REQUEST FOR DECISION
DATE: October 20, 2015 Report No. DEV-15-053
TO: Laurie Hurst, Chief Administrative Officer
FROM: Marlene Lagoa, Community Development Coordinator
SUBJECT:
Title
2016 Age-friendly Community Planning & Project Grants Application
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That Council support an application to the 2016 Age-friendly Community Planning & Project Grant for $20,000 to conduct a needs assessment of seniors living in Esquimalt and direct staff to provide overall management of the grant.
Body
RELEVANT POLICY:
Council’s Strategic Priorities 2015 - 2019: Official Community Plan Review
STRATEGIC RELEVANCE:
The age-friendly community planning grant would be used to conduct a needs assessment of seniors in Esquimalt to inform the review of the Official Community Plan.
BACKGROUND:
The Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM), on behalf of the Ministry of Health, is accepting applications for funding of up to $20,000 from the 2016 Age-Friendly Community Planning and Project Grants program. Staff recommends that the Township conduct a comprehensive assessment of the status of seniors in Esquimalt to help inform the review and revision of the Official Community Plan (OCP).
The Township has already undertaken two initiatives to make the community more inclusive for its seniors. In 2012 the Township of Esquimalt was recognized as an Age-friendly Community by the Ministry of Health. That same year, Esquimalt also received funding from the Age-friendly Community Planning & Project Grant to establish the outdoor Esquimalt Active Park adjacent to the Recreation Centre parking lot. In 2009 the Township received funding from the 2010 Legacies Now program for the community accessibility audit conducted by SPARC BC.
What the Township is missing is a comprehensive assessment of the needs of seniors in Esquimalt. The study would adhere to the World Health Organization’s “age-friendly cities” focus areas which are: outdoor spaces and buildings; transportation; housing; respect and inclusion; social participation; communication and information; civic participation and employment; and community support and health services.
The deadline for local governments is October 30, 2015 to submit a completed application to UBCM along with a Council Resolution indicating support for the proposed project.
ISSUES:
1. Rationale for Selected Option
We hope the project will achieve a greater level of seniors’ participation in the review of the Official Community Plan. There are two specific deliverables we would expect from the project: first, a report providing a comprehensive assessment of the status of seniors in Esquimalt; and second, a list of recommended goals, objectives and policies for consideration in the review and updating of the Official Community Plan.
2. Organizational Implications
If the funding proposal is successful, staff would oversee the management of the grant and hire a consultant to conduct the age-friendly assessment. The project is scheduled to align with the OCP review. The report and findings will be available prior to the development of draft OCP policy documents and guidelines.
3. Financial Implications
The cost of the study is expected to be $20,000 with all funding coming from the 2016 Age-friendly Community Planning and Project Grant.
4. Sustainability & Environmental Implications
There are no direct sustainability or environmental implications to undertaking a community planning age-friendly assessment.
5. Communication & Engagement
Staff has met with the Director of Esquimalt Parks and Recreation who is supportive of the project proposal and has offered to assist with reaching seniors to participate in the community consultation. Staff has also reached out to several community organizations requesting confirmation of their willingness to participate in the community consultation portion of the project. The community partners that have been approached are: Esquimalt Library Branch (GVPL), Esquimalt Health Unit (Island Health), Esquimalt Neighbourhood House, Esquimalt Residents Association, West Bay Residents Association, Renaissance Retirement Residence, and Esquimalt Lions Lodge.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. That Council support an application to the 2016 Age-friendly Community Planning & Project Grant for $20,000 to conduct a needs assessment of seniors living in Esquimalt and direct staff to provide overall management of the grant.
2. That Council reject the submission of an application to the 2016 Age-friendly Community Planning & Project Grant.
3. That Council request further information from staff.