Middlesex County Council Meeting Highlights – December 9, 2025
Council Highlights is an informal summary of selected actions taken by Middlesex County Council or Committee of the Whole at business meetings. The Council Highlights are not an official record of County Council proceedings. To view official agendas and minutes, please visit Council Meetings and Minutes.
2025 Joint Accessibility Status Report Highlights Steady Countywide Progress
County Council received the 2025 Joint Annual Accessibility Status Report, which outlines the progress made by Middlesex County and its local municipalities toward the goals of the Joint Multi-Year Accessibility Plan. This year's update summarizes refreshed staff training, updated accessibility policies, improved customer service practices, and continued compliance with provincial standards. Municipal partners advanced numerous projects including accessible washrooms, parking and entrance upgrades, sidewalk and trail improvements, tactile plates, inclusive playground features, digital accessibility enhancements, and ongoing accessibility work in transit and community facilities. The report reflects strong collaboration across the County to identify, remove, and prevent barriers for residents and visitors. For more information, see the Joint Annual Accessibility Status Report.
County Moves to Update Community Safety and Well-Being Plan
The 2025 update to the Middlesex Community Safety and Well-Being Plan highlights gaps in implementation and performance measures, including missing timelines, assigned responsibilities, and measurable outcomes. While the plan establishes priority areas and a multi-sectoral governance structure, it lacks a practical framework to track progress and evaluate effectiveness. To address these gaps and ensure compliance with provincial legislation and guidelines, Council has directed staff to procure a consultant to update the Community Safety and Well-Being Plan. For more information, see the Middlesex Community Safety and Well-Being Plan report.
Proposed Community Safety Zones Recommended for Designation
The Committee of the Whole received a review of several road segments across Middlesex County, confirming that sections of Catherine Street in Strathroy, Kerwood Road in Adelaide Metcalfe, and Concession Drive in Glencoe meet the criteria for designation as Community Safety Zones. These locations, situated near schools and key community amenities, were assessed under the County's Community Safety Zone Policy approved in 2025. Establishing these zones increases fines for certain traffic offences to help deter unsafe driving and improve safety for vulnerable road users. A bylaw will be introduced at the January 13, 2025 meeting to designate Community Safety Zones on parts of County Road 49 near Northdale Central Public School and St. David Catholic School, and County Road 6 near Kerwood Ball Park. For more information, see the Community Safety Zones Implementation report.
Draft Employment Lands Readiness Program Presented for Review
The Committee of the Whole received a detailed overview of the draft Middlesex County Employment Lands Readiness Program, building on prior Council direction dating back to the 2023 Industrial Assessment Review and subsequent actions, including the revamping of the Middlesex County Loan Program. The proposed program would introduce a County-level funding tool to help municipalities complete early-stage planning and technical studies needed to advance strategic employment lands toward greater readiness. It also outlines potential indicators to track progress over the short and long term. A bylaw to adopt the program will be brought forward at the January 13, 2026 meeting of County Council. For more information, see the Middlesex County Employment Lands Readiness Program report.
Public Meeting - Official Plan Amendment
A statutory public meeting was held for proposed County Official Plan Amendment No. 4 where the Director of Planning and Development and department staff provided an overview of the draft updates and invited public input. The proposed amendment incorporates new Provincial policy directions, reflects feedback gathered through the Middlesex 2056 engagement process, and introduces updates related to agriculture, housing, growth management, and employment areas to guide long-term planning to the year 2056. Members of the public attending virtually and in-person were able to share comments and ask questions. All submissions will be reviewed as staff prepare a follow-up report outlining the final proposed amendment and a summary of feedback received for Council's consideration at a future Council meeting. For more information, see the Official Plan Amendment presentation.
Recommendations made by the Committee of the Whole at the December 9, 2025, meeting will be considered by County Council at its next regular meeting on January 13, 2026. The Legislative Services Department maintains the official record for all County government proceedings.
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