July 30, 2014

Strategic Plan to be discussed on Aug. 25

As published in The Erin Advocate

Completion of the Town’s Strategic Plan this summer will enable it to proceed with an Operational Review to improve service and efficiency for residents.

On July 22, Council agreed to issue a Request for Proposal, to hire a consultant for the Operational Review. The Strategic Plan is to be presented and discussed at the special council meeting August 25.

The Strategic Plan process started in 2013, with strategy sessions conducted by Max Carbone of Team Works. Joanne Russell-Haas of The Human Factor is leading the second phase this year, including extensive consultation with community groups, staff and other municipalities.

“At the end of the process the Corporation will have a vision, mission statement, values and guiding principles which future decisions will be based upon,” said Chief Administrative Officer Kathryn Ironmonger, who has already been coordinating staff efforts to improve efficiency.

“It is wise to complete the Strategic Planning process prior to launching an Operational Review. The review will assess how well we are delivering a service and how that delivery can be improved or streamlined. The Operational Review should focus solely on internal improvements – on processes and procedures that staff execute on a daily basis.”

The review will include opportunities for Town Councillors to provide suggestions, two public meetings for residents’ input and possibly a citizen’s committee.