2018-2022 Strategic Plan

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Consultation has concluded

Background

In 2019, Ajax Council approved an ambitious strategic plan – Stronger Together – for the 2018-2022 term.

As symbolized by the title, Ajax Council desired to turn talk into action with the goal of achieving bold results for the community by the end of their term, especially in areas of growth and sustainability. The original framework of the plan included a community promise, 3 focus areas, 21 goals and 148 actions.

The title of the plan would become more meaningful as the entire community came together to respond to an unforeseen and unprecedented global virus originating in March 2020. The Covid-19 virus brought the world to its knees, forcing people, governments, and businesses to suddenly reprioritize and pivot to a new normal, which had rapidly changing circumstances and rarely experienced restrictions and mandates.

As a result of the public health crisis, much, if not all, of the 2020 strategic plan actions were paused or not initiated to manage and support the Town’s pandemic response. This justified inaction resulted in a significant backlog of work to be completed in a shorter time frame and with less resources due to a staffing shortage. To prepare for and ensure a seamless return to strategic plan work, Council hosted a mid-term check-in in March 2021 to update the plan to be more reflective of the current priorities and realities. In doing so, some of the actions were removed and/or merged, reducing the overall number from 148 to 126.

Despite the impact of COVID-19, staff reported that 89% of the 126 actions were in progress or completed as of March 2021. By December 2021, staff were reporting 98% in progress or completed. By mid-2022, through the Year 4 action update process, the finalized action number was 120. Four actions were merged into 2 actions and 4 actions were moved out to 2022-2026 term. The remaining 120 actions were noted as substantially completed.


In-depth

The purpose of this final report is to outline the results and achievements of the 2018-2022 Strategic Plan.

Staff are pleased to report 100% completion based on achievements to date, including 2022 (Year 4) action updates. The final action count for the term will be officially recorded as 120. A status of 100% indicates the original intent of the action has been substantially completed, with the potential for some limited finalization work required in early 2023.

Overall Summary

  • 120 actions complete All
  • Top 22 by 2022 complete
  • 100% completion of Strategic Plan

Results by Focus Area

Connecting Our Community

1. Creating a more engaged community (8 actions)
2. Providing excellence in customer service (5 actions)
3. Fostering a sense of place and celebrating our history (6 actions)
4. Creating opportunities to foster a welcoming and inclusive community (11 actions)
5. Promoting a range of programs, services, and supports for all ages and abilities (4 actions)
6. Leveraging our arts and tourism opportunities to benefit our community and economy (4) actions)
7. Enhancing connections to get people moving (4 actions)

RESULT:

  • 42 out of 42 actions complete (100%)

See ‘ATT-1: Connecting our Community to review the status of each goal, action, and associated accomplishments.

Investing in our Community

1. Growing and diversifying the local economy (4 actions)
2. Encouraging and supporting strategic land use development (6 actions)
3. Building new municipal infrastructure (3 actions)
4. Modernizing existing municipal infrastructure and other assets (3 actions)
5. Undertaking key corporate reviews and strategies (8 actions)
6. Enhancing the beauty and appeal of the Town (4 actions)
7. Ensuring the Town’s workforce effectively and efficiently meets the community’s needs (8 actions)

RESULT:

  • 36 out of 36 actions complete (100%)

See ‘ATT-2: Investing in our Community to review the status of each goal, action, and associated accomplishments.

Leading in Our Community

1. Advocating for intergovernmental matters important to our community (7 actions)
2. Supporting our local technology and entrepreneurial sectors (4 actions)
3. Providing continued leadership in environmental sustainability (10 actions)
4. Becoming an age-friendly community (5 actions)
5. Investing in community safety (4 actions)
6. Strengthening internal governance and innovation (8 actions)
7. Fostering and strengthening external relationships and partnerships to help achieve strategic goals (4 actions)

RESULT:

  • 42 out of 42 actions complete (100%)

See ‘ATT-3: Leading in our Community to review the status of each goal, action and associated accomplishments.


Top 22 by 2022

The final Top 22 by 2022 were selected from priority public submissions that aligned with corporate actions. Some of the final top 22 actions included introducing new active transportation infrastructure and connections, celebrating our unique history and heritage and networking with community groups to raise awareness of our diverse programs and services. See final report for Top 22 by 2022 listing.


Conclusion

Achieving 100% completion of a municipal strategic plan is an impressive achievement during a conventional four-year council term but achieving 100% completion amidst a grueling global pandemic (which is still impacting people) is incredible.

The height of the pandemic lasted approximately 24 months, effectively impacting two years of work. Staff were able to achieve this success by monitoring the plan very closely, reprioritizing and reporting to Council. This open and transparent communication ensured the continuance of advancing the Town’s agenda despite the challenging circumstances we faced.

This accomplishment is a testament to the leadership of Council and senior management, and the dedicated Town staff who persevered through stops and starts, reduced timelines and staff vacancies to deliver on a commitment to take Ajax to the next level at the outset of the 2018-2022 term. This term proved we are stronger together.

Background

In 2019, Ajax Council approved an ambitious strategic plan – Stronger Together – for the 2018-2022 term.

As symbolized by the title, Ajax Council desired to turn talk into action with the goal of achieving bold results for the community by the end of their term, especially in areas of growth and sustainability. The original framework of the plan included a community promise, 3 focus areas, 21 goals and 148 actions.

The title of the plan would become more meaningful as the entire community came together to respond to an unforeseen and unprecedented global virus originating in March 2020. The Covid-19 virus brought the world to its knees, forcing people, governments, and businesses to suddenly reprioritize and pivot to a new normal, which had rapidly changing circumstances and rarely experienced restrictions and mandates.

As a result of the public health crisis, much, if not all, of the 2020 strategic plan actions were paused or not initiated to manage and support the Town’s pandemic response. This justified inaction resulted in a significant backlog of work to be completed in a shorter time frame and with less resources due to a staffing shortage. To prepare for and ensure a seamless return to strategic plan work, Council hosted a mid-term check-in in March 2021 to update the plan to be more reflective of the current priorities and realities. In doing so, some of the actions were removed and/or merged, reducing the overall number from 148 to 126.

Despite the impact of COVID-19, staff reported that 89% of the 126 actions were in progress or completed as of March 2021. By December 2021, staff were reporting 98% in progress or completed. By mid-2022, through the Year 4 action update process, the finalized action number was 120. Four actions were merged into 2 actions and 4 actions were moved out to 2022-2026 term. The remaining 120 actions were noted as substantially completed.


In-depth

The purpose of this final report is to outline the results and achievements of the 2018-2022 Strategic Plan.

Staff are pleased to report 100% completion based on achievements to date, including 2022 (Year 4) action updates. The final action count for the term will be officially recorded as 120. A status of 100% indicates the original intent of the action has been substantially completed, with the potential for some limited finalization work required in early 2023.

Overall Summary

  • 120 actions complete All
  • Top 22 by 2022 complete
  • 100% completion of Strategic Plan

Results by Focus Area

Connecting Our Community

1. Creating a more engaged community (8 actions)
2. Providing excellence in customer service (5 actions)
3. Fostering a sense of place and celebrating our history (6 actions)
4. Creating opportunities to foster a welcoming and inclusive community (11 actions)
5. Promoting a range of programs, services, and supports for all ages and abilities (4 actions)
6. Leveraging our arts and tourism opportunities to benefit our community and economy (4) actions)
7. Enhancing connections to get people moving (4 actions)

RESULT:

  • 42 out of 42 actions complete (100%)

See ‘ATT-1: Connecting our Community to review the status of each goal, action, and associated accomplishments.

Investing in our Community

1. Growing and diversifying the local economy (4 actions)
2. Encouraging and supporting strategic land use development (6 actions)
3. Building new municipal infrastructure (3 actions)
4. Modernizing existing municipal infrastructure and other assets (3 actions)
5. Undertaking key corporate reviews and strategies (8 actions)
6. Enhancing the beauty and appeal of the Town (4 actions)
7. Ensuring the Town’s workforce effectively and efficiently meets the community’s needs (8 actions)

RESULT:

  • 36 out of 36 actions complete (100%)

See ‘ATT-2: Investing in our Community to review the status of each goal, action, and associated accomplishments.

Leading in Our Community

1. Advocating for intergovernmental matters important to our community (7 actions)
2. Supporting our local technology and entrepreneurial sectors (4 actions)
3. Providing continued leadership in environmental sustainability (10 actions)
4. Becoming an age-friendly community (5 actions)
5. Investing in community safety (4 actions)
6. Strengthening internal governance and innovation (8 actions)
7. Fostering and strengthening external relationships and partnerships to help achieve strategic goals (4 actions)

RESULT:

  • 42 out of 42 actions complete (100%)

See ‘ATT-3: Leading in our Community to review the status of each goal, action and associated accomplishments.


Top 22 by 2022

The final Top 22 by 2022 were selected from priority public submissions that aligned with corporate actions. Some of the final top 22 actions included introducing new active transportation infrastructure and connections, celebrating our unique history and heritage and networking with community groups to raise awareness of our diverse programs and services. See final report for Top 22 by 2022 listing.


Conclusion

Achieving 100% completion of a municipal strategic plan is an impressive achievement during a conventional four-year council term but achieving 100% completion amidst a grueling global pandemic (which is still impacting people) is incredible.

The height of the pandemic lasted approximately 24 months, effectively impacting two years of work. Staff were able to achieve this success by monitoring the plan very closely, reprioritizing and reporting to Council. This open and transparent communication ensured the continuance of advancing the Town’s agenda despite the challenging circumstances we faced.

This accomplishment is a testament to the leadership of Council and senior management, and the dedicated Town staff who persevered through stops and starts, reduced timelines and staff vacancies to deliver on a commitment to take Ajax to the next level at the outset of the 2018-2022 term. This term proved we are stronger together.