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TOWNSHIP OF WARWICK
STRATEGIC PLAN
2023 - 2026
Township of Warwick
2023-2026 Strategic Plan
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Acknowledgement of Ancestral Lands
We acknowledge that the (land on which we are gathered here today) Township of Warwick is located on the
traditional lands of the Anishinabe as well as the many Indigenous nations in Ontario whose footsteps have marked
them for centuries. We also wish to acknowledge that we are situated on Treaty 29 and Treaty 25 territories signed
by Chippewa Chiefs and offer our respect and gratitude for these lands.
Warwick Township Council and Staff will strive to educate residents about our history through programming and
events. We pledge to our First Nations neighbours that we will not tolerate systemic racism and commit to
advancing reconciliation by building trusting relationships and fostering ideas for future consultation and
partnership opportunities.
Township of Warwick
2023-2026 Strategic Plan
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Table of Contents
Message from Mayor Case
4
Introduction
5
About Warwick
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How To Read This Strategic Plan
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How We Prepared This Plan
8
What We Heard
9
Strategic Plan At A Glance
11
The Six Strategic Pillars
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Strategic Pillars, Goals and Actions
13
Conclusion
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Township of Warwick
2023-2026 Strategic Plan
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Message from Mayor Case
Township of Warwick
2023-2026 Strategic Plan
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Introduction
Located in the heart of Southwestern Ontario, the
Township of Warwick is home to more than 3,800
people most of whom live in Watford, the largest
town. Major employment areas in the Township
include agriculture, solid waste, value added
manufacturing and construction. The Township has
a rich history, 180 acres of Conservation Area with
great camping spots, and strong community
volunteer organizations. Several large community
events draw crowds every year like the Cornfest,
Maple Syrup Festivals, Watford-Alvinston Road Race
and the International Silver Stick Hockey
Tournaments.
Our strategic plan for the 2022-2026 term of
Council is a dynamic roadmap, projecting the
actions that Council and Staff will take to address
significant priorities. It empowers the Township to
navigate challenges and capitalize on opportunities,
ensuring a prosperous and sustainable future for our community. The plan carries over several core priorities while
simultaneously building on the successfully achieved actions identified in the previous Strategic Plan 2019-2022.
The Strategic Plan is rooted in council's vision of an attractive community with abundant opportunities for growth.
The Township's strategic priorities emerge from the vision and include: economic development, strong
communications, intergovernmental relationships, infrastructure improvement and maintenance, responsible
financial stewardship, and maintain environmental stewardship.
Strategic actions to advance the priorities are organized into a Balanced Scorecard. The Scorecard organizes
objectives, goals and tasks that will be carried out to advance each priority. The balanced scorecard can be found in
the appendix at the end of the Strategic Plan.
You are invited to follow along as we introduce you to our Strategic Plan for the 2022-2026 term of Council, how
we made it and how we plan to implement it. Together we will create a resilient community responsive to
resident's needs and one with a bright future!
Township of Warwick
2023-2026 Strategic Plan
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About Warwick
The Township is committed to providing high quality services to the communities we share. The Township is
responsible for providing the following services to residents:
Township of Warwick
2023-2026 Strategic Plan
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How To Read This Strategic Plan
Over the 2022-2026 term of Council, we will work toward achieving the strategic goals and objectives identified for
each of our priorities. As progress is made and objectives are achieved, additions or adjustments may be made.
Allowing for updates to the Strategic Plan as it is implemented ensures the plan remains reflective of the current
reality in the community and the greater operational environment.
Township of Warwick
2023-2026 Strategic Plan
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How We Prepared This Plan
The Township of Warwick's Strategic Plan and public and stakeholder engagement process was a concentrated
approach to gathering input from various individuals and organizations
that have a stake in the Township's future.
This Strategic Plan contains the Township's strategic priorities and the goals, objectives and actions we plan to
implement to achieve the greater vision and mission we have developed together.
Mobilization
Beginning in April 2023, the Consultant began researching the Township's 2019-2022 Strategic Plan and
other relevant plans and reviews. This gave the Consultant the background needed to participate in
discussions about the Township's past and future.
Engagement
The Consultant conducted interviews with the Mayor, Councillors and Staff, gauging their priorities for the
upcoming Council term and projecting their expectations for the future of the Township. In July, an Open
House was hosted at the Township Office in conjunction with an online survey to collect the priorities of
Township residents.
Analysis and Priority Setting
Building on the information collected, the data was analyzed.
This included a review of the Township's strengths, challenges, opportunities, aspirations and results.
Mayor, Council and Staff interviews were synthesized with the results of the community survey to develop
clear priorities.
Strategy Development
Once the priorities were set, the strategic plan took shape through the detailing of actions, and then
workshopped with the Mayor, Council and Staff to ensure alignment on all plan elements and to provide a
clear roadmap for the Township's future direction.
Refinement and Finalization
Individual objectives and goals were further refined based on other Township strategies, departmental
plans and staffing resources.
The plan was presented to Council, and based on the feedback received, refinements were made to further
strengthen alignment.
Township of Warwick
2023-2026 Strategic Plan
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What We Heard
Mayor, Council and Staff interview findings were analyzed extracting Strengths, Challenges, Opportunities,
Aspirations and Results otherwise known as a "SCOAR" analysis.
Strengths
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Geography and Built Form
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Community Engagement and Participation
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Competitive Cost of Living and Cost of Development
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Relationships with Community Groups
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Highly Competent Workforce
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Local Knowledge of Conditions "On the Ground"
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Staff Teamwork and Collaboration
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Community Infrastructure Development
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Strong Municipal Fiscal Position and Financial Planning
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Open to Partnerships
Challenges
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Communication and Information Management
o
Low community knowledge of municipal operations and goals
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Regulations and Processes
o
Provincial Rules
o
Ossification of processes
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Organizational Culture and Leadership
o
Municipal reputation
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Demographic and Social Changes
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Economic and Financial Factors
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Environmental and Social Sustainability
Opportunities
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Economic Development and Investment
o
Capitalizing on momentum
o
Success stories (i.e. ELCC)
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Organizational Performance and Development
o
Financial planning
o
Infrastructure investment
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Environmental Sustainability
o
Possible gas recovery system at Twin Creeks Landfill
o
Long term relationship with WM operator of Landfill
Aspirations
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Economic Development and Growth Attraction
o
Leveraging existing development
o
Agri-business and sustainable energy
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Organizational Development and Reputation
o
Affordable place to live for regional job growth
o
Sought after employer
o
Council-Staff cohesion
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Healthcare
o
Attracting medical services
Results
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How will we know when we have achieved our aspirations?
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What numbers/statistics can we use to measure our progress towards our
aspirations?
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Can we translate our aspirations into something measurable?
-
How and when will we track progress towards our aspirations?
Township of Warwick
2023-2026 Strategic Plan
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What We Heard
In addition to interviews with Mayor, Councillors and Staff a significant number of residents responded to the
online Community Survey providing their feedback to pre-determined questions and offering several of their own
ideas. Satisfaction with the services provided by the Township was generally high, with residents most satisfied
with communications (55.7%) parks and recreation amenities (52.5%), water and sewer services (52.5%) and
planning processes and services (49.2%). The most important future priorities for survey respondents included
senior care (45.9%), Twin Creeks Landfill facility operations/proposed expansion (45.9%), mental health and
substance use (39.3%) and community safety and well-being (39%).
Further, respondents told us what they like about living in the Township of Warwick and here is a snapshot of those
comments:
"The quiet small town feel."
"A great little town with great people."
"I like most that I am able to live in the village of Warwick within Warwick Township it's quiet and very
friendly good neighborhood."
"Close proximity to larger towns with more to offer in terms of lifestyle/ entertainment. Quiet
township itself."
"Small town feel, quiet but with all essentials. Taxes are reasonable for the services."
"We have an awesome amount of local residents that volunteer to make our community look nice and
appealing for others to move here."
"Everyone supports each other, everyone wants to be involved in bettering the community."
Respondents also shared new ideas for what the Township should focus its attention on during the 2023-2026 term
of Council, including:
"Focus on being a green and sustainable community."
"We need to continue investing the revenue we receive from the landfill to sustain ourselves well
into the future."
"Affordable housing (the area is excellent in terms of getting to neighboring cities, Sarnia, London,
etc.). Potential to be a great area for commuters looking to be close to work/the city, but away
from the 'big city' feel."
"Accessibility is key to support so many residents but especially our aging population."
"You have to have moderate growth and expansion to maintain a healthy strong vibrant
community."
Township of Warwick
2023-2026 Strategic Plan
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Township of Warwick
2023-2026 Strategic Plan
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The Six Strategic Pillars
Warwick's new Strategic Plan is built on six key pillars, representing the Township's commitment to fostering a
thriving community through the facilitation of economic development, being a strong communicator, developing
strategic intergovernmental relationships, improving & sustaining municipal infrastructure, responsible financial
stewardship, and environmental stewardship. Each pillar is designed to guide the Township's decision-making,
priorities, and investments over this term of Council, as Warwick continues to evolve and adapt to meet the needs
of its residents and businesses.
Township of Warwick
2023-2026 Strategic Plan
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Township of Warwick
2023-2026 Strategic Plan
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Township of Warwick
2023-2026 Strategic Plan
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Township of Warwick
2023-2026 Strategic Plan
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Township of Warwick
2023-2026 Strategic Plan
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Township of Warwick
2023-2026 Strategic Plan
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Township of Warwick
2023-2026 Strategic Plan
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Conclusion
The Township of Warwick conducted a well-rounded strategic planning process with resident input and plenty of
workshop refinement. In the early phase, all ideas were gathered and catalogued according to themes with specific
objectives and actions emerging from them. Priorities from the 2019-2022 strategic plan were identified as
complete or ongoing and carried over as needed. A balanced scorecard was prepared to outline the specific actions
for implementing the greater objectives and visions.
The 2023-2026 Strategic Plan for the Township of Warwick is an expression of the vision for the future of the
Township. As conditions in the Township change over the 2023-2026 term of Council, adjustments may be made to
the plan. As the plan evolves over time, Community and Council will remain united in creating a Township that is
an attractive place with an abundance of opportunities.