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What is it trying to achieve? (intended aims/outcomes)
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Duty to Improve
Councils have a general duty to make arrangements to secure continuous improvement in the exercise of their functions (Local Government Act NI 2014).
Improvement in the context of the Act means more than gains in service output or efficiency, or in internal effectiveness. Improvement means an activity that enhances the sustainable quality of life and environment for ratepayers and communities.
For each financial year, councils must set Improvement Objectives, and have in place the arrangements to achieve them. These objectives must be framed to bring about improvement in at least one of the specified aspects of improvement outlined within the Act of strategic effectiveness, service quality, service availability, fairness, sustainability, efficiency, and innovation.
Our Improvement Objectives
Our Objectives for 2024/25 relate to improving our functions and services, and include:
1. People: We will work with partners to improve the lives of citizens.
2. Place: We will maintain and improve our local areas.
3. Planet: We will reduce our environmental impact and improve sustainability.
Our plan also includes statutory indicators and standards, as specified by the Local Government (Performance Indicators and Standards) Order (NI) 2015 as well as any ongoing actions from previous year’s Performance Improvement Plans.
Due to ongoing internal transformation activities, and high levels of external uncertainty, the actions described within the plan are subject to the availability of funding and finance throughout the year.
1. People - We will work with partners to improve the lives of citizens.
By:
- Fostering local enterprise and economic growth.
- Supporting skills development and improving employment outcomes.
- Helping citizens lead healthy and active lives.
- Supporting people who are vulnerable or marginalised, and promoting an equal, diverse, inclusive, and accessible borough.
Why?
- The actions set out to achieve this objective align with the key priorities identified in the consultation. They support priority groupings and provide opportunities for skills development and employment progression. They offer both health and wellbeing support and help to improve equality of opportunity, accessibility, and inclusivity.
- Developing skills and job prospects, and support to reduce poverty, were two of citizens’ top five priorities for making the borough a better place to live in. Only 28% agreed the area is a good place for job opportunities (MEABC Citizens Survey 2022).
- With the rising cost of living and the impact of the pandemic, the number of financially insecure households is increasing. Anecdotal evidence indicates that poverty is impacting families across the whole borough. Our Citizens Survey (2022) found on a scale to 10, half of respondents rated their satisfaction with financial health as being 5 or less.
- This objective aligns with the Department for the Economy’s vision for Northern Ireland of creating jobs, increasing incomes, improving productivity, and providing opportunities for all.
- In terms of wellbeing, almost 50% of residents said they want to see more support services for children and families, and/or people with disabilities.
- The issue of inclusion was highlighted during the review of the Community Plan (2022), particularly for people with disabilities and learning difficulties. People from ethnic minority backgrounds, young people, and older people were also identified as being ‘at risk’.
What you will see:
- Support to start your own business.
- An active Mid and East Antrim Manufacturing Task Force.
- Opportunities to take part in skills and employability programmes.
- Support to lead a healthy and active life.
- A borough that values, engages, and supports everyone.
- Collaboration with the Mid and East Antrim Poverty Action Group.
How we will measure improvement:
- 240 participants supported through start-up assistance via Go Succeed by 31 March 2025.
- 107 jobs promoted through business start interventions by 31 March 2025.
- At least 3 new Manufacturing Task Force members 31 March 2025.
- £40,000 of Task Force member’s in-kind time contributions by 31 March 2025.
- 200 people participating in employment and skills programmes by 31 March 2025.
- 100 participants gaining employment via employment academies by 31 March 2025.
- 150 participants securing qualifications by 31 March 2025.
- MEA Aqua Strategy and Year 1 Action Plan (including the expansion of toddler and disability sessions) delivered by 31 March 2025.
- MEA Age-Friendly Strategy and Year 1 Action Plan launched by 30 June 2024.
- An Older Person’s Forum established by 31 March 2024.
- MEA Age-Friendly Year 2 Action Plan confirmed by 28 February 2025.
- 4 Autism-Friendly Action Plans implemented in 4 Council venues by 30 September 2024.
- 4 additional Autism Champions developed within Council by 30 September 2024.
- An Autism-Awareness initiative Communications Plan developed by 30 September 2024.
- 4 arts and culture events delivered to address loneliness and improve accessibility by 31 March 2025.
- 12 outdoor events to involve a wide range of abilities by 31 March 2025.
- Attendance at Poverty Action Group meetings and support of initiatives.
Strategic links:
Programme for Government:
- Everyone can reach their potential.
- People want to live, work, and visit here.
- Our economy is globally competitive, regionally balanced and carbon neutral.
- We all enjoy long, healthy, active lives.
- We have a caring society that supports people throughout their lives.
- We have an equal and inclusive society, where everyone is valued and treated with respect.
Community Plan:
- Progress in education and employment
- Tourism and the economy
- Good health and wellbeing
- Community safety and cohesion
- Tackling poverty
- Prioritising the most vulnerable
- Addressing inequalities
Corporate Plan:
Aspect of Improvement:
- Strategic effectiveness
- Service availability
- Fairness
2. Place - We will maintain and improve our local areas.
By:
- Enhancing our amenities, parks, and open spaces.
- Bolstering our town centres.
- Nurturing community-led tourism.
- Delivering an effective and efficient Planning Service.
Why?
- The actions set out to achieve this objective align with the key priorities identified within the consultation. Improvements to playparks and provision for outdoor recreation (particularly for young people) was a high priority for citizens. Actions will also support, improve, and revitalise the borough’s town centres. Provision must be inclusive, accessible, regionally balanced, and in line with citizen needs.
- Supporting and developing activities for children and young people, delivering clean and attractive streets and towns, and supporting our parks, green spaces and the natural and built environment, were within citizens top five priorities for making the area a better place to live in (MEABC Citizens Survey 2022).
- More than a third would like to see more access to green spaces, such as parks and forests (MEABC Citizens Survey 2022).
- Community tourism can help boost local economies by encouraging visitor footfall, increasing jobs, and generating revenue for local businesses. This can help increase civic pride in a local area and develop more sustainable and prosperous communities.
What you will see:
- New or improved playparks.
- Greater provision for outdoor recreation.
- Delivery of the Town Centre Revitalisation Scheme.
- Delivery of the Carrickfergus Townscape Heritage Initiative Scheme.
- Locally led tourism.
- Achievement of our statutory Planning Service targets.
How we will measure improvement:
- Clough playpark completed by 31 May 2024.
- Marine Gardens playpark completed by 31 August 2024.
- Larne Skate Park completed by 31 October 2024.
- 2 additional new or refurbished playparks completed by 31 March 2025.
- Carnlough, Glynn and Portglenone MUGAs or kickabouts completed by 30 June 2024.
- Carrickfergus Amphitheatre 2G pitch upgraded to 3G by 31 July 2024.
- Phase 1 of the Cullybackey to Galgorm Greenway completed by 30 September 2025.
- Development of Carnfunnock Country Park completed by 31 March 2026.
- Sound systems installed in Ballymena and Carrickfergus town centres by 30 June 2024.
- 2 street art schemes in Ballymena and Larne town centres by 31 July 2024.
- Feature lighting installed in Ballymena and Larne town centres by 30 September 2024.
- Additional funding application submitted to the Department for Communities by 30 September 2024.
- 25 businesses or groups utilising Pop-Up Shop opportunities by 31 March 2025.
- 15 events or activities held within Ballymena, Carrickfergus, and Larne town centres by 31 March 2025.
- 10 buildings of historical and architectural interest restored in Carrickfergus by 31 May 2024.
- Increased floor space for retail, commercial or residential use in Carrickfergus by 30 June 2024.
- Closing event and publication issued on the Carrickfergus Townscape Heritage Initiative by 30 June 2024.
- Neighbourhood Tourism Scheme launched by 31 October 2024.
- 3 local Neighbourhood Tourism participants by 31 March 2025.
- A processing time for major planning applications within an average of 30 weeks by 31 March 2025.
- A processing time for local planning applications within an average of 15 weeks by 31 March 2025.
- At least 70% of enforcement cases concluded within 39 weeks by 31 March 2025.
Strategic links:
Programme for Government:
- Our children and young people have the best start in life.
- We all live long, healthy, active lives.
- People want to live, work, and visit here.
- We live and work sustainably, protecting the environment.
Community Plan:
- Good health and wellbeing
- Tourism and the economy
- Prioritising the most vulnerable
Corporate Plan:
Aspect of Improvement:
- Strategic effectiveness
- Service availability
- Fairness
- Sustainability
3. Planet - We will reduce our environmental impact and improve sustainability
By:
- Moving towards cleaner energy and reducing our consumption.
- Delivering an effective and efficient Waste Service.
- Supporting biodiversity.
- Reaching environmental standards and targets.
- Sharing learning and best practice.
Why?
- The actions set out to achieve this objective align with the key priorities identified within the consultation. They demonstrate how the Council is leading by example, whilst also working to engage and educate on sustainability. They assist the development of the borough’s Electric Vehicle charging network, they focus on providing an effective and efficient waste management service, and they demonstrate support for the biodiversity within the borough.
- Our citizens identified help to reduce consumption, waste and litter, and awareness and assistance in tackling climate change as the two most important things the Council could do to be more environmentally friendly. Adopting environmentally sustainable transport ranked third and protecting plants and animals ranked fourth (MEABC Citizens Survey 2022).
- Measures to address climate change, environmental awareness, and the importance of respect for the local and natural environment, were points raised throughout the Community Planning Review (2022) consultation.
- The phase out date for the sale of new petrol and diesel cars is 2035.
What you will see:
- Energy-saving and clean energy projects within Council buildings.
- Expansion of electric vehicle chargepoints within the borough.
- Achievement of statutory Waste Management targets.
- Delivery of our Tree and Woodland Management Strategy.
- Achievement of environmental targets and accreditations, where viable.
- Opportunities to engage in environmental educational programmes.
How we will measure improvement:
- 6 energy-saving projects delivered by 31 March 2025.
- 4 clean energy projects delivered by 31 March 2025.
- Approximately 77,000kg CO2e carbon savings by 31 March 2025 (lifecycle savings – 1.5m kg).
- Approximately £80,000 savings through energy projects by 31 March 2025 (lifecycle savings - £1.6m).
- 12 fast chargers procured through the On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme (ORCS) by 31 September 2024.
- Installation date for ORCS chargers confirmed by 31 March 2025.
- 6 upgraded charge stations through ESB Networks by 31 March 2025.
- At least 50% of household waste collected is sent for recycling by 31 March 2025.
- A maximum of 16,387 tonnes of biodegradable collected municipal waste sent to landfill by 31 March 2025.
- Less than 75,797 tonnes collected municipal waste arisings by 31 March 2025.
- 5000 trees planted within the borough by 31 March 2025.
- Re-certification of International Management Standard ISO14001 by 30 August 2024.
- A minimum of Gold Status in the NI Environmental Benchmarking Survey by 30 November 2024.
- Gaps identified in the 2023 NI Environmental Benchmarking Survey addressed by 31 October 2024.
- 10 community engagement sessions held on Waste and Recycling, and Climate and Sustainability (31 March 2025).
- 5 circular economy initiatives delivered by 31 March 2025.
Strategic links:
Programme for Government:
- We live and work sustainability, protecting the environment.
- We all enjoy long, healthy, active lives.
- Our economy is globally competitive, regionally balanced and carbon neutral.
- People want to live, work, and visit here.
Community Plan:
- Good health and wellbeing
- Community safety and cohesion
- Valuing our environment
Corporate Plan:
Aspect of Improvement:
- Strategic effectiveness
- Service availability
- Sustainability
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