and implement our balanced
scorecard.
i. Explicitly state “maintain the Town of Stratford as an independent community”
on the Town’s Balanced Scorecard.
5. A community that makes responsible and sustainable decisions regarding growth.
To achieve this objective we will:
a. Communicate and collaborate with residents during the decision making process
regarding new development in the Town.
b. Develop a clear set of regulations to ensure development is sustainable and responsible.
c. Ensure attention is given to long-term impacts when evaluating projects and plans.
d. Encourage residents to adopt sustainability principles into their daily lives.
6. A community where the main criterion for decision making is improving the quality of life for
residents.
To achieve this objective we will:
a. Ensure residents’ interests are the first priority in the decision making process.
b. Develop a scoring system that considers the full range of benefits and impacts on
residents associated with decisions.
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c. Provide opportunities for residents to participate in the decision making process by
evaluating and prioritizing decisions.
d. Explore options for participatory budgets and discretionary funds to enhance the
community.
e. Create an environment where residents feel safe, respected, welcomed, and treated
equally.
f. Ensure opportunities and resources are equally distributed amongst all residents and
neighbourhoods and the needs of all residents are met.
g. Ensure all residents have access to facilities, services, and events in the Town.
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