Latest news with #Priorities
Hamilton Spectator
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Essex Council sends formal opposition to expansion of Strong Mayor Powers
Council for the Town of Essex unanimously formally opposed the Province's proposed expansion of Strong Mayor Powers. At the same time, it requested that the proposed amendments to expand Strong Mayor Powers and duties to additional municipalities not include the Town of Essex. The Clerk will forward a copy of this resolution to Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, Rob Flack, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, all four Local MPPs, AMCTO, and AMO. This was a motion Mayor Sherry Bondy brought forward at the April 22 meeting. The resolution states 'Strong Mayor Powers erode democratic process and have fundamentally altered the historic model of local governance which has existed for almost two centuries.' The previous week, Council hosted a special meeting, so administration could begin to explain the Strong Mayor Powers that may be expanded to Essex on May 1. At that time, Council passed a resolution to oppose the expansion of the Strong Mayor Powers and asked the expansion not include Essex, presenting the decision to the province through its online portal before the April 16 deadline. Last week's resolution was more formal. Since that initial meeting, Joe Malandruccolo, Director of Legal and Legislative Services, noted Town staff has conducted more research. Even if the Strong Mayor Powers are never used in the municipality, the Town's processes must align with the Province's requirements, Malandruccolo explained. He noted the Strong Mayor Powers were first introduced in 2022. It was added to the Special Powers and Duties of the Head of Council section in the Municipal Act and Bill 39, the Better Municipal Governance Act. Currently, 47 municipalities have Strong Mayor Powers. The Province intends to extend that to an additional 169 municipalities, of which the Town of Essex is one. Strong Mayor Powers fall into three categories; legislative, administrative, and financial powers. Legislative Powers– which a mayor cannot delegate, but are discretionary powers and a mayor can choose whether or not to use them – provide the opportunity to veto by-laws believed to prohibit Provincial Priorities. By vetoing a by-law, the mayor gives Council the ability to enforce the by-law by a two-third vote. The mayor could also require Council to consider a matter. After every meeting, the mayor has to approve Council's by-laws. If the Mayor wants to veto a by-law, that is posted within 48-hours of its passing on a webpage dedicated to this. The mayor has 14-days to consider the veto. It then needs to be approved or vetoed. Within 21-days of vetoing a by-law, Council can override the veto with a 2/3rds vote. The Legislative Powers are connected to the Provincial Priorities: building 1.5M new residential units by December 31, 2031, and constructing and maintaining infrastructure to support housing, including transit, roads, utilities, and servicing. As such, Malandruccolo said the mayor can bring matters to Council that may advance the Provincial Priorities, and can also bring to Council and require the consideration and vote on by-laws that may advance the Provincial Priorities. 'If the mayor feels there is a matter that needs to be discussed by Council that can bring those priorities forward, or there is a by-law that can be voted on by Council that may advance those priorities, she can bring those to Council and ask Council to vote on them,' Malandruccolo explained, adding if the mayor brings those to Council, only one-third support of Council is needed to pass. This would not apply to the Procedural By-Law, he noted. Administrative Powers– which a mayor can delegate – includes the ability to appoint a CAO and to decide how the organizational structure of the Town is set up, dissolve Council-only committees, and appoint the chairperson and vice chairperson of those committees. The mayor can also hire and dismiss employees, excluding the Clerk or Deputy Clerk, Treasurer or Deputy Treasurer, Integrity Commissioner, Ombudsman, or Auditor General, Chief Building Official, and the Fire Chief. Financial Powers – which a mayor can forfeit – include the duty and responsibility to present a budget by February 1 to Council and to approve the budget. The mayor can direct staff through a written notice earlier in the prior year to prepare the budget. All Strong Mayor Powers need to be exercised in writing, Malandruccolo added. And, any mayoral decision must be made public on the mayor's website. If Strong Mayor Powers are extended to Essex May 1, the Town cannot opt-out. They have to be treated as Malandruccolo outlined. The mayor has the discretion to use them or not. On April 15, Essex Mayor Sherry Bondy met with Town of Essex staff to discuss how she plans to deal with Strong Mayor Powers. If it comes into force, Bondy will delegate the power to establish Council committees and assign their function to Council, as will the power to appoint the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of those committees. The power to appoint the CAO would also be delegated to Council. In addition, Bondy would delegate the power to hire and dismiss division heads to the CAO, in addition to the Town's organizational structure. The mayor can choose to delegate or revoke a delegation at any time through communication on the Mayor's website. In the fall, administration will report back with more information about the Strong Mayor Powers if the changes are implemented. Staff will also talk about the budget decision on the Mayor's behalf at that time. In terms of what happens with Strong Mayor Powers when Council goes 'lame duck' nearing municipal election time, Town staff will meet with the Regional Clerks Association to discuss that, Malandruccolo noted. 'I think the thing that saddens me the most is with talking to fellow colleagues is they are afraid of the Provincial Government for speaking out against this,' Bondy said. 'And that is what really upsets me, because mayors are scared if they are outspoken against this, they will be penalized and their municipalities will be penalized. I think that is the biggest shame and no one is talking about it.' She views that as a real degradation of democracy. Councillor Jason Matyi thanked Bondy for speaking out against this and 'showing other mayors how they should be leading.' He hasn't heard anyone support these powers yet. Deputy Mayor Rob Shepley sent a text to the Premier. He said he received a response. 'I think you can declare your discomfort with this and your dislike of it in a respectful manner,' Shepley said, adding he implores every municipal elected official and residents to send their feelings to the Premier in a respectful way. Shepley noted the Premier has reversed decisions in the past when he hears from the community. Essex Council received correspondence from seven other municipalities – including Amherstburg, Kingsville, and the County of Essex – which sent letters of opposition in some form or requesting to be removed from the expansion of the Strong Mayor Powers to the Province.
Otago Daily Times
29-04-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
NZ lacking ‘digital ambition'
Tech leaders slam govt New Zealand lacks the digital ambition required to keep pace with advances in technology taking place around the world, according to an industry report. "We don't have a digital ambition," the Technology Users Association (TUANZ)'s annual Digital Priorities report said. It said there was a strong perception among tech sector leaders the government lacked a co-ordinated and strategic approach to digital transformation, which had resulted in a slowdown in innovation and investment. "The overwhelming sentiment? Disappointment and a sense of invisibility," the report said. "A common view is that government restructuring and shifting priorities have sidelined digital technology — seen by many as a missed opportunity." The report highlights deficiencies across nearly all key tech sector indicators and the country's stagnant, middle-of-the-pack ranking on the global stage, despite digital technology being a major driver of economic growth for New Zealand. "As the government enters its second full year, digital leaders express disappointment and a sense of invisibility, struggling to pinpoint specific government initiatives in the digital technology space." The report said the lack of legislation or regulation beyond the Privacy Act remained a major concern for digital leaders. "Our low and stagnant rankings for cybersecurity and privacy protection underscore the need for urgent action to strengthen our capabilities in these critical areas," it said. TUANZ chief executive Craig Young said the government and industry needed to work together to address escalating cybersecurity threats, bridge the widening tech talent gap and ensure digital inclusion for all New Zealanders. Most scathing were leaders' comments around the tech talent gap, which they said was becoming increasingly difficult to bridge. "The fact that this country has to rely on IT workers coming in from overseas when there's people in this country in low-decile [communities] who don't earn enough money, I think, is absolutely disgusting," Fliway Group chief information officer Kevin Rowland said. Key recommendations • Prioritising security by design and enhancing collaboration to address cybersecurity risks. • Investing in local talent, promoting Stem (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education and partnering to close skill gaps. • Improving infrastructure, making technology affordable and promoting digital literacy for digital inclusion. • Implementing robust governance and standards for responsible AI use. • Developing a national digital strategy and incentivising technology adoption for small and medium enterprises. • Establishing clear policies for data use and enhancing data security. By Nona Pelletier
Scoop
29-04-2025
- Business
- Scoop
'We Don't Have A Digital Ambition' - Tech Leaders On Lack Of National Plan
New Zealand lacks the digital ambition required to keep pace with advances in technology taking place around the world, according to an industry report. "We don't have a digital ambition," the Technology Users Association (TUANZ)'s annual Digital Priorities report said. It said there was a strong perception among tech sector leaders the government lacked a coordinated and strategic approach to digital transformation, which had seen a slowdown in innovation and investment. "The overwhelming sentiment? Disappointment and a sense of invisibility," the report said. "A common view is that government restructuring and shifting priorities have sidelined digital technology - seen by many as a missed opportunity." The report highlights deficiencies across nearly all *key tech sector indicators, with a stagnant, middle of the pack ranking on the global stage, despite being a major driver of economic growth for New Zealand. "As the government enters its second full year, digital leaders express disappointment and a sense of invisibility, struggling to pinpoint specific government initiatives in the digital technology space." The report said the lack of legislation or regulation beyond the Privacy Act remained a major concern for digital leaders. "Our low and stagnant rankings for cybersecurity and privacy protection underscore the need for urgent action to strengthen our capabilities in these critical areas." TUANZ chief executive Craig Young said the government and industry needed to work together to address escalating cybersecurity threats, bridge the widening tech talent gap, and ensure digital inclusion for all New Zealanders. "We need the government to step up in the right places, and we acknowledge this requires support from industry to drive meaningful change together," Young said. Most scathing were leaders' comments around the tech talent gap which was becoming increasingly difficult to bridge. "The fact that this country has to rely on IT workers coming in from overseas when there's people in this country in low decile [communities] who don't earn enough money, I think, is absolutely disgusting," Fliway Group chief information officer Kevin Rowland said. *Key recommendations from the report: Prioritising security by design and enhancing collaboration to address cybersecurity risks. Investing in local talent, promoting STEM education and partnering to close skill gaps. Improving infrastructure, making technology affordable and promoting digital literacy for digital inclusion. Implementing robust governance and standards for responsible AI use. Developing a national digital strategy and incentivising technology adoption for small and medium enterprises. Establishing clear policies for data use and enhancing data security.
RNZ News
28-04-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
'We don't have a digital ambition' - Tech leaders on lack of national plan
A technology industry report has found a strong perception among tech sector leaders that the government lacks a coordinated and strategic approach to digital transformation. Photo: Unsplash/ Benjamin Hershey New Zealand lacks the digital ambition required to keep pace with advances in technology taking place around the world, according to an industry report. "We don't have a digital ambition," the Technology Users Association (TUANZ)'s annual Digital Priorities report said. It said there was a strong perception among tech sector leaders the government lacked a coordinated and strategic approach to digital transformation, which had seen a slowdown in innovation and investment. "The overwhelming sentiment? Disappointment and a sense of invisibility," the report said. "A common view is that government restructuring and shifting priorities have sidelined digital technology - seen by many as a missed opportunity." The report highlights deficiencies across nearly all *key tech sector indicators, with a stagnant, middle of the pack ranking on the global stage, despite being a major driver of economic growth for New Zealand. "As the government enters its second full year, digital leaders express disappointment and a sense of invisibility, struggling to pinpoint specific government initiatives in the digital technology space." The report said the lack of legislation or regulation beyond the Privacy Act remained a major concern for digital leaders. "Our low and stagnant rankings for cybersecurity and privacy protection underscore the need for urgent action to strengthen our capabilities in these critical areas." TUANZ chief executive Craig Young said the government and industry needed to work together to address escalating cybersecurity threats, bridge the widening tech talent gap, and ensure digital inclusion for all New Zealanders. "We need the government to step up in the right places, and we acknowledge this requires support from industry to drive meaningful change together," Young said. Most scathing were leaders' comments around the tech talent gap which was becoming increasingly difficult to bridge. "The fact that this country has to rely on IT workers coming in from overseas when there's people in this country in low decile [communities] who don't earn enough money, I think, is absolutely disgusting," Fliway Group chief information officer Kevin Rowland said. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Top Priorities for IT Application Strategies in 2025 Revealed: Insights from Info-Tech Research Group's Annual Report
Info-Tech Research Group, a global leader in IT research and advisory, has recently published its Applications Priorities 2025 report, which outlines the critical strategies and emerging trends IT leaders must focus on to drive innovation, enhance operational efficiency, and maintain competitiveness. As organizations face increasing pressure to adapt to exponential technologies and evolving user expectations, the report provides actionable insights for aligning application strategies with business goals and delivering transformative digital experiences. TORONTO, Jan. 28, 2025 /CNW/ - With the pace of technological advancement continuing to accelerate exponentially, Info-Tech Research Group has published its Applications Priorities 2025 report, detailing key priorities and challenges shaping the future of IT application strategies. The global research and advisory firm's report identifies five critical priorities that IT leaders need to address to remain adaptive and resilient in an increasingly dynamic and competitive environment. These priorities include delivering engaging digital products, optimizing platform management, democratizing AI, enabling broad data access, and driving end-to-end business process optimization. "Applications are no longer just tools—they're strategic enablers," says Andrew Kum-Seun, Research Director at Info-Tech Research Group and lead author of the report. "Organizations must align their application strategies with business objectives to ensure they deliver value, foster innovation, and remain adaptable in the face of rapid change. By addressing critical issues like technical debt, data quality, and user empowerment, IT leaders can unlock new opportunities and drive sustainable growth." The Applications Priorities 2025 report emphasizes that IT leaders must balance user empowerment with governance and scalability, enabling innovation while mitigating risks. With users increasingly demanding greater control over their tools and data, the report advises organizations to adopt democratized IT practices that empower employees while maintaining robust governance frameworks. Additionally, Info-Tech highlights in the report the need to modernize legacy systems, improve data quality, and embrace collaborative methodologies to enhance collaboration between IT and business stakeholders. Based on insights from Info-Tech's Future of IT 2025 surveys and in-depth interviews with industry experts, the firm's annual Application Priorities report provides actionable guidance to help organizations address these critical challenges. Info-Tech's Report Insights: The Key Priorities for Applications Leaders in 2025According to Info-Tech's research findings published in the firm's Applications Priorities 2025 report, the following five priorities are critical for IT leaders seeking to build scalable, user-centric application strategies this year: Digital Products: Organizations must create engaging and valuable digital experiences for users, customers, employees, and partners, including designing user-centric, adaptable, and secure products that align with evolving customer needs and market trends. Platform Management and Orchestration: Modern platforms must serve as scalable, interoperable ecosystems that empower users to build, customize, and extend solutions. Effective platform management and orchestration ensure accessibility, reliability, and adaptability. Democratized AI: By extending AI access to all employees, organizations can foster innovation and productivity across the enterprise. Democratized AI requires robust governance, accessible tools, and strategies for scaling AI adoption. Broad Data Access: Expanding access to trusted data sources and analysis tools empowers employees to make informed, data-driven decisions. Data literacy initiatives and comprehensive governance are critical to maximizing the value of organizational data. End-to-End Business Process Optimization: Scaling business automation requires optimizing roles, processes, and technologies to improve efficiency and reduce manual intervention. By adopting end-to-end optimization strategies, organizations can drive better outcomes across workflows. Overcoming Challenges and Seizing OpportunitiesInfo-Tech's report also explores the disruptors and challenges IT leaders face as they navigate the complexities of modern application management. These key issues include: Technical Debt: Poorly managed technical debt can lead to inefficient systems and hinder innovation. Addressing technical debt is essential for maintaining flexibility and scalability. Data Quality: Inaccurate or incomplete data undermines decision-making, automation, and compliance efforts. Organizations must prioritize data quality through governance, strategy, and technology investments. User Expectations: With the rapid evolution, accessibility, and availability of applications, users are demanding more control and expecting more from their applications. Balancing user empowerment with governance is a growing challenge for IT teams. "The rapid evolution of exponential technologies like generative AI has created both opportunities and risks for IT leaders," says Kum-Seun. "By embracing user-centric design, enhancing data accessibility, and fostering collaboration across the enterprise, organizations can position themselves for success in 2025 and beyond." Info-Tech's Applications Priorities 2025 report emphasizes the importance of aligning technology strategies with business objectives, investing in foundational capabilities such as data governance and platform scalability, and fostering a culture of innovation by encouraging cross-functional collaboration and collaborative practices. This recommended approach empowers organizations to respond swiftly to market dynamics and emerging technologies, ensuring sustained growth and adaptability. For exclusive commentary from Info-Tech's analysts and experts, including Andrew Kum-Seun, and access to the complete Applications Priorities 2025 report, please contact pr@ About Info-Tech Research GroupInfo-Tech Research Group is one of the world's leading research and advisory firms, proudly serving over 30,000 IT and HR professionals. The company produces unbiased, highly relevant research and provides advisory services to help leaders make strategic, timely, and well-informed decisions. For nearly 30 years, Info-Tech has partnered closely with teams to provide them with everything they need, from actionable tools to analyst guidance, ensuring they deliver measurable results for their organizations. To learn more about Info-Tech's divisions, visit McLean & Company for HR research and advisory services and SoftwareReviews for software buying insights. Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to research across IT, HR, and software and hundreds of industry analysts through the firm's Media Insiders program. To gain access, contact pr@ For information about Info-Tech Research Group or to access the latest research, visit and connect via LinkedIn and X. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Info-Tech Research Group View original content to download multimedia: Sign in to access your portfolio
