Case study: Regional Integrated Community Sustainability Plan

The United Counties of Leeds and Grenville developed a Regional Integrated Community Sustainability Plan (ICSP) that provides a strategic framework for its 12 municipalities (10 members and two partners) to address sustainability objectives and priorities. The ICSP functions as a two-tier plan, operating at both the regional and local levels, with customization options that allow the municipalities to address individual priorities with local action plans. One of the largest multi-municipality ICSPs undertaken in Canada, it complements existing local community plans. The plan includes a monitoring program; and the municipalities established a governance structure to facilitate continuous improvement and annual reporting. Development of the ICSP included two rounds of public consultation, as well as online surveys and a social media presence, with support from a community liaison team. A process report, published after the plan's completion, provides a detailed overview of the methodology used to prepare the plan and serves as a useful reference for other communities.

Results

Challenges

• During action planning, many participants said that the ICSP should all-inclusive; however, many of the initial action plans were not achievable because of resource limitations.
• Although the counties launched a Facebook account for the project, it did not generate as much interest as it might have if the counties had established a pre-existing social media platform.
• In the first public consultation session, participants from the different communities were preoccupied with local issues and opportunities, and had difficulty focusing on the overall vision and principles for the region.

Lessons learned

• Develop local action plans that balance the desire to include everything with awareness of resource constraints, to better support implementation and maintain momentum.
• Employ a consultant to ensure that all voices are heard and to provide objective feedback; but budget sufficient staff time for liaison with rural communities, to ensure participation and support.
• Establish a social media presence in advance of the planning process, to foster youth engagement and ensure their participation.
• Develop a focused monitoring program that does not require too much administrative effort.

Partners and Collaborators

• Township of Augusta
• Township of Athens
• Township of Edwardsburgh/Cardinal
• Township of Elizabethtown-Kitley
• Township of Front of Yonge
• Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands
• Village of Merrickville-Wolford
• Municipality of North Grenville
• Township of Rideau Lakes
• City of Brockville
• Town of Gananoque
• Town of Prescott
• Federal Gas Tax Agreement

Project Contact

Ann Weir
Economic Development Manager
United Counties of Leeds and Grenville
T. 613-342-3840, ext. 5365