STRATEGIC PLANNING

Municipality of Leamington-Strategic Plan 2011 Summary

As a result of a Strategic Planning session conducted in March, 2011 the Municipality of Leamington has adopted a Strategic Plan which will form the frame work for municipal policies, direction, work plans and allocations of resources for the next four years. 

Prior to meeting the consultant met with Council and senior staff members to review our progress on items stemming from the strategic plan developed for 2008-2010.  After this review the group generally agreed that the next few years should focus on planning and the development of policies that relate to finance, local improvements and lobbying for the establishment of sewer separation programs.  Attention was then focused on assessing the current situation.  To be successful, a good strategic planning process should focus on three main elements:

• Know where you stand-this defines the strategic situation
• Determine where you are going-this sets the strategic direction; and
• Getting there-determining the strategic operation

The session resulted in a refreshed vision, six strategic objectives and supporting strategic actions.

Mission Statement

The Municipality of Leamington strives to provide quality services in a sustainable environment. Accessible, accountable and dedicated to the people we serve; we build on the past, as we prepare for future prosperity.

Key Strategic Objectives and Actions (Note: this is not a priority ranking)

Ensure the long term viability of the Municipality

• Complete our financial plan
• Develop and adopt a fiscal policy
• Develop a plan to retain and increase our commercial and industrial assessment value
• Actively pursue senior government ongoing flexible funding programs with partners

Promoting environmental stewardship

• Finalize Pollution Control Centre initiatives
• Continue with our program for sewer replacement
• Initiate a greening master plan for Leamington
• Lobby senior governments for shoreline stabilization assistance
• Strengthen environmental stewardship partnerships with community partners
• Look for ways/means to create enhanced environmental initiatives and policies with the agricultural and industrial sectors

Encouraging and facilitating balanced growth

• Increase the supply of serviced land for industrial, commercial and residential uses
• Explore flexible development incentives
• Streamline the development approvals process
• Host regular information session with representatives of the development community to understand their needs and communicate municipal plans, processes and policies

Creating economic development opportunities

• Aggressively promote the municipality as an attractive business location, retirement community and place to visit
• Implement the Community Improvement Plan for the Uptown Core
• Identify industry needs and partner with educational institutions to provide needed skills
• Lobby other orders of government for funding and special projects
• Develop a branding strategy/slogan (eg. “We grow our own…” “Come grow with us”)
• Investigate public/private partnerships for infrastructure

Optimizing the provision of municipal services

• Develop a succession plan to attract and retain quality employees
• Review areas to consider for contracting out services
• Review Municipality’s level of service
• Ensure adequate structures and facilities to provide municipal services
• Undertake “rightsizing” reviews of each Municipal department

Effectively communicating and engaging individuals and organizations in the work of the Municipality

• Regularly meet with upper tier and senior governments
• Continue the work of the Communications Committee to develop a communications strategy
• Actively promote the accomplishments of the Municipality
• Identify mechanisms to raise the profile of Leamington
• The Mayor to actively communicate with Council and senior administration

Of the key strategic objectives and action, seven actions were selected as a priority:

• Complete the financial plan
• Actively pursue senior government ongoing flexible funding programs with partners
• Continue with our program of sewer replacement
• Implement the Community Improvement Plan (CIP) for the Uptown Core
• Develop a succession plan to attract and retain quality employees
• Lobby senior levels of government for shoreline stabilization assistance
• Identify mechanisms to raise the profile of Leamington

Over the next few years, as the strategies are developed, they will be shared with Leamington residents, businesses and user groups as well as our provincial and federal representatives.  The Municipality will also conduct a yearly review of progress and report this progress to our stakeholders.