TOWN OF VIEW ROYAL STRATEGIC PLAN 2019 – 2022

VISION

“The following statement sets out the community’s aspirations for what type of place View Royal should be in 20 years and beyond. It describes the state of the community in the future as residents wish it to evolve. The Vision was developed through extensive consultation with the community and is the guiding force behind the policies of the Official Community Plan.

View Royal is a dynamic and inclusive community that manages growth, while retaining the charm of its traditional neighbourhoods. It is home and workplace to people from all walks of life. Its neighbourhoods are attractive, affordable, walkable and safe. Each neighbourhood has an identifiable character and is connected to nearby centres – and a recognizable central community gathering place – through greenspace corridors and pedestrian/cyclist-friendly streets. Some centres are parks for families to gather and youth to play sports. Others are bustling, mixed-use places with a range of services, amenities, businesses and housing.

View Royal recognizes the impacts of climate change, and is responding by actively promoting energy-efficient, sustainable development, and environmental protection. Well-designed compact housing ensures choice, affordability and better use of land. Infill and redevelopment near neighbourhood centres and transit corridors provides jobs and services closer to where people live – minimizing the need for commuting, and creating pedestrian-friendly streets and destinations.

The local economy is diversified and strong, providing employment, shopping and service options to local and regional residents. Heritage tourism and eco-tourism are promoted as sustainable ways to stimulate the economy and showcase View Royal’s environmental and cultural assets.

Getting around safely by foot, bike, bus and train is convenient and enjoyable, and a viable alternative to car travel. Train, light rail and other forms of rapid transit are supported by development that facilitates ridership and walkable places.

The Town is endowed with unique natural environments – Thetis Lake Park, Millstream Creek, Craigflower Creek, Esquimalt Harbour and Portage Inlet. The integrity and beauty of these natural amenities are protected and enhanced, while public access to recreation and natural areas is improved. The Town’s vast recreation assets are well promoted and integrated into the community. Environmental stewardship and better use of resources – such as alternative energy generation and enhanced waste management – are pursued.” (Official Community Plan Bylaw 2011)

Livable View Royal – simply the best place to call home!

MISSION

The mission statement describes the fundamental purpose of the Town. It answers the question, “Why does the organization exist?”

View Royal is committed to building a resilient and vibrant community that:

• provides good government;
• delivers services, laws and other matters for community benefit;
• provides stewardship of the public assets; and
• fosters economic, social and environmental well-being.

VALUES

Values describe enduring, collective beliefs that guide the work of the Council and Staff put into action.

The Town of View Royal pursues community good through a corporate culture that is:

• accountable
• respectful
• ethical
• collaborative
• innovative
• proactive
• efficient and effective

ORGANIZATIONAL EXCELLENCE

The Town of View Royal is committed to providing the best possible local government for our residents and business community. This commitment drives constant improvement, with particular emphasis on:

• providing strong, strategic policy-based governance;
• demonstrating collaborative leadership and effective shared decision-making within the community, with our regional partners, including First Nations;
• nurturing productive working relationships at the legislative and executive level;
• pursuing excellence founded on core values, approved plans, policies and our commitment to innovation;
• decision-making processes to be transparent and responsive;
• integrating strategic planning, business planning, budgeting and performance management systems;
• embracing evidence-based best practices for professionalism;
• enhancing customer service and related communications capacity; and
• positioning sustainability as the foundation of our municipal culture.

STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS

The process is a continuous cycle involving the following steps:

1. Preparing to Plan - Consultation with staff prior to workshop and community survey
2. Initial Council workshop
3. Community satisfaction and engagement survey
4. Council workshop - Focused on building the Plan around survey themes and identifying key strategic priorities
5. Staff identification of work plan, timelines, required resources, plus targets and measures
6. Public engagement
7. Reporting on the Plan - Regular reporting to Council on progress against Strategic Plan goals

STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

Six strategic priorities have been identified:

• Enhance Liveability
• Community & Economic Growth
• Environmental Stewardship
• Financial Sustainability & Service Excellence
• Good Governance
• Community Safety & Security

These priorities lay the groundwork for our ten to twenty-year (and beyond) vision.

Tied to each of the priorities are a series of goals and an associated staff work plan that are further described in the tables below.

To measure progress on our goals over time, targets are listed. In the early stages of the Strategic Plan, staff time will be spent gathering benchmark or measurement data for these targets. While some data will be available in 2020, some will only be available once it is collected or after Census 2021 data is released (though 2016 data may be used initially). As well, more targets and associated measurement data may be listed over time. It is important to note that some of the actions taken today will not show a measurable result for years to come!

We recognize that over the term of this Strategic Plan (2019-2022), the staff work plan will change as initiatives are completed and new or pressing items come forward. 2022 will be an opportunity to fine-tune and recalibrate our goals and associated work plan to set the Town of View Royal up for success for the next iteration of the Strategic Plan. Monitoring of our targets will be on-going.

A. ENHANCE LIVEABILITY IN VIEW ROYAL

What we heard from citizens

Citizens told us they want to:

• be able to move around the community efficiently
• have a range of housing options close to services
• participate in community events and have a sense of belonging
• celebrate View Royal’s unique history

B. COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC GROWTH

What we heard from citizens

Citizens told us they want to:

• controlled growth
• implications of growth considered

C. ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

What we heard from citizens

Citizens told us they want to:

• focus on community action around climate change

D. FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY & SERVICE EXCELLENCE

What we heard from citizens

Citizens told us they want to:

• receive good value for tax dollars
• fund the continuation of current service levels through taxation (52% of survey respondents said “Increase taxes to maintain services at current levels”)
• fund future large projects through putting aside funds annually (68% of survey respondents indicated “Put aside funds each year to fund future large projects”)

E. GOOD GOVERNANCE

What we heard from citizens

Citizens told us they want to:

• transparency in decision-making
• respectful meetings

F. COMMUNITY SAFETY AND SECURITY

What we heard from citizens

Citizens told us they want to:

• live and work in a safe community prepared for emergencies (96% and 89% of survey respondents said they are very or somewhat satisfied with fire and police services respectively)