From the latest Municipal Info Note

The CCRC is happy to announce that the pilot phase of the Municipal Sustainability Self-Assessment Tool Kit is drawing to a close. We would like to thank the following towns for participating in the pilot phase: St. Anthony, Change Islands, Come By Chance, Leading Tickles and Flowers Cove. With comments collected from these towns the CCRC will now evaluate the Self-Assessment process and make changes as required before moving toward a province wide roll out. This Self-Assessment process is an excellent first step in developing the Integrated Community Sustainability Plans (ICSP) that municipalities will have to complete by 2010 to have continued access to gas tax funding. The CCRC will remain involved in the development of the ICSP process and continue to keep municipalities up to date on the roll out of the Self-Assessment around the province.

On January 14th the CCRC facilitated a meeting that involved the towns of Musgrave Harbour, Lumsden, New-Wes-Valley, Greenspond and Centervill-Wareham-Trinity on the topic of regional cooperation in the form of a new joint council. Joint councils are becoming a popular form of cooperation around the province as towns discover that a larger regional voice is more effective and that joint councils provide an excellent opportunity to share concerns with limited commitment. These five towns and two Local Service Districts will now have the opportunity to become part of a regional cooperative effort to improve relationships and increase their lobbying efforts to the benefit of residents in the region. The CCRC is proud to continue our commitment to communities involved in cooperative efforts around the province.