The Mid and East Antrim Community Planning Partnership - Statement of Progress

Statement of Progress The Mid and East Antrim Community Planning Partnership November 2019

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Contents Our Vision Our Statement of Progress

4 4

30

Under the spotlight

30

Progress on our indicators

31

Actions commenced

32

Our Approach

5

Progress on our actions

33

Our Community Planning Partnership

6

Community Safety & Cohesion

36

Delivery structure

7

Under the spotlight

36

How well the Partnership is working

8

Progress on our indicators

37

Actions commenced

38

Progress on our actions

39

Challenges 9

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Progress in Education

Sustainable Jobs & Tourism

10

Under the spotlight

10

Our Environment

44

Progress on our indicators

11

Under the spotlight

44

Actions commenced

12

Progress on our indicators

45

Progress on our actions

14

Actions commenced

46

Progress on our actions

48

What next?

52

Good Health & Wellbeing

18

Under the spotlight

18

Progress on our indicators

19

Actions commenced

21

Progress on our actions

22

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Our Vision

Our vision for 2030 is:

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.

Our Statement of Progress Mid and East Antrim’s community plan ‘Putting People First’ was published on 30 March 2017. The Local Government Act (NI) 2014 requires Community Planning Partnerships to make arrangements to monitor progress against meeting the objectives of community plans and the effectiveness of the actions taken in aiming to achieve those objectives.

This is to be communicated to the public via a published statement highlighting progress on outcomes achieved and actions taken.

A first statement of progress is to be produced within two years of the community plan being published and every two year thereafter. The statement is an opportunity for partnerships to update local people on actions to deliver the community plan, the nature and details within these statements will evolve as community planning develops.

This first statement considers how well the Mid and East Antrim Community Planning Partnership has worked collaboratively; what progress, if any, has been made towards the 15-year outcomes; the actions delivered or underway; and what impact they have made to local people.

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Our Approach ‘Putting People First’ contains five themes, Sustainable Jobs and Tourism; Good Health and Wellbeing; Progress in Education; Community Safety and Cohesion; and Our Environment. These themes cover 19 outcomes to be addressed by over 50 actions.

to long term (5-15 years).

It is also important to note that the Community Planning Partnership have tried to avoid including any ‘Business as Usual’ work and instead focused on areas of work that require a collaborate approach to improve the quality of life for all.

In order to progress to the implementation and delivery of these actions, some short-term prioritisations were identified via a scoring matrix. These priorities are the ones that demonstrated clear ‘collaborative gain’ so as to build momentum and public confidence in the community planning process. They also required minimal funding or legislative change and had lead partners readily identified.

Implementation plans were developed detailing all the actions, lead partners and delivery timescales. Following on from approval of these by the Strategic Alliance in March 2018, partners then focused their attentions solely on the 24 short-term actions. A detailed delivery plan was produced for each of these actions including delivery partners, resources, timeline and possible performance measures.

In total 24 actions, approximately four per theme, were identified as short-term to be commenced, and where possible delivered, within 2 years. The remaining 31 actions will be addressed in the medium

Delivery plans were agreed in September 2018, however remain unpublished as they are subject to change. In particular a number of the actions have been reworded or divided into

March 2017

Oct-Dec 2017

March 2018

‘Putting People First’ published

Thematic workshops to prioritise actions

Implementation plans agreed

parts to assist with delivery.

Such changes may be as a result of the original action being too vague, unmanageable due to its scope or problems being encountered and a new approach undertaken. Any changes made to the actions will be documented in the relevant delivery plans.

As lead partner, Council is fully committed to implementing the statutory duties under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, which require that in carrying out its functions, has due regard to the need to promote equality of opportunity between: persons of different religious belief, political opinion, racial group, age, marital status or sexual orientation. The screening of all community planning actions has allowed Council to promote equality of opportunity, take consideration of any potential equality impacts, and apply measures to mitigate and further promote equality of opportunity.

Sept 2018

Oct 2018 to date

Short-term Regular thematic delivery plans delivery group agreed meetings www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/communityplanning | 5

Our Community Planning Partnership

Delivery Structure Within our Community Planning Partnership there are a number of key groups directly involved in influencing the delivery of Putting People First:

munity Pan m e o

l

C

ry Group e v i l s De tic Grou a m e ps h T

Strategic Alliance Strategic Alliance This is the key overarching strategic partnership body for community planning. It includes the 12 designated statutory partners, government departments, elected representatives and additional voluntary support organisations identified by partners as having potential to make a valuable contribution to the process.

Community Panel

The Local Government Act 2014 requires Councils to facilitate the development of a Community Plan in partnership with community planning partners. The Community Planning Partnership structure for Mid and East Antrim was designed with the involvement and engagement of the community planning partners, including the community and voluntary sector and a wide range other public sector organisations. The membership of the Community Planning Partnership includes the designated statutory partners set out in the legislation, community representatives including elected members and a range of other groups and organisations. This has established a broader partnership which has been integral to the initial development and ongoing delivery of the community plan.

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This group is designed to represent the community voice for Mid and East Antrim Borough and provides 12 community representatives and elected members the opportunity to input into all parts of the Community Planning Partnership structure.

They supplement the work of

local community activity in relation to community planning objectives.

Thematic groups There are 5 thematic groups, one for each of the 5 overarching themes in the Community Plan. These are the key operational groups for the Community Planning Partnership, informing and supporting strategic decisions made by the Strategic Alliance.

The groups prioritise the work stream actions and prepare delivery action plans. These groups do not operate in isolation as there are many interrelationships between the 5 themes and their combined contribution help to achieve better results.

Delivery groups These are special purpose working groups tasked with taking forward the day to day activities involved in delivering the short term actions.

Membership of these will change depending on those required for delivery at each stage.

Council’s Corporate Plan for 2019-2023 has been aligned with the 5 themes within ‘Putting People First’ which is testimonial to Council’s commitment to community planning. It is anticipated that over time partner organisations will ensure that their corporate plans also consider their roles within the community planning process.

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How well is the partnership working?

• 50% of partners identified ‘new working relationships’ as what was working well in our partnership.

• 48% of partners feel that the main issue with our partnership to date is that the Community Plan is still wrongly viewed as Council’s plan.

Is anyone better off as a result?

What have we done?

Published ‘Putting People First’ on 30 March 2017.

Delivery plans agreed for short-term actions in September 2018.

24 short-term actions commenced.

12 statutory partners in partnership.

12 voluntary partners in partnership.

9 Strategic Alliance meetings (May 2016- September 2019).

16 representatives from 12 partner organisations attended Outcome Based Accountability training to enable them to monitor and report progress.

9 articles on community planning included in Mid and East Antrim Borough Residents’ Magazine ‘Connections’ to create public awareness and a clear understanding of community planning and what it can deliver.

Between February and August 2019, 125 news articles in 29 publications with these stories reaching 2.1million people.

How well have we done it?

Representation at Strategic Alliance Meetings Average attendance rate at Strategic Alliance meetings: • 78% of Statutory partners attended.

• 54% of Voluntary partners attended.

• Community Panel representatives have attended all meetings to date.

Consistency of members representing their organisations at each Strategic Alliance meeting: • On average, each statutory partner has had 3.3 different people representing them.

• On average, each voluntary partner has had 2.5 different people representing them.

Involvement of Partners 6 of the partners have taken on roles of Thematic Chairs (3 statutory and 3 voluntary).

Of the 24 actions commenced: • 12 are being led by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council in addition to assisting in the delivery of 12 other actions.

• 7 are being led by Statutory partners and they are involved with the delivery of a further 12 actions.

• 5 are being led by Voluntary partners and are participating in the delivery of 14 other actions.

Progress on Delivery of Actions Of the 24 short-term actions commenced, 16 are well underway, 7 are progressing and 1 still requires significant work.

Feedback from Partners • 63% of partners agree that the Community Planning Partnership is working well.

• As a result of the partnership, 82% of partners have worked with at least one new partner, with 14% having worked with 10 or more new partners.

• 68% of partners agree that they have experienced collaborative gain as a result of the partnership.

• 78% agree that they have had an opportunity for meaningful involvement in delivery.

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Whilst community planning is still in its infancy and it may be too early to report on the extent to which anyone is better off as a result of its delivery, any impact which has been experienced to date has been detailed in subsequent sections under the relevant actions for each of the 5 themes.

However, there have also been additional areas in which community planning has made a positive impact on people’s lives beyond those actions identified within ‘Putting People First’. These are testimonial to the working relationships developed within the partnership and their focussed collective communication. A number of key examples are: Partnership Working In September 2018, there were escalating community tensions as a result of a significant increase in numbers of Roma Community from Eastern Europe travelling to Ballymena to fill employment needs in local factories.

This project was unique in that the nature of the problem required a rapid response to be put in place and this was made possible by the existing strong multi-agency relationships already developed as a result of the Community Planning Partnership. Collaborative working was used to establish the facts, identify scope and scale of the issue and ensure a multi-agency approach aimed at addressing the concerns of the local population and public representatives and the Roma Community.

All stakeholders involved acknowledged that the issue was dealt with in an effective manner due to existing community planning structures being in place.

Jobs Fair A Jobs Fair was held in May 2019 and was co-ordinated by the Department for Communities. There were 35 employers and 10 support organisations exhibiting at the fair with 480 attendees. 87% of attendees and 94% of employers/support organisations were either very satisfied or satisfied with the fair. Over half (55%) of those surveyed on exit applied for or intended to apply for at least one job.

Challenges From the outset a number of partner representatives have demonstrated a high level of understanding of community planning and the expectation of what their organisation needs to do to make community planning a success. Unfortunately, this has not yet been consistent across all partners.

community planning powers.

With budgets for the delivery of public services increasingly coming under pressure with many services not able to fully meet demand.

Community planning is a way of working in partnership to reduce duplication and find new and more efficient ways of delivering public services.

One of the biggest challenges has been managing community expectation as there has been some misconception around the resourcing of community planning. A large proportion of the community believed that funding came along with the new

In practice there should be a focus on the sharing of resources to improve the outcomes for our citizens but the practicalities of this has been much harder. The resourcing of the implementation of community planning has largely fallen to Council.

Community planning is led by Council but it is still widely thought of as ‘Council’s plan’ and has been often referred to as this by a number of our statutory partners.

Community planning has been seen as a panacea for all local issues including jobs and unemployment; poverty and deprivation; and a challenging and changing local economy. Realistic expectations must be developed and communicated of the impact that community planning can have to improve the lives of our citizens.

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Progress on our indicators

Sustainable Jobs and Tourism A proud, vibrant and ambitious place, which collaborates, encourages and supports economic and tourism growth and prosperity.

The outcomes are statements of what we want Mid and East Antrim to look like in 15 years’ time and the indicators are the means by which we measure our progress towards achieving our outcomes.

The Community Planning Partnership has taken the opportunity to review the suitability of the indicators

Our Outcomes

originally identified in ‘Putting People First’. As a result some of these have been amended or removed. This may have been for a variety of reasons such as more appropriate measures now available, data provided too infrequently or no related actions to impact on them.

Our Indicators*

Please note that caution should be taken when interpreting the figures below as some fluctuations since the baseline year may not be statistically significant. Also, at this stage in the community planning process, any changes in the indicators cannot be directly attributed to actions undertaken by the Community Planning Partnership as it is still too early to determine.

Progress against Indicators

Related Actions Business Escalator

Business Escalator ‘Under the Spotlight’ The Business Escalator Programme was launched in the Mid and East Antrim Borough in January 2018. The programme is dedicated to providing growth support to existing businesses and social enterprises through a free one-toone mentoring service tailored to suit the needs of each business.

Experienced Business Client Managers from Mid and East Antrim Council provide a single point of contact for businesses seeking support. These Client Managers complete a diagnostic of the business to identify the exact support required to best suit the business needs. Up to 35 hours of tailored mentoring is available from a range of experts covering all areas of business growth including people management, tendering, production, finance, IT, export, sales, and customer care. In addition, the programme also brings together a number of other organisations providing business support. This ensures quick and effective engagement from these organisations to further accelerate growth and job creation within the client businesses.

The programme will be in place until 2020 supporting growth in businesses, and hence additional employment opportunities, within Mid and East Antrim Borough. The programme is proving very effective and popular with both businesses and support organisations. As a result the Business Escalator Programme is already well on the way to achieving its goals of engaging with 400 businesses and helping them to grow and create 240 additional jobs in the borough.

Mid and East Antrim is a leading and competitive place to start and grow business.

Our borough has a culture of entrepreneurship, skills development and vocational training.

The number of VAT/ PAYE registered businesses

Positive Change

Place Promotion

2018 (latest update): 4,875 2017 (baseline year): 4,735

Workplace Development

Business survival rate, percentage of businesses still trading after 3 years of being set up

No data beyond baseline

Business Escalator

2017 (latest update): 60% of businesses formed in 2014 still trading in 2017

Workplace Development

Percentage of the workforce in employment with qualifications at level 2 and above, and level 4 and above

N/A

Place Promotion The number of business births Our borough is the place to do business, developing transport, energy and superfast broadband.

No data beyond baseline 2017 (latest update): 400

Workplace Development Buy Social Rapid Redundancy Response

Business turnover, percentage of businesses with a turnover less than £50k Broadband coverage

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See Progress in Education Section

Rapid Redundancy Response

Positive Change

Business Escalator

2018 (latest update): 28.4% 2017 (baseline year): 28.6%

Place Promotion

Indicator development required at LGD level.

Workplace Development N/A

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Our Outcomes

Progress against Indicators

Our Indicators*

Related Actions Business Escalator

Our borough provides opportunities for all to enable and support people to reach their full potential.

The percentage of 16 – 64 year olds who are in employment

Place Promotion Workplace Development Boost Tourism Buy Social

Gross all persons median weekly earnings Mid and East Antrim is a destination of choice with increased visitor numbers and spend on first class facilities and attractions.

Positive Change 2018 (latest update): 71.2% 2017 (baseline year): 70.6%

The number of overnight visitor trips The average expenditure per visitor per overnight trip

Positive Change 2018 (latest update): £383 2017 (baseline year): £377

N/A

Positive Change

Place Promotion

2018 (latest update): 296,441 2017 (baseline year): 255,802

Boost Tourism

Positive Change

Place Promotion

2018 (latest update): £171 2017 (baseline year): £169

Boost Tourism

*Indicators removed or replaced: Percentage of overnight visitors coming for Holiday, Pleasure, Leisure The number of visitors to attractions

Actions commenced Business Escalator Deliver a Business Escalator Programme, providing support for businesses in Mid and East Antrim to accelerate business growth and increase the number of growth companies in the borough.

Rapid Redundancy Response Establish a new Rapid Redundancy Response structure within the borough to deal with future shocks in the labour market.

Place Promotion An initiative to develop promotional material which can be used to sell the area as a place to live, work, study, visit and invest in.

Workplace Development A review of current business space in the borough and creation of new facilities for start-ups and grow on space for more established businesses.

Buy Social Introduction of ‘Buy Social’ clauses to become a focus of Strategic Partnership through Council’s procurement practice leading the way.

Boost Tourism Develop the Causeway Coastal Route, cultural and heritage assets, and build the regions image, brand and awareness in domestic, all-Ireland, UK and international markets.

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Progress on our actions

Action

In Numbers 11 organisations in stakeholder group established in April 2018.

6 stakeholder meetings to date.

35 hours of free tailored mentoring available to participating business covering all areas of business growth including people management, tendering, production, finance, IT, export, sales, and customer care.

Business Escalator

217 businesses participating in the programme.

207 referrals to stakeholders for business support.

Our Impact 75 jobs created.

As a result of the initiative, 217 businesses have received support in the following areas: Sales - 49 businesses Growth - 46 businesses Digital - 29 businesses HR - 26 businesses Financial Management - 22 businesses ICT - 16 businesses Export Development - 10 businesses General Business Planning - 9 businesses Innovation - 6 businesses Tendering - 2 businesses Operations - 1 business Customer Care - 1 business

46 referrals to InvestNI for financial support, innovation vouchers, technical support, research and development and innovation support.

4 organisations in delivery group – Council, NRC, Local Enterprise Agency and DfC. Offering support to 3 key groups - employees, businesses and local communities in the event of shock announcements or rapid industry sector changes concerning job losses including lead roles and co-ordination of activities.

Rapid Redundancy Response

2 options available to dealing with redundancy - reactive or proactive. Hope to move away from ‘wait and see’ reactive approach to a strategic plan whereby stakeholder capability, capacity and readiness is understood by all. In this context stakeholder responsibility is balanced with risk and a graduated response implemented in a timely manner.

7 core stakeholder services identified and wider stakeholders being gathered. These will then be mapped across the Borough.

Once the Rapid Redundancy Response model has been finalised, it will be tested via a workshop by simulating a scenario and configuring a process to implement the response.

However, on 25th September 2019, Wrightbus in Ballymena went into administration with the loss of 1,200 jobs. Local branches of Thomas Cook across the Borough also closed on 23rd September 2019 with further redundancies.

Council reacted promptly to provide a Redundancy Clinic on 27th September with 470 former Wrightbus and Thomas Cook employees attending.

Through collaborative working with local employers, a Jobs Fair was quickly organised for 1st October. There were 93 employers and 10 support agencies exhibiting at the fair with 840 attendees. Feedback from employers and attendees was very positive.

Our Impact

5 unique selling points identified to promote the borough to companies, investors, visitors and students: • Location and connectivity • Sectoral strengths and clusters in advanced manufacturing and agri-food • Support offered through Council and the Michelin Fund • Excellent tourism offering • History, providence and cultural heritage

Please note that at this stage of delivery in the community planning process, it may still be too early to determine if anyone is better off as a result of these actions. However the following provides an overview of what has been delivered between April 2017 and August 2019, including any associated impact.

Action

In Numbers

Place Promotion

5 distinct ways of promoting the place Mid and East Antrim : • Promotional videos - A five minute promotional video developed to outline the key economic strengths, investment sites and tourism assets of the borough.

• PowerPoint presentations - aimed at external markets, showcasing the strengths and opportunities in the borough to attract Foreign Direct Investment companies.

• Video case studies - 8 different companies promoting sector attractiveness and career progression opportunities.

• Brochures - 20 page “Invest in Mid and East Antrim” brochure developed for the Chinese market; an 8 page “Mid & East Antrim – Key Facts” brochure developed for issue to potential investors; and 12 investment site fact sheets developed and used to promote Mid and East Antrim.

• Attendance at events – attended MIPIM Investment Conference in March 2019.

This 4 day event with 23,000 attendees and 4,800 investors from 26 countries led to significant follow up meetings and engagement with potential investors.

At this stage, it is still too early to quantify any impact on the level of investment or job creation as a result of the promotional campaigns.

However, to date there have been: Over 10 investor visits through council into the borough, comprising of: • Foreign Direct Investment companies seeking to locate here.

• NI companies from outside the borough seeking to relocate here.

• Property and hotel developers seeking to co-invest in the area.

5 investment and promotional visits/events through Council, since October 2018: • Donghai Delegation from China visited Mid and East Antrim in October 2018.

• Delegation from Mid and East Antrim went to Dalian China in October 2018 and met with three cities interested in establishing relations with UK regions.

• Council delegation attended the MIPIM Investment Conference in France in March 2019.

• Consul General of the People’s Republic of China visited Mid and East Antrim in May 2019.

• Mid and East Antrim delegation met with Jiangsu Province business delegation in June 2019.

A further 12 company case studies highlighting key companies within key sectors are being developed highlighting the ‘ease of doing business in Mid and East Antrim’.

25,000 copies of new ‘Shaped by Sea and Stone’ visitor guide produced for the international market.

‘InvestinMEA’ website being developed to provide a one-stop-shop portal of information to assist potential investors.

Following the success of the Jobs Fair another one was arranged for 8th October with 31 employers and 380 attendees.

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Action

In Numbers 2 key pieces of research carried out to identify future demand for employment space in the borough and to match it with supply in order to identify the gap in provision.

Findings indicated: • Additional 5,871sq. metres of small business workspace needed in the borough between 2017 and 2030 for start-up.

• Additional 19,531sq. metres of general office workspace needed in the borough between 2017 and 2030 for grow-on.

• 156.1 Ha of undeveloped industrial zoned land in the borough.

Workplace Development

3 Letters of Endorsement from Council to support Local Enterprise Agencies to make an application for funding for startup and grow-on space through Invest NI’s Workspace Pilot Programme developed.

1 Integrated Property Solutions Programme under development to include a range of activities to provide property solutions for investors including a potential £1 million funding pot currently being scoped out to identify the optimum model for coinvestment of suitable projects.

Our Impact

Buy Social

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Our Impact

25,000 copies of new ‘Shaped by Sea and Stone’ visitor guide produced for the international market and 20,761 visits to the website.

However potential impact will hopefully include securing new investment to the borough by identifying solutions to the property needs of potential and existing investors through: • Access to up-to-date information on property availability within the borough via established relationships with external commercial property agents.

• Development of a database of all available property within the borough by size and type.

• Provision of new or refurbished commercial and industrial space for indigenous existing and new businesses to expand, and for Foreign Direct Investment to establish itself within the borough.

• Promotion of strategic investment sites at national and international property events.

14,000 Mid and East Antrim Borough Tourism maps delivered.

4 marketing campaigns delivered: • Online marketing campaign with P&O ferries.

• Joint online advertising campaign in the Republic of Ireland with Galgorm Spa & Golf Resort.

• Joint marketing campaign in GB, focusing on Scotland and the North of England, with Causeway Coast & Glens Council, P&O Ferries and Tourism Ireland.

• Targeted advertising campaign to promote The Gobbins including adshel adverts at both local airports and social media advertising.

Boost Tourism

Performance measures will be developed to monitor delivery of social value in contracts and associated impact.

In Numbers 17 exhibitions attended to promote tourism in Mid and East Antrim.

This is an enabling action, involving a preliminary review of business space and therefore any resulting impact will not be experienced in the short term.

12 Site Fact Sheets prepared to promote strategic investment sites in the borough.

Delivery of this action is building momentum with current and future work plans as follows: • Council have commissioned the development of a social value procurement framework, due to be completed in Autumn 2019.

• Review of social and sustainable procurement best practice in other public sector organisations.

• Council to engage with local business agencies to ‘market test’ and explore potential opportunities for inclusion of Social and Sustainable requirements within procurement processes.

Action

To ensure people within the Borough are equipped with the necessary skills to work in and sustain the future tourism industry, an apprentice initiative with the McKeever Hotel Group was piloted in Oct 2018. NRC and the McKeever Hotel Group, in conjunction with the Department for the Economy, developed an intensive 3 week programme to give 8 unemployed people a sound understanding of the role and duties of a Hospitality Assistant and the skills needed to apply for vacancies within the Group. However only 2 people applied and therefore the programme did not run.

Following this, Galgorm Spa & Golf Resort, developed courses for spa therapists, food and beverage assistants and professional cookery. There were 280 expressions of interest, 20 candidates accepted on courses and 10 qualified.

The marketing campaigns delivered the following impact: • 793 P&O bookings, generating 6,000 nights accommodation and £130k revenue to the borough.

• 150,000 views, 33 bookings generated at Galgorm Spa & Golf Resort for 66 nights, generating £11k revenue to the borough.

• 12.5 million views, 2,322 P&O bookings generated for 15,480 nights, with all visitors coming through Larne Harbour where Causeway Coastal Route advertising heavily features Mid and East Antrim. Generated approximately £315k revenue within the borough.

• Gobbins campaign has increased web visits by 43,000 and generated an additional 900 bookings and £25k revenue.

10 successful candidates completed their course and are now upskilled and in permanent full time employment.

Following the success of this, Galgorm Spa & Golf Resort in conjunction with 2 other local hotels and NRC, plan to develop a bar academy to accredit bar staff and promote bar work within the tourism industry as a career. This is proposed to commence in 2020.

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Progress on our indicators

Good Health and Wellbeing Improving health, including the wider factors and causes of ill health.

The outcomes are statements of what we want Mid and East Antrim to look like in 15 years’ time and the indicators are the means by which we measure our progress towards achieving our outcomes.

The Community Planning Partnership has taken the opportunity to review the suitability of the indicators

Our Outcomes

This project has gone from strength to strength and there is a real understanding and acceptance that building a Dementia Friendly Community is a priority for everyone.

of dementia. The light-hearted and fun nature of the sessions can often be the “turning point” within a person’s day or week and can leave them feeling uplifted at the end of the session.

Mid and East Antrim has the second highest ageing population in Northern Ireland. This is why we set about working together to improve understanding of dementia in our communities. We are committed to making Mid and East Antrim dementia friendly.

A Dementia Friendly Choir ‘This is me’ was created in partnership with the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, this was initially only intended to be a six week ‘Singing for Health programme’.

People living with or affected by dementia have played a central role in the planning and the roll out of each choir session including song choices.

A Dementia Garden was also created in Larne with funding from the Peace IV Programme. This garden was carefully designed to include sensory plants to stimulate senses, provide a calming effect and trigger memory.

Work began in Larne as there was a small amount of work already happening organically. Taking a community planning approach by working together with statutory partners, local businesses, community and voluntary sector and individuals, this work quickly flourished and culminated in Larne being awarded ‘Northern Ireland Dementia Friendly community of the Year in 2017.

One key piece of feedback was the importance of having an opportunity to enjoy refreshments and mingle with other members after the singing. For some people, this is the only chance they have to connect with others who are living with a dementia diagnosis.

All staff members and volunteers who support the sessions are Dementia Friends and therefore have an increased understanding

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The response to these initiatives has been overwhelming and welcomed by local businesses and the community. We plan to continue to raise awareness and encourage the entire community to share part of the responsibility for ensuring that people with dementia feel understood, valued and are able to contribute to their community. Dementia Friendly Communities demonstrate how very simple changes allow people living with dementia to maintain their independence for longer.

Our Indicators*

Number of preventable deaths per 100,000 population

Dementia Friendly ‘Under the Spotlight’ Every three minutes someone in the UK develops dementia, it could be your mum, your sister, your friend or your neighbour.

Sadly, despite almost all of us knowing someone who is affected, two thirds of people living with a dementia diagnosis report feeling isolated and lonely.

originally identified in ‘Putting People First’. As a result some of these have been amended or removed. This may have been for a variety of reasons such as more appropriate measures now available, data provided too infrequently or no related actions to impact on them.

Please note that caution should be taken when interpreting the figures below as some fluctuations since the baseline year may not be statistically significant. Also, at this stage in the community planning process, any changes in the indicators cannot be directly attributed to actions undertaken by the Community Planning Partnership as it is still too early to determine.

Progress against Indicators No data beyond baseline 2013-17 (latest update): 194

Related Actions Healthy Eating & Activity Strategy Take 5 Ageing Well Model

Our people are able to enjoy longer and healthier lives

Take 5 Number of people prescribed mood and anxiety medication per 100,000 population

No data beyond baseline 2017 (latest update): 210

Healthy Eating & Activity Strategy Greenways & Outdoor Spaces Tackling Poverty

Our people will be physically active more often

The percentage of people who normally participate in sport or physical activity on at least one day a week

Percentage of P1 pupils who are obese

No data available yet Due annually from 2019 onwards

No data beyond baseline 2014/15 – 2016/17 (latest update): 5.2%

Healthy Eating & Activity Strategy Greenways & Outdoor Spaces Healthy Eating & Activity Strategy Greenways & Outdoor Spaces

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Our Outcomes

Our older people are active, respected and supported in their community

Our borough has health equality for all

Our Indicators* Percentage of population aged 60 years or older with low self-efficacy**

Percentage of population aged 75 years or older living in their own home

Gap in life expectancy between the most deprived areas in the borough and the borough as a whole Percentage of population living in absolute poverty (before housing costs)**

Progress against Indicators

Related Actions Ageing Well Model

No data beyond baseline 2017/18 (latest update): 28.4% Dementia Friendly

Negative Change

Ageing Well Model

2019 (latest update): 89.2% 2018: 93.3% 2017 (baseline year): 93.3%

Dementia Friendly

No data beyond baseline 2015 – 2017 (latest update): 4.4 years for males 3.3 years for females

Tackling Poverty Healthy Eating & Activity Strategy

Negative Change 2015/16 – 2017/18 (latest update): 15% 2014/15 – 2016/17 (baseline year): 14%

*Indicators removed or replaced: Percentage of people suffering from heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, asthma or diabetes Percentage of dwellings failing the Decent Homes Standard due to unfitness Percentage of the over 65 population reporting they are in good health **New or amended indicators: Percentage of population aged 60 years or older with low self-efficacy Percentage of population living in absolute poverty (before housing costs)

Tackling Poverty

Actions commenced Healthy Eating and Activity Strategy Action Plan which builds on and extends best partnership practice from Northern Healthy Lifestyles Partnership, Health Places Incentives Scheme and learning from Hearty Lives Carrickfergus and Every Body Active 2020. Includes use of leisure and open space to develop active lifestyles.

Take 5 Action Plan to address underlying causes of poor mental health and suicide by roll out of Take 5 to increase uptake across the borough via: • Conference / Charter to gain commitment and select target areas / initiatives; • Pilot programmes to develop learning and practical application; • Targeted support and guidance package to provide consistency and expand use of Take 5.

Autism Friendly Develop and implement a programme of awareness to develop the borough as an autism friendly place via: • Mid and East Antrim Borough Council to secure Autism Friendly Organisation status;

Greenways and Outdoor Spaces Creating greenways/pathways between areas, and reclaiming existing outdoor spaces including the development of an Urban/Community Growing Strategy to include the development of allotments and development of local trails as part of Every Body Active 2020: Outdoor Spaces.

Dementia Friendly Extending the dementia friendly programme into other areas of the borough and expanding it into broader Age Friendly programmes.

Ageing Well Model Developing an Ageing Well Model for Mid and East Antrim taking forward a partnership vision for communities in which older people age and live well as well as programmes for reducing social isolation and healthy living for older people.

Tackling Poverty Working with others to establish a Poverty Action Group for Mid and East Antrim who will work to understand what causes poverty, the impact it has on lives and work together to make life better for our citizens.

• Promote recognition and use of the JAM (Just a Minute) card for businesses and services in the borough.

20 | Mid and East Antrim - Statement of Progress

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Progress on our actions

Action

Please note that at this stage of delivery in the community planning process, it may still be too early to determine if anyone is better off as a result of these actions. However, the following provides an overview of what has been delivered between April 2017 and August 2019, including any associated impact.

Action

In Numbers An investment of £90,619 was approved for Mid and East Antrim Borough Council in 2018/19, to increase the number of people in the borough adopting and sustaining a sporting lifestyle.

Healthy Eating & Activity Strategy

5,271 participants engaged in the Every Body Active programme in 2018/19.

• 2,910 women and girls (55% of total participants, target of 58%) • 810 participants with a disability (15% of total participants, target of 17%) • 950 participants from areas of greatest need (18% of total participants, target of 34%) • 1,725 participants engaged in sustained activities (32% of total participants, target of 31%)

Percentage who have become a member of a sports club, team, or organized physical activity group since taking part in Every Body Active: • 21% of adult participants • 35% of 12-17 year olds

6 Energise programmes delivered in 2 primary schools in Larne with 131 participants from Linn Primary School and St. MacNissi’s Primary School. Programme covers 6 topics including: • Eat well guide • Fruit and vegetables • Sugar in food • Sugary drinks and hydration • Fat in diets • Healthy snacks

33% of adult participants indicated that taking part in the programme has made their health and fitness ‘much better’ whilst 62% reported being ‘slightly better’.

Carried out in partnership with 3 council areas of Mid and East Antrim, Antrim and Newtownabbey and Mid Ulster.

Take 5 Take 5 initiative to be delivered in 3 settings: Schools, Workplaces and Communities.

22 | Mid and East Antrim - Statement of Progress

As a result of the Energise Programme, there was an increase in understanding of a balanced diet amongst primary school children and 98% now bringing health snack to school for break.

Schools Take 5 Transition Programme is being developed by the Education Authority to assist pupils moving from primary to postprimary and piloted in 20 schools across Antrim and Newtownabbey and Mid and East Antrim Borough Council areas.

A spokesperson from SACN said, “All pupils from Carrickfergus Grammar reported that they really enjoyed the self-care event. Each year group enjoyed the variety of activities and were able to make the link to the Take 5 message. We did not have a single negative comment from any of the pupils spoken to.

Staff feedback was also very positive with many thinking we should make it an annual event and commenting how good it was to see pupils engaging so positively with the various activities.”

Workplaces 1 event for staff in County Hall, Ballymena in February 2019 with 16 organisations exhibiting and 120 attendees from 5 organisations - HSCB, PHA, EANI, MEABC and DoI.

61% of participants reported that their frequency of taking part in sport or physical activity had increased.

Percentage who reported enjoying of the programme: • 99% of adult participants • 99% aged 4-11 • 100% aged 12-17

Our Impact

1 school, Carrickfergus Grammar, has embraced Take 5 and have developed a school action plan for Take 5 including 2 events and a self-care day which took place in June 2019 and engaged 460 pupils. 1 short film created and produced by pupils in the school exploring issues around mental health.

Our Impact

66% of adult participants reported that taking part in the programme has given them more self-confidence.

In Numbers

Take 5 continued

As a result of the event in County Hall: 84% of attendees reported that they were likely to use the Take 5 messages in their everyday life.

Council has pledged to work towards becoming a Take 5 organisation with all 5 Directors to be trained to act as champions within the council and the wider community.

Also, to date, council’s Health and Wellbeing Forum have delivered 6 activities for staff under the Take 5 initiative.

There was an improvement in attendees understanding of each of the Take 5 messages: Connect - 86% improvement Keep learning – 72% improvement Be active – 60% improvement Take notice – 77% improvement Give – 80% improvement

Sensata who employ 1,500 people across sites in Antrim and Carrickfergus have pledged to become a Take 5 company. A Take 5 model for large businesses has been developed based on this. The model covers 3 strands: • Planning, raising awareness and information sharing • Training & Development • Building the sustainable infrastructure Community 3 community groups in Carrickfergus with 90 participants have benefited from Take 5 programmes including Men’s Shed, Sense Centre and Bereaved by Suicide.

468 Take 5 Steps to Wellbeing Information Packs distributed by SACN to various groups such as youth, church, sports, schools, men’s groups and women’s groups etc.

12 Take 5 Steps to Wellbeing Information Workshops hosted by SACN.

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Action

In Numbers

Our Impact

Action

1 new trail opened at Straidkilly in September 2018.

35 Promoting Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Small Grants commissioned by SACN through PHA funding to community voluntary sector groups within the localities of Antrim, Carrickfergus and Newtownabbey.

1 detailed study completed for Doagh to Larne Greenway.

8 community gardens completed with a further 9 to be delivered by March 2020.

5 community orchards in the borough with 9 more due to be completed by March 2020.

Larne Foodbank is developing a community garden and associated courses which take forward Take 5.

1 awareness package developed, in conjunction with Northern Area Autism Forum, for local businesses to highlight the knowledge they need and reasonable adjustments they may wish to make in order to be accessible and welcoming to people on the autistic spectrum.

Autism Friendly

1 event delivered with 60 attendees for employers on employing people with Autism.

3 events planned for Autumn 2019 to deliver autism impact awareness training to 75 Council staff across 3 public facing service areas Leisure, Museums and Community to help Mid and East Antrim Borough Council secure Autism Friendly Organisation status.

24 | Mid and East Antrim - Statement of Progress

Our Impact

1 Community Growing Strategy for Mid and East Antrim is due to be published for 20192025.

SACN have directly promoted the Take 5 Steps to Wellbeing message to at least 30 community voluntary sector groups and indirectly to an additional 250 community voluntary sector groups.

Take 5 continued

In Numbers

It is too early to report on any impact as a result of this action. This will follow after the awareness sessions are delivered across council staff and businesses within the borough.

Following the success of the Dementia model used across the borough, it is anticipated that this will be replicated for Autism.

Greenways & Outdoor Spaces

13 schools completed Forest Schools Programme involving over 300 children. 13 teachers trained and receiving qualification to ensure sustainability of the programme.

6 Larne Allotments ‘Grow Your Own’ workshops.

8 Wild About Food foraging events.

3 School Growing Clubs launched and 70 pupils completed the programme with 6 practical sessions and 60 hours overall.

A head teacher from one of the schools participating in the Forest Schools Programme said, “The pupils love every minute of it but there are so many other benefits. For me one of the main benefits is how it helps develop pupils’ confidence.

They get to take part in different activities, in a different environment and this does put some pupils outside of their comfort zone as they are not in their familiar classroom setting. As a result, I have seen pupils’ confidence flourish over the past five Forest School sessions. Above all, the Forest Schools lessons are a cross curricular experience like no other. The wide range of numeracy, literacy and art skills that we have covered in just five lessons is amazing!”

A teacher from one of the school participating in the School Growing Clubs said, “Thank you to Mid and East Antrim Council for all the help and support with the Growing Club. The children loved the experience and their excitement while building structures, growing veggies and tasting their home grown food was just amazing to see. This is certainly something that the school will continue next year, and I believe all the children will take this knowledge home with them.”

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Action

In Numbers 19 dementia awareness sessions delivered, comprising of: • 11 sessions for businesses across Larne and Carrickfergus; • 6 sessions for Mid and East Antrim Borough Council staff; and • 2 sessions for community groups.

108 businesses, with at least one member of staff, trained.

465 dementia friends including 140 council staff.

16 dementia champions received necessary training to support delivery of awareness sessions.

Dementia Friendly

30 wholetime firefighters in NIFRS received dementia awareness training.

2 Alzheimer Society Dementia Friendly Awards – Larne was awarded Dementia Friendly Community of the Year 2017. An Elected Member was awarded Overall winner of Dementia Champion 2018.

1st dementia choir in NI formed in Larne ‘This is Me’ with 40 members. Initially a 6 week project as part of NHSCT’s ‘Singing for Health’ but due to its success it has been ongoing with numerous performance bookings.

1 dementia garden developed in Larne.

26 | Mid and East Antrim - Statement of Progress

Our Impact

Action

In Numbers

Our Impact

90% of attendees reported that their knowledge of dementia has improved as a result of the awareness sessions.

8 partners participated in the development of an Ageing Well Model – Council, NHSCT, PHA, HSCB, DoJ, DfC, NIHE and PSNI.

Some comments from attendees at the dementia awareness sessions include: “This programme is informative and interesting. It helped to highlight the small steps you can take in everyday life which can have a huge impact on other people.”

“As someone with experience of dementia personally, I found the training thorough and really captured the understanding of the illness and how we can adapt to make the lives of dementia sufferers easier.”

“I would recommend this training for every member of the community in order to provide people with dementia a better quality of life through very simple changes.”

3 public consultation events with 79 people in attendance from over 30 different organisations.

1st joint procurement exercise with partners to identify a provider of Ageing Well Services.

Ageing Well Model

Provision of Ageing Well Services across Mid and East Antrim has been in place since October 2018 and extended to March 2020.

During the 10 months between 1 October 2018 and 31 July 2019: • 524 clients supported via Good Morning telephone calls. 16% of these clients have now been discharged from the service for a range of reasons including no longer requiring the service, moved into residential/nursing home or in supported living. An average of 25 new referrals per quarter.

• 225 good morning calls made per day and 82% of which are successful.

• 16% of clients receive 5 calls per week, 4% 4 days, 15% 3 days, 32% 2 days and 33% 1 day.

• 284 handy man maintenance visits.

• 116 older people homes fitted with home security equipment and 10 vulnerable under 50s.

• 134 older people signposted to ICT training/support.

To demonstrate personal impact on users of Ageing Well Services, the following case studies have been provided, one for the good morning calls and one for the handy man service: A 75 year old lady, currently lives alone in a bungalow located in a rural village within Ballymena. Her immediate family all live in the south of Ireland, so are not at hand to provide support. She has several long-term health conditions and has been in and out of hospital in recent months. She came to know about the Good Morning Ballymena support on offer, following a referral from her Northern Health & Social Care Trust Social Worker. She has been receiving one call a week since she joined in 2016 and notes how much she loves and values the friendship and interaction with the volunteer callers. Since receiving the telephone befriending calls she also attended the Good Morning Ballymena luncheon club and was signposted to another social club in her village, which she is now regularly attending and joining in outings with her new friends.

An older gentleman lives alone and does not have the support of family members to complete small home repairs. The MEAAP Community Navigator had received a referral from the Northern Health & Social Care Trust Social Worker to note that the gentleman was due to go into hospital for a planned operation, and would benefit from having a key safe supplied and fitted for when he would be returning home as he would require some domiciliary care support.

MEAAP then contacted him to confirm his consent and that the charge of £10 for labour would be required. He agreed to have the work completed, and following completion commented that it was ‘very good’ and the £10 rate was ‘very fair indeed’.

The fitting of the key safe was essential to allow his carers access to his home on a daily basis to provide necessary care and allow him some level of independence, while reducing his fear and risk of crime, as the only alternative would be to leave the door unlocked.

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Action

In Numbers 190 sessions delivered across Mid and East Antrim to help clients prepare for Universal Credit roll out and advise them on the use of on line budgeting tools, comparison websites, and the use of paper diaries to improve financial capability.

Our Impact Whilst it is too early to report on impact, it is anticipated that people will be better off as a result of this action via the development of a directory, cross-agency referral system, rebranding and campaign to address stigma.

2,293 individuals supported.

94 onward referrals to other supportive services.

A Tackling Poverty Together symposium was held in March 2019 with 43 attendees from 23 organisations/charities/churches.

83% of attendees at the symposium reported increased awareness of work being carried out /support being provided in respect of debt and poverty as a result of this workshop.

Following this a multi-agency poverty action group was formed comprising of 16 organisations/charities.

Tackling Poverty

1 directory of services currently being developed providing contact details of organisations and the practical help they can offer to clients experiencing poverty.

Uniform Exchange Scheme, led by Mid and East Antrim Community Advice Services, was launched across the borough in July 2019.

The scheme provides good quality pre-worn school uniforms and helps families avoid being pushed into debt buying new uniforms.

In preparation for the start of the new 2019/20 academic year, the scheme helped 145 families with 208 children availing of 554 items of school uniform with an estimated value of £6,700. 40% of these families were in receipt of benefits, 28% on low income and 22% other. Next year, it is hoped to extend this scheme further to include the provision of school PE kits.

28 | Mid and East Antrim - Statement of Progress

A spokesperson from Council said, “It can cost families up to £250 per child to buy school uniforms ready for the new academic year. With household budgets being squeezed more and more, kitting a child out for school can be a real financial strain for families. It can often be breaking point for some households of the 30k schoolchildren across Mid and East Antrim. Lots of uniform, often in good condition is thrown away with each household binning more than 25kg of textiles a year. Aside from the environmental impact, this is also a waste of perfectly good clothing which could be used to help families who need it.”

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Progress on our indicators

Progress in Education Developing educational achievement and aspirations.

The outcomes are statements of what we want Mid and East Antrim to look like in 15 years’ time and the indicators are the means by which we measure our progress towards achieving our outcomes.

The Community Planning Partnership has taken the opportunity to review the suitability of the indicators

Our Outcomes

Schools Event ‘Under the Spotlight’ In November 2018, school children from across Mid and East Antrim Borough Council were inspired by the local business world with displays of some of the most advanced engineering and manufacturing technologies.

In our borough there are no barriers to stop anyone achieving their educational potential.

The ‘Year of Engineering Event’ event saw companies from across the borough open their doors to the next generation of engineers and entrepreneurs at Northern Regional College’s Ballymena campus. The event aimed to highlight future career pathways and opportunities available to the students within Mid and East Antrim’s manufacturing and engineering sector.

Over 150 school children from Ballymena Academy, St. Patrick’s College, Carrickfergus Grammar and Larne High School took part in action-packed workshops, enabling them to: experience typical engineering roles; speak with staff from local businesses; and experience a range of interactive exhibits including virtual reality welding headsets, drones, generators and a full-scale Wrightbus.

Our people and wider communities place value on life-long learning.

Organisations involved included Caterpillar, Clarke Façades, Cranswick, GES Group, IPC Mouldings, McAuley Engineering, Plotbox, Ryobi, Sensata Technologies, Wrightbus and Yelo.

The pilot initiative stemmed from the companies and stakeholders involved in the skills sub-group of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Manufacturing Task Force, which aims to rejuvenate the manufacturing sector within the borough and ensure a skills pipeline is in place to meet their needs.

The event has seen the Council, NRC and a range of businesses across the sector collaborating together. A representative from the NRC, said: “By working with our friends and stakeholders on the Manufacturing Task Force, ambitious events like this are a wonderful opportunity for us to showcase the collaborative partnerships that exist between the College and local industry. These successful partnerships are key to improving our students’ employability and career prospects.”

30 | Mid and East Antrim - Statement of Progress

We have a skilled workforce able to adapt to the changing economy

originally identified in ‘Putting People First’. As a result some of these have been amended or removed. This may have been for a variety of reasons such as more appropriate measures now available, data provided too infrequently or no related actions to impact on them.

Please note that caution should be taken when interpreting the figures below as some fluctuations since the baseline year may not be statistically significant. Also, at this stage in the community planning process, any changes in the indicators cannot be directly attributed to actions undertaken by the Community Planning Partnership as it is still too early to determine.

Our Indicators*

Progress against Indicators

Gap between the percentage of school leavers entitled to free school meals and those not entitled, achieving 5 GCSEs (inc. English and Maths)

Positive Change 2017/18 (latest update): 33.6% 2016/17 (baseline year): 35.6%

Parental Engagement

Percentage of school leavers achieving 5 GCSEs (inc. English and Maths)*

Positive Change 2017/18 (latest update): 73.8% 2016/17 (baseline year): 70.8%

Parental Engagement

Percentage of the workforce in employment qualified to level 2 and above (Level 2: 5 or more GCSEs)

Positive Change 2018 (latest update): 76.1% 2017 (baseline year): 72.6%

Percentage of the workforce in employment qualified to level 4 and above (Level 4+: HNC, foundation / first / higher degree etc.)

Skills barometer

Related Actions

Skills Forum

Volunteering Skills Forum

Negative Change 2018 (latest update): 33.7% 2017 (baseline year): 38.4%

Volunteering

Indicator development required at LGD level

Skills Forum

*Indicators removed or replaced: Percentage of school leavers achieving 5 GCSEs (inc English and Maths) by Religion and Gender Percentage of care leavers who, aged 19, are in education, training and employment

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Actions commenced Parental Engagement Research and report on best practice in raising aspirations of children and parents in relation to nursery, primary, post primary and further education.

Explore and learn from family/ parenting programmes, for example ‘Incredible Years’.

Skills Forum To establish a skills forum to develop stronger linkages between business and education, using existing groupings and new participants to develop increased interaction between the two sectors. This includes career advice. The aim of the forum

would be to ensure a skills pipeline is in place to meet current and future needs of industry in Mid and East Antrim and engage with NRC and other providers to support access and extend provision of further education and vocational training across the borough.

Volunteering To map the sector, create opportunities to increase participation in volunteering and support organisations to welcome new volunteers through creating positive opportunities, training and recognition.

Progress on our actions Please note that at this stage of delivery in the community planning process, it may still be too early to determine if anyone is better off as a result of these actions. However, the following provides an overview of what has been delivered between April 2017 and August 2019, including any associated impact.

Action

In Numbers

Our Impact

5 organisations in delivery group comprising of Education Authority, Council, Libraries NI, Parenting NI and Family Support Hub. 1 report produced detailing research on best practice for parental engagement.

It is too early to report on any impact as a result of this action. This will follow after delivery of the pilot programmes in schools which are due to commence at the start of the 2019/20 academic year.

6 primary schools identified for participation in an initial parental engagement pilot programme in Carrickfergus.

Parental Engagement

32 | Mid and East Antrim - Statement of Progress

Formative Years Programme delivered to 2 nursery schools in Larne in collaboration with Council’s Good Relations and Play Development teams, and local community.

Focussed on promoting positive relationships between people of different backgrounds through physical, recreational and storytelling workshops. Parents of the nursery school children were invited and involved in joint participation at each session.

16 workshops were delivered with 106 pre –school children and alongside this 20 parents also engaged in the sessions. 64% of teachers/parents attending the programme felt that it had helped them.

Fundamentally, the key achievement of this programme has been the development of relationships between teachers, schools, children and parents who live in the same community but may not have the opportunity to develop relationships and interact with each other.

Some comments from teachers and parents involved in the programme included: “Great experience for both kids and parents.”

“A very well put together event. Enjoyed every bit of it, both adults and kids.”

“Parental involvement level was very good.”

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Action

In Numbers 41 members from 26 partner organisations in the Skills Subgroup of the Manufacturing Task Force, which is acting as the de facto skills forum for Mid and East Antrim.

9 Skills Subgroup meetings to date.

Our Impact

Action

4 European Social Fund employability programmes delivered by USEL, NOW Group, Network Personnel and ENI to develop the skills of 291 participants which have helped 98 people in to paid employment and 32 into Further Education.

In Numbers

Our Impact

8 partners in the delivery group – Volunteer Now, Mid and East Antrim Agewell Partnership, NHSCT, Council, NRC, Northern Area Community Network, Keep NI Beautiful and DfC.

It is too early to report on any impact as a result of this action. However, this will follow after delivery of a number of planned activities including: • Workshop to highlight the impact of volunteering on employability.

• Delivery of training session to organisations so that they can identify the skills gained through volunteering within an interview scenario when recruiting.

• Conference showcasing good practice in the inclusion of vulnerable people as volunteers.

• Delivery of a suite of training sessions for organisations who involve volunteers in order to improve and support good practice in volunteer management.

• Workshops to support volunteers in the new system ‘Be Collective’ to enable them to record their volunteering journey and social impact.

• Celebration of Volunteering within Mid and East Antrim.

4 meetings of partners.

Skills survey launched to over 200 businesses in the manufacturing sector in February 2019 with 81 responses. 72% of respondents face issues recruiting individuals with the required skills giving rise to 449 vacancies across the 81 businesses. 88% of respondents want more information regarding existing skills initiatives such as apprenticeships, assured skills etc. 55% would be interested in participating in the Collaborative Growth Programme.

Skills Forum

Approval of Collaborative Growth Programme Funding from Invest NI to appoint a facilitator to work with the Manufacturing Task Force on skills issues with an initial £25k funding to complete a 6 month scoping study and potential additional funding of £170k.

‘Year of Engineering Event’ in November 2018 targeted at key stage 3 school children in the borough to raise awareness of the career opportunities in the sector. Over 150 children attended from 4 schools with 11 organisations representing Mid and East Antrim’s manufacturing and engineering sector. 6 pupils from Ballymena Academy were successful in an application at the event to attend the Brian Cox Summer School in July 2019.

34 | Mid and East Antrim - Statement of Progress

Further impact will be reported following the delivery of a number of planned activities including: • Launch of an Assured Skills Academy in Supply Chain, Procurement, Transport and Logistics.

• ‘Engage the future’ careers event to promote opportunities in logistics, haulage and freight.

• ‘Digital Youth’ masterclass challenge in 7 local schools to ignite interest in the digital sector.

A representative from a participating organisation at the ‘Year of Engineering Event’ stated, “The Manufacturing Task Force has been exemplary in what it has achieved. It is striving to ensure we think about our young people as they come into adulthood not only for the manufacturing sector, but also for wider society. Companies across the borough are now actively collaborating; recognising their shared need.

That was something that historically did not happen. From education and business resources to the different private sector companies involved, it is fantastic to see the collaboration amongst the different institutions involved.”

1 mapping exercise with a survey issued by Volunteer Now to community, voluntary and statutory members to assess the extent of volunteer provision in Mid and East Antrim.

41 organisations participated in the survey which involved a total of approximately 2,783 volunteers.

Volunteering

During Volunteer Week in June 2019, there was recognition of 12 volunteers within the community and voluntary sector who participate in the Community Panel of the Community Planning Partnership structure.

Council’s Parks and Open Spaces team create opportunities for and support volunteers across the borough with approximately 480 volunteers representing 16 ‘Mid and East Antrim in Bloom’ partnerships and providing an estimate of 9,600 volunteer man hours per annum.

Also, 3 ‘Friends of’ groups with a core of 30 volunteers who amass approximately 2,160 man hours per annum. A range of other community groups focused on horticulture and biodiversity are also supported throughout the borough.

This not only saves Council staff time and money, there are also huge benefits to the volunteers themselves who feel immense pride in their work and a sense of community and companionship that the partnerships have fostered. An estimate of cost saving to Council annually is £18,000 per green space or per village.

Volunteer commitment is recognised at the Mid and East Antrim in Bloom Community Competition and prize giving ceremony each October. In 2018, 36 individuals and groups were recognized for their dedication.

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Progress on our indicators

Community Safety and Cohesion Reducing crime and creating good relations between people and communities.

The outcomes are statements of what we want Mid and East Antrim to look like in 15 years’ time and the indicators are the means by which we measure our progress towards achieving our outcomes.

The Community Planning Partnership has taken the opportunity to review the suitability of the indicators

Our Outcomes

The initiative sees Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Department of Justice, PSNI, NIFRS, NHSCT, NIHE and other statutory agencies, working together to help vulnerable individuals get the right support.

Our people feel safe in their community and have a sense of belonging to the area

The number of recorded crimes

Each agency in the hub identifies vulnerable people and, with their consent, shares what relevant information they have with the other partners. This helps create a full picture of their particular circumstances and avoids the person having to tell their story many times.

The Support Hub demonstrates how statutory partners working together and sharing information can literally change lives for the better. It truly is community planning in action by doing what it says, and putting people first.

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The percentage of people who feel a sense of belonging to their neighbourhood

Please note that caution should be taken when interpreting the figures below as some fluctuations since the baseline year may not be statistically significant. Also, at this stage in the community planning process, any changes in the indicators cannot be directly attributed to actions undertaken by the Community Planning Partnership as it is still too early to determine.

Progress against Indicators Negative Change 2017/18 (latest update): 69% 2016/17 (baseline year): 70%

The number of hate crime incidents recorded

Our borough has vibrant, shared and cohesive communities

The percentage of people who feel that their cultural identity is respect by society The percentage of people carrying out unpaid voluntary work in the previous year

Related Actions Safer Places Planning

Paramilitary Activity

Negative Change 2016-2018 (latest update): 88.7% 2015-2017 (baseline year): 89.2% Negative Change

The framework involves representatives from various agencies, meeting regularly to discuss local individuals who may require support, and working out how those agencies work together to provide help.

It has helped people through referrals to the right support services or the passing on of information to direct them to different ways to get help. In addition, services such as NIAS and PSNI are witnessing a reduction in the large number of cohorts requesting their services, as they were prolific callers.

Our Indicators* The percentage of people reporting that the fear of crime has a minimal impact on their quality of life

Support Hub ‘Under the Spotlight’ Mid and East Antrim’s ‘Support Hub’ has helped change almost 50 lives for the better since it launched just over two years ago.

originally identified in ‘Putting People First’. As a result some of these have been amended or removed. This may have been for a variety of reasons such as more appropriate measures now available, data provided too infrequently or no related actions to impact on them.

2018/19 (latest update): 6,739 2017/18: 6,044 2016/17 (baseline year): 5,725

Safer Places Planning

Support Hub Safer Places Planning

Positive Change

Safer Places Planning

2018/19 (latest update): 122 2017/18: 156 2016/17 (baseline year): 160

Paramilitary Activity

Negative Change

Safer Places Planning

2016-2018 (latest update): 70.0% 2015-2017 (baseline year): 73.1%

Paramilitary Activity

No data available yet Due annually from 2020 onwards

Volunteering (Progress in Education) Intergenerational

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Our Outcomes

Our borough has structured arrangements to support and deter those most at risk of becoming involved in crime

Progress against Indicators

Our Indicators* The number of antisocial behaviour incidents

Related Actions

Positive Change

Safer Places Planning

2018/19 (latest update): 3,745 2017/18: 3,857 2016/17 (baseline year): 4,179

Support Hub Safer Places Planning

The number of young people involved with the Youth Justice Agency

Negative Change 2017/18 (latest update): 65 2016/17 (baseline year): 59

Progress on our actions Please note that at this stage of delivery in the community planning process, it may still be too early to determine if anyone is better off as a result of these actions. However, the following provides an overview of what has been delivered between April 2017 and August 2019, including any associated impact.

Action

Paramilitary Activity

*Indicators removed or replaced: The number of reported incidents with a domestic abuse motivation

18 Support Hub meetings since launched in September 2017.

Actions commenced

Safer Places Planning Scoping and identification of the most vulnerable places within the borough. Develop a multi-agency ‘rapid reaction’ problem solving team, to deal with emerging issues with regard to environmental issues and antisocial activity that is having the highest impact on people’s quality of life.

46 vulnerable people have been referred through the Support Hub.

38 | Mid and East Antrim - Statement of Progress

30% reduction in calls to PSNI from cohorts following interventions on the Support Hub.

Mid and East Antrim Support Hub was showcased as an example of best practice to the Head of the Civil Service, Mr David Stirling.

244 actions completed by PSNI. 260 actions completed by other Support Hub members.

Support Hub

Following successful engagement and support it is imperative to note that a reduction in current cohort behaviour and actions is a major key pivotal factor in resolving cases and issues long-term. This also reduces public authority time and expenditure.

41% of cohorts successfully removed from Support Hub and no longer require support due to reduced vulnerability.

189 people have been signposted with no need for referral.

Paramilitary Activity To explore projects or interventions, in conjunction with regional departments and agencies, to help to address concerns regarding paramilitary activity within the borough.

Intergenerational Design community planning activities that promote greater understanding and respect between generations.

Our Impact

9 partner organisations involved in the Support Hub, delivered and managed through PCSP - PSNI, NHSCT, NIHE, NIFRS, Council, Youth Justice Agency , NIAS and DOJ.

Support Hub

Support Hub A dedicated cross-agency group to focus on emerging issues of vulnerability and identification of those individuals most at risk. A crosspartner sharing of information and knowledge with a view to developing appropriate support.

In Numbers

1 award nomination - Mid and East Antrim Support Hub was a finalist in the Northern Ireland Local Government (NILGA) awards in September 2018.

Mid and East Antrim Support Hub has hosted 6 other Council areas to showcase this Hub as a model of good practice.

13 success stories which demonstrate the positive impact that the Support Hub is having on the lives of clients, for example: “Single middle aged female with alcohol problems and was one of the highest users of the Emergency Services. Her behaviour also involved A&E Hospital Services with assaults on staff. Via Support Hub, a case conference was held to discuss best way forward. She is now on Housing Executive waiting list and offered sheltered accommodation with good progress being made and she has engaged with local church.”

“A young man living alone in a housing executive flat, suffering from mental health issues, alcohol and drug misuse. He had a close family circle, but younger men were taking advantage of him by using his property as a place to deal drugs. The Support Hub was able to help by securing him an appointment with health professionals, substance support services, as well as securing appropriate accommodation. He is now thriving as part of a volunteer group. This shows Support Hubs help deliver the right support at the right time.”

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Action

In Numbers 12 partner organisations engaged in working group.

Our Impact

Action

98% of the participants in the anti-social behaviour working group stated that their participation was positive and beneficial.

4 anti-social behaviour forum meetings per year.

26 vulnerable places identified within the borough.

8 projects delivered or currently being delivered through the PCSP action plan which include ‘on street’ youth activity targeted programmes for hotspot areas across the borough - Bytes Detached Youth Work, Community Wardens, Banjaxed, Blackout Play, GodModex, IFA football project, Wheelworks project and New Driver programme.

Partnership work between statutory and community bodies is a key enabler to tackling anti-social behaviour. PSNI report a reduction of 4% in anti-social behaviour incidents as a result of the projects and good positive engagement within the community.

Paramilitary Activity Although not yet published, PSNI have confirmed that their figures show a slight increase in the number of hate crime incidents being reported in areas within the borough following the roll out of the ‘No Hate Here!’ initiative. Whilst this may appear counter initiative, it should be recognised as a positive element in one regards as it may demonstrate increasing confidence and awareness of how to report, which is a core focus of the ‘No Hate Here!’ initiative.

A spokesperson from the PSNI stated, “We recognise the impact hate crime has on victims and communities and welcome the roll out of this initiative across Mid and East Antrim.

For various reasons people may feel they can’t come directly to police with their concerns so knowing that there are local businesses and organisations out there that can provide that initial support and signposting is a great resource.”

A representative from the Inter Ethnic Forum said, “It is great to see businesses in our borough working collaboratively with agencies to take action against Hate Crime.”

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7 organisations in delivery group – PSNI, Council, Department for Communities, Department of Justice, Youth Justice Agency, The Executive Office and Co-operation Ireland.

Links with Tackling Poverty action within the Good Health and Wellbeing theme, as debt is a mode by which individuals may become vulnerable to coercion of paramilitaries or organised crime.

1 – ‘Putting People First’ is the only community plan in Northern Ireland to reference paramilitarism.

68% of attendees at the ‘Banjaxed’ performance reported being more aware of the issues and risks for young people and 63% reported being more likely to avoid or manage these risks better.

Sunnylands Youth Project delivered by Council’s Good Relations Department via 2 sessions to 8 youths who were at risk of becoming involved in paramilitary activity.

The programme aimed to de-glamorise conflict and violence in an area which is difficult to engage in. It also looked at the legacy of conflict and the personal impact of engagement in armed conflict.

60 attendees from a range of partner organisations at a Placed Based Approach event in June 2019 focussing on Carrickfergus.

Included a presentation from Will Linden, specialist in behavioural and geographic analysis of violence from Glasgow’s Violence Reduction Unit. 59% of attendees felt that the place based approach could work in Carrickfergus while an additional 32% felt that elements of it may work. 39% identified drugs as their main concern in Carrickfergus.

‘No Hate Here!’ Initiative delivered in partnership with Council’s Good Relations Department, PSNI and Inter Ethnic Forum to raise awareness of the impact of hate crime.

• Over 50 people attended seminar to raise awareness of the impact of hate crime within the borough.

• Over 60 organisations across the Mid and East Antrim Borough have signed up to the ‘No Hate Here!’ initiative including Translink NI. • Development of a resource pack and awareness raising materials for key businesses, churches and community organisations.

• 8 business and community organisations within the Ballymena area received awareness training on hate crime.

• In March 2019, ‘Read all about it’ play delivered to 1,000 young people exploring and creating dialogue in regards to the challenges and benefits of diversity and impact of hate crime.

Our Impact

5 performances of the play ‘Banjaxed’ delivered to 305 youths across the borough in October and November 2018. ‘Banjaxed’ raises awareness about the danger posed to children from paramilitary and organised crime groups. Delivered in conjunction with Mid and East Antrim Policing and Community Safety Partnership and Department of Justice.

199 anti-social behaviour incidents addressed

by Community Safety Wardens.

Safer Places Planning

In Numbers

3 IFA football programmes due to be delivered, in partnership with PSNI, PCSP and community workers, in areas where there is little youth activity to divert from paramilitary influence. PSNI will identify approximately 15 youths in each of the 3 areas, Ballymena, Carrickfergus and Larne to take part in scheme which will have a strong focus on tackling paramilitary influence.

Comments from some of the attendees included: “Brought awareness and showed issues that occur in today’s society”.

“Makes us more aware of things going on in our communities and showed us how to be safer”.

The young people engaged well and had positive attitude change with an increase of 88% in those who felt a greater sense of belonging to Northern Ireland as whole.

100% felt the programme helped them with some stating, “I want to be involved in cross community work” and “We cannot return to violence”.

It is too early to report on any impact as a result of the IFA programme. This will follow after its delivery in Autumn 2019.

The ‘Communities in Transition’ project aims to support 8 areas in NI where there has been a history of paramilitary and coercive control. 1 of these areas is in Mid and East Antrim covering Antiville and Kilwaughter in Larne and Northland and Castlemara in Carrickfergus. Partners work collaboratively to deliver this project, with PSNI and Council staff having attended 9 information and follow up sessions on ‘Communities in Transition’.

Redeeming Our Communities (ROC) event took place in Carrickfergus in January 2019 with 141 attendees. The influence of paramilitaries was a big concern for attendees particularly in connection with money lending, targeting businesses, intimidation and influence on young people.

This event helped inform a place-based event in Carrickfergus in June 2019.

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Action

In Numbers

Our Impact

Action

7 organisations in delivery group – Linking Generations NI, PSNI, NHSCT, Northern Area Community Network, MEAAP, Alzheimer’s Society and Council.

Intergenerational

Mid and East Antrim were the 1st council to host an intergenerational network information session in January 2019 in partnership with Linking Generations NI. Attended by 10 people but hope to have a follow up session to boost numbers.

100% of attendees agreed that they would find membership beneficial.

18 people signed up to Mid and East Antrim’s intergenerational network but this will be further promoted by council and partners.

In Numbers

Our Impact

Linking Generations are developing a funding application to NIHE to deliver a programme in partnership with the PSNI, Carrick Academy and a local older peoples group.

This will involve 10 younger people and 10 older people collaborating on a mutually beneficial project to build relationships and help learn more about other age groups issues and concerns.

It is too early to report on any impact as a result of this, however any change in attitude via this project will be evaluated.

1 ‘All Ages April’ grant awarded within the borough. The All Ages April grants scheme, supported by the Public Health Agency, offers grants of up to £150 to support one off projects to celebrate ‘All Ages April’ which bring generations together and help to create Age-Friendly communities.

Intergenerational

3 intergenerational partnerships formed through the ‘Peacing Ages Together’ project.

Each partnership had 26 hours contact together having fun and making new friends across 10 sessions and a 6 hour celebration event. The partnerships included: • Doury Road Youth Committee, Ballymena and Alzheimer’s Society Friendship with 26 participants including 12 older people who live with dementia. Took part in walking trips and art project called ‘Memory pieces through the ages’.

As a result of the project, Doury Road Youth Committee were finalists in the Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Friendly Awards 2018.

• Gilaroo Nursing Home, Larne and Inkpots Daycare, Larne with 24 participants. Took part in music, dance, pimp my zimmer sessions and a daytrip to Carnfunnock Country Park.

• Tamlaght Nursing Home, Carrickfergus and Sunnylands Nursery School, Carrickfergus with 25 participants. Took part in drumming, ‘Wee Critters’ visit and an intergenerational party day with disco and ice cream van.

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A participant of the intergenerational partnership affected by dementia stated, “I’m impressed that the young people have got involved with Alzheimer’s and got a first-hand experience of what someone with Dementia is like. Running more schemes like this through schools and youth groups would be of great benefit.”

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Progress on our indicators The outcomes are statements of what we want Mid and East Antrim to look like in 15 years’ time and the indicators are the means by which we measure our progress towards achieving our outcomes.

Our Environment Increasing awareness, positive attitudes and action for a clean, safe, protected, vibrant environment.

The Community Planning Partnership has taken the opportunity to review the suitability of the indicators

Our Outcomes

Community groups from across the borough who were passionate about their local environment were invited to participate in this new initiative to enhance local civic pride. Three enthusiastic community groups took up the challenge and were given education, practical support and funding guidance on how to tidy up, spruce up and shape up their areas!

Charles Sheils community group in Carrickfergus created a garden full of fruit, vegetables and flowers that promotes biodiversity, education for local schools, and comradeship and fun activities for the community. The group accommodate a number of educational school visits and community sessions providing an introduction to caring for wildlife, environment, recycling and encouraging good eating habits

through grow your own. The group is much appreciated by their local community who have seen a reduction in vandalism, litter and dog fouling since the garden was created.

Dunclug Community Group covers 700 houses over 4 estates in Ballymena. Their overall aim was to see an attitudinal change towards reducing rubbish, litter and dog fouling in the area and improving recycling levels. They run a full programme of activities for all ages and backgrounds, including clean ups, study visits, competitions, awareness campaigns and engagement days to help people understand co-delivery and find a role for themselves. The group received funding from Live Here Love Here to buy equipment, promote new litter initiatives and hope to start a community garden.

Portglenone Paddlers are a recently set up community group giving local people of all ages and visitors an alternative outdoor recreational activity beneficial to

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physical and mental health. In addition the group have started to clean up litter from the banks of the River Bann between Newferry and Clady protecting wildlife and keeping the river attractive for residents and visitors. The group encourage volunteers and raise awareness of the damage litter is causing on the land and waterways. They received funding from Live Here Love Here for equipment to carry out regular clean ups and a recent clean up in August resulted in a lot of trapped plastic packaging being pulled from the banks.

All three community groups have shown passion and commitment to reducing litter, improving biodiversity and the environment in which they live and more importantly changing behaviours and instilling civic pride in their areas. Environmental champions are born!

Our Indicators* Percentage of all journeys which are made by walking/ cycling/public transport

Eco Communities ‘Under the Spotlight’ So what is an Eco Community? It is a community group interested in environmental education and action for sustainability.

originally identified in ‘Putting People First’. As a result some of these have been amended or removed. This may have been for a variety of reasons such as more appropriate measures now available, data provided too infrequently or no related actions to impact on them.

The natural environment and built heritage of our borough is protected and sustainably managed.

Number of parks and green spaces awarded Green Flag status

Number of Local Nature Reserves

The energy efficiency of homes, mean SAP rating

People enjoy easy access to our borough’s natural environment and built heritage.

Percentage of people spending leisure time outdoors at least once a week**

Please note that caution should be taken when interpreting the figures below as some fluctuations since the baseline year may not be statistically significant. Also, at this stage in the community planning process, any changes in the indicators cannot be directly attributed to actions undertaken by the Community Planning Partnership as it is still too early to determine.

Progress against Indicators

Related Actions Cycle Infrastructure

No data beyond baseline 2015-17 (latest update): 24%

Greenways & Open Spaces (Good Health & Wellbeing)

Positive Change 2019/20 (latest update): 10 2018/19: 8 2016/17 (baseline year): 7

N/A

Positive Change 2018 (latest update): 6 2017 (baseline year): 5

N/A

No data beyond baseline 2016 (latest update): 66.72 The higher the score (max 100) the higher the efficiency

Resource Efficiency Programme

Positive Change 2018/19 (latest update): 86% 2017/18: 86% 2016/17 (baseline year): 79%

Cycle Infrastructure Greenways & Open Spaces (Good Health & Wellbeing)

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Our Outcomes

Percentage of people of expressing concern for the Environment

People value our borough’s natural environment and built heritage and behave responsibly towards it.

Progress against Indicators

Our Indicators*

Percentage of local authority collected waste prepared for reuse, dry recycling or composting Percentage of transects failed to meet the accepted standard for litter

Related Actions

Negative Change 2018/19 (latest update): 69% 2017/18: 78% 2016/17 (baseline year): 77% Positive Change 2017/18 (latest update): 51.7% 2016/17 (baseline year): 45.5%

Negative Change 2018/19 (latest update): 17% 2017/18: 18% 2016/17 (baseline year): 15%

Environmental Champions

Environmental Champions Resource Efficiency Programme Environmental Champions Tourism Strategy

*Indicators removed or replaced: Number of beaches awarded Blue Flag status Percentage of people accessing the natural environment at least once a week **New or amended indicators: Percentage of people spending leisure time outdoors at least once a week

Actions commenced Environmental Champions Develop and launch an Environmental Champions Programme to encourage more environmentally responsible behaviour.

Cycle Infrastructure Explore potential for development of additional cycle infrastructure.

Tourism Strategy Ensure the implementation of Council’s Tourism Strategy is done in an environmentally sustainable way.

Resource Efficiency Programme Deliver a resource efficiency programme in partnership with local businesses.

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Progress on our actions

Action

Please note that at this stage of delivery in the community planning process, it may still be too early to determine if anyone is better off as a result of these actions. However, the following provides an overview of what has been delivered between April 2017 and August 2019, including any associated impact.

Action

In Numbers Eco Community Programme was successfully launched in October 2018.

3 community groups signed up to Eco Community Programme - Charles Sheils Community Group, Carrickfergus; Dunclug Community Partnership, Ballymena; and Portglenone Paddlers, Ballymena.

Environmental Champions

The three community groups have been empowered with information and support on how to make environmental improvements in their area and how to apply for funding to assist with this.

2 topics progressed with each of the 3 community groups to include littering, biodiversity, waste and recycling.

3 education and awareness sessions on littering delivered in Nov and Dec 2018 with 45 people reached across the 3 groups.

It is hoped that this will encourage more environmental community champions across Mid and East Antrim.

3 applications for funding submitted to Live Here Love Here with 2 of these being successful.

All 3 participating groups receiving certified ‘Eco-Community’ status.

Our Impact

Approximately 150 responses to the public consultation on the ‘Cycling Routes Masterplan’ and also collaborated extensively with a number of stakeholders on cycle requirements in the borough.

This action is focused on exploring the potential for the development of additional cycle infrastructure. The exercise has now been completed, however any impact on users will not be evident until the new routes have been developed.

6 additional partner organisations have input into the Cycling Routes Masterplan - Translink, DFI, PSNI, Education Authority, Sustrans and Sustainable NI.

Our Impact

The community has benefited through the education and support these groups have received to enable them to develop and improve their local environment which is accessible to all members of the local community.

In Numbers

2 reports published - Cycling Routes Masterplan launched in September 2019 and also an accompanying summary document.

5 goals in the masterplan - to create a cycle friendly borough that encourages and supports active travel including: • A safe routes to school programme • Better links to public transport hubs • Safe routes to public transport centres initiative • Safe routes to community and leisure facilities • Planning for the future programme ensuring active travel provision is included as part of all major planning applications.

Cycle Infrastructure

3 specific prioritises identified in Ballymena: • Creating a North Ballymena Cycle Loop.

• Developing the Braid Riverside Path from Galgorm to Broughshane.

• Realising a South Ballymena Greenway from Green Pastures in Ballee to the town centre and Ecos Nature Park.

1 priority for the Carrickfergus area focuses on: • Creating a coastal greenway linking Carrickfergus to Jordanstown and joining the existing popular cycle and walkway to Belfast and further afield.

5 key priorities for the Larne area involve: • Completing a cycle route through the town from the A8 corridor dual carriageway to the Antrim Coast Road, connecting to the Port of Larne.

• Development of the Larne to Doagh Greenway along the A8.

• Establishing a circular leisure route around Larne lagoon with access to Redlands retail and leisure outlets.

• Developing a greenway along Linn Glen to join the A8 dual carriageway at Antiville.

• Creating a cycle route from Seacliff to Larne Leisure Centre passing through Town Parks and linking to the promenade.

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Action

In Numbers 6 partners in new forum for Causeway Coastal Route master planning and visioning established, including Tourism NI, DfI, DfC, trade clusters, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, and Causeway Coast and Glens Council.

Our Impact

Action

It is too early to report on any impact yet as a result of the forum, however this will follow once it has defined the data and set targets to monitor tourism impact on the landscape.

1 of their collective aims is to enable a sustainable tourism industry.

Tourism Strategy

5 actions identified to address this: • Identify and achieve a sustainable tourism accreditation for the Causeway Coastal Route and area.

• Partner the development and implementation of the World Heritage Sites and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty management plans.

• Support recommendations from the National Trust Sustainability Study.

• Define the data and set targets to monitor tourism impact on the landscape.

• Conversion of key bus routes to electric or diesel hybrid services and provision of electric charging in car parks and tourist destinations.

Annual survey of birdlife to assess the effect of the Gobbins Cliff Path, which is an Area of Special Scientific Interest.

Littering was identified by Tourism Clusters within the borough as a negative impact of tourism on the environment and therefore prioritised within this action.

Council have worked in partnership with community groups across the borough in 31 clean ups between January and June 2019, involving 560 volunteers and lifting over 1,000 bags of rubbish from streets and beaches.

1 Resource Efficiency Programme launched in October 2018.

Resource Efficiency Programme

10 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) selected to receive a Resource Efficiency Information Pack and invited to take part in the Resource Efficiency Programme.

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No negative effect reported in over 3 years.

Resource Efficiency Programme continued

In Numbers

Our Impact

5 energy saving programmes delivered to households and communities: • Household Energy Efficiency support and advice - Council received 234 requests for energy efficiency related support and advice, carried out 154 face to face contacts and home visits, made 68 onward referrals to other support services and 127 referrals to energy efficiency grant support schemes.

• Affordable Warmth Scheme - Council made 271 household visits and 165 households surveyed following confirmation of eligibility for the affordable warmth scheme.

• Slow Energy Efficient - delivered 2 slow cooking sessions to local community/ support groups.

• Sew Energy Efficient - 3 community based groups have been loaned 10 sewing machines and accompanying equipment along with material to make draught excluders.

• Energy Detectives – 3 schools have participated in this school-based programme providing 120 pupils with practical learning around energy use in the home with the help of an energy monitor.

This scheme enabled eligible households to avail of the installation of free insulation, heating and windows, which supports local businesses carrying out the work.

15 talks and events to promote energy efficiency since October 2018 in which council staff provide one to one advice or present to a group.

Collaborative work with 2 other organisations, WRAP NI and Derry City and Strabane District Council, to pilot ‘Your Business is Food’ project. 9 businesses in Mid and East Antrim within the Hospitality and Food Sector took part in the pilot. Food waste was calculated in 3 areas spoilage, preparation and plate waste and an actual cost calculated to the business in terms of the waste being discarded.

One local hotel that participated in the pilot made a 50% reduction in their food waste which resulted in an annual saving of £20,000.

Following the success of the pilot, 11 businesses are currently committed to the project.

100% of businesses who took part reported to have a change in attitude with regards to food waste as a result of this project and some of the businesses have adopted long term approaches to monitor and improve food waste.

Another premises that repeated the food waste measurement 4 weeks after introducing changes in their business as a result of the pilot findings have seen their overall food waste decrease by 51%.

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What next?

Where appropriate, the Community Planning Partnership will continue to deliver the short-term actions, monitoring progress and impact. However, many of these are enabling actions and therefore involve the preliminary work in advance of future actions, which will deliver an impact on citizens.

The partnership has started to consider the medium-term actions, some of which have been identified already, and form delivery groups to take these forward.

A statement of progress will be produced every two years with the next one due in 2021.

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Our Vision 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.

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council 1-29 Bridge Street Ballymena BT43 5EJ Tel: 0300 124 5000 communityplanning@midandeastantrim.gov.uk www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/ communityplanning 56 | Mid and East Antrim - Statement of Progress

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