Connections - Winter 2020

Mid and East Antrim Borough Residents’ Magazine

We are all

Mid & East Antrim #ourMEA

Inside: 04-05 Covid response

07-11 Business recovery

16-17 Community stars

Winter 2020

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Visit us online at: www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Welcome to our Winter edition of Connections, the magazine of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council. We want to let you know about all the ongoing work being done to help keep everyone safe, keep services running and keep spirits up despite the ongoing pandemic. So read on for:

MEA Borough Council twitter.com/mea_bc

Contact us by telephone on:

instagram.com/meaboroughcouncil

0300 124 5000

If you have any comments on the magazine, contact:

You can write to us at any of the offices below:

Communications Mid and East Antrim Borough Council The Braid, 1-29 Bridge Street Ballymena BT43 5EJ

Ballymena (Headquarters) The Braid, 1-29 Bridge Street, Ballymena BT43 5EJ

Delivering services

07

Economic recovery

09

Town centres

10

Spotlight on Tourism

12

Rediscover MEA

14

Parks and Open Space

16

Community heroes

18

Village renewal

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Ballymena Ardeevin, 80 Galgorm Road, Ballymena BT42 1AB

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Carrickfergus

midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Civic Centre, 11 Antrim Street, Carrickfergus BT38 7DG

This magazine is delivered to homes and businesses throughout the borough. If you live in the borough and have not received a copy, please contact the Communications team. We have made every effort to ensure information is correct at time of print.

Larne Smiley Buildings, Victoria Road, Larne BT40 1RU

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Mid and East Antrim Connections Winter 2020

Keep Safe, Warm & Well this winter | 07

Shaped by e on Sea and St Page 10

08 Win an electric blanket!

11 What’s On guide

Taking th lead on e dogs

Page 10

15 Village renewal update

Inside: 07 Regene ration update

Inside: 09 Local elections

16 Markets in MEA

21 ly Win a fami re pass! leisure cent

12 What’s on guid e

22 Your new council

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Service delivery

Adapting and innovating in our Covid response All stats for April to July 2020

In March 2020, a global pandemic was declared and the UK Government announced measures to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Here is an overview of how we responded as a council.

Keeping MEA running

As I write this, we are preparing to welcome the prestigious Irish Open to the borough for the very first time. This international event will be aired across the world, and despite not being open to spectators, it is putting Mid and East Antrim firmly on the map.

It is a highlight of what has been a very difficult year to date, and I am sure you too have experienced both the highs and lows of life during 2020. Throughout this pandemic, our approach as a council has always been to ensure the health and safety of

our citizens and staff, and to keep frontline services running. To do this, we brought into action our emergency response, and redeployed staff to help support key teams.

is a thank you to all those who played their part. To council staff, to NHS workers, to partners, to volunteers and to you, our residents. I have been humbled by the community spirit and resilience that has shined during these dark times.

We worked tirelessly with our partner agencies to coordinate deliveries of food and essentials to the borough’s most vulnerable, and we set up task forces to deal with the economic recovery of our town centres and tourism and hospitality industries. Many of these feature in articles in the following pages, and this edition of Connections

But we are not through this yet. Winter will no doubt bring with it more challenges. I ask you to continue to follow all government guidelines to curb the spread of Covid-19. Reducing its presence in the borough is the best way we can keep our loved ones safe, as well as support local business and the economy so that

doors can remain open.

In turn, I give you my commitment that my team and I, alongside our councillors, will be working hard to keep delivering for Mid and East Antrim.

Our community, including our team at council, is our strongest asset and we will continue to work together through our recovery from this pandemic.

In the days and months that lie ahead, I look forward to Mid and East Antrim being on the map for being a strong and resilient place to live, work, visit and invest in.

In response to the unprecedented lockdown, we invoked our Emergency Plan and a number of services were closed, such as leisure centres and parks, in order to protect the public and staff. Many services continued to operate as normal and some vital new services were introduced to meet the needs of residents, at very short notice.

We have had to be flexible in this emergency situation and introduce new ways of working. A number of staff have moved to remote working, while others have been redeployed.

Throughout this time we have ensured minimal disruption to key services such as Waste, Registrars, Planning and Building Control. We were even the first council in Northern Ireland to reopen our Recycling Centres (p. 21).

Anne Donaghy Chief Executive

Technology allowed us to meet within our teams, and as a council. The AGM in June and subsequent council meetings have been taking place online.

From catering businesses providing hot meals, to those involved with St John’s Ambulance service, to the people who did grocery shopping for their shielding neighbours and so many, many others. They are an inspiration and the pride of our borough.”

Technology keeps council meetings on track

To help people access information, we established a Council Remote Call Centre to provide residents and business owners with advice and support. We expanded our business support programmes to support local businesses during the crisis (p. 6-9).

We also worked extensively with local communities to provide support to those most in need. The Community Support Grant Scheme was launched to provide financial support to projects helping vulnerable citizens (p. 16).

We used the challenges to introduce innovative services during lockdown.

We ran online summer schemes for children and an online MEArts programme including virtual museum tours.

Our Sports Development officers posted activities on social media, and our #MEAStars campaign allowed people to highlight the good work being done by staff and volunteers across the borough.

It has been a year like no other. While we continue to operate throughout the winter period, we remain resolute in our ability to adapt and respond so that services are delivered and Mid and East Antrim continues to be a highperforming council (p. 20).

Recognition scheme for #MEAstars The Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Cllr Peter Johnston, has given out more than 500 recognition certificates to those who have shown remarkable community spirit during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The certificates have been awarded to a wide 4

range of organisations, businesses, community groups, churches, sports clubs and individuals.

Cllr Johnston has been busy supporting those involved in the community response, and visiting retail businesses to see firsthand the massive effort

Mid and East Antrim Connections Winter 2020

they have put in to keep their customers and staff safe and their doors open.

Cllr Johnston said: “The way people in Mid and East Antrim have rallied together in this past year to help others is something that deserves to be recognised.

In the interest of local democracy, we continued with key council meetings such as the AGM in June as planned. However, due to restrictions on gatherings, Group Party Leaders and independent members attended in person, while everyone else joined via video conferencing.

18,500+

2500

social media engagement with #MEAStars

Department for Communities food parcels delivered

2356+

587+

additional Facebook followers

virtual business mentoring hours delivered

235

160

virtual building work inspections

average daily calls to Waste helpdesk

117+

28

planning applications decided

physical activity videos shared

Everyone was able to fully participate, to ask questions and make comment. Since then, we have used this successful hybrid model for our monthly meetings. We also livestream these meetings to allow remote attendance by the media and public.

Thanks to Absolute Technologies in Cullybackey for their support during this transition.

To watch, visit www.midandeast antrim.gov.uk/ live-meetings 5

Economic Development

City Deal update

Task force steps up to support business Since the beginning of the Covid-19 lockdown, Mid & East Antrim’s Manufacturing Task Force (MTF) has rapidly responded to support businesses across the Borough.

Through our participation in the Belfast Region City Deal, we are progressing bids for funding worth up to £80m, to be injected into a number of major schemes across the borough. This is part of the overall drive to deliver a decade of economic growth, and create up to 20,000 new and better jobs across Northern Ireland. We are currently taking forward three proposals: The Gobbins

I4C, Ballymena

In Phase two, we want to deliver an enhanced and world-leading visitor experience at the coastal path, with spectacular structures and improvements to the key attraction on the Causeway Coastal Route.

The Integrated Industrial Inspiration Innovation Centre at the St Patrick’s Barracks regeneration site will include:

Carrickfergus By enhancing the historic castle and town walls and improving the public realm, we want to regenerate the town and make it a must see location on the Causeway Coastal Route. We also want to provide a world-class visitor centre and community hub.

• •

•

incubation labs and workshop for SMEs the iLAB industry maker space premium digitally enabled ‘Innovation focused’ office accommodation

•

•

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MEA Pre-employment Academies - We provide a range of bespoke and tailored training programmes linked to local employment opportunities including Hospitality, Health and Social Care, and Welding.

Verve Employability Programme - A training and employment programme delivered by the NOW Group that is open to anyone over 16 who has a learning difficulty, learning disability, autism or associated health

SAVE THE DATE! Enterprise Week 16-22 November For more information, visit amplifymidandeastantrim.com/ enterprise-week

We are currently preparing outline business cases for all the projects and hope to secure approval from the Belfast Region City Deal to move to full business case stage.

Looking for employment?

•

•

When lockdown restrictions were eased, the MTF refocused to help businesses restart and recover. Through a survey, vital information was gathered on the impact of Covid-19, the skills issues faced, and the support needed for upskilling.

We offer a range of training programmes, redundancy advice clinics and job fairs to help people gain valuable skills and help find employment opportunities. condition and would like support in gaining employment.

Jobmatch - A training and employment programme delivered

by Network Personnel.

Supporting people to find work, create CVs, job searching and preparation for interviews, selfemployment support and opportunities for confidence building and personal development.

Stride Employability Programme - This programme, run by USEL, is designed to help people

Mid and East Antrim Connections Winter 2020

•

•

living with a disability or health-related conditions who are out of work move towards employment of further education.

Go For It - Provides individuals planning to start a business with advice, mentoring and help to produce a business plan. The programme is delivered by local councils through NI’s network of Enterprise Agencies. www.goforitni. com/get-in-touch Exploring Enterprise Programme - Offering mentoring and training

at a pace tailored to your needs, working towards a CCEA Level 1 Qualification in Understanding Business Enterprise.

For further information: E: amplify@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk T: 028 2563 3363

Almost 300 responses were received from local businesses, which ensured that the effort of the MTF continued to be business driven. Each respondent was contacted individually and they are now receiving tailored assistance in:

businesses contacted immediately offering assistance

• • • • •

Marketing and sales Product diversification and innovation support Digitalisation Direct access to potential clients through the BuySupplyNI portal Other advice such as HR, Finance, Training, Health and Safety, and much more.

In total, 600 people from a range of businesses have attended one of 30 webinars hosted by either the MTF or council since March.

views to date on a Covid-19 dedicated web page set up by the MTF

The four bespoke MTF webinars focused on: •

• • •

Working Through Coronavirus – featuring input from Minister for the Economy, Diane Dodds, and Council’s Chief Executive, Anne Donaghy Working Through Coronavirus: Construction Sector Business Finance Post Covid-19 The End of The Furlough Scheme: What it means for your Business.

BuySupplyNI portal is the place to source PPE

The online portal now has a dedicated Covid-19 Supplies section.

Originally developed to connect buyers with local suppliers in the manufacturing, construction and engineering industries, the BuySupplyNI online portal now has a

social distancing signage and all types of PPE. Suppliers are invited to upload their products, while those looking to buy can register to find what they need locally.

dedicated Covid-19 section.

With health and safety being more important than ever, products listed include hand sanitiser, sanitising stations,

buysupplyni.com Simple Connections, Better Return

The BuySupplyNI initiative was developed by the Mid and East Antrim Manufacturing Task Force and operates province-wide.

To find out more, visit www. buysupplyni.com/covid-19supplies-register, call 028 2563 3562 or email buysupplyni@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

4,500

calls to a devoted Covid-19 helpline during April and May 2020

More than 145 businesses have benefited from the support and guidance as a result of their participation in the webinars. The MTF are now organising Business Masterclasses to address issues identified in the survey.

For more information and to register for the business masterclasses, visit: www.midandeast antrim.gov.uk/covid-19

i What is the Manufacturing Task Force?

Set up in the wake of the closures of Michelin and JTI Gallaher, the Mid and East Antrim Manufacturing Task Force (MTF) brings together council, local business and key regional stakeholders to tackle the issues facing our local manufacturing industry.

7

Economic Recovery

SHOP SAFE SUPPORT LOCAL

The heart of business

Mid and East Antrim businesses have used the global pandemic to innovate, diversify and show kindness.

While we can’t feature everyone in the snapshots below, we thank each and every one of you who helped keep the business wheels turning, providing essential services and brightening up their customers’ days.

Village Blinds, Ballymena More than 4000 muchneeded pairs of scrubs were made during the height of lockdown by a group of more than 60 stitchers from across Mid and East Antrim, co-ordinated

by Harold and Alison McCloy of Village Blinds in Pennybridge Industrial Estate. With many fabric manufacturers closed temporarily, the McCloys struggled to source bulk fabric, however a deal was struck with a local fabric manufacturer and a fundraising campaign was launched to purchase the fabric. The scrubs were distributed to hospitals and care homes across the borough and further afield.

DNES, Islandmagee Islandmagee-based DNES Ltd, in partnership with Ashgrove Engineering from Portglenone, reacted swiftly with the creation of a foot8

operated hand sanitiser dispenser unit. Orders were secured from companies right across the UK and Ireland, with the first batch of units installed in May. They also enlisted Larne firm GEMAT Sign Company to produce the signage and labelling for the device.

McNickle and Sons, Carrickfergus Established in Carrickfergus in 1971, McNickle & Sons’ main business is the bespoke manufacture of church furniture and ecclesiastical fitouts. However, with the pandemic having an immediate impact on sales, they quickly diversified to manufacture industrial sanitiser stations. They used the BuySupplyNI portal to source materials and were soon providing businesses and communities with pumps rather than pews.

Mid and East Antrim Connections Winter 2020

Curran Court, Larne Brian McRandal, owner of the Curran Court Hotel in Larne, switched from normal day-to-day operations to providing a ‘meals on wheels’ service within the town during the lockdown. Within a day of announcing the initiative, over 160 meals had been prepared and delivered.

Such was the demand, over 1000 meals were made within a week of starting the initiative.

their doors. They created their own online shop, stocking a variety of coffeerelated goods, local produce and branded merchandise.

Since reopening, the public’s safety has been paramount. With social distancing measures in place, enhanced cleaning and the encouragement of card payments, the team are able to maintain the warm welcome and first class food for which they are famous.

Ann’s Pantry, Larne

Middletown Coffee Co., Ballymena The coffee connoisseurs at Middletown Coffee Co. diversified when they realised they had to shut

Multi-award winning Larne bakery and coffee shop Ann’s Pantry turned to home deliveries to help their customers through lockdown. With a great sense of community, they helped ensure local residents stayed safe and received their bakery delivery right throughout lockdown.

They even branched out to offer pizza dough for some home cooking fun.

Supporting our town centres

We are doing everything we can to hel p our town centres recove r from the economic im pact Through the Town Centre Recovery Group Task Force, Mid and East Antrim Borough of Covid Council, supported by the Department for Communities, has been working alongside local traders and a range of other stakeholders to make sure our borough is welcoming and safe.

Task force comes together to drive recovery With Covid-19 drastically impacting on our town centres, we were keen to ensure a co-ordinated approach was taken towards the recovery process in Ballymena, Larne and Carrickfergus.

We established the Town Centre Recovery Group, chaired by Council Chief Executive Anne Donaghy.

The group meets fortnightly to focus on support for re-opening, and to respond to government legislation and requirements.

This has included advice and guidance on: - risk assessments - furlough - health and safety - legal obligations - PPE

Members include Ballymena BID, Ballymena Chamber of Commerce & Trade, Council staff, Department for Infrastructure, Department for Communities, PSNI, Community Representation, Carrickfergus Town Centre Partnership, Larne Traders Forum, Larne Renovation Generation and Town Centre Business Representatives. In addition, our two MLAs formed part of the group.

We thank everyone for their time and commitment and look forward to working hard to ensure our town centres thrive.

Have you seen our new marketing campaign?

Investment Plans for Mid & East Antrim Town Centres

Our new marketing campaign features unique straplines to reflect the distinct visitor experience offered by each – ‘We have it all, Ballymena’; ‘Larne, a hidden gem’; and ‘There’s more to us, Carrickfergus’. Keep an eye out for it as we roll it out over the coming months.

Businesses in Mid and East Antrim are being asked for their views and input into the development of a 10year Investment Plan and Town Centre Strategy for Ballymena, Carrickfergus and Larne.

We have also been focusing on local businesses in a series of social videos. This has given business owners a platform to share how the lockdown impacted them, how they have put in place good health and safety measures, and how their customers have kept them going through tough times. Now is the time to give your support to the local businesses you love!

Working in partnership with the Department for Communities, we recognise that the role of towns are changing and want to use this process to shape how the three towns will develop by 2030 so they can meet the evolving needs of the local community and visitors to the area.

For more information, email gail.kelly@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

We have it

Ballymena

#RediscoverBallymena

#RediscoverLarne

#RediscoverCarrickfergus

Tourism

Learning to tell a tale in Tourism

“Through the programme I hope to get the message out there to a wider client base that my workshop experience is here for visitors” Audrey Kyle, Audrey Kyle Art

A pilot marketing initiative has helped to storify ten local tourism enterprises, with impressive results.

It takes a lot of skill to grab audience attention in a noisy world, and our new marketing support programme - Storify My Business - is here to help.

In a pilot scheme, ten local tourism businesses have been working with Excalibur Press content agency to understand their unique selling points, how to harness the power of their story, and how to find their voice.

In Stage One, participants created content for Discover NI and our social media channels.

They also received a PR video, bespoke photography, a range of written and online assets, and press, media and social media support.

In Stage Two, they joined our Digital Boost scheme, ran by Economic Development. This gave them opportunity to do a digital audit, consider online booking platforms and receive digital mentoring.

The businesses involved include Audrey Kyle Art, Gobbins Crafts, Slemish Market Supper Club, Roots Revealed, Lead The Way Tours, Slemish Farm Tours, Galgorm Fairy Trail, Trout Tours, NI Survival School and Kilcreggan Urban Farm.

For more information on future training and marketing initiatives, email tourism@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

#RediscoverMEA and the road to recovery “The programme exceeded anything I could ever imagine, being out on the photo shoots has helped me realise that it's really all about telling stories.”

Adrian Hack, Lead The Way Tours

It’s been a tough summer for our hospitality and tourism sector. But a major effort is underway to help them bounce back.

“I’m particularly looking forward to having a set of professional photos, videos and other materials that I can use going forward, to take it up a notch.”

Heather McFadden, Gobbins Crafts

“Businesses will now be able to supercharge their online presence and find interesting ways to connect with their audiences and develop marketing moving forward into other council support programmes.”

Tina Calder, Excalibur Press

The Gobbins Cliff Path

The Gobbins reopened in September after having closed due to Covid-19.

We have made changes to how we operate in the light of this, and now tours are limited to a maximum of ten people. They must also be booked in advance, and face coverings are advised.

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As we hope to remain open all autumn and winter, maybe this unique coastal adventure would make a quick win on the Christmas shopping list for those who love an outdoor experience.

To book, visit www. thegobbinscliffpath.com

Mid and East Antrim Connections Winter 2020

The hospitality and tourism sector in Mid and East Antrim has long been one of our most important economic drivers – attracting thousands of international and domestic tourists to the area, creating jobs and greatly enhancing the culture and lifestyle of those who live here.

In the wake of the global pandemic, Council Chief Executive Anne Donaghy initiated a Hospitality and Tourism Task Force to provide a platform for key players and influencers to work together.

Their aim was to deliver a clear action plan focused on recovery, and to raise the profile of the local tourism economy within Mid and East Antrim.

Thanks to the task force, a major marketing campaign was launched during the summer as a rapid response to the crisis. It targeted specific market segments such as ‘staycations’, daytrippers and visitors from GB and ROI. Highlighting the stunning landscape and coastline and the variety of accommodation available, the #Rediscover campaign also helped reassure that

safety was a top priority to the sector. The campaign featured on social media, digital outdoor advertising, Cool FM radio spots and was a sponsor of Joe Mahon’s Ulster Giants on UTV.

0622 Rediscover 48 2.indd 4

10/06/2020 11:28

Now the focus of the task force has turned to Phase Two, which will see a five-year tourism strategy launched to help rebuild the tourism economy and see sustainable growth.

The collaborative model has once again worked exceptionally well for our borough, and we thank everyone who has come aboard – either professionally or as a visitor to help support the industry.

We would also like to congratulate all the local tourism and hospitality businesses who have received their We’re Good to Go accreditation – the official UK mark to signal that a tourism and hospitality business has worked hard to follow Government and industry Covid-19 guidelines and has a process in place to maintain cleanliness and aid social distancing.

Let’s show our support to local businesses this winter!

Turn over for ideas on how to #RediscoverMEA this winter!

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RediscoverMEA

Let’s get out there!

Slemish Mountain

Winter is a magical season in Mid and East Antrim. There are coastlines to explore and woodlands to wander. There are places to rest and foods to taste. And even if you don’t fancy the great outdoors, you can lose yourself in the colour and charm of our towns and villages. Just wrap up warm, bring an umbrella, and make the most of our borough. Here is some inspiration to help you make it out the front door…

Blackhead Lighthouse

1. On a cliff edge

3. Volcanic scrambles

5. Hill for heroes

7. Stay away

10. Nature break

You can’t get closer to the elements than along the rugged coastal walkway at The Gobbins.

The team is welcoming visitors and making sure everyone sticks to new health and safety guidelines to keep everyone safe.

Climb the iconic and ancient volcanic plug that is Slemish Mountain to get sweeping views over County Antrim and into Scotland. Consider fuelling up first in the garden village of Broughshane, which has enough eateries to power your crew up the steep slopes. It all depends how hungry you are.

For sweeping views over Greenisland, Carrickfergus Castle and the coast beyond, visit Knockagh Monument.

390m (1230ft) above sea level, this is the largest war memorial in Northern Ireland and definitely one for the to-do list!

Make a night of it and book into one of the borough’s great selection of accommodation. From luxury hotels to B&Bs, there’s something to suit everyone’s taste and budget.

9. Festive cheer

Sometimes we all need a break from the news cycle, and nature has a way of bringing us back to basics. See if you can spy a red squirrel foraging in Glenarm Forest or Carnfunnock Country Park. Enjoy one of our local nature reserves such as Bashfordisland Wood or Diamond Jubilee Wood.

Our town centres will be sparkling as the Christmas shopping season approaches. With everything you need to fill stockings and feast on fabulous meals, it is a perfect time to support local businesses in Ballymena, Carrickfergus and Larne.

Overwintering birds in Mid and East Antrim include lapwings (Ecos Nature Reserve), great-crested grebes (Larne Lough), whooper swans (Lower Bann, Portglenone) and pale-bellied brent geese along the coast from Carrickfergus to Carnlough.

Book online at www. thegobbinscliffpath.com

4. Rivers wild

2. Victorian strolls Have you walked the newly reopened Blackhead coastal path yet? Why not put it on your winter walk list, and then warm up in the Victorian charm of Whitehead’s shops and cafes.

The Bann. The Maine. The Braid. The Inver. The Kellswater.

How many of our rivers have you seen? The sound of flowing water can soothe away stress, so pull on the walking shoes and head to Portglenone, Tullygarley, Cullybackey, Broughshane, Linn, Gleno, Glenarm or anywhere riverside to max out on calm.

Try a bubble den (Foxborough, Portglenone), riverside log cabins (Galgorm), sycamore pods (Carncastle), a gate keeper’s lodge (Barbican Gate, Glenarm Estate) or even a Lightkeeper’s Cottage at Blackhead Lighthouse in Whitehead.

Proving that you don’t have to travel far to have a great experience in 2020.

6. Vitamin Sea The Causeway Coastal Route is one of the world’s most scenic drives and it’s right on our doorstep. Park up at Garron Point to enjoy the sea views, maybe even spotting a seal, dolphin or porpoise as you gaze out to Ailsa Craig and the Mull of Kintyre in Scotland. Wind your way down to Larne and Islandmagee, taking in the coastal villages of Carnlough, Glenarm and Ballygally as you go

Plus you can be certain they are working extra hard to keep safety standards high.

8. A Day of Knights The historic town of Carrickfergus offers up a feast for the history fans. From its towering castle to the preserved walls of the old town, there are signs of life from long ago everywhere you turn.

#RediscoverMEA 12

Carrickfergus Town

Mid and East Antrim Connections Winter 2020

i For more ideas on where to go, what to do and places to stay, visit: shapedbyseaand stone.com

We want everyone to enjoy Mid and East Antrim.

Let’s all make sure we stick to government guidelines when we are out and about.

Keep social distance, wear a face covering and wash your hands frequently!

13

Parks and Open Space

Leave only footprints As we are travelling less because of Covid-19, more of us are finding new trails and walks closer to home. While we are happy to see our beautiful borough enjoyed, we are asking you to help keep it that way. Please follow these guides to help protect the countryside: • • •

If you are not near a public bin, then take your litter home with you.

Stick to paths and trails so you don’t damage private property such as fences.

Don’t light fires. Warming up can wait until you are home.

• • •

Do not camp without land owner’s permission.

Save the mountain biking for designated trails.

Keep your dogs on leads, and always pick up their poo.

150 years of the People’s Park The People’s Park first opened in August 1870, and its creation is largely due to the foresight of Sir Robert Alexander Shafto Adair, who recognised the importance of a public park for health and wellbeing.

Reducing our use of herbicides We have committed to reducing our use of herbicides over the next three years, and a number of our sites - including Bashfordsland Wood, Diamond Jubilee Wood and Ecos Nature Park - have been officially herbicide-free since April.

This is to improve our environment for wildlife, and for human health and wellbeing. Most weeds are not weeds but simply ‘misunderstood flowers’.

For example, dandelions are an essential food source for bees and pollinators emerging from hibernation. And young dandelions are edible for humans and loaded with vitamins and antioxidants.

Similarly, herbicide-free

urban meadows and grasslands are havens for bees, butterflies and other wildlife.

We would encourage you to support this initiative by accepting some areas looking a little more wild than usual. And why not consider going herbicide free in your own garden or allotment?

Some useful tips can be found at www.pan-uk. org/gardening-withoutpesticides We will continue to use herbicides for the control of invasive species until greener alternatives are found.

Chaines Wood becomes Local Nature Reserve Chaines Wood in Ballygally has officially been designated a Local Nature Reserve.

This means it is now a protected area of land to be conserved for its environmental and recreational value.

We look forward to welcoming red squirrels, bats, birds and of course visitors. We are committed to conserving and enhancing biodiversity and green spaces in Mid and East Antrim, and we would like to thank everyone who helped make this happen.

Writing at the time, he said: “The establishment of a free park must be regarded as a question of very great importance…for the preservation of health; the restoration of energy; regular, recreative exercise in the open air; the satisfaction of ourselves; and the well-being of the community.

“This park, as I have said, is not to be a mere walk

Mid and East Antrim Connections Winter 2020

“It is not for ourselves alone that these walls have been fenced, but that when a stranger comes to the town - even the passing stranger - that he shall have an opportunity of seeing Ballymena in relaxation as well as in its hours of labour.”

In 1870, a time when diseases like smallpox, cholera and TB were at epidemic levels, treatment often cited

EA

RS OF JO

Isn’t it amazing, that 150 years later, the basic needs of both local people and visitors to the park remain the same?

While we celebrate the park and its history in this anniversary year, we also look forward to ensuring the park continues to be a treasured resource for the next 150 years and beyond.

Stop vandalising our playparks!

Ballymena’s Saturday Market is on the move.

We were heartbroken to finally be able to open our playparks for children after lockdown, only to have to deal with vandalism and damage shortly after.

updates on social media, in the local press, and on our website.

Y

the need for a change of air - a visit to the local park and spending times outdoors. And while medical advances in the last 150 years have ensured improved health care for all, spending time outdoors and getting fresh air is still high on the health agenda.

Ten for a pound on Ballymoney Street!

The weekly fixture at the Seven Towers Leisure Centre will soon relocate to the car park on Ballymoney Street in the town centre. Dates are yet to be confirmed for the move, but we will have all

14

and retirement from the public streets, but it is the starting point from which may proceed many fruitful currents of knowledge to the young… a botanical society giving life and grace to the daily existence of Ballymena.

Y

If those responsible are reading this, please

!

think about how your actions impact others and find a better way to spend your time.

For those needing to report damage, you can contact our team at: parks@midandeast antrim.gov.uk 15

Community Response

Community spirit soars during crisis Our community planning partners have never been more important and we thank all those who came together to help form an emergency response to the pandemic. While the list is too long to mention everyone who made a difference, here are just some examples of the amazing work that has been delivered by Putting People First.

Community Hub pools resources We established a Community Hub as a central place where people needing support with food, fuel, medical prescriptions and social needs could be signposted to groups and agencies for help during the pandemic.

Working closely with the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, we were able to help those who were shielding, and the most vulnerable and isolated in our communities.

With Mid and East Antrim Community Advice Services, we set up a dedicated helpline to help residents who were having difficulties.

Our DEA Officers were able to contact individuals to provide further support.

We also redeployed staff to help support local food retailers and worked closely with community food banks in Ballymena, Carrickfergus, Larne and Whitehead to make sure no one went hungry.

We arranged for civic buildings to become food donation points, and information on local businesses who were providing delivery services were made available to those who contacted us and on our website.

We would not have achieved what we did without the Mid and East Antrim Community Planning Partnership. The programme delivered made such a difference to so many lives thanks to everyone who gave their time and services.

Organisations such as DAERA Forestry Service, PARR group and Mitie Care and Custody, Corrigans Van Hire and Rent-aMerc worked alongside us, providing staff and vehicles to help with the distribution of food boxes.

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Mid and East Antrim Connections Winter 2020

Rural Door Knocking Scheme With those living in rural areas more at risk of isolation, we set up this scheme to provide people with information on the support that was available to them locally if they were shielding.

Volunteers and redeployed staff from a range of organisations including NIHE, NACN, DAERA, Impact NI and volunteers from Be Collective - checked in on residents, passing on information and making referrals for assistance to the Mid and East Antrim Community Advice Service.

MEA Mask Makers For a number of years, we have lent out sewing machine kits to local community groups to bring people together to learn a new skill.

With restrictions on group meetings, we offered these kits to local households to make face coverings for their family, friends and local community.

Hundreds of face coverings have been made and a new hobby discovered by many.

Eleven-year-old Amy was one of our enthusiastic sewers: “It was a great opportunity and I love it so much I now have got my own sewing machine!”

7,200

786

554

>4,000

food boxes delivered (April-July)

referrals received (April-July)

addresses receiving a regular food box delivery

households visited in six weeks

63

7,000

125

3000+

slow cooker kits delivered to shielding households

meals delivered by Mid & East Antrim Agewell Partnership

Mental Health boxes delivered by Mid & East Antrim Loneliness Network

helped by Mid & East Antrim Community Advice Services in lockdown

Helping teens keep mentally strong

Putting a shine on the golden years

In June, the Mid and East Antrim Loneliness Network distributed 125 Teenage Mental Health boxes to young people, and 50 salad kits to older people, to mark Loneliness Awareness Week.

Mid and East Antrim Agewell Partnership (MEAAP) has provided the borough’s older and more vulnerable residents with contact and support throughout the pandemic.

With many of the young people who are supported

by Start360 already working hard to manage life events, Covid 19 became another burden for them to carry.

The organisation received more than 1,500 phone calls in the first six weeks, made more than 1000 calls and delivered almost 7,000 meals. They even fitted in three doorstep bingo sessions. Through the Policing and Community Safety Partnership, they operated a text alert system to help inform elderly people who weren’t online.

The boxes were a fantastic way to support them. And the salad kit scheme was such a success that the Network was able to get another 100 kits through the Northern Healthy Lifestyle Partnership (NHLP) which were distributed in August.

They also worked with the Community Development Health Network to deliver medical prescriptions to those eligible for the delivery scheme across the whole of the borough. In doing so, they brought not only vital supplies to the elderly and more isolated, but also a friendly face and a chance for a chat that became so important during the lockdown.

Slow Cooker scheme

Advice services remain open

We were able to provide shielding households with access to healthy hot food through our existing Slow Cooker scheme.

Mid and East Antrim Community Advice Services (MEACAS) remained open throughout lockdown providing advice on Covid19 and arising employment, debt and benefit issues for over 3,000 clients.

Working in partnership with the Northern Healthy Lifestyles Partnership and supported by Henderson Retail, the kits contained a slow cooker, cookbook, box of store cupboard basics, chopping board and fresh ingredients to make a meal.

One recipient said: “I’ve done multiple meals and am delighted. Very thankful of the service provided.”

They worked closely with MEA Community Hub, offered a successful uniform exchange which provided 650 items of uniform for 117 children, saving families across the borough over £8,000. They are now in the process of making their three offices Covid secure to allow faceto-face appointments as soon as possible.

For confidential help and support, call 028 9600 1333.

Office hours remain Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Thank you to all the voluntary groups who stepped up to help their local communities. You are all #MEAStars!

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Village Renewal

Cargan

Glenravel Clough

Regeneration / Animal Welfare

Carnlough

Newtowncrommelin

Glenarm

Martinstown

Take to the water!

Glarryford

COAST ROAD Dunminning

Broughshane

We weren’t able to run our CAPITEN programme of water-based activities this summer due to Covid-19 restrictions, but that hasn’t stopped us! With a rethink and a redesign, we were able to offer a revised programme of activities in the Autumn.

Ballygally

Cullybackey Portglenone

BRAID

Galgorm Gracehill Ahoghill

Millbrook

BALLYMENA

LARNE

Kilwaughter

Cloney

BANNSIDE

LARNE LOUGH

Moorfields

Islandmagee The Grange

Hillstown

Glynn

Kells Raloo

Glenoe Ballycarry

Making villages more vibrant

KNOCKAGH

Whitehead

CARRICKFERGUS

CARRICK CASTLE

We also invested in watersports facilities, and supported businesses as they used the time to test new activities.

The CAPITEN programme will run into Spring 2021, so look out for more opportunities to participate in water-based fun along

our coastline thanks to this project.

As a council, we also remain committed to exploring tourism and lifestyle opportunities for our wonderful marine environment and inland waterways.

Greenisland

For over two years, we have been working with 19 villages throughout the borough to help them benefit from £2.5m of funding. With a number of projects near completion, here’s an overview of some of the new facilities soon to be open in local communities thanks to the Village Renewal Programme. Funding for these projects has come from council and DAERA, with support from the European Agriculture Fund for Rural Development.

Ahoghill New park with woodland walks, two wildlife ponds, natural play/activities, benches, picnic tables. Within the park there is a fenced off children’s play park with a range of wooden equipment including a bird’s nest swing, tower slide, seesaw and triple balance beam.

Cullybackey New playpark suitable for children aged 5-15, including some accessible equipment.

There is also a multiuse games area which provides a kick-about area to meet the needs of older children.

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Glenravel Provision of a section of greenway that runs from Glensbrae Road, Martinstown, to Con Magee’s GAC outside Cargan, covering a distance of around 1.45km. A car park is available at Con Magee’s.

This is the first phase of the greenway and it is hoped the completed greenway will run between Ballymena and Cushendall, a proportion of which will be on the disused railway line.

Kells & Connor New single storey sports pavilion. Facilities include two team changing rooms, separate accessible changing room, referees changing, accessible toilet facilities, first aid room, tea point, storage and plant rooms.

Additional car parking has been provided adjacent to the pavilion and pedestrian access

Mid and East Antrim Connections Winter 2020

from Station Road has been upgraded to improve accessibility.

Polishing up a coastal gem Plans are progressing to transform the village of Glenarm into a key tourism location on the Causeway Coastal Route.

Ballystrudder Development of a community garden.

New pathing, seating and the planning of new trees has taken place and the garden will appeal to people of all ages and abilities.

Gracehill Provision of a new walking route at God’s Acre. Gracehill has a strong heritage and conservation status and the addition of the walking route will significantly enhance what is already available in the village.

We are working to progress the development of land at Eglington Yard, the Fish Factory and the Quarry site so we can bring this area to life. We are also designing public realm proposals, considering how to improve parking facilities, and reviewing potential regeneration developments around the harbour and marina.

These proposed developments have the potential to attract more visitors to Glenarm, and to increase water-based tourism activities.

A diamond in the rough The listed former Kelly’s Coal Offices have been faithfully restored from a derelict state, thanks to the Carrickfergus Townscape Heritage Initiative Programme.

In its former life, coal would have been brought in here off Belfast Lough to be weighed in the office yard and sold on. With the redevelopment of the harbour and a shift from industrial to recreational use, the coal business ceased. The building fell into disrepair and was placed on the Buildings at Risk register.

Top tips to thwart thieves Now the owner, Castle Seaview Developments, with the support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, has faithfully restored the building inside and out, bringing this local landmark back to life with all its original character.

The historic building is now the retail premises for a local business.

i The Townscape Heritage Initiative is an ambitious regeneration scheme to restore a number of properties in the Carrickfergus Conservation Area.

It is supported by £1.55million in funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, and £0.55 million from Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.

We have been hearing reports of dog thieves operating in the borough.

Here are some top tips from our Animal Welfare team to help keep your pets safe.

Stranger danger: Be aware of strangers on your dog walks - especially anyone who starts asking for personal information during a chat or is acting suspiciously.

Act quickly: If a dog is stolen, report the theft to PSNI by dialling 101 immediately. Also inform our Enforcement Officer Team on 028 2563 3394, your vet and your dog’s microchip company.

Tied up: Don’t leave your dog tied outside a shop or other public space as this creates an ideal opportunity for thieves. Instead, leave the dog at home or bring someone with you to wait with it.

Spread the word: Spread the word on social media - post photos and descriptions both on your profile and any other groups and pages.

Encourage people to share quickly. Report it on missing animal websites and keep an eye out on selling pages and sites. Create posters and flyers to distribute in your area.

Home safe: Thieves can take advantage of an unsupervised dog left out in the garden, so be sure to keep an eye on them.

Consider other crime prevention methods such as CCTV.

Tag it: Pets should be microchipped so they can be easily identified if found.

By law, dogs should be microchipped at 8 weeks old.

For more information visit: www.midandeast antrim.gov.uk Don’t feed /animal illegal trade! welfare Purchase your pet from a reliable source 19

Corporate Plan

Waste and Recycling

Measuring our progress

Holiday Arrangements

We have delivered the majority of the objectives set out in the Corporate Plan throughout the 2019-2020 financial year, in the face of unprecedented challenges from the Coronavirus emergency. Our Progress Report, which can be viewed on our website, measures performance against the 2019-2023 Corporate Plan, and our six strategic priorities: Alternative collection for black/brown/blue bins

£

High Performing Council

Our Environment

Learning for Life

Sustainable Jobs & Tourism

Good Health & Wellbeing

Community Safety & Cohesion

Significant achievements have been made in each priority area, even though the Coronavirus crisis saw us having to refocus our priorities with the implementation of our Emergency Plan in March.

You can read our Corporate Plan at www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/performance

Improvement objectives point way ahead

Shrinking our carbon footprint

Our Performance Improvement Objectives for 2020/21 have been set after public consultation.

We are committed to reducing the impact of our services on the environment, and this year we have achieved a 10% reduction in our carbon footprint.

These are to: • Grow the economy and create jobs • Support the communities within the From February to May historic conservation this year, you gave your area of Carrickfergus, feedback on our draft contributing to the Performance Improvement sustainability of the Plan (PIP). We used this local economy feedback to finalise our • Encourage people Improvement Objectives to value our natural for the coming year, and environment through our final plan is now the promotion of the available on our website.

Green Dog Walkers Scheme The plan sets out five • Improve customer Improvement Objectives, engagement and service delivery by detailing what we hope to enhancing our use of achieve, how we plan to do information technology it and how our citizens will be better off as a result.

• Autism Friendly Mid and East Antrim

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.

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In addition to the improvement areas identified, the Department for Communities also sets targets for councils in areas of Planning, Economic Development and Waste.

To learn more, visit www.midandeastantrim. gov.uk/performance

Mid and East Antrim Connections Winter 2020

Through a range of initiatives, we have been able to reach our target goals and earn the International Environmental Management Standard ISO14001 throughout

the organisation - being only one of two councils in all of Northern Ireland to do so.

The 10% reduction in our carbon footprint this year was due to electricity being generated from a more renewable source and a 6% reduction in fleet fuel.

Other environmental achievements include:

73%

internal waste recycled

7%

reduction in paper use

17,348 trees planted in one year in the MEA4Trees campaign

Date

Ballymena

Larne

Carrickfergus

Date

Ballymena

Carrickfergus

24 Dec

Normal collection

19 Dec

Normal collection

24 Dec

Normal collection

Normal collection

25 Dec

26 Dec

21 Dec

19 Dec

25 Dec

Sun 27 Dec

Sun 27 Dec

26 Dec

No collection

No collection

1 Jan

2 Jan

4 Jan

2 Jan

1 Jan

Sat 2 Jan

Sat 2 Jan

Food waste rises during lockdown Since lockdown, you have been recycling a whopping 20%* more and we want to say thank you! During the same time we have also seen a 30%^ increase in the amount of food waste being collected.

From failed baking attempts to fewer trips to the shops, there are many reasons for this. We want to encourage you to keep reducing your household food waste. Here are some ways to help: 1.

Alternative collection for kerbside boxes

Write a meal plan and then draw up a shopping list. Don’t forget to take it with you when you go shopping!

2. Freeze any suitable food that won’t be eaten before their use by dates 3. Get creative in the kitchen and make some new recipes with the food you already have in your cupboards.

DID YOU KNOW? Our waste teams colle ct over 73,000 tonnes of rubbish each year - tha t’s equal to 1,144kg per household!

Recycling really is a community effort, and each household can play their part. Here are some ideas of what you can recycle in each room of your home: Bathrooms: deodorant bottles, perfume/aftershave bottles, toilet roll tubes, tissue boxes, shampoo/ conditioner bottles, shower gel/bath wash bottles….

Bedrooms: magazines, letters, batteries.

Kitchen: cleaning product bottles, food items (raw or cooked), tea bags, coffee granules, plastic tubs, trays and pots, tin foil and foil products, cardboard packaging, drink/soup cartons, food tins and drink cans, paper, plastic bottles, mixed glass, bottles and jars.

*Bryson Recycling ^Natural World Products

#MEAStars keep frontline services running Our amazing Waste Services teams proved they were true #MEAStars during the emergency lockdown period of the Covid-19 pandemic by pulling out all the stops to ensure bins were emptied right across Mid and East Antrim.

the borough and to address the calls from our community to reinstate this essential service.

With a range of strict public health protection measures in place including social distancing and the use of an appointment booking system - the reopening of our Household Recycling Centres proved very successful.

Staff from across council stepped up to the mark, with many redeployed to help our dedicated refuse workers deliver on our commitment to providing During a visit to our essential frontline services Waveney Road facility, Environment Minister to our citizens.

Edwin Poots MLA praised the work of council staff As household waste in ensuring services increased due to more were delivered safely people staying at home - in line with government and efficiently. public health guidance Praise was heaped on - Mid and East Antrim our dedicated staff by Borough Council led residents, too, who the way by being the shared their #ThumbsUp first council in Northern Ireland to reopen our for their #MEAStars Recycling Centres on on social media, and 15 May. the Waste Teams were overwhelmed by the Elected members took drawings and messages the carefully considered left on bins by the bighearted little people decision in order to throughout the borough. reduce fly tipping across

21

Grants

Information

Your Councillors

Covid grants help MEA

Census 2021 is coming

Your Council

Through a special Covid-19 Community Support grant scheme, we were able to assist 100 applications to help the most vulnerable in the borough throughout the pandemic. The scheme was set up to help those at risk and those who were directly affected by the lockdown measures that were put in place in March.

The census happens every 10 years and gives us a picture of all the people and households in Northern Ireland.

Ballymena

Groups could apply for a 100% funding up to £1000 per application - or up to £2000 for registered foodbanks. In total £107,350 was awarded.

This helped keep people supplied with key essentials such as food packages, hot meals and heating cards.

They collected prescriptions, provided mental health support, and made life a bit easier for vulnerable and isolating people in difficult times. We would like to thank all the community groups and volunteers for the amazing work they did across the borough.

Current grants schemes

Good Relations PCSP Small Grants Scheme Grants Scheme

Our Grants Support Scheme can be used to help your group adjust to Covid-19 regulations and allow you to carry on as safely as possible.

Funding through the Good Relations Grants Scheme is available for projects and activities taking place up to 31 March 2021.

Funding through the PSCP Small Grants Scheme is available for projects and activities taking place up to 7 February 2021.

The scheme is open to community groups, volunteer groups and sports clubs across the borough, and offers funding towards:

This scheme is 100% funded up to a maximum of £2,500.

This scheme is 80% funded up to a maximum of £2,500, which can be applied for through one large application.

• • • • • • • • • •

Seeding Grants to groups established less than one year Equipment / AEDs (Defibrillators) Environmental Projects Public Liability Insurance Village Christmas Lights Coaching Courses & First Aid Training Developmental Projects and Training Civic Representation Other Distinctive Projects Coaching Courses & First Aid Training

This can be applied for through one large application or through a series of smaller applications throughout the financial year.

Projects which are funded by the Good Relations Grant must clearly link to the following T:BUC aim which is to create a community which promotes mutual respect and understanding, is strengthened by its diversity, and where cultural expression is celebrated and embraced.

Applications submitted to the 2020/21 scheme must have completed all activities and expenditure incurred by 31 March 2021.

22

Mid and East Antrim Connections Winter 2020

All applications are submitted through council’s online Funding Hub at www. midandeastantrim.gov. uk/resident/grants Here you can also access the Guidance Notes, which provide a step-by-step guide to making and submitting an application.

To contact the Grants Team, email grants@ midandeastantrim.gov. uk or call 028 2563 3148 or 028 9335 8240.

To discuss the Good Relations or PCSP Grants Schemes, please contact your local DEA Officer.

The last census was in 2011 and counted 1,810,900 people living here. There were 54,314 households in Mid and East Antrim made up of 135,338 people.

It will be the first census run predominantly online although paper questionnaires will still be available on request.

Census data is used to help make decisions about how vital services such as education, transport and health are planned and funded including how millions of pounds are invested across the Mid and East Antrim Borough Council area.

Census day will be on March 21, but households across Northern Ireland will receive letters with online codes allowing them to take part from the beginning of March 2021.

For more information, visit census.gov.uk/ni or follow on Facebook and Twitter @NICensus2021

Ald John Carson DUP ald.carson@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk Cllr James Henry Independent cllr.henry@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

40 Councillors, elected in seven District Electoral Areas, working together to create a better future for all in Mid and East Antrim Borough.

Ald William McNeilly UUP ald.mcneilly@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Cllr Cheryl Johnston DUP cllr.johnston@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Cllr Bobby Hadden Independent cllr.hadden@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Ald Tommy Nicholl MBE DUP ald.nicholl@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Cllr Robin Stewart UUP cllr.rstewart@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Cllr Andrew Wilson Deputy Mayor UUP cllr.awilson@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Braid

Cllr John McDermott UUP cllr.mcdermott@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Cllr Eugene Reid SDLP cllr.ereid@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Cllr Beth Adger MBE DUP cllr.adger@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Cllr Trish O’Lynn Alliance cllr.o’lynn@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Ald Robin Cherry MBE UUP ald.cherry@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Cllr James McKeown Sinn Féin cllr.mckeown@ midandeastantrim.org

Cllr Rodney Quigley Independent cllr.quigley@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Vacant Alliance

Cllr Maureen Morrow UUP cllr.morrow@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Cllr Matthew Armstrong TUV cllr.armstrong@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk Ald Audrey Wales MBE DUP ald.wales@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Bannside Cllr Timothy Gaston TUV cllr.gaston@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk Cllr Tom Gordon DUP cllr.gordon@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk Cllr Ian Friary Sinn Féin cllr.friary@ midandeastantrim.org Ald Stewart McDonald TUV ald.mcdonald@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Cllr Brian Collins TUV cllr.collins@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk Cllr Julie Frew DUP cllr.frew@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk Cllr Christopher Jamieson TUV cllr.jamieson@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk Cllr William McCaughey DUP cllr.mccaughey@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Carrick Castle Ald Billy Ashe MBE DUP ald.ashe@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk Cllr Lauren Gray Alliance cllr.gray@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Coast Road

Ald Gerardine Mulvenna Alliance ald.mulvenna@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk Cllr Andrew Clarke DUP cllr.clarke@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk Cllr Angela Smyth DUP cllr.smyth@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Knockagh Ald Noel Williams Alliance ald.williams@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk Cllr Peter Johnston Mayor DUP cllr.pjohnston@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk Cllr Marc Collins DUP cllr.mcollins@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Larne Lough Cllr Robert Logan Alliance cllr.logan@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk Cllr Gregg McKeen DUP cllr.mckeen@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk Cllr Keith Turner UUP cllr.turner@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk Ald Paul Reid DUP ald.reid@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk Cllr Danny Donnelly Alliance cllr.donnelly@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Find out more about your local councillors at www.midandeastantrim. gov.uk/councillors

?

DID YOU KNOW?

Meetings of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council are recorded, and the audio is available on our website: www.midandeast antrim.gov.uk/audio

23

The Gobbins Cliff Path

Plan your visit now at thegobbinscliffpath.com #RediscoverMEA

If undelivered, please return to: PO Box 2100, Belfast, BT1 9QZ

The Gobbins Cliff Path

Plan your visit now at thegobbinscliffpath.com #RediscoverMEA