New plan evolves from previous plan adopted 10 years ago, with focus on community, environment and strong government

Oxford County Council approved its 2023-2026 Strategic Plan today, laying out goals and actions aimed at promoting community vitality, enhancing environmental sustainability, and fostering progressive government.

The updated Strategic Plan is a progression from the previous plan, which was adopted mostly unchanged across three Council terms since its release a decade ago in 2013. While the new plan recommits to 100% renewable energy, zero waste and zero poverty, “100% Housed” has been added as a foundational commitment. Download the Strategic Plan

The updated Strategic Plan signals a strong social mandate, encompassing the goals of Safe and Well Oxford, the community safety and wellbeing plan adopted by all eight of Oxford’s municipalities, and a clear focus on the quality of how the County’s municipal services are delivered. Considering diversity, equity and inclusion in all decision-making and service delivery is also a key element of the plan.

The new Strategic Plan’s vision, “Working together for a healthy, vibrant, and sustainable future,” will be achieved through a mission to “Deliver responsible and responsive services that improve the community’s social, environmental, and economic well-being.” These three “pillars” are outlined as: 

The 2023-2026 Strategic Plan was developed over a six-month period that included input from more than 450 stakeholders through a community survey, community engagement events, an employee survey, 17 interviews with members of County Council and senior management, three senior management workshops, and three County Council workshops open to the public.

Responses to the Strategic Plan community survey showed that residents wanted to see a focus on preserving agricultural lands, creating safer communities, increasing housing affordability and accessibility options, and reliable infrastructure to accommodate Oxford’s growing communities.

Survey respondents identified their favourite parts of living in Oxford County to be the mix of urban and rural communities, being close to family and friends, and being well connected to other urban areas like London and Kitchener-Waterloo.

The 2023-2026 Strategic Plan is online at www.oxfordcounty.ca/strategicplan

Comment

Marcus Ryan, Warden, Oxford County

“Over many conversations and very thoughtful deliberation, County Council has arrived at a plan that reflects who we are as a new council and how we want to make a difference: we want to make Oxford County the best possible place to be, and we’re willing to invest in the strategy and work to make this happen.

“The community is looking to us to address the housing crisis, to build strong communities that are safe and connected with reliable infrastructure, and to preserve those aspects of Oxford that make it unique. As we head into the 2024 budget meetings in only two months, these are the commitments we’ll be looking to deliver on for our people, businesses, industries and partners.”

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 PDF: “Strategic Plan at a glance”

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About Oxford County

Located in the heart of southwestern Ontario at the crossroads of Highways 401 and 403, Oxford County has a population of approximately 130,000 people across eight area municipalities that are “growing stronger together.” As a partnership-oriented, two-tier municipal government, Oxford County is emerging as a leader in sustainable growth through the Future Oxford Community Sustainability Plan and County Council’s commitment to achieving 100% renewable energy, becoming a zero waste community and working towards zero poverty and being 100% housed. Situated in one of Ontario’s richest areas for farmland, agriculture is a key industry that is driving innovation in sustainable industries and diversifying the local economy. Oxford County offers a thriving local arts, culture and culinary community, as well as conservation parks, natural areas and more than 100 kilometres of scenic trails. The Oxford County Administration Building is located in Woodstock, Ontario. Visit www.oxfordcounty.ca or follow our social media sites at www.oxfordcounty.ca/social. Oxford County’s new Strategic Plan is at oxfordcounty.ca/strategicplan.