Citizen Contribution to Governance
Vision
West Vancouver will inspire excellence and lead by example. Collaborative government and a spirit of personal civic commitment will power the innovations that shape our shared future. The strength of this relationship will secure our treasured quality of life and will be the measure of our success as a community.
West Vancouver’s vision outlines, at the highest level, the special relationship between citizens and their elected representatives in our community. Working jointly with Council and staff, West Vancouver’s citizens have made significant contributions to many of the long-term issues facing our community.
The body of work supported by this partnership covers all aspects of the municipality, the services provided, and aspirations for the future. Below you will find the reports, strategies and plans that were developed with citizen input, to shape our community’s direction.
The District of West Vancouver's Official Community Plan (OCP) is the main chart that Council uses in making decisions affecting our community's future. In June 2004, Council adopted the current OCP for West Vancouver. It is the culmination of a comprehensive community-based process that began in 2001.
The following working groups have completed their work and their final reports are available here.
| Working Group Name | Documents |
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| Ambleside Town Centre (July 2007) | Supporting Documents |
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| Arts and Culture Strategy (January 2008) | Supporting Documents |
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| Child Care Services Working Group (December 2010) | Final Report |
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| Climate Action Working Group (March 2010) | Supporting Documents |
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| Community Centre Governance (November 2007) | Final Report |
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Community Dialogue on Neighbourhood Character and Housing Working Group (September 2008) |
Supporting Documents |
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| Community Energy and Emissions Plan (2016) | Supporting Documents |
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Community Grants/North Shore Social Services Review (July 2008) |
Supporting Documents |
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| Community Sports Working Group (October 2008) | Final Report |
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| Community Website Development Working Group (July 2013) | Final Report |
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Environmental Strategy Implementation Working Group (July 2008) |
Supporting Documents |
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| Fiscal Sustainability Task Force (Nov 2006) | Supporting Documents |
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| Fire & Rescue Services Review (April 2008) | Supporting Documents |
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| Heritage Strategic Plan Implementation Working Group (October 2008) | Supporting Documents |
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| Housing Pilot Program Working Group (May 2010) | Final Report |
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| Measuring Up Initiative Working Group (July 2009) | Final Report |
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| Parks Master Plan Working Group (2012) | Supporting Documents |
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| Rodgers Creek Area Plan (April 2008) | Supporting Documents |
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| Spirit Trail Working Group (July 2009) | Supporting Documents |
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| Strategic Planning Working Group (January 2010) | Supporting Documents |
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| Strategic Transportation Plan Working Group (April 2010) | Supporting Documents |
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| Value for Services Working Group (December 2009) |
Supporting Documents |
The 2012-15 West Vancouver Shoreline Preservation Plan is complemented by an action plan outlining upcoming work in West Vancouver. With contributions from West Vancouver citizens and groups such as the West Vancouver Shoreline Preservation Society and the West Vancouver Streamkeepers, the District now has a framework and roadmap to pro-actively work on protecting the waterfront.
Lighthouse Park Management Plan
In 1998, a group of residents formed the Lighthouse Park Preservation Society. Its goals are to:
- work to protect the natural integrity of the park given its unique natural history and vulnerability to urban pressures
- promote public awareness of the natural features of Lighthouse Park
- promote public support for its preservation
- support the development of biological zones along the park boundaries
- to work to prevent development encroaching on the park.
In 2004, after almost two years of planning and community involvement, Council approved the Lighthouse Park Management Plan.
Caulfeild Park Management Plan
The Caulfeild Park Management Plan is a detailed plan that outlines specific work to be done to maintain the landscape of this beautiful shoreline park. Rocky shores, sandy beaches, and forested trails co-exist in this unique community space. The plan ensures that the natural environment, views and walks are protected and maintained.
The Plan was created by a Task Force in the mid-1990s, in consultation with residents and adopted by Council in 1996. Parks Department staff are responsible for implementing the plan.
In 2011, an informal Finance Discussion Group of five West Vancouver residents (former members of the Finance Committee, Value for Services Working Group, Fiscal Sustainability Task Force, Interested Taxpayers’ Action Committee) has worked with the Chief Financial Officer in:
- Developing guidelines to assist the District in establishing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for its departments and activities;
- Reviewing the District’s budget and financial reporting processes. These Guidelines deal with Key Performance Indicators. They were prepared by the FDG to assist Departments in establishing KPIs appropriate for their activities and are not prescriptive. The Guidelines reflect practices in various jurisdictions and include information from W-Van and other municipalities.
Committees & Groups
Find out about current groups, and how you can get involved.
Working Group Guidelines
The Community Engagement Committee developed these guidelines to elicit citizen input through the working group process.