Performance Improvement Plan 2024 - 2025 Quarter 3 Update Report p3
Improvement Objective 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.
Who is responsible:
- Director of Community
- Acting Director of Development
- Interim Director of Corporate and Support Services
Why are we doing this?
- The actions set out to achieve this objective align with the key priorities identified through public 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 of 1 to 10, with 1 being not at all satisfied, half of respondents rated their satisfaction with their 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 (MEABC Citizens Survey 2022).
- 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’.
The pages that follow outline our progress towards achieving our outcomes for citizens.
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Outcome 1 - Opportunities to start your own business. |
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Measure 1 |
240 participants supported through start-up assistance via Go Succeed by 31 March 2025. |
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Status: Achieved |
Go Succeed supported 293 participants from April to December 2024. |
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Measure 2 |
107 jobs promoted through business start interventions by 31 March 2025. |
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Status: On track |
From April to December 2024, 103 jobs were promoted through business start interventions. |
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Outcome 2 - An active Mid and East Antrim Manufacturing Task Force. |
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Measure 1 |
At least 3 new Manufacturing Task Force members by 31 March 2025. |
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Status: Achieved |
There have been 4 new members to the Manufacturing Task Force this year, including, Advanced Sensors, Hampton Conservatories, Stemfab, and De Manu. |
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Measure 2 |
£40,000 of Task Force members' in-kind time contributions by 31 March 2025. |
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Status: On track |
From April to December 2024, members’ collective time contribution was valued at £26,000. With participation in the Science Summer School in January 2025 and other key events, this value is set to increase. The Science Summer School aims to foster talent in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. |
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Outcome 3 - Opportunities to take part in skills and employability programmes. |
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Measure 1 |
200 people participating in employment and skills programmes by 31 March 2025. |
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Status: Achieved |
Over 200 people have now engaged in various programmes and academies which have been tailored to local needs, including, Transport, Do It Herself, Enterprise Pathways, Health Support, Work Connections, Administration, Investor, Classroom Assistant, Classroom Assistant Upskilling, Manufacturing, Excel, Childminding, and Fibre Skills. |
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Measure 2 |
100 participants gaining employment via employment academies by 31 March 2025. |
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Status: On track |
Almost 50 people have gained employment to date. With approximately 140 participants joining in late 2024, this figure will increase considerably in the upcoming months. |
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Measure 3 |
150 participants securing qualifications by 31 March 2025. |
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Status: On track |
There have been 149 qualifications secured to date. |
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Outcome 4 - Support to lead a healthy and active life. |
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Measure 1 |
MEAqua Strategy and Year 1 Action Plan (including the expansion of toddler and disability sessions) delivered by 31 March 2025. |
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Status: On track |
Several improvements have been made to our MEAqua programme, with the expansion of swimming classes for mothers and small children, and for people who have a disability. One member of teaching staff also recently completed a ‘Teaching – Disability Swimming’ course. A new development plan has been approved for implementation. |
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Measure 2 |
12 outdoor events to involve a wide range of abilities by 31 March 2025. |
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Status: Achieved |
We delivered 134 events and activities from April to December 2024, with 6,447 participants. There were 30 events delivered from October to December 2024, ranging from Halloween-themed trails, Petting Farms and crafting to Bird Box Building, Grandparent Pop-Up Days, Tree Giveaways, and nature-based Family Fun Days. We also hosted 3 evening public walks under the Safer Steps Programme, which focused on personal safety and recognised the importance of women and girls accessing and enjoying our blue and green spaces. |
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Outcome 5 - A borough that values, engages, and supports everyone. |
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Measure 1 |
MEA Age-Friendly Strategy and Year 1 Action Plan launched by 30 June 2024. |
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Status: Achieved |
The Age-Friendly Strategy and Action Plan for 2024-27 was launched in September 2024. The launch coincided with Positive Ageing Month in October. This year's theme "The Part We Play" celebrated the integral role of older people in our communities, with several events and workshops held to highlight the support and services available to promote healthy ageing, leading to a number of onward referrals. Agewell's reflective tool "See Things from My Age" and information on the Council's Health and Wellbeing support, including Energy Efficiency and Home Accident Prevention initiatives, was presented at a meeting of the Age-Friendly Alliance in November. The launch of Council’s own information booklet resulted in several requests for assistance. |
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Measure 2 |
An Older Person's Forum established by 31 December 2024. |
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Status: Delayed but progressing |
It has been agreed that the Older Person’s Forum will sit within the Mid and East Antrim Agewell Partnership, with formal arrangements to be in place by the end of March 2025. With at least 3 annual meetings, the forum’s input will be invaluable in ensuring the voices and experiences of older people are heard and considered in the delivery of actions and services. |
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Measure 3 |
MEA Age-Friendly Year 2 Action Plan confirmed by 28 February 2025. |
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Status: On track |
Actions for Year 2 are currently being developed and are on track for agreement. The plan will run from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026. |
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Measure 4 |
Autism-Friendly Action Plans implemented in 4 Council venues by 30 September 2024. |
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Status: Delayed but progressing |
Our museums and theatres continue to make reasonable adjustments towards the full implementation of their Autism-Friendly Action Plans. New signage and pre-visit guides remain in development, and when complete, we will seek attainment of the Autism NI Impact Award for each location. |
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Measure 5 |
4 additional Autism Champions developed within Council by 30 September 2024. |
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Status Achieved |
With 4 additional staff members accredited in September 2024, there are now 17 Autism Champions within the Council. Each champion will wear a lanyard, making them identifiable, and will be available to provide support to anyone who needs it. |
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Measure 6 |
An Autism-Awareness initiative Communications Plan developed by 30 September 2024. |
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Status: Achieved |
The Communications Plan has been agreed, and a range of resources are being developed for Autism Acceptance Month in April. An Employability Guide and a Training Model are also nearing completion, through partnership with the Northern Area Autism Forum. |
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Measure 7 |
4 arts and culture events delivered to address loneliness and improve accessibility by 31 March 2025. |
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Status: Achieved |
A range of events were delivered across the borough during Positive Ageing Month in October, and throughout the autumn, including quilt exhibitions, reminiscence sessions within residential homes in the Ballymena area, and the screening of an amateur film created in the 1960s. An arts and nature-based workshop was held for pupils from Dunclug Primary School in November. The event, based on the Tullygrawley drawing books, was delivered by local artist Polly Gribben. A visit to the museum, which included an artefact handling session, was also held for children outside the education system in November. The Rural Engagement Arts Programme and the Arts and Older People Programme were delivered earlier in the year. |
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Measure 8 |
8 Council-managed community centres connected to full-fibre broadband by 31 March 2025. |
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Status: Delayed but progressing |
Internet and public wi-fi access have been installed in Eden and Oakfield community centres. It is hoped Ahoghill, Ballykeel, Dunclug, Harryville and Greenisland community centres will be operational before 31 March 2025. Gracehill, Kells and Sunnylands are ongoing, with installation dates still to be confirmed. |
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Outcome 6 - Collaboration with the Mid and East Antrim Poverty Action Group. |
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Measure 1 |
Attendance at Poverty Action Group meetings and support of initiatives. |
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Status: On track |
The Poverty Action Group did not meet during April to December 2024. |