Social Planning Strategy
What is Social Planning?
The key concern of social planning is people - ensuring that, as the city grows and develops, the needs of people living and working in Richmond are effectively addressed.
Richmond has a strong history of social planning. Key areas of focus include:
- Social issues – e.g., child care, health, diversity, affordable housing, homelessness
- Population groups – e.g., children and families, youth, older adults
- Capacity building – e.g., City Grant Program, support to local agencies and community groups.
Examples of City social planning roles are as follows:
- Undertaking planning, research, and policy development
- Establishing infrastructure
- Delivering programs and services
- Collaborating and establishing partnerships
- Providing land, space and funding
- Advocating and secure external contributions
- Engaging and empowering community
What's the Purpose of a Social Planning Strategy?
To help with its future social planning efforts, in 2010-2011, the City will prepare a comprehensive strategy to guide decisions on social planning matters over the next 10 years. The Strategy will:
- Identify future social planning priorities for Richmond
- Clarify appropriate responsibilities for the City and others
- Provide the foundation for more effective and sustainable social planning service delivery in the future
Why Prepare a Strategy?
There are two primary reasons for preparing the Strategy:
- Increasing complexity of issues - As Richmond and the region continue to grow and develop, the type and nature of social issues being faced are becoming increasingly complex and challenging (e.g., homelessness, addictions, the growing gap between “haves and have nots”). Further, the City is not in a position to “do it alone” in responding to social issues – it needs be strategic, adopt appropriate roles, and work in partnership with other stakeholders. The Social Planning Strategy is intended to help the City in defining its future social course.
- Council priority - Council recognizes the importance of having a strategic document to help frame its future decisions on social matters. Indeed, the preparation of a Social Planning Strategy emerged as one of the top priorities when Council articulated its goals for the current term of office in early 2009.
Further, to help respond to Council’s term goals, the Chief Administrative Officer announced a corporate reorganization in July, 2009. One of the changes involved establishment of a new City department: the Community Services Department. Preparation of the Social Planning Strategy is thus coming at an opportune time, as it will help frame the priorities to be addressed through the new corporate structure.
What are Key Steps in the Strategy Process?
It is anticipated that the Strategy will be completed in 2011. Key steps in the process are as follows:
- Community consultation – Completed Fall 2010
- Preliminary assessment of responses – Winter 2010 - Spring 2011
- Preparation of draft Strategy document – Winter 2010 - Spring 2011
- Consultation on draft Strategy - Spring/Summer 2011
- Revision of draft – Summer 2011
- Presentation of revised Strategy for Council adoption – Fall 2011
After the Strategy has been adopted, implementation will proceed, with appropriate follow up and more detailed work being undertaken on the identified priorities. The Strategy will be monitored on an ongoing basis and amended, as required, over time.
How can the Community and Stakeholders Contribute?
For the Social Planning Strategy to be effective and widely supported, it is essential that a broad cross section of the community has an opportunity to contribute to the Strategy’s preparation. The City wants to hear from you.
Here's an opportunity to tell us what you think:
- Complete the Social Planning Strategy Public Survey, either through this website or a paper copy (available at CIty Hall and other city facilities) by July 23, 2010
- Submit a letter or brief
- Provide comments and suggestions on draft materials that will be prepared as the process evolves.
- Participate in a Community Forum:
- Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Check In: 6:00pm
Workshop 6:30 - 8:30pm
Richmond Cultural Centre Lecture Hall - 7700 Minoru Gate
This will be a facilitated workshop. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. To reserve space, please RSVP to Renee Moffatt by phone 604-247-4692 or email Renee Moffatt
All briefs, submissions, and a summary of questionnaire responses will be provided to City Council. Key information will also be posted on this web page.
What are some of the opportunities and challenges to be considered as we embark on the Strategy?
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What are some parameters?
In preparing the Strategy, two points need to be emphasized:
- As its name implies, the Strategy will be strategic in nature. It will provide “high level” information and directions on a variety of social concerns. The more detailed planning work on particular priority issues (e.g., identifying budgets and work programs) will be undertaken at the implementation stage, after the Strategy has been adopted.
- The City wants to hear about the broad range of social issues facing Richmond. As noted, however, the City will not be in a position to “do it alone” in responding to all the identified issues on its own. A key challenge will be to determine how we can be more effective and efficient with the resources we have, and how we can work more collaboratively with other partners to create synergies in responding to social concerns.
Who can I contact for additional information?
Additional Document and Links:
