Corporate Strategic Plan Report 2017

Today, St. John’s City Council reported on progress towards achieving strategic priorities in the 2015-2018 Corporate Strategic Plan. Of the 127 initiatives planned across six strategic directions for 2016, 65 percent are completed or are making good progress; 30 percent have started but may be slower to advance; and five per cent have not yet started.

“We are very pleased with our progress to date on the strategic plan given our focus in 2016 on program review,” said Councillor Bruce Tilley, Chair of the Standing Committee on Audit and Accountability. “I am also pleased to see that 24 new initiatives have emerged that will be included in the plan going forward, many of which are the result of program review.”

New initiatives added to the Corporate Strategic Plan include an intersection safety status analysis as part of the road safety program; advancing an accountability and performance management framework for the City, including key performance indicators (KPIs) and an evaluation methodology; and a plan to implement automated garbage.

The full progress report, including ongoing, removed and new initiatives, is available on the city’s website.

“We are pleased by the many successes achieved through our first Strategic Plan and look forward to delivering on the other priority areas in 2017,” said Mayor Dennis O’Keefe. “Strategic planning helps the City focus on achieving long-term goals, while maintaining the day-to-day operations. By thinking ahead we are better able to position the organization for the future.”

Important achievements to date are also listed on the City’s website and include:

• the development and implementation of a housing catalyst fund
• redevelopment of the Bowring Park Swimming Pool; Phase 1 of Victoria Park revitalization; and completion of the Paul Reynolds Community Centre (opening Spring 2017)
• the completion of a demographic survey
• collaboration on tendering and joint contracts to reduce costs
• implementation of an Alcohol and Drug policy and program corporate-wide
• planning completed for 20 new affordable housing units

The next reporting cycle for the plan will be mid-2017.