Haldimand County is developing a long term Customer Experience and Communications Strategy and is asking for public input to identify priorities to improve the quality of customer service delivery.

Customer experience covers a broad spectrum of interactions with Haldimand County, including items such as calling customer service for information, registering for a program, booking a facility, making a payment, or reporting a concern.

From March 14 to April 14, 2022, Haldimand County residents are asked to complete the Shape Your HC Survey to share their feedback.

The survey will help set a baseline for current customer experience levels within Haldimand County and identify top priorities for growth and improvement. This information will allow Haldimand County to establish guidelines and key performance metrics for customer service. The strategy will be strongly informed by public and stakeholder input.

“It’s important to us that residents have a positive experience when dealing with all divisions within Haldimand County,” stated Trish Cardwell, Manager – Customer Experience and Communications. “We currently service a wide demographic of people and want to prioritize meeting their expectations, whether that means receiving a call-back within a set period of time or being able to access more information online. Knowing what is most important to our residents is the first step in designing a Customer Experience and Communications Strategy to meet their needs.”

Residents are asked to visit HaldimandCounty.ca/Connect/ShapeYourHC/ to complete the survey online, or are welcomed to fill in a physical copy at any branch of the Haldimand County Public Library or the Haldimand County Administration Building located at 53 Thorburn Street South in Cayuga.

Effective March 1, Haldimand County will be following Provincial plans to ease public health measures at County-owned facilities.

Measures include removal of proof of vaccination requirements and lifting capacity limits on remaining indoor public settings.

Masking requirements and physical distancing remain in place at this time.

For information on Haldimand County programs and services during COVID-19, visit HaldimandCounty.ca/COVID-19. 

Haldimand County Council is encouraging all residents and users of County facilities to have their say in helping identify recreation facility needs now and in the future.

An online survey—focusing on new or repurposed facilities to support activities such as aquatics, sports, health, wellness, arts and culture—is available at HaldimandCounty.ca/RecStrategy/ until March 7.

“We are eager to hear from everyone about the kinds of recreation and community facilities they want the County to build or create in the coming years, and the input from this consultation process will guide that,” says Mayor Ken Hewitt. “If we have learned anything through this pandemic, it is that access to recreation and leisure is critical to supporting physical, mental, emotional and social well-being.

“We also want to encourage our younger residents, who we hope continue to make Haldimand County their home as they begin to work and raise their own families, to use this opportunity to tell us what kinds of recreation makes them happy.”

You can find out more about the Community & Recreation Facilities Strategy process—including the online survey and updates about in-person consultation opportunities—on the project web page.

Last fall, Haldimand County Council approved a new process for the flying of community flags in support of local charitable and non-profit groups. A fourth flagpole was installed at the administration building in Cayuga last month and groups may now formally submit a flag-raising request.

The new community flagpole is located adjacent to the administration building’s three existing flagpoles. All requested flags will be flown alongside federal, provincial and municipal flags.

Charitable and non-profit groups are encouraged to submit a request at least four weeks in advance of the date requested, along with a brief description of the nature of the flag raising.

Requests from groups will be confirmed on a first come, first served basis and reviewed to ensure that they meet all criteria outlined in the policy (e.g. they are not of political, commercial or religious nature, do not promote hatred, violence, racism or discrimination, etc.)

Flags will be flown for one week, with the possibility of a longer timeframe where other requests have not been submitted. A description of the current community flag being flown will be posted on the Haldimand County website at HaldimandCounty.ca/community-flags/.

All interested groups are encouraged to review the eligibility requirements and submit requests through the online at application form at HaldimandCounty.ca/community-flags/.

Below: The Pride flag flies in front of the Haldimand County Administration Building in June 2021. A fourth flag pole has been installed specifically for community flags.

It has come to the County’s attention that a “Tractor Convoy” from Dunnville to Delhi has been planned for Saturday, February 5, 2022, portions of which are intended to take place on Haldimand County property including at arenas and parks.

Please be advised that, due to the nature of the event and the potential it has to cause negative experiences, disruptions and safety concerns for other users of our facilities, Haldimand County does not support the activity, and participating in it may result in police involvement and potential charges under the County’s by-laws.

The inclusion of Haldimand County’s logo in the promotion of the event should in no way give the impression it is supported by the County, as use of the logo without permission is also in contravention of the County’s policies.