Middlesex County Council Meeting Highlights – August 30, 2022
Council Highlights is an informal summary of selected actions taken by Middlesex County Council or Committee of the Whole at business meetings. The Council Highlights are not an official record of County Council proceedings. To view official agendas and minutes, please visit Council Meetings and Minutes.
County’s Attainable Housing Review consultations to begin next month
The Committee of the Whole received an update on the County’s Attainable Housing Review project set to kick off early next month. The review, which will examine housing needs across the entire housing continuum, will result in a municipal strategy designed to help meet current and future housing needs. Phase 1 of the project includes two rounds of community engagement opportunities set for early September, during which the County will seek feedback through community surveys, virtual focus groups, virtual round tables, a County Council workshop and in-person engagement sessions. For more information and to learn how to participate, visit Middlesex County Attainable Housing Review.
Unserved and underserved areas in Middlesex will start to see new high-speed internet options as provincial projects move ahead
A staff report was received by the Committee of the Whole outlining new details about the Ontario Connects – Accelerated High-Speed Internet Program (AHSIP). Through this program the Province has committed nearly $4 billion to connect every region in Ontario to reliable, high-speed internet by the end of 2025. Internet Service Providers including Xplornet Communications, North Frontenac Telephone Company and Rogers Communications have signed agreements with the province to expand services in municipalities across the County. For more information on broadband or to read about the strides the County has made to connect residents to the digital world, visit the Middlesex County website.
Middlesex County’s decentralization project in final stages
Following a comprehensive review of the current and future operational needs, the County is moving into the final stages of its plans to have a smaller footprint and a more decentralized workforce. So far through this project, the County has made significant investments in new capital development across Middlesex, capitalized on peak market conditions through the sale of its current administration building, and successfully implemented a hybrid work model enabling many employees to work remotely. With the majority of County services now being provided at locations throughout the County, including transportation, economic development, social services, planning, libraries, long-term care, and paramedic services, the County is looking at options for its governance and corporate support services. For more information on the County’s Decentralization Project see the news article Middlesex County’s decentralization project in final stages.
2022-2026 Committee and Board Appointments
The County of Middlesex will soon be seeking citizen applicants for select Middlesex County Committees and Boards for the new term of Council. Appointments are made each new term of council or when a vacancy becomes available. Committees with citizen appointments include the Middlesex Accessibility Advisory Committee, the Planning Advisory Committee and the Library Board. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older, a Canadian Citizen, and a resident of Middlesex County. Anyone interested in applying or looking for more information about serving on these committees can see the Middlesex County website.
Conditional approval recommended for five developments across the County
Following staff reports, the Committee of the Whole recommended granting draft plan approval for three proposed subdivisions and two plans of condominium. If approved by County Council at its September 13th meeting, the Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc could see a new subdivision with over 400 dwellings in Strathroy, the Municipality of Middlesex Centre could see 26 new lots in Coldstream as well as a condominium in Poplar Hill, and the Township of Lucan-Biddulph could see the continued development of three residential apartment buildings for a total of 69 dwelling units in Lucan. For more information on these proposals, see the August 30, 2022 County Council Agenda.
Adoption of Committee of the Whole Recommendations from July 19, 2022
County Council adopted all recommendations made by the Committee of the Whole at its meeting on July 19, 2022.
Recommendations made by the Committee of the Whole at the August 30, 2022 meeting will be considered by County Council at its next regular meeting on September 13, 2022. The Legislative Services Department maintains the official record for all County government proceedings.
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