Council's Strategic Plan

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Full Steam Ahead!
St. Thomas Strategic Plan Refresh

The City of St. Thomas is undertaking a refresh of its Strategic Plan, and we want your feedback to help shape the future of our community!

The Strategic Plan serves as a guiding document that aligns the goals, strategies, and vision of Council with those of the community. As a guiding document, the plan reflects the needs and expectations of the community in the planning and allocation of resources to programs and services delivered by the City.

To view the current Strategic Plan (2021-2023), please click here.

Stage 1: Community and Stakeholder Engagement: Summer/Fall 2023

Phase 1 of a Public Engagement Survey launched the week of March 20th and was promoted via the website, social media, at The Home Show, and other community events/locations as appropriate. This phase of engagement was undertaken with the intention of eliciting resident feedback on the current strategic plan successes and input on where the City and Council should focus future resources and priorities as part of the updated strategic plan. Information gathered through public engagement in this phase will be presented to Council at a later date to help inform further discussion.

A Phase 2 Public Survey is available now (August 2023) and will remain open until September 2023.

Community Town Halls
Community Town Halls (open house style) are set to take place on the following dates and will consist of both in person and virtual engagement sessions.

Town Hall #1: Tuesday September 19 from 12:00-1:30pm at the Joe Thornton Community Centre (Doug Tarry Room)

Town Hall #2: Thursday September 21 from 6:30-8:00pm - VIRTUAL (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87958944048)

Town Hall #3: Thursday October 12th from 6:00-7:30pm at the St. Thomas Public Library (Carnegie Room)

To view the summary document of the Community Town Hall meetings, please click here.

Community Conversations

Community Conversation invites were sent to various groups, businesses, and organizations in the City. These conversations are one hour virtual focus group with specific audiences.

The schedule for the Community Conversations is as follows:

Community and Social Services Groups #1: Monday September 25 from 12:00-1:00pm
Community and Social Services Groups #2: Tuesday October 3 from 9:30-10:30am
Business and Economic Development Groups: Thursday September 28 from 12:00-1:00pm
Housing Development Groups: Friday, September 29 from 12:00-1:00pm

*If you are interested in attending a Community Conversation, please reach out to [email protected]

Council/Staff Engagement
Council and Staff Visioning Sessions will take place during this timeframe. These sessions will provide an opportunity to brainstorm the mission, vision, and values of the corporation that will inform the new strategic priority areas of focus and initiatives.

Youth Engagement

As a City, it is vital that we learn about what is important to young people working and living in St. Thomas and to hear their concerns, hopes and ideas.

YOUTH SURVEY
Are you between the ages of 11 and 21? Please take ten minutes to answer eight questions to help us shape the City's future. The survey will remain open until October 27, 2023.

Stage 2: First Draft of Strategic Plan: Fall 2023

Draft Strategic Plan will be presented to Council following review of public engagement feedback and visioning sessions.

Community and Stakeholder Engagement on First Draft of Strategic Plan: Fall 2023

Stage 3: Rework of Strategic Plan (if necessary) based on Phase 2 feedback: Fall 2023

Stage 4: Final Draft Version of Strategic Plan presented to Council: Winter 2023

Opportunity for Council to receive public delegations responding to the final draft version of the Strategic Plan – this feedback will inform the final version which will be reviewed by Council at a Winter 2023 meeting.

Stage 5: Final Version of Strategic Plan presented to Council for full endorsement: Winter 2023

Stage 6: Launch of new Strategic Plan: By January 2024

Ongoing reporting on a quarterly basis to Council utilizing assessment/progress tools.

What is a Strategic Plan?

A Strategic Plan serves as a framework to guide Council and staff in the decision-making process, and to direct our resources where they are needed over this term of Council. The Plan is developed in collaboration with Council, staff, and our community partners.

How can I be part of the process?

There are many ways for the community to get involved!

This first phase of community engagement involved a public survey that was available in March and April 2023.

Future community engagement will involve a second phase survey and public delegations to Council. Please monitor this page and our social media channels for updates on how to get involved throughout the process.

If you would like to submit your feedback, get involved, or have any questions on the Strategic Plan Refresh, please contact [email protected]

How is success measured?

Strategic plans are important, but outcomes from the plan are even more important. The purpose of the strategic plan is to make meaningful change for our community, and ensure that the intended outcomes are actually occurring. The City will continuously monitor the results of the plan and regularly report back to Council and the community.

Tracking and reporting will involve monitoring the progress of the goals and priorities to ensure that the actions identified in the plan have been undertaken, and are fulfilling their intended deliverables.

For further information and comments on Council’s Strategic Plan, please reach out to:

Mayor Preston
[email protected]
519-631-1680 ext. 4131

If you would like to submit your feedback or get involved in the Strategic Plan community engagement process, contact Taylor Mooney by calling 519-631-1680 ext. 4119 or emailing [email protected]