A new safety and wellbeing co-ordinator is being hired to oversee community and emergency response in Chatham-Kent.
At its July 15 meeting, council approved a total of $225,000 for the position for a two-year period with funding to come from strategic reserves.
While some councillors said they were reluctant to add more municipal staff in light of looming budgetary pressures, it was agreed the hire is necessary in order to avoid a piecemeal approach and duplication of services.
The new hire dovetails with the objectives of Chatham-Kent’s health and well-being Plan, as part of the municipality’s strategic plan. It’s also a response to legislation mandated by the province under the Police Service Act in 2019 directing Ontario communities to develop and adopt a community-based approach to address the root causes of complex social issues.
The municipality formed a Community Safety and Well-Being Steering Committee and in 2021 its plan was adopted by council.
