Peterborough city council has voted to send a proposed new Community Safety and Well-Being Plan back to staff for revisions, seeking the addition of active transportation as a priority area before the document returns for final approval.
The move comes as the City works to renew its Community Safety and Well-Being Plan, a requirement under Ontario’s Safer Ontario Act, which mandates municipalities update the plan every four years.
The proposed plan is intended to identify the key factors affecting safety and well-being in the community, strengthen collaboration among local organizations, and support ongoing efforts to address social and public safety challenges.
According to city documents, the plan is also designed to serve as a resource for community agencies by formally identifying local priorities, helping support strategic planning efforts, funding applications and advocacy initiatives.
Through consultations with community partners and residents, seven priority areas were identified for inclusion in the updated plan: inclusion and belonging, housing and homelessness, poverty and income security, healthcare and mental health, substance use and addictions, children, youth and families, and public safety.
Council, however, directed staff to explore adding active transportation as an additional priority and report back with recommendations.
Active transportation generally includes forms of human-powered travel such as walking, cycling and the use of mobility devices, and is often linked to broader goals around safety, accessibility, public health and environmental sustainability.
The Community Safety and Well-Being Plan is intended to guide coordinated action among municipal departments, social service agencies, healthcare providers, community organizations and emergency services.
Once revised, the updated plan will return to council for further consideration as the City continues work on setting priorities for community well-being over the next four years.
