SpongeG
Sep 13, 2007, 1:23 AM
:tup:
More transit and money for local services will be on the way for this city as Surrey helps form a power group of municipalities to lobby senior levels of government.
A proposed “Livability Accord” will include Coquitlam, Langley Township, Abbotsford and Surrey, all identified as some of the region’s fastest-growing areas region with a major shortage of resources for homelessness, transit, crime fighting and other local issues.
Former B.C. Premier Mike Harcourt began discussions with Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts earlier this year about developing the accord.
All cities Harcourt met with seemed enthused, he said.
“I think it’s an idea whose time has come,” Harcourt told Surrey council Monday.
“Municipalities can’t survive on a property tax; our challenges are far too great for that, we need access to the national wealth,” Harcourt said, adding that growing cities such as Surrey have been getting the short shrift from senior government.
“I think a lot of change is going to happen in the next eight to 12 months,” Harcourt said, adding the new TransLink authority and federal money now available to cities makes the accord timely.
Too often, he said, the high-growth cities invited to the accord have been disjointed in their requests for funding, although their needs are similar.
A united front will have a significant difference, he said.
A corporate report that accompanied Harcourt’s presentation indicated that by working together, signatories will be able to capitalize on the following:
-The creation of comprehensive strategies and plans crossing municipal boundaries;
- Increased influence;
- Establish a better position in helping steer senior government decisions;
- Access federal and provincial funding.
Council was supportive of the plan, and voted to move forward with the agreement.
The member cities will now prepare working position papers on key issues by December. Full implementation is expected in a year.
http://www.surreyleader.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=73&cat=23&id=1062327&more=0
More transit and money for local services will be on the way for this city as Surrey helps form a power group of municipalities to lobby senior levels of government.
A proposed “Livability Accord” will include Coquitlam, Langley Township, Abbotsford and Surrey, all identified as some of the region’s fastest-growing areas region with a major shortage of resources for homelessness, transit, crime fighting and other local issues.
Former B.C. Premier Mike Harcourt began discussions with Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts earlier this year about developing the accord.
All cities Harcourt met with seemed enthused, he said.
“I think it’s an idea whose time has come,” Harcourt told Surrey council Monday.
“Municipalities can’t survive on a property tax; our challenges are far too great for that, we need access to the national wealth,” Harcourt said, adding that growing cities such as Surrey have been getting the short shrift from senior government.
“I think a lot of change is going to happen in the next eight to 12 months,” Harcourt said, adding the new TransLink authority and federal money now available to cities makes the accord timely.
Too often, he said, the high-growth cities invited to the accord have been disjointed in their requests for funding, although their needs are similar.
A united front will have a significant difference, he said.
A corporate report that accompanied Harcourt’s presentation indicated that by working together, signatories will be able to capitalize on the following:
-The creation of comprehensive strategies and plans crossing municipal boundaries;
- Increased influence;
- Establish a better position in helping steer senior government decisions;
- Access federal and provincial funding.
Council was supportive of the plan, and voted to move forward with the agreement.
The member cities will now prepare working position papers on key issues by December. Full implementation is expected in a year.
http://www.surreyleader.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=73&cat=23&id=1062327&more=0