Written By David Gomez
MIDDLESEX COUNTY – County council has approved continued funding for a series of family support programs while also moving forward with an updated framework governing planning services provided to local municipalities.
The decisions, made during the county’s May 26 meeting, addressed two long-standing initiatives aimed at strengthening community services and improving administrative efficiency across Middlesex.
Human Services Director Joe Winser told council that the Middlesex Supports program will continue to invest in community-based organizations that assist children, youth and families facing barriers to accessing services.
During the 2025–2026 fiscal year, the six organizations funded through the program supported 87 children and 276 families, Winser said. For the upcoming year, the overall funding envelope will remain unchanged at $96,900, an amount already approved through the county’s 2026 budget.
Organizations receiving support include providers offering family counselling, parenting programs, recreation subsidies and educational outreach opportunities.
Winser also noted that approximately $5,900 in unallocated funding remained from the previous year. Staff recommended distributing the amount equally among Middlesex County’s eight municipalities to support local programs benefiting children and youth.
Discussion among councillors focused on whether the existing list of organizations should be revisited. Councillor Colin Grantham questioned whether additional groups should have the opportunity to apply for support.
“Absolutely,” Winser responded, adding that staff intend to review how organizations are selected. “It is something that we can definitely look at, maybe doing an application process or some other way of reallocating the funding.”
Council later approved the recommendations.
Attention then shifted to the county’s Planning Service Agreement, a shared-services model that has provided planning expertise to all eight municipalities since 2016. While the agreement has automatically renewed over the years, staff argued that it no longer reflects the realities of modern planning practice.
Director of Planning and Development Durk Vanderwerff said the planning service itself has evolved significantly since its inception.
“Development application is more complex. We have adopted things like the e-planning system, where people can apply for applications digitally,” he said. Legislative and operational changes affecting municipalities have also prompted the review.
According to Legal Services Director David Samuels, the proposed updates do not alter the planning model or municipal decision-making authority. Instead, the revised agreement clarifies roles and responsibilities while incorporating contemporary considerations such as cybersecurity, privacy obligations, workplace safety and updated Ontario Land Tribunal practices.
Council voted to receive the modernization report and directed staff to continue advancing the updated agreements with local municipalities.
