Title
Strategic Plan Review - Governance
Proposed Motion(s)
That Governance and Priorities Committee direct Administration to incorporate suggested changes to the Governance section in Council's Strategic Plan for further discussion and bring forward for review by Council.
Body
Administration Recommendation(s)
Administration recommends that Governance and Priorities Committee direct Administration to incorporate suggested changes to the Governance section in Council's Strategic Plan for further discussion and bring forward for review by Council.
Purpose
To provide Governance and Priorities Committee an opportunity to review the goals and strategies in the Governance section of Council's Strategic Plan.
Summary
In February 2013, Council adopted a self-evaluation tool that provided Council with a means of gauging its effectiveness against the generally-accepted principles of good governance. One of the areas of the self-evaluation was Strategic Focus, and "having the ability to anticipate future problems and issues based on current data and trends, and develop policies that take into account future costs and anticipated changes." Council's score in this section was 74%, and Council suggested that, to improve this score, it was appropriate to conduct mini-reviews of the Strategic Plan throughout the year. This would ensure the goals and strategic priorities are still relevant given the current environment and to remind Council to think strategically and look to the long-term vision of the County when making decisions.
The first section to be reviewed is Governance:
Governance preamble:
Leadership, sound policies, planning, decision-making, transparency. Parkland County Council is committed to making sound decisions to the benefit of our residential and business communities. We do this by ensuring there is value in the services we provide for the taxes paid, through responsible management of municipal resources, and by making decisions in the best interests of the whole community.
As representatives of the community, it is also important for us to hear from the community. We believe in the value of public participation and will continue to extend opportunities for feedback on projects, initiatives, and issues that are important to our stakeholders.
Parkland County values its role in developing the region and we will work with our municipal neighbours and other orders of government to partner on decisions that benefit our residents and the greater region.
Parkland County also recognizes the pride that people have in the place that they call home. We will ensure that we build on community pride and promote the attributes that Parkland County residents value and cherish.
Goal 1: Parkland County will be recognized as a well-led, well-managed municipality with a solid foundation of sound policies, good planning, responsive processes and effective decision-making that are focused on the responsible use of the resources entrusted to it and the long-term best interests of the community as a whole.
Strategies:
1. Parkland County will enhance communications with the public.
2. Parkland County will utilize transparency as a means ofinviting conversation, participation, and meaningful engagement with the community.
Goal 2: Parkland County will have mutually beneficial partnerships with other municipalities and orders of government based on respect for the aspirations, autonomy and right to self-determination of each.
Strategies:
1. Parkland County will foster relationships with municipal neighbours and associations.
2. Parkland County will actively seek out joint project opportunities that will benefit our communities.
Goal 3: Parkland County will have a strong, cohesive identity throughout the community and the region.
Strategies:
1. Parkland County will further promote consistent use of the Parkland County brand as a means of creating community identity.
Strategic Plan/Policy/Legal/Staff Implications
Reviewing and updating the Strategic Plan reflects Council's commitment to good governance by ensuring short term goals meet the long term vision for Parkland County.
Financial Impact:
Cost: N/A
Source of Funding: N/A
Other (As Required)