Rural Needs Impact Assessment - Performance Improvement Plan 2024-25

Contents

• 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.

Performance Improvement Plan 2024/25 - Under the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 2014, councils have a general duty to make arrangements to secure continuous improvement in the exercise of their functions.

Each financial year, councils must set Improvement Objectives, and have in place the arrangements to achieve them.

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

Developing a Plan.

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.

Performance Improvement Plan 2024/25.

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

Our Improvement Objectives for 2024/25 relate to improving our functions and services, and include the following:

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.

Our Improvement Objectives

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.

What you will see:

• Opportunities 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 by 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 December 2024.
• MEA Age-Friendly Year 2 Action Plan confirmed by 28 February 2025.
• 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.

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.

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 March 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.  

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.

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 savings by 31 March 2025 (lifecycle saving – 1.5m kg).
• Approximately £80,000 savings through energy projects by 31 March 2025 (lifecycle saving - £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 by 31 March 2025.
• At least 50% of household waste collected 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 by 31 March 2025.
• Support for the Eco-Schools programme, with a 5% increase in the number of schools with Green Flags by 30 June 2025.
• Delivery of 5 circular economy waste initiatives by 31 March 2025.

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).

Details of alternative definition of ‘rural’ used.

n/a

Rationale for using alternative definition of ‘rural’.

n/a

Reasons why a definition of ‘rural’ is not applicable.

n/a

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.

This plan is based on our understanding of local needs and aims to improve the quality of life and environment for all of our ratepayers and communities over the next year and beyond.

The objectives contained within the Performance Improvement Plan for 2024/25 aim to benefit communities across the borough, despite their settlement clarification.

The Performance Improvement Plan aligns with the Community Plan for the borough and the Council’s Corporate Plan (2024-2028).

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.

Some of the objectives will directly impact on people in rural areas:

• Place: We will maintain and improve our local areas – Improvements to playparks (Clough), improved provision for outdoor recreation (Carnfunnock Country Park, Phase 1 of the Cullybackey to Galgorm Greenway, and Carnlough, Glynn and Portglenone MUGA’s/kickabouts), and the Neighbourhood Tourism Scheme (participants may be rural).
• Planet: We will reduce our environmental impact and improve sustainability – Up to 4000 trees may be planted in rural areas, and environmental community engagement sessions are tailored to the receiving community group, which can have a rural or urban focus.

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
• Transport Services or Infrastructure in Rural Areas
• Health or Social Care Services in Rural Areas
• Poverty in Rural Areas
• Deprivation in Rural Areas
• Rural Crime or Community Safety
• Rural Development

2E. Please explain why the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service is NOT likely to impact on people in rural areas.

n/a

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.

An evidence-based approach was used to develop the plan, and included:

• Alignment with the Programme for Government, Community Plan, and new Corporate Plan (2024-2028).
• Consideration of citizens’ top priorities for making the borough a better place to live in (MEABC Citizens Survey – summer 2022).
• Analysis of the draft Performance Improvement Plan 24/25 public consultation results 9 January 2024 to 2 April 2024).
• Input and direction from Council Management and Officers.
• Elected Member approval of the consultation document (approval will be sought before publishing).

MEABC Citizen Survey:

A representative sample of 810 people from across the borough’s 7 District Electoral Areas (42% from rural and 58% from urban areas). 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 consultation document was published on the Council’s website and displayed at key receptions, completed online and face to face, and open to all geographic locations to respond. Promotional activities were used to maximise the response rates, using online and traditional methods (including emails to community groups, local businesses, Council’s Section 75 consultee list, emails to staff and Elected Members, regular social media posts, local press and radio coverage, Council’s Connections magazine and staff intranet. 216 people responded to the survey from across the borough, and a high level of support was indicated for all three Improvement Objectives.

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

MEA Citizens Survey (2022):

- A representative sample (810 people). Bands agreed for residential quotas were based on Census outputs (2021). Quotes were Age, Gender, Settlement (urban and rural), Socio-economic coding (ABC1, C2DE), and District Electoral Area (Ballymena, Bannside, Braid, Carrick Castle, Coast Road, Knockagh and Larne Lough). Citizens’ top 5 priorities for making our borough a better place to live in are:

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.

Draft Performance Improvement Plan 2024/25 public consultation results:

1. People: (86% support). Priority groups - young people, people with disabilities, and the economically inactive. Priorities - opportunities for skills development, employment, and career progression, actions that address poverty and the cost-of-living, and health and wellbeing support, choose the right partners, and service provision must be equal, accessible, and inclusive.

2. Place: (88% support). Priority groups - young people and local businesses. Priorities - investment in playparks and outdoor recreation, support and investment in town centres, fair regional balance, and quality, inclusive, and accessible Council services.

3. Planet: (86% support). Priorities - Council leading by example, EV chargepoint development, effective and efficient waste management, biodiversity, and engagement and education on sustainability.

3E. Please explain why no steps were taken by the Public Authority to identify the social and economic needs of people in rural areas?

N/A

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 priorities for improvement are based on a thorough, evidence-based understanding of the communities we serve, local needs, and an assessment of our capacity to meet those needs.

Our approach included:

• A review of legislation and statutory guidance.
• Self-analysis through our Performance Self-Assessment Report (2022/23).
• Consideration of performance audit and assessment reports.
• Alignment with the priorities of the Programme for Government, updated Community Plan, and our new Corporate Plan (2024-2028).
• Consideration of citizens’ top priorities for making the borough a better place to live in, identified through our Citizens Survey (2022).
• Analysis of the draft Performance Improvement Plan 24/25 public consultation results.
• Input and direction from Council Management and Officers.
• Equality, Rural, Climate and Sustainability, and Data Protection Impact Assessment Screening.
• Consideration of the wider operating environment i.e. political, economic, social, and environmental.

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?

Yes.

5B. Please explain how the development, adoption, implementation or revising of the Policy, Strategy or Plan, or the design or delivery of the Public Service, has been influenced by the rural needs identified.

Full details of the development process are included in Section 4, within which rural needs have been considered, and feed into the development of the Performance Improvement Plan 2024/25.

5C. Please explain why the development, adoption, implementation or revising of the Policy, Strategy or Plan, or the design or the delivery of the Public Service, has NOT been influenced by the rural needs identified.

N/A

SECTION 6 - Documenting and Recording

6A. Please tick below to confirm that the RNIA Template will be retained by the Public Authority and relevant information on the Section 1 activity compiled in accordance with paragraph 6.7 of the guidance.

I confirm that the RNIA Template will be retained and relevant information compiled.

Rural Needs Impact Assessment records	Details
Rural Needs Impact Assessment undertaken by:	Corporate Performance Project Officer
Division or Branch:	Corporate Performance and Improvement
Date:	25 April 2024
Rural Needs Impact Assessment approved by:	Assistant Director of Citizen Focus
Division or Branch:	Corporate and Support Services Directorate
Date:	26 April 2024