Regional Councillor Report
Submitted
by:
Colleen Jordan, Regional Councillor Wards 3 & 4
Planning - April
26, 2006 - Greenbelt Plan
Planning
Committee received a staff report that provided background information
regarding the Greenbelt Act 2005 and Greenbelt Plan.
The approved Greenbelt Plan came into effect on February 28,
2005. Lands north of
Taunton as well as lands between Audley and Lakeridge Roads in Ajax
were included in the Plan. It is noted that the regional planning
staff report of Dec. 7, 2004 which provided comments to the province
on the draft Greenbelt Plan recommended that “To maintain the
network of open space connections between Lake Ontario and the
Moraine, the width of the Greenbelt between Ajax and Whitby and the
inclusion of the Greenbelt between Courtice and Bowmanville should
reflect the major open space separators established in the ROP, for
almost thirty years.”
At their meeting in Dec. 2004, Regional
Council removed the reference to maintaining the width of the open
space between Ajax and Whitby.
The planning staff report indicates that the Regional Official Plan
which is currently under review must comply with the Greenbelt Plan.
Under the Greenbelt Act legislation a Minister’s review of
the Greenbelt Plan will be undertaken in 10 years. The staff report
advised that the Greenbelt
Council, which was established
to provide advice to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and
Housing on refinements to the plan seems the appropriate mechanism to
having issues considered prior to the ten year review.
Planning Committee approved a motion to forward a submission to the
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and the Greenbelt Council
that incorporates the Region’s issues with the Greenbelt Plan,
including that, the lands between Audley Road/Lakeridge Road from
Highway 401 to Taunton Road in the Towns of Ajax and Whitby be
designated future development area subject to being removed from the
Greenbelt Plan and the final alignment of the 401/407 link.
This motion from Planning Committee will be on the May 10th
Regional Council agenda.
Health &
Social Services - April, 27, 2006
Postpartum
Depression Initiative
The committee received a
presentation on the Durham postpartum depression initiative that was
developed in 2002 after consultation with stakeholder groups.
The priorities are to provide supports for women and families
suffering with PPD, build partnerships, increase awareness and
increase the knowledge of PPD among health and social services
providers.
PPD affects up to 20% of all women in their childbearing years and up to
10% of new mothers can develop depression during the prenatal period.
Adolescents are at higher risk as studies show that 48% can
develop PPD. This illness
has often gone undetected by medical professionals.
Untreated the illness can have severe effects on family relationships.
Studies show that prolonged untreated depression hampers the
mother infant attachment and may hinder the child’s cognitive and
behavioral development skills, particularly language and IQ.
In addition; partners are at heightened risk of developing
depression.
Postpartum
depression support groups have been initiated in Durham and evaluations
are showing positive results. The
initiative has partnered with COPE, an existing mental health agency to
provide one on one peer support. Through
posters, pamphlets and
providing workshops etc. awareness
is being increased among health and social services providers. The Edinburgh postnatal depression screening tool, which is
easily administered and requires little time, is being promoted among
service provides to achieve early identification of PPD in clients in
order that they may receive treatment in timely fashion.
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