Recently, Chatham-Kent Community Development hosted a public meeting on the Continuous Improvement and Red Tape Reduction Project.
The event, which had been postponed one night due to weather, was well attended Feb. 13 with a variety of community members coming out to hear updates about activities that are underway, as well as provide their input.
The evening kicked off with opening comments from John Norton, general manager of Community Development, and Coun. Aaron Hall, who introduced the project and its goal of identifying new opportunities for improving Community Development’s processes and allow for easier investment and growth across Chatham-Kent.
The session then proceeded with presentations from a number of other municipal departments and included activities being taken by each department to advance their specific continuous improvement activities.
Members of the public and of the Community Development Advisory Committee were invited to provide comments, questions, and input following each presentation.
“It is very important that there was wholesome conversation from everyone who attended as it brought to light important points to consider as we move forward with developing our report,” said Norton in a media release. “There was certainly some passionate people in the room, with views that we wanted to hear.”
The event also included engagement opportunities to hear public deputations and a community conversation.
There was a variety of community members with different backgrounds and experiences including those from the development community, small business, and also non-profit groups.
“It was an honest conversation that included both the positive and also some real challenges that people have faced,” Hall said. “We appreciate the positive feedback, and hearing where there are bumps gives the municipality the chance to make informed change.”
“Council can expect to see the report by late April or early May and we anticipate that it will identify barriers and provides solutions to remove and eliminate unnecessary red tape,” Norton said.
