It was a resounding kudos around Burnaby City Hall for the progress being made on the city’s social sustainability plan.
Council was given a progress report on the implementation of first phase of the city’s social sustainability strategy, which was approved in the spring of 2013.
And so far, it appears the city is hitting the targets for the plan.
The strategy included seven strategic priorities and 127 associated actions for the city to meet the goal of the plan.
According to a staff report, progress has been made on 35 of the 44 “actions” identified in the first phase of the plan.
The report also noted progress has been made on the second phase of implementation.
In all, the city has made “significant” progress on 81 out of the strategy’s 127 actions.
Some of the highlights include:
- Up to 500 new child-care spaces as a result of an agreement between the city and school district.
- 100-plus post-secondary students mentored through the Burnaby Board of Trade.
- 8,600 residents accessing Burnaby’s recreation credit program in 2014.
- 433 adaptable housing units secured since 2013.
- 27,000 hours contributed by volunteers to support isolated seniors in 2014.
- A 5.6 per cent increase in voter turnout in the 2014 civic election.
- 28 Festivals Burnaby grants each year.
- 18 kilometres of new sidewalks and urban trails in 2013/14.
Coun. Paul McDonell noted the amount of work and planning that went into the strategy, which was first developed in 2011.
“You don’t realize how much you’ve accomplished until you see a report like this,” he said.
Mayor Derek Corrigan also praised the work by city staff and the community who participated in the committees and consultation process that helped the goals of the strategy come to fruition.
“This was after all a product of our community and their goals and ambitions,” he said.
The staff report noted the remaining actions in the first phase would be addressed in the next couple years.
And as the first phase comes to an end, the city proposes the implementation plan be revisited with another round of public consultation to identify areas of focus.
