The Multi-Year Budget was finalized on March 1st, 2024. This includes the adoption of Council’s amendments to the Mayor’s Budget. In total, there were 18 amendments to the budget. Today, we will get into the four environmental business cases that were amended from the budget. To see the environmental business cases click here, to see how much they were funded in the Mayor’s Budget before amendments click here.
Increased: Business Case #P-26 Community Gardens Expansion
Background:
This business case supports the building and implementation of one new community garden and the expansion of current community garden plots. Since the pandemic, there has been an increase in the number of people wanting to utilize community gardens but there is currently not enough available plots to meet this need. Community gardens are important for physical and mental health, as well as the environment, food security, and community. The additional community gardens will also be located in areas deemed high risk of food insecurity and that lack green space.
Funding:
Initially, the Mayor’s Budget did not fund this business case. However, after being brought to Council, the business case is now funded 5.7% of the proposed amount.
Increased: Business Case #P-51 Transit Service Conventional Growth Hours
Background:
This business case supports additional hours of shelter cleaning, a zero-emission bus pilot project, and increased service hours. This includes the frequency of buses and earlier and later bus options.
Funding:
Initially, the Mayor’s Budget only funded 23% of the proposed budget. However, after being brought to Council the business case is now funded 44% of the proposed amount.
Decreased: Business Case #P-56 Climate Emergency Action Plan Implementation
Background:
The Climate Emergency Action Plan (CEAP) was developed to address the climate emergency. The CEAP is a community-wide plan to reduce local greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to net-zero by 2050, improve climate change resilience, and bring everyone along in the journey toward a sustainable city. This business case is to support the implementation of the CEAP.
Funding:
Initially, the Mayor’s Budget only funded 26% of the proposed budget. However, after being brought to Council the business case is now funded 8% of the proposed amount.
Increased: Business Case #P-62 Environmentally Significant Areas Management
Background:
Funding will go towards additional hours to manage ESAs. Including monitoring and enhancing natural spaces, trail management, education, risk assessments, and enforcing regulations
Funding:
Initially, the Mayor’s Budget did not fund this business case. However, after being brought to the Council the business case is now funded 50% of the proposed amount.
Conclusion
We are glad that Council has decided to add funding to the above environmental business cases, however we also largely championed for business case #P-56 Climate Emergency Action Plan Implementation and are disappointed to see it not fully funded. For a full reflection on the City’s Multy Year Budget check out this blog post by our Interim Executive Director Leah Derikx
Resources
City of London Multi-Year Budget https://london.ca/government/property-taxes-finance/municipal-budget/multi-year-budget
