Rural Needs Impact Assessment - Corporate Plan 2024-28

SECTION 1 - Defining the activity subject to Section 1(1) of the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016
SECTION 2 - Understanding the impact of the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service
SECTION 3 - Identifying the Social and Economic Needs of Persons in Rural Areas
SECTION 4 - Considering the Social and Economic Needs of Persons in Rural Areas
SECTION 5 - Influencing the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service
SECTION 6 - Documenting and Recording

SECTION 1 - Defining the activity subject to Section 1(1) of the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016

1A. Name of Public Authority.

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.

1B. Please provide a short title which describes the activity being undertaken by the Public Authority that is subject to Section 1(1) of the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016.

Corporate Plan 2024 to 2028

The Corporate Plan steers our strategic direction, shapes our services, and sets the performance targets against which we will measure our success.

1C. Please indicate which category the activity specified in Section 1B above relates to.

Developing a: Strategy

1D. Please provide the official title (if any) of the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service document or initiative relating to the category indicated in Section 1C above.

Corporate Plan 2024 to 2028

1E. Please provide details of the aims and/or objectives of the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service.

See additional pages titled Section 7 – 1E.

1F: What definition of ‘rural’ is the Public Authority using in respect of the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service?

Population Settlements of less than 5,000 (Default definition).

SECTION 2 - Understanding the impact of the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service

2A. Is the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service likely to impact on people in rural areas?

Yes

2B. Please explain how the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service is likely to impact on people in rural areas.

The vision for the Corporate Plan 2024 to 2028 is that:

“Mid and East Antrim will be a strong, vibrant, safe and inclusive community where people work together to improve the quality of life for all”.

As this is a high-level strategic plan there are no objectives that will directly impact rural communities, however there are some which may indirectly impact rural communities.

By achieving objectives that have been set, people in rural communities may be positively impacted although they may not have been specifically targeted.

2C. If the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service is likely to impact on people in rural areas differently from people in urban areas, please explain how it is likely to impact on people in rural areas differently.

It is not anticipated that the Corporate Plan will impact people in rural areas differently from people in urban areas.

2D. Please indicate which of the following rural policy areas the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service is likely to primarily impact on.

Rural Businesses

Rural Tourism

Jobs or Employment in Rural Areas

Education or Training in Rural Areas

Broadband or Mobile Communications in Rural Areas

Poverty in Rural Areas

Deprivation in Rural Areas

Rural Crime or Community Safety

Rural Development

SECTION 3 - Identifying the Social and Economic Needs of Persons in Rural Areas

3A. Has the Public Authority taken steps to identify the social and economic needs of people in rural areas that are relevant to the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service?

Yes.

3B. Please indicate which of the following methods or information sources were used by the Public Authority to identify the social and economic needs of people in rural areas.

Consultation with Rural Stakeholders

Surveys or Questionnaires

Published Statistics

3C. Please provide details of the methods and information sources used to identify the social and economic needs of people in rural areas including relevant dates, names of organisations, titles of publications, website references, details of surveys or consultations undertaken etc.

The Corporate Plan 2024 to 2028 aligns with the priorities of the Community Plan (2017 to 2032) and closely aligns with key priorities.

In shaping the Corporate Plan, Council actively engaged with citizens, community groups, employees and local businesses. This was to make sure Council listened to what stakeholders felt was most important and to identify how satisfied they were with Council.

Citizen Survey 2022:

The MEA Citizens Survey, undertaken in summer 2022, consisted of a representative sample of 810 people across the borough, 42% were ‘rural’ and 58% were from urban locations. The survey gave us a comprehensive understanding of the views of our residents and allowed us to shape our plans based on what they felt was most important for the area. Some minor differences were noted between rural and urban respondents to a number of questions.

Public Consultation:

The Public consultation ran for a 12-week period, commencing 10 January and ending 4 April 2023. All strategic themes and objectives received high levels of support.

3D. Please provide details of the social and economic needs of people in rural areas which have been identified by the Public Authority?

During the summer of 2022, we undertook a Citizens Survey to provide us with a comprehensive understanding of the views of our citizens. We used the feedback obtained to guide us in the development of this plan, ensuring that we directly

addressed the issues which participants felt were most important for the development and improvement of the borough.

The top 5 priorities for making the borough a better place to live were:

1. Supporting and developing activities for children and young people.

2. Support to reduce poverty.

3. Developing skills and job prospects.

4. Delivering clean and attractive streets and towns.

5. Supporting our parks, green spaces and the natural and built environment.

SECTION 4 - Considering the Social and Economic Needs of Persons in Rural Areas

4A. Please provide details of the issues considered in relation to the social and economic needs of people in rural areas.

Our Corporate Plan has been heavily influenced by a variety of internal and external factors, each of which can have a direct impact on our ability to achieve our vision. These included:

Programme for Government
Our Community Plan 2017 to 2032
Regional Statistical Data
Council led surveys
Customer Feedback
Our Climate and Sustainability Action Plan 2023 to 2027
Council resources
Statutory duties
Current environmental, social and economic landscape of NI

SECTION 5 - Influencing the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service

5A. Has the development, adoption, implementation or revising of the Policy, Strategy or Plan, or the design or delivery of the Public Service, been influenced by the rural needs identified?