Mid and East Antrim Community Planning Partnership Second Statement of Progress November 2021

Mid and East Antrim Community Planning Partnership Second Statement of Progress November 2021

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www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/communityplanning 1

Contents Our Vision

Progress in Education “In the Spotlight”

Our Statement of Progress

Progress on our indicators Progress on our actions

Our Approach

Community Safety & Cohesion Our Community Planning Partnership

“In the Spotlight”

Our partners

Progress on our indicators

Delivery structure

Progress on our actions

How well the Partnership is working Challenges

Our Environment “In the Spotlight”

COVID-19 Response & Recovery

Progress on our indicators Progress on our actions

About our Indicators & Actions Next Steps Sustainable Jobs & Tourism “In the Spotlight” Progress on our indicators Progress on our actions

Good Health & Wellbeing “In the Spotlight” Progress on our indicators Progress on our actions

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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 was to be produced within two years of the community plan being published and every two years thereafter. The first Statement of Progress was published in November 2019.

"Putting People First" 1st Statement of Progress.

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 second 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.

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.

Initially in order to progress to the implementation and delivery of actions, some short-term prioritisations were identified via a scoring matrix. The actions prioritised were the ones that demonstrated clear ‘collaborative gain’ 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.

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.

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.

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Following the publishing of the first statement of progress in November 2019, attention turned to the process for the review of the community plan. A paper outlining our approach to the review along with a draft timeline was developed for presentation and approval to the Strategic Alliance in March 2020.

The scheduled meeting of the Strategic Alliance in March 2020 was cancelled due to the onset of COVID19 and the introduction of lockdown.

At that point, the community planning partnership leaned heavily on the strong working relationships developed through the community planning journey and utilised them to make a swift and robust response to the pandemic. Detail on the activity carried out by partners as part of the response to COVID-19 and later in recovery, can be found throughout our theme updates and more specifically in the “COVID-19 Response & Recovery Section”, on page 8.

As a result of COVID-19, timescales shifted and thus our review process is currently ongoing with a reviewed plan delivered in April 2022, five years after Putting People First was initially published. This will afford the Community Planning Partnership the opportunity to focus on the key emerging issues postCOVID-19 and ensure these are prioritised.

Our Community Planning Partnership 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 of 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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Delivery Structure Within our Community Planning Partnership, there are a number of key groups directly involved in influencing the delivery of Putting People First: Strategic Alliance - This is the key overarching strategic partnership body for Community Planning. It includes the 12 designated statutory partners, government departments, elected representatives, representatives from the Community Panel and additional voluntary support organisations identified by partners as having potential to make a valuable contribution to the process.

Community Panel – This group represents the community voice for Mid and East Antrim Borough and provides 12 community representatives and elected representatives 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.

This original graphic includes two elements of the partnership structure, which are currently not operationalised.

The Performance Management Group – it was decided that performance management should be integral to all elements of the community planning structure as opposed to a separate grouping. This ensures that as part of delivery groups that the achievement of outcomes remains front and centre.

The Community Planning Operation Board – it was decided this would be duplication and that the anticipated functions of this group would be fully accomplished through the other elements of the partnership, primarily through the Thematic Chairs Group.

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In January 2021, an independent internal audit was carried out on the community planning function within council.

The audit achieved the highest assurance rating of “Satisfactory”.

It did make a recommendation in relation to the revision of the “Community Planning Guide” which details the governance structures.

We recommend that: a)

the governance arrangements operating in respect to the delivery of the Community Plan, are reviewed as part of the 2022 review of the Community Plan, to ensure they remain appropriate; and

b)

following this review, the Community Planning Guide should be updated to document the agreed governance arrangements.

As part of the review process, the governance structures will be examined and the community planning guide which details the Mid and East Antrim structures and approach will be updated.

This will ensure that, now almost five years into the delivery phase of community planning, that the structures work to the maximum benefit of all partners and for the achievement of our outcomes.

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Corporate Plan for 2019-2023 is aligned with the 5 themes within ‘Putting People First’ which is a testament 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.

How well is the partnership working?

What have we done?

How well have we done it?

Representation at Community Planning Meetings Average attendance rate at Community Planning meetings ranged from 38% to 69%, with average attendance of 52% of those invited. Members (non MEABC staff) had an average attendance rate of 57%.

Published 1st Statement of Progress in November 2019 6 further Community panel meetings (Feb 2020 – June 2021) 3 further Strategic Alliance meetings (September 2020, February 2021 & September 2021)

Representation at Strategic Alliance Meetings Strategic Alliance meetings had an average attendance rate of 37% of those invited. Statutory and voluntary partners (non MEABC staff) accounted for 81% of those in attendance.

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Is anyone better off as a result?

Despite the challenges that COVID-19 presented to the partnership in relation to continuing with delivery of the community plan, work did continue.

Many of the actions were still relevant and necessary and took on a stronger focus such as addressing needs of older people and supporting mental health. New actions involving multiple partners commenced in response to the pandemic and many continue.

Whilst the March 2020 meeting of the Strategic Alliance was cancelled, partners quickly commenced regular collaborative meetings to respond to the pandemic, such as the Community Hub as mentioned later in the report.

A full meeting of the Strategic Alliance was then reconvened in September 2020, using Microsoft teams and facilitated by Council. Virtual meetings continue.

Robust response to COVID-19 was made possible through community planning partners and a community planning approach, these have strengthened further through collaboration. Further details can be found on page 8, illustrating how vulnerable people were assisted throughout the pandemic with food parcels, fuel provision and general wellbeing interventions.

Challenges There was a range of initial challenges which community planning presented such as     

varying levels of understanding across partners; inconsistency of commitment across partners; managing the high expectations from communities; delivering on new ambitious commitments from within existing resources and promoting the plan as a Mid and East Antrim plan and not a council plan.

It is fair to say that the partnership has made significant progress over the five years in overcoming these. It would also be fair to say that some of these challenges and misapprehensions remain something that the partnership continue to work on.

With the onset of COVID-19 a whole range of new challenges were presented. Without the existing community planning structure, strong relationships and a good track record, response to COVID-19 would have been significantly more difficult.

Resourcing continues to be a challenge with the community planning function not coming with a defined budget. Particularly post COVID-19, the delivery of public services are under increasing 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.

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 and continues to be much harder.

These challenges presented post COVID-19 will be part of setting new priorities and ensuring that community planning continues to deliver on the shared Mid and East Antrim vision.

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COVID-19 Response and Recovery Community planning partners and the strong working relationships between them had never been more important than when they came together to help form an emergency response to the pandemic.

Information concerning partners, individuals and partnership responses to the pandemic can be read throughout this document, below are a few specific examples of the types of responses made: Community Hub In April 2020, a Community Hub was established 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.

With Council and the Northern Health and Social Care Trust working closely together, assistance was offered to those who were shielding, and the most vulnerable and isolated in our communities.

A dedicated helpline was set up with Mid and East Antrim Community Advice Services, to help residents who were having difficulty accessing regional helplines.

Organisations such as DAERA Forestry Service, PARR group and Mitie Care and Custody, Corrigan’s Van Hire and Rent-a-Merc worked alongside the community planning partners, providing staff and vehicles to help with the distribution of food boxes.

Council DEA Officers were able to contact individuals to provide further support, and council staff were redeployed 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.

Civic buildings across the borough became food donation points, and information on local businesses who were providing delivery services was made available.

Mid and East Antrim could not have achieved any of this without the Mid and East Antrim Community Planning Partnership. Similarly, local communities, who had the grassroots knowledge of who needed help, were outstanding in their responses across the Borough. The services delivered made such a difference to so many lives and thanks go to everyone who gave their time and services.

Rural Door Knocking Scheme With those living in rural areas more at risk of isolation, this scheme was set up 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.

This service was especially welcomed by the residents with feedback expressing their heartfelt gratitude.

Helping teens keep mentally strong In June 2020, 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.

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 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.

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

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 were not online of the help and advice available throughout the pandemic.

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 Shielding households were given the opportunity to have access to healthy hot food through the Slow Cooker scheme.

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.”

Advice services remain open Mid and East Antrim Community Advice Services (MEACAS) remained open throughout lockdown providing advice on COVID-19 and arising employment, debt and benefit issues for over 3,000 clients.

MEACAS worked closely with MEA Community Hub, offering successful uniform exchanges in 2020 and 2021. When combined these exchanges provided 1,328 items of uniform for 292 children, saving families across the borough over £19,000. They are now in the process of making their three offices COVID-19 secure to allow face-to-face appointments as soon as possible.

Supporting Minority Communities Council staff worked closely with the Mid and East Antrim Inter Ethnic Forum to ensure that the minority ethnic communities were kept informed on the various issues and advice specific to the COVID-19 pandemic, the restrictions and government guidance. Ensuring they had easy access to information on social distancing, mask wearing, vaccinations etc. and could source any necessary support.

Council COVID-19 Community Support & Community Recovery Grant Schemes Council designed and delivered three separate grant schemes and allocated over £200,000 in funding.

The two main grant schemes focused first on COVID-19 response activity and later in COVID-19 recovery activity. A total of 215 grant awards were made available to local community and voluntary organisations. A third grant scheme was focused solely on the foodbanks who were support those experiencing food poverty.

These schemes were established quickly, with a simple application process and a quick turnaround; this made a big difference to grassroots groups and their pandemic responses.

Mid and East Antrim Loneliness Network The Mid and East Antrim Loneliness Network is committed to supporting residents to live well within cohesive and well-connected communities. The Network launched in December 2019 and is made up of a range of 70 community voluntary and statutory organisations who all work together to prevent and address loneliness.

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The network has met monthly to share information and continue the work across the partner agencies.

Promotion of the network and spreading the news about the work that has been carried out and is ongoing remains a priority. The MEA Loneliness Network information can be found on their page via Councils website and a QR Code is available to take people directly to the relevant information.

In addition, an extensive seven week social media campaign was run to highlight the need to address loneliness across all ages and all sectors. The campaign, which included bus advertisements and social media, was hugely successful.

The loneliness network has been responsible for, and contributed to a range of initiatives over this difficult period. Projects included addressing digital poverty and isolation through the distribution of tablets, distribution of a range of activity packs for all ages, provision of funding to member groups who are carrying out local projects to tackle loneliness.

The Network has also launched seven “Chatty Benches” to the Borough, and organised a series of connected “chatty” walks. NI Health Minister Robin Swann launched a Chatty Café at Blessings Coffee Shop in Cullybackey and three more Chatty cafes are currently being launched for Larne area.

Work has also included hosting webinars to highlight overlooked areas of loneliness in children and young people and distribution of 500 Christmas Cards to vulnerable people.

Northern Area Community Network NACN delivered on the Warm Well & Connected programme from Jan - March 2021 on behalf of DAERA and DfC in response to the pandemic.

The programme helped people that were adversely affected by COVID, targeting older people, children and young people, people with disabilities, ethnic minorities and the clinically vulnerable. The key themes addressed were isolation, mental health, physical activity and nutrition.

During this time NACN worked directly with 46 groups in the Mid and East Antrim area MEA, and with the input of the volunteers in these local groups some 2932 people were reached and supported across the Borough.

This graphic highlights key outputs from the COVID-19 response

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A note about our indicators and actions 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 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 contained within this statement of progress 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. However, the following thematic reports on progress provides an overview of what progress has been made between November 2019 and August 2021, including any associated impact.

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Sustainable Jobs and Tourism ‘A proud, vibrant and ambitious place, which collaborates, encourages and supports economic and tourism growth and prosperity’ ‘Under the Spotlight’ Hospitality & Tourism Recovery Task Force The Hospitality & Tourism Recovery Task force was established on October 2020 and is chaired by Colin Johnston, Managing Director of Galgorm Spa & Golf Resort, it comprises of 27 representatives from across the industry.

The Task Force was established in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and is the second Phase of the planned recovery. Phase 1 (May-September 2020) focused on delivering specific activities including, the re-opening of the sector safely, lobbying activities, operational guidance, enforcement support, skills interventions and access to Personal Protective Equipment.

As part of Phase 2, an action plan has been developed which sets out how we move forward over the next 12 months. The main themes of the plan include, sustaining the sector, working in collaboration, supporting and developing innovation, Identifying skills gaps, providing re-skilling opportunities, promoting and supporting growth through the delivery of a range of marketing campaigns. In addition, a key outcome will be the delivery of a 5-Year Tourism Strategy, which will be reflective of local needs, addresses local challenges, adds value, focuses on investment and increases visitor numbers, spend and length of stay.

Key Activities of Taskforce (with key outcomes to date) Lobby Central Government – Lobby Government for Direct Financial Support to aid the winter months and longer term impacts of COVID-19.

• • • •

A range of funding support provided by Government Tourism & Hospitality Recovery Plan developed Holiday at Home Voucher Scheme announced Guidance for reopening of the sector provided

Marketing Support – Provide sustained investment into marketing Mid & East Antrim as a prime safe tourist destination. Encourage new investment from central government into supporting additional marketing • • • • • • •

New marketing Plan developed to focus on the Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland markets Multiple Marketing Campaigns promoted the borough developed and delivered 16 Trade Shows and Promotions attended Themed campaign pages developed on website Range of Itineraries and Staycation Ideas developed and promoted Ongoing promotion of local attractions, hospitality, accommodation and experiences Joint promotions with P&O Ferries

Digital Innovation & Integration - Explore new collaborative funds and projects that will support the sector to transform how they engage with their consumers and deliver their services • Currently exploring opportunities with Tourism NI and local colleges Skills & Sector Attractiveness – Develop a range of skills interventions and opportunities for the upskilling of the existing workforce. Work with education bodies to increase attractiveness of the sector.

• Delivered a range of training courses with regional colleges including Digital Marketing, Bartending, Management Development 12

• Working with the Hospitality & Skills Network to develop courses focusing on key demand areas including Chefs courses • Worked with local businesses to develop a list of job vacancies within the borough which are then advertised locally Collaboration - Encourage collaboration between local product to provide itineraries that are promoted and linked to experiences to maximise economies of scale • Developed an Experience Development Programme with the Department of Agriculture & Rural Affairs • Working with local businesses to develop a range of new experiences to be promoted to visitors Events – Deliver a diverse range of international and local events aimed at driving visitor’s numbers up and attracting new visitors into the Borough • Worked with organisers of the ISPS HANDA World Invitational Golf Event to promote the tournament • Developed a Golf Brochure promoting things to do and see within the borough and highlighted local accommodation providers • Worked with organisers of the Antrim Half marathon to promote the event locally • Developed a Brochure promoting things to do and see within the borough and highlighted local accommodation providers

Sustainable Jobs & Tourism Progress against Indicators Our Outcomes

Our Indicators*

Progress against Indicators

The number of VAT/PAYE registered businesses Mid and East Antrim is a leading and competitive place to start and grow business.

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

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

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

Our borough is the place to do business, developing transport, energy and superfast broadband.

Positive Change 2021 (latest update): 5,040 2020 : 4,955 2019 : 4,950 2018 : 4,875 2017 (baseline year): 4,735

Business Escalator

Negative Change 2019 (latest update): 55% of businesses formed in 2016 still trading in 2019 2018 : 60% of business formed in 2015 still trading in 2018 2017 (baseline year): 60% of businesses formed in 2014 still trading in 2017

Business Escalator

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Workplace Development

Workplace Development Rapid Redundancy Response

N/A

Positive Change 2021 (latest update): 27.0% 2020 : 26.8% 2019 : 27.5% 2018 : 28.4% 2017 (baseline year): 28.6%

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

Place Promotion

See Progress in Education Section

Negative Change 2019 (latest update): 385 2018 : 385 2017 (baseline year): 400

The number of business births

Related Actions

Place Promotion Workplace Development Buy Social Business Escalator Place Promotion Workplace Development

Broadband coverage (Superfast >=30mbps)

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

Positive Change 2019 (latest update): 76.1% 2018 : 71.2% 2017 (baseline year): 70.6%

N/A

Business Escalator Place Promotion Workplace Development Boost Tourism Buy Social

Gross all persons mean weekly pay

Mid and East Antrim is a destination of choice with increased visitor numbers and spend on first class facilities and attractions.

Positive Change 2021 (latest update): 90.4% 2020 : 89.7% 2019 : 89.6% 2018 : 86.9% 2017 (baseline year): 83.2%

The number of overnight visitor trips

The average expenditure per visitor per overnight trip

Positive Change 2021 (latest update): £500 2020 : £475 2019 : £472 2018 : £473 2017 (baseline year): £472

N/A

Negative Change 2019 (latest update): 286,337 2018 : 296,441 2017 (baseline year): 255,802

Place Promotion

Positive Change 2019 (latest update): £200 2018 : £171 2017 (baseline year): £169

Place Promotion

Boost Tourism

Boost Tourism

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

Sustainable Jobs & Tourism Progress & Impact of Actions 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.

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

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

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.

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Action Business Escalator

Progress Overview

Our Impact

324 referrals to stakeholders for business support.

111 Fulltime equivalent jobs created.

Leveraged a total of £131,000 worth of additional support for 20 businesses via IntertradeIreland

As a result of the initiative, 217 businesses have received support.

A stakeholder panel group was established in April 2018 to coincide with the Business Escalator Programme.

Stakeholders include: Invest NI, IntertradeIreland, Northern Regional College, Michelin Development Ltd, University of Ulster and Labour Relations Agency. This mechanism proved highly beneficial for businesses in the Borough and generated key outcomes in the update, which follows.

The Business Escalator Programme delivery period ended September 2020, however the stakeholder relationship remains and continues to compliment the work of Council’s Business Client Managers alongside Council’s business growth programmes, in order to leverage as much support to Mid and East Antrim based businesses as possible to enhance innovation and growth potential.

Rapid Redundancy Response

The Rapid Redundancy Response was developed in Autumn 2019 by four partners – Council, NRC, LEDCOM and DfC’s local Jobs and Benefits Office.

Since then the Council has led the response when required with additional support from these partners and the NI Careers Service, MEA Advice Services, Carrickfergus Enterprises, USEL, Ballymena Business Centre, Network Personnel and NOW Group.

The RRR offers support to three 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.

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10 businesses matched with knowledge transfer partners to secure Invest NI Innovation Vouchers 2 businesses secured loans through the Michelin Development Fund - total value £40,000 12 businesses availed of skills and training support for new product, service or process development with FE colleges 1 business secured 3 apprentices with Northern Regional College and a further 8 businesses availed of training courses 2 businesses secured graduates through Ulster University 4 businesses accessed free HR advice and services through Labour Relations Agency for the development of contracts of employment and policy writing The Rapid Redundancy Response provided much needed support during COVID-19 with Redundancy Clinics and Job Fairs delivered in new formats to meet job seeker and local company needs. Delivery included a virtual job fair with over 20 employers and support providers presenting to job seekers over ZOOM, two mini in-person job fairs, two virtual redundancy clinics, a careers webinar and the collation of Jobs Sheets for the manufacturing and engineering and hospitality sectors. The RRR achieved the following outputs over the past year:  3 Job Fairs, 2 redundancy clinics and 1 careers webinar completed  60+ employers engaged through events and job sheets  600+ employment opportunities showcased (same jobs promoted at several events - ongoing recruitment issues)  260 Job Seekers supported

Place Promotion

Completed February 2020 Developed Investment Site Fact Sheets for promotion at MIPIM Developed a “Key Facts” booklet outlining key demographic, economic, company and sectoral information.

Promotional video outlining key business and sectoral strengths/strategic sites/tourism offering Completed April 2021 Development of an Invest MEA brochure for use in FDI Meetings and at Conferences and Events.

Develop an Invest MEA Website.

6 visits to the borough in relation to investment  McCauley Trailers Expansion in Pennybridge Industrial Estate (March 2021)  Fairco FDI from Dublin setting up manufacturing/production base in Carrickfergus at Kilroot Industrial Estate (March 2021)  CPH2 visited the borough in May 2021.  MAC Group and iGale both visited between April and June 2021.

Simply IOA also engaged throughout April June 2021 but did not visit as they had already identified ECOS Centre as a preferred site.

No visits to external markets due to COVID19 Pandemic.

Currently preparing materials for FDI attraction from the Republic of Ireland and updating our China information for 2022 822,414 overnight visits to the Borough in 2019, the last year for which data is available.

There have been a number of collaborative bids for investment including:  European Regional Development Fund A successful joint Council bid was submitted to Invest NI LED European Regional Development Fund to secure funding to deliver the Northern Ireland Digital Transformation Programme. This will support 18 businesses in MEA to the value of £20,439. It focuses on enabling business transformation via advanced technologies  UKRI Strength in Places Fund - feasibility funding of £50,000.  Community Renewal Fund - Submission to the UK Community Renewal Fund in June requesting funding of £511,329.91 for a Pilot Hydrogen Training Academy  Belfast Region City Deal – Submission to the Belfast Regional City Deal for £26m for the new i4C Innovation and Clean Tech Sector.

NI Complementary Fund - MEABC currently developing a proposal for an 'Integrated Green Hydrogen Hub in Ballymena' that will involve collaboration with industry partners on a series of test-beds that will assist the commercialisation of the hydrogen economy - a project valued at circa £13.5m.

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Staycation Campaigns – Council has focused on providing marketing support for the Tourism and Hospitality sector during the recent pandemic. This has been in the form of marketing campaigns highlighting what there is to see and do in the borough and promoting the message that Mid & East Antrim is a ‘Destination to both Visit and Stay’. Two dedicated Staycation campaigns were developed and delivered in Summer 2020 and Summer 2021.

Summer Campaign 2020 Reached 503,000 people 10,000 visitors to the website

The Gobbins Campaigns – As The Gobbins is a key attraction for Mid & East Antrim additional dedicated marketing campaigns have been delivered to drive visitors to The Gobbins and on to other attractions within the borough.

Results for these campaigns can be seen below:

Autumn Campaign 2020 Reached over 552,000 people 25,000 clicked through to the website 1653 bookings were made

Attendance at shows – Council have attended 20 ‘virtual’ exhibitions to promote the tourism offering within Mid & East Antrim

Summer Campaign 2021 Reached 526,000 people 23,000 visitors to website

Spring/Summer Campaign 2021 Reached 389,000 people 89,000 visitors to the website 2854 bookings were made

Storify Programme – Council has developed a business support programme called ‘Storify My Business’ where council have provided the services of a PR Agency to help local businesses develop the stories behind their business and provide a range of marketing collateral for the businesses to use to promote themselves. 38 businesses were involved in the programme and council are continuing to work with them to market and promote themselves both in the local market and internationally.

Experience Development Programme – Council were successful in applying for funding from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs to develop an Experience Development programme to encourage local businesses to develop new and exciting experiences, which would be appealing to visitors and encourage them to both visit and stay in Mid & East Antrim. 40 businesses are involved in the programme.

Workplace Development

Additional sq. ft. of commercial and industrial property created within the Borough

Private sector workspace has been developed (or is planned) in the Borough as follows:

Working off the original research on supply and availability of workspace within the Borough (CBRE October 2018). Officers continue to keep up to date with current property availability within the Borough. The Availability and Supply research was updated by CBRE in July 2021 to provide a current picture of commercial property and if it is fit for purpose and the changing requirements for space as a result of COVID-19.

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Rankinstown Road Ind Est (c12,000sq ft. industrial / light industrial) Moorfields Road Business Park (c20,000sq ft. industrial / light industrial).

Woodside Park, Ballymena (2.3 acres of build to rent opportunities).

Sloefield Park, Carrickfergus (2.55 acres of build to rent opportunities).

Officers continue to develop and maintain strong working relationships with external commercial property agents and landlords and while this is not a formal forum (based on research into other similar methods in Belfast City Council); it does include liaising with a range of landlords and property agents across the Borough. This engagement is proving to be a vital element of the Property Request Protocol support offered and has helped to attract new tenants and support business growth.

The Property Solutions Protocol was expanded in March 2020 to include a scoring and assessment element and officers continue to process property requests using the protocol as a guide.

This process includes engaging with a wide range of commercial property agents and private landlords to provide information for prospective investors.

All planning and development was completed for MIPIM Cannes in March 2020, which was then postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic. A renewed ambition programme (August 2020) was developed across the Belfast City Region to prepare for future investment conferences and an Investment Guide was published in March 2021. Additional research exercises continue as part of the Renewed Ambition programme of activity.



Large scale build to rent opportunities at Shore Commercial Park and Kilroot Industrial Estate.

Council officers are engaging with agents and landlords for the sites above and have been sign-posting potential tenants through the Property Request Protocol.

The Ballee development lands put on the market for sale by Council in May 2021 represent a development opportunity of more than 7 acres, which may include industrial or commercial workspace development depending on the purchaser(s).

Ballymena Business Centre All light industrial workspace units in Galgorm, Ballee and Ballykeel continue to operate at 100% occupancy. There are currently 4 vacant offices in the Town Centre Business Hub. The Enterprise Centre manager has reported that enquiries are strong, with interest from manufacturing, engineering, and office-based services.

Enquiries are mainly coming from new tenants, start-ups and existing tenants wishing to expand. Demand is for 400-1,000 sq. ft. workshop units.

Carrickfergus Enterprise Centre All space within Carrick Enterprise Centre is currently 100% occupied, with any units, which have come available in the last 18 months re-letting very quickly. Occupancy has only dropped to 95%.

Carrick Enterprise Centre currently has a waiting list of over 20 businesses with the majority of which require workshops around 300-500 sq. ft.

Ledcom and Willowbank, Larne Ledcom Estate is currently running at 82% occupancy, in 2018 this occupancy level was at 75%. Vacant units range in size from 300 sq. ft. to 5,750 sq. ft.

Willowbank Business Park currently has an occupancy rate of 80% (84% in 2018). Vacant units range from 290 sq. ft. to 2,275 sq. ft.

The Centre manager has advised that both these schemes have seen a downturn in enquiries for office space, however due to the impact of COVID-19 there has been a higher level of interest in Workshop units with demand for 1,000 to 1,500 sq. ft. units.

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Boost Tourism

The Hospitality & Tourism Recovery Task force was established on October 2020 The Task Force comprises of 27 representatives from across the industry.

The Task Force was established in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and is the second Phase of the planned recovery.

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Key Outcomes to date: • A range of funding support provided by Government • Tourism & Hospitality Recovery Plan developed • Holiday at Home Voucher Scheme announced • Guidance for reopening of the sector provided • New marketing Plan developed to focus on the Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland markets • Multiple Marketing Campaigns promoted the borough developed and delivered • 16 Trade Shows and Promotions attended • Themed campaign pages developed on website • Range of Itineraries and Staycation Ideas developed and promoted • Ongoing promotion of local attractions, hospitality, accommodation and experiences • Joint promotions with P&O Ferries • Currently exploring opportunities with Tourism Ni and local colleges • Delivered a range of training courses with regional colleges including Digital Marketing, Bartending, Management Development • Working with the Hospitality & Skills Network to develop courses focusing on key demand areas including Chefs courses • Worked with local businesses to develop a list of job vacancies within the borough which are then advertised locally • Developed an Experience Development Programme with the Department of Agriculture & Rural Affairs • Working with local businesses to develop a range of new experiences to be promoted to visitors • Worked with organisers of the ISPS HANDA World Invitational Golf Event to promote the tournament • Developed a Golf Brochure promoting things to do and see within the borough and highlighted local accommodation providers • Worked with organisers of the Antrim Half marathon to promote the event locally • Developed a Brochure promoting things to do and see within the borough and highlighted local accommodation providers

Buy Social

Delivery of this action was paused due to complications that arise from the lack of an NI Social Value Clause.

Once training has been completed, Council will implement the Social Value Toolkit prescribed by the Finance Minister.

Council Officers along with the Mayor, led by the Chief Executive, met with the Finance Minister to discuss Social Value and progress related to procurement.

The performance measures associated with the Social Value Toolkit will be used to monitor delivery of social value in contracts and the associated impact.

The Finance Minister approved a request to have Council’s Head of Digital Innovation & Procurement join the Procurement subgroup of the Procurement Board.

In July 2021, Finance Minister, Conor Murphy announced a new policy which will see mandatory scoring of social value within public procurement contracts.

The new policy agreed by the Executive, mandates that from June 2022, tenders must include a minimum of 10% of total award criteria to social value. This will apply to service contracts valued above £123,000 and construction contracts valued above £4.7million – accounting for approximately 97% of total government procurement spend. The minimum weighting will increase to 20% from June 2023 subject to review and approval by the Executive.

Training for Public Sector Procurement teams commences in January 2022.

Skills Forum *This has moved from “Progress in Education” due to staffing changes and areas of focus.

7 partners recruited in the delivery group including: Rutledge, Network Personnel, USEL, NOW, ENI, People 1st, Workforce Training Services, NICMA Monthly Manufacturing Task Force Skills Meetings with Northern Regional College (NRC)/Mid and East Antrim Borough Council (MEABC) 2020-2021 – Interventions to promote enterprise and career pathways (including Sentinus, YENI, Prof Brian Cox Science School, GEW, Hospitality Takeover, Jobs Fairs, Cosmic Classrooms and Outreach activities) 1096 participants 2021-2022 – Interventions to promote enterprise and career pathways (My Skills, My Life, NI Apprenticeship Week CITB Event, Young STEM Ambassador, Green Innovation Competition) 301 participants 6 skills areas identified for intervention via review of skills barometer for MEABC produced

by UU. 6 Academy Programmes – Health and Social Care, Childminding, HGV, Welding, Retail, Hospitality and Catering.

4 ESF Employability Programmes

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9 Programmes (4 ESF and 5 Academies – Health and Social Care, Welding, Hospitality and Catering, Retail and Childminding) 2020-2021  299 participants  111 into employment  377 qualifications  30 on to FE/HE 2021-2022 (To date)  157 Participants  86 into employment  378 qualifications  8 on to FE/HE

Good Health and Wellbeing ‘Improving health, including the wider factors and causes of ill health’ ‘Under the Spotlight’ 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 and deliver programmes for reducing social isolation and healthy living for older people.

This is a well-developed and established model. The Mid and East Antrim Agewell Partnership (MEAAP) were awarded the contract for delivery of Ageing Well Services within the Borough in 2018. This was a joint procurement process led by Council but included a range of community planning partners. The current contract runs until 31 March 2022. This project will then need to be re-tendered as the current procurement arrangements have been maximised.

The strength of this Partnership and work already being delivered on the ground meant that MEAAP were able to respond very speedily to the COVID-19 pandemic. MEAAP very quickly mobilised their team to provide an emergency COVID-19 helpline for older people. This helpline was operational 7 days per week from 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. during the first 6 weeks of lockdown. During this period, they answered more than 1500 telephone calls and also made more than 1000 calls, delivered almost 700 meals and with the nice weather, even managed to fit in 3 sessions of doorstep bingo! Their contribution to assisting in the delivery of services was formidable and they are to be congratulated for their services.

Council along with NHSCT and community organisations worked together to ensure that vulnerable/shielding residents were able to access the support and services they needed through the setting up of Community Hubs. This task was made easier as strong and trusted relationships were already established through the Ageing Well project. This truly was ‘community planning in action’.

Partners were able to map out all the support that was available and were then able to link with charities, community groups and volunteers to fill the voids. The Community Hub was a tremendous success and really helped those that were older/isolated, many of whom were at greater risk of being negatively impacted. Many beneficiaries expressed that they really appreciated this service as they felt lonely, isolated and under increased stress. Many older people had to provide additional hours of unpaid care to loved ones without any respite.

MEAAP have shown innovative ways to reach older people and have adapted very well to new ways of working. With support from our Policing and Community Safety Partnership, they were able to operate a text alert scheme and sent more than 750 texts with valuable information to older residents who are not online. Forty volunteers delivered 3900 meals over a 7-day period from Christmas Eve to New Year’s Eve week 2020, supporting approximately 600 service users.

Although face-to-face visits remain on hold due to the COVID-19 restrictions, MEAAP continue to reach out to offer much needed support in a safe socially distanced way. This crisis has really shown how innovative everyone can be.

Good Health & Wellbeing Progress against Indicators Our Outcomes

Our people are able to enjoy longer and healthier lives

Our Indicators*

Progress against Indicators No Statistically Significant change 2015-19 (latest update): 161 2014-18 : 160 2013-17 (baseline year): 159

Number of preventable deaths per 100,000 population

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

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

The percentage of people who normally participate in sport or physical activity on at least one day a week Our people will be physically active more often

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

Percentage of P1 pupils who are obese

Negative Change 2019 (latest update): 217 2018 : 205 2017 (baseline year): 210

No data available yet

Negative Change 2017/18 – 2019/20 (latest update): 5.7% 2016/17 – 2018/19 : 5.6% 2015/16 – 2017/18 : 5.2% 2014/15 – 2016/17 (baseline year): 5.2% Positive Change 2019/20 (latest update): 10.8% 2018/19 : 17.4% 2017/18 (baseline year): 28.3%

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 Our borough has health equality for all

Negative Change 2019 (latest update): 89.2% 2018 : 93.3% 2017 (baseline year): 93.3% Negative Change 2017 – 2019 (latest update): Males 4.4 years Females 3.6years 2016 – 2018 : Males 4.3 years Females 3.2 years 2015 – 2017 (baseline year): Males 4.4 years Females 3.3 years Negative Change 2016/17 – 2018/19 (latest update): 14% 2015/16 – 2017/18 : 13% 2014/15 – 2016/17 (baseline year): 14%

Percentage of population living in absolute poverty (before housing costs)**

*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)

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Take 5 Healthy Eating & Activity Strategy Greenways & Outdoor Spaces Tackling Poverty Healthy Eating & Activity Strategy Greenways & Outdoor Spaces Healthy Eating & Activity Strategy Greenways & Outdoor Spaces Ageing Well Model Dementia Friendly Ageing Well Model Dementia Friendly Tackling Poverty

Healthy Eating & Activity Strategy

Tackling Poverty

Good Health & Wellbeing Progress & Impact of Actions Healthy Eating and Activity Strategy - Action Plan that 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;  Promote recognition and use of the JAM (Just a Minute) Card for businesses and services in the borough.

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 the 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, and delivery of 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.

Action

Progress Overview

Our Impact

Healthy Eating & Activity Strategy

In 2020, MEABC adopted its 5-year Play Strategy and associated Play Investment Framework, giving its commitment to investing in quality, inclusive fixed play for the next 5 years.

Council recognised that play had a role in the COVID-19 recovery process. Events and activities included; storytelling, kite making, scavenger hunt, natural play and family games afternoon. Play formed part of Council’s town centre regeneration strategy and Staff from People’s Park and Carnfunnock Country Park completed Autism Awareness Training in early 2021 and from June 2021 commenced weekly ‘Quiet Hour’ sessions at the People’s Park to cater for children and families with additional needs.

Also, in order to support visitors and families with complex toileting needs, Officers secured funding which saw the installation of a Changing Place unit at both Carnfunnock Country Park and People’s Park. Both have been operational since August 2021 and come complete with people counters to enable reporting on usage at a later date. The installation

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In 2020/21 a total of 6 replacement play parks were completed:  Ballykeel  Ballygally  Legg Park  Kells  Cullybackey  A state-of-the-art inclusive play area at People’s Park, Ballymena Council delivered 8 events attended by 240 people/families as part of MEA Summer of Play.

Officers delivered 6 Pop Up Play sessions across the 3 main towns in order to help draw the public back to the town centres.

Funding was secured for 4 sensory play pods, complete with sensory play items, which were installed at key sites across Mid and East Antrim to support sensory play events and activities by Council staff and trusted partner organisations

Take 5

of the unit will remove barriers to participation in play and events by families with additional needs.

such as schools, Mae Murray Foundation, Sensory Kids NI and NI Forest School Association.

The ‘Stay Home’ message saw a shift in public pasttimes with many taking up walking and water-based activities. All of the water-based activities have been oversubscribed and were funded through the Interreg European Funded Capiten project, which has now ended.

MEABC organized Hill-walking skills courses, which were attended by 4 people and another 12 on guided hill walking events.

The group met on 6 occasions from November 2019 – September 2021 (virtually since March 2020) Take 5 Schools A Take 5 Resource for schools was launched on 19th March 2020 Take 5 schools model being taken forward in 11 schools:  5 post-primary schools – 4,600 pupils and families.  6 primary schools – 930 pupils and families.  There have been 62 engagements with schools.  These represents significant achievement given school closures.

Take 5 businesses: A toolkit has been developed.

1 business signed in Carrickfergus – Sensata MEABC • Chief Executive and Directors appointed to act as champions for each of the themes.

• A video has been completed to highlight each of the 5 themes.

• MEABC Health and Wellbeing Forum has delivered 28 activities for staff under the Take 5 theme.

• A staff health and wellbeing survey has been undertaken.

• A series of resources have been developed including: winter wellbeing information, Mindful meet and make activities, remote working resilience, physical activity videos and e-learning courses on mental health.

• A 3-week CAKE (Care, Appreciation, Knowledge, Encouragement) project was designed to reconnect staff during COVID19 and help them to make health and wellbeing a priority in 2021.

Take 5 communities: • A working group has been established to develop a Take 5 community Ambassador

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In response to a number of fatalities at our rivers and coastlines, safety courses in Open Water Swimming (10 hour course) and Stand Up Paddle boarding safety courses (60 minute zoom instruction and 2 hour practical) were also organised and attended by 24 and 60 residents respectively. There were an additional 240 residents booked on to taster sessions for paddle boarding and kayaking in the borough over the months of June and July.

72 Community programmes and 10 community workshops have been delivered.

11 Schools engaged, involving 13,900 pupils and families 2 business engaged 173 communities engaged 13 organisations (11 schools and 2 businesses) committed to the Charter.

programme, this has been delayed due to COVID-19.

• 92 community and voluntary grants were awarded to support Take 5 under the Making Life Better grant programme.

• 71 community Take 5 programmes have been delivered to 1,930 beneficiaries.

• Over 3,000 Take 5 resource packs have been distributed.

There have been 10 workshops delivered to 192 beneficiaries.

Autism Friendly

In June 2021, a launch event took place at the Gobbins to celebrate the achievement of 6 ‘Autism Impact Award’ accreditations from Autism NI, in partnership with the Northern Health and Social Care Trust (NHSCT). The awards recognise the work undertaken to open up Council facilities to individuals with autism and their families and carers. 2 additional Awareness-raising sessions took place in May. ‘Just A Minute’ (JAM) Awareness Training commenced in June 2021, with 140 staff members completing it successfully. This initiative is another positive step in the right direction in the journey to become an Autism Friendly Borough.

Six virtual public awareness sessions have taken place, including Tesco Community Champions and Libraries NI Community Planning Leads.

Six venues have received the ‘Autism Impact Award’ in recognition for going ‘above and beyond to create accessible and autism-friendly’ environments, including Carrickfergus Amphitheatre, Larne Leisure Centre, Seven Towers Leisure Centre, Carnfunnock Country Park, The Gobbins and The People’s Park. The prestigious achievement involved staff training and a number of adjustments to improve accessibility and overall customer experience, including pre-visit guides and ‘quiet spaces’ at a number of venues.

The new sensory garden and trail at ECOS in Ballymena, were successfully completed in partnership with local volunteering groups, including, Friends of ECOS and The Conservation Volunteers. The garden includes a children’s fort and a bee and insect hotel, and was officially opened by the Mayor on 23 June 2021.

In total, 41 people have now attended IMPACT Training, 16 of whom completed the formal accreditation and are now Autism Champions. Of the three Elected Members involved, one received the accreditation and became an Autism Champion; the other two completed AwarenessRaising training.

95% of participants who attended the public awareness sessions reported that their knowledge of autism has increased following the training.

Greenways & Outdoor Spaces

Harryville Community Garden and orchard completed in 2021 – Harryville Men’s’ Shed opening to members from Sept 2021.

Broughshane Sensory Garden completed in 2021, for use by 30 playgroup children during the day and community by permission.

ECOS Sensory Garden completed in partnership with NHSCT and Northern Area Autism Reference group and opened in June 2021.

Dye Garden completed at Beach Road Whitehead in June 2021, with 10k HLF funding.

20 x ‘Friends of Beach Road’ volunteers managing garden.

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‘Garden of Reflection’ progressing with Little Snowdrops group at Greenland Cemetery.

3 more community groups offered free allotment plots FOC at Eden Allotments in summer 2021 – The Olive Tree, Cithrah, Royal British Legion.

1 x potential allotment site identified in Larne 1 x DfI Greening Alleyways application progressing which will create communal green space 6 x Sustainable Food Place online workshops.

15 x partners involved, which will lead to development of Sustainable Food Action Plan to help MEABC area achieve Sustainable Food Place Status.

1 x foraging walk as part of Love Parks Week All MEABC staff received sunflower seed packs to grow during lockdown in 2020.

7000 x packs of sunflower seeds distributed to communities in 2020 and 7000 packs distributed through schools in 2021.

3 School growing clubs supported in 2021, with 6 sessions delivered per school. Total of 18 sessions with 50+ pupils.

100 x Grow Your Own Salad packs distributed in August 2021 Bid for 2 detailed greenway studies (Inver River Walk and Galgorm Castle to Cullybackey) and bid for active travel infrastructure going in August 2021 to DfI. Funding secured for Multi-use trail in Bracknamuckley Forest, Portglenone (£140,450) in August 2021.

Glenravel greenway completed in 2020 Blackhead Path re-opened in 2020 after a multi-million pound investment. Visitor figures will be available in due course.

Ahoghill new park incorporating a woodland walk completed in 2020 Martinstown counters installed post project completion (end March 2021). Data available bi-annually and not yet available.

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Dementia Friendly

Work on making Mid and East Antrim dementia friendly began in Larne as work was already happening through the Prom Friendship Group, a local support group.

Taking a community planning approach meant that by working together everyone could achieve more so therefore this project quickly flourished. Despite many challenges, this project continues to go from strength to strength.

In November 2019, Council started work to mentor, empower and support them so that they could build capacity. This intervention culminated in them moving to become a formally constituted group. In doing so, it opened up the opportunity of applying for funding and was the first step towards financial sustainability. Apart from financial assistance, volunteers were able to access a range of training and support. This enabled them to develop their skills, knowledge and expertise in community development to tackle health inequalities. This also increased their confidence and gave them a better understanding of health literacy, governance and an understanding of social determinants of health.

This action allowed the Prom Friendship Group to provide an urgent response via digital/virtual sessions. This reduced feelings of isolation and loneliness and helped clients to maintain social connectedness during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Financial support was provided from Networks Involving Communities in Health Improvement, (NICHI) through Northern Area Community Network and funded by the Public Health Agency (PHA), along with other small pots of funding a programme of therapeutic activities including singing, reminiscence and arts and crafts. Sadly, this group lost three of their members during this period so it was important that they could reach out and support each other. This made such a difference to general feelings of physical and mental wellbeing.

Although face-to-face sessions remain on hold due to the COVID-19 restrictions, this group meets every Wednesday via Zoom and have a virtual social club that meets once per month.

The Prom Friendship Group have also been working to develop the skills and confidence so that one day they will be able to come back together physically in a safe and COVID-19 secure way.

Staff from NHSCT delivered Dementia Awareness sessions to 4 organisations: Galgorm Private Nursing Home Johnston Cares Group Robinson Cares Group McDonald Cares Group Supported 2 x Ageing Well/Loneliness Groups Beneficial schemes launched by the Loneliness Network, include the Chatty Benches and the Chatty Café.

4 business participating in Dementia training.

59 dementia friends.

All other business awareness sessions suspended due to lockdown and government restrictions.

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58% of attendees reporting that their knowledge of Dementia has improved as a result of the workshop. It is possible that this is lower than previous workshops due to the difficulties surrounding virtual delivery method

Ageing Well Model

MEAAP were awarded the contract for delivery of Ageing Well Services within the Borough in 2018.

This was a joint procurement process led by Council but included a range of community planning partners.

8 partners participated in the development of an Ageing Well Model – Council, NHSCT, PHA, HSCB, NIHE, PSNI, PCSP and South Antrim Community Network The strength of this partnership and work already being delivered on the ground meant that MEAAP were able to respond very speedily to the COVID-19 pandemic. MEAAP very quickly mobilised their team to provide an emergency COVID-19 helpline for older people.

The helpline was operational 7 days per week from 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. during the first 6 weeks of lockdown. During this period: Over 1,500 telephone calls were answered Over 1,000 calls were made Almost 700 meals delivered 3 sessions of doorstep bingo Council along with NHSCT and community organisations worked together to ensure that vulnerable/shielding residents were able to access the support and services that they needed through the setting up of Community Hubs. This task was easier as strong and trusted relationships were already established through the Ageing Well project. This truly was ‘community planning in action’. Partners were able to map out all the support that was available and were then able to link with charities, community groups and volunteers to fill the voids. The Community Hub was a tremendous success and really helped those that were older/isolated, many of whom were at greater risk of death. Many beneficiaries expressed that they really appreciated this service as they felt lonely, isolated and under increased stress. Many older people had to provide many additional hours of unpaid care to loved ones without any respite.

MEAAP have shown innovative ways to reach older people and have adapted very well to new ways of working. With support from the Policing and Community Safety Partnership, they were able to operate a text alert scheme and sent more than 750 texts with valuable information to older residents who are not online, detailing up to date COVID-19 information.

40 volunteers delivered 3900 meals over a 7-day period from Christmas Eve to New Year’s Eve week 2020. This supported approximately 600 service users, who were deeply appreciative.

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554 clients receiving Good morning telephone calls Average of 333 calls per day Average of 34 handy man maintenance visits per month Average of 15 people per month having home security visits, with home security measures supplied and fitted. (Service was paused from 20 March 2020 due to COVID-19, with the exception of fitting emergency key safes to help facilitate hospital discharge.)

22 Older People were provided access to ICT training/support To demonstrate personal impact on users of the Ageing Well Services, the following case studies have been provided, two for the good morning calls and one for the handy man service: Good Morning Stories - February & March 2021 This lovely widowed lady will be 90 this year, and was referred to our service in 2018 by her best friend, who also received our calls. The pair of them enjoyed holidays and going out together.

She (along with her friend) has attended two of our Christmas Lunch events in the Town Hall, and two of our Afternoon Tea events in the Curran Court Hotel. Each event we host also brings an important age related message to those attending, and the events attended would have imparted Stress Awareness Information and Strategies as well as Scam Awareness and Online Confidence lessons to name a few. Throughout her time as a GMLarne client, she receives two calls per week and she has to date received approximately 260 morning telephone calls.

During the last COVID-19 pandemic year of isolation, she would also have received uplifting cards, a doorstep flower delivery in June 2020 to lift isolating spirits, Christmas Gifts in December 2020 to celebrate a lockdown Christmas, and another delivery of flowers in March 2021.

Unfortunately, last year her best friend and fellow GMLarne client fell ill and sadly passed away, and each of our telephone volunteer friends have helped to comfort her in her grief, by talking about their favourite stories of her late friend and affirming her absence and their special friendship.

A very long-term old friend came on to our service at the age of 60 along with his wife who was terminally ill back in 2008. We called 2 days a week back then and would talk to him, or her, or both, to listen and allow them to unburden their thoughts and fears to us, instead of each other all the time. Within a few years, he was widowed, and we continued to call on our regular days to talk about his lovely wife, his grief, and his future. He started to do some casual and part time work but we continued to ring him once a

week to keep our friendship going. He has always been content with just 1 call a week, and prefers not to attend our events, not even the men only events. He is now 73, he is still very active and to date has received almost 900 calls in the past 13 years.

Handyperson Stories - February & March 2021 Mrs A had Keith visit her home to fit and hang pictures and a clock after it was redecorated. She said she was delighted with the service and would recommend to others in the area. She has a few other jobs to do after Easter and will contact MEAAP to arrange the Handyman to call out again. ‘I feel a bit silly getting someone out for such a small job but Keith was really great and I would not hesitate to recommend or use again. It is great to get a trusted and polite worker into your home to help. Thank you.’

Tackling Poverty

MEACAS Uniform Exchange operated in 2020 and 2021 in Larne, Carrickfergus and Ballymena.

In 2020, a total of 145 children benefited from 829 items, providing an estimated saving of £10,225 across the borough.

In 2021, a total of 147 children benefited from 499 items, providing an estimated saving of £9,666 across the borough.

A targeted distribution via Community Centres was undertaken in July-August 2021, which saw 173 families benefiting from 1156 items.

Resulting in an approximate saving of £33 per family.

MEACAS Financial Inclusion Project identified clients who benefited from financial education and resilience support provided with information on financial wellbeing services (including credit and savings info).

• 134 Sessions delivered • 102 one-to-one clinics

MEACAS Financial Inclusion Project saw: • 134 individuals supported • 86 onward referrals to other supportive services • An additional £142,891 was identified for clients as a result of this project.

Subsequent benefit applications where made on their behalf

Chilled Meals project Dec 20 and Jan 21 80 Clients who were identified by MEACAS as requiring chilled meals (in partnership with MEAAP.) MEACAS administered weekly deliveries to these clients contacting them weekly to ensure support was still required.

Including making onward referrals to other supportive services

Chilled Meals Project • 80 individuals supported • 80 onward referrals to other supportive services

Community Hub (First Lockdown) Clients who were triaged to receive food boxes from the community hub.

• 680 Sessions delivered

Community Hub (First Lockdown) • 786 referrals received • 554 food boxes delivered by end of July 2020 • 272 onward referrals to other supportive service

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Social Survey (by MEACAS March 2021) • 550 Sessions delivered Clients were identified as vulnerable, each were contacted and a survey was completed to ascertain how COVID-19 had affected them and what form of support was required. Each of these clients were impacted by COVID-19 in terms of isolation, health issues or financially Social Isolation Project This project aimed to provide residents of the Borough, who were not digitally connected, with an android tablet. The funding enabled the Loneliness Network to purchase 30 tablets in the first instance and, due to the demand locally, the scheme was extended to offer a further 30 tablets.

Ran in partnership with Mid and East Antrim Community Advice Services (MEACAS) who, along with Loneliness Network members, identified residents who could most benefit from the scheme.

This project ran for 3 months from March – May 2021 and all 60 tablets were distributed to local families, and individuals through the following organisations: • Mid and East Antrim Community Advice Services (MEACAS) • The Simon Community • PSNI • Northern Area Community Network • Northern Health and Social Care Trust (NHSCT) • Network Personnel • Ballymena South Community Cluster • The Mae Murray Foundation Food Pallet Scheme Jan-May 2021 Each individual was supplied with a food parcel worth £30 each week and a family with a food parcel averaging £50 per week. A total of £96K worth of food was distributed to clients in need. MEACAS provided food to both families and individual households for 22 weeks during lockdown. Food was also distributed to partner organisations.

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Social Survey • 480 individuals supported • 91 onward referrals to other supportive services

Social Isolation Project Working with MEACAS enabled residents to be offered additional wraparound support such as financial advice, benefit checks and access to the Uniform Exchange and other schemes.

A tablet and case approx. value £200 was presented to each client totalling £12,000.

Provision of Slow Cookers and Cook Books Feb-March 2021 MEACAS identified 200 individuals and families who would benefit from a slow cooker and cookbook.

Food Pallet Scheme Jan-May 2021 • 10,244 Individuals supported • 68 Onward referrals to other supportive agencies

Progress in Education ‘Developing educational achievement and aspirations’ ‘Under the Spotlight’ Schools Engagement Programme This is a Diversity/Good Relations Schools Engagement Programme targeting Year 7 pupils as they prepare to leave primary education. This is a crucial intervention point for young people.

The Programme was developed in partnership with internal and external partners (local Primary Schools, Sport Development Officers, Inter Ethnic Forum (MEA) and Artsekta) and engaged pupils from primary schools throughout Mid and East Antrim.

This has been a successful Good Relations Officer led programme, working in partnership with all primary schools in Ballymena, Carrickfergus and Larne.

The programme worked within the Northern Ireland curriculum and addressed civic leadership, democracy and Council services with particular emphasis on how council promotes good relations throughout Mid and East Antrim.

This Programme received excellent publicity through the local press and Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s social media. This is a successful cross community programme with approximately 1,000 participants from primary schools across the Borough (10% Maintained Primary/76% Controlled Primary/14% Integrated) - very reflective of the population breakdown of the Borough. It offered a great opportunity to bring the TBUC message (Together: Building a United Community) to a large audience and, prepare young people for any good relations issues they may face when entering secondary education - an important transitional time for them.

Primary Schools Programme (Jan 2019) 939 Primary 7 pupils attended this programme, which was run on a DEA basis. This DEA approach this year enabled smaller groups, greater interaction and participation.   

70% felt that the programme helped them 97% felt positive about the programme 97% felt they were treated well

This programme was well received by teachers and pupils alike. Feedback showed that the programme complimented the curriculum in schools and, helped prepare the pupils for transition to secondary education.

In the 2020/21 this programme was delivered remotely to individual schools due to the global pandemic and COVID-19 restrictions. This programme still had a high level of schools wishing to participate even with the COVID-19 restrictions in place.

Comments from participants “I think it was a great event for people to get to know each other” “I thought it was very good workshop and I very much enjoyed it” “It was very good to show people that everyone's equal and as important as each other.”

“I think this has made many people change by this and they should do more of these.”

“I think it was really good and I learned some new things.”

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Progress in Education Progress against Indicators Our Outcomes

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

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

Our Indicators* Gap between the percentage of school leavers entitled to free school meals and those not entitled, achieving 5 GSCEs (including English and Maths) Percentage of school leavers achieving 5 GSCEs (including English and Maths)*

Positive Change 2019/20 (latest update): 75.5% 2018/19 : 68.8% 2017/18 : 73.8% 2016/17 (baseline year): 70.8%

Percentage of the workforce in employment qualified to level 2 and above

Positive Change 2019 (latest update): 84.7% 2018 : 76.1% 2017 (baseline year): 72.6%

(Level 2~ 5 or more GCSEs)

Percentage of the workforce in employment qualified to level 4 and above (Level 4 ~ First/foundation degree)

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

Progress against Indicators Positive Change 2019/20 (latest update): 29.1% 2018/19 : 34.0% 2017/18 : 33.6% 2016/17 (baseline year): 35.6%

Skills barometer

Related Actions

Parental Engagement

Parental Engagement

Skills Forum

Volunteering

Positive Change 2019 (latest update): 38.5% 2018 : 33.7% 2017 (baseline year): 38.4%

Volunteering

Indicator development required at LGD level

Skills Forum

Skills Forum

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

Progress in Education Progress & Impact of Actions 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’.

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.

Action Parental Engagement

Progress overview

Our Impact

The Progress in Education(PIE) – Parental Engagement group met at the end of November 2020 to review progress and assess how COVID-19 has impacted on the work the group will be doing going forward.

During May and June, the cluster group delivered a number of activities for pupils and parents.

These included 4 transition workshops for the P7 pupils and a study skills workshop for year 8 pupils delivered by Amazing Brains.

The group reworked its operating objectives as follows:

Parenting NI delivered a programme for parents designed by the four schools, this was delivered remotely and covered the following topics:

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1. To provide additional support which removes barriers to young people achieving their potential and engages/supports parents in the education of their children.

2.To place Health and Well Being of the school community – pupils parents and staff – at the centre of programme implementation

• • • •

Health and wellbeing was a priority for the schools and a programme of physical activity was designed by Carrickfergus Academy, which involved their staff and senior pupils delivering a range of sessions in each of the primary schools for P6 and P7 pupils.

The Schools currently involved in this project are: • • • •

Volunteering

Helping Children Manage Children’s Emotional Health Parent’s Emotional Health Parenting a teenager

Carrickfergus Academy Oakfield Primary School Carrickfergus Model Primary School St Nicholas Primary School

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. 4 meetings of partners. (Further meetings cancelled due to pandemic).

COVID-19 halted the progress of the volunteering action.

Volunteers Week 2020 and 2021 was largely an online recognition of volunteering with many organisations providing virtual thank you celebrations for their volunteers, providing pamper packs.

In March 2020, Volunteer Now created the #HelpEachOther campaign, which provided a space for COVID-19 related information specifically for volunteering organisations.

COVID-19 may have changed how volunteering takes place in the borough. However, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council area witnessed an increase in the number of people coming forward to volunteer with a focus on supporting those who were most vulnerable in the local community.

Volunteers were instrumental in the vaccination centre that was held at the Seven Towers Leisure Centre. These volunteers were from across NI representing Volunteer Now, British Red Cross and Ulster GAA with many being from the MEA Council area.

In partnership with MEABC, Volunteer Now supported the Uniform Exchange in Ballymena, Larne and Carrickfergus.

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1156 items of uniform were distributed in the 2021 uniform exchange. This provided support for 173 families across MEA.

Community Safety and Cohesion ‘Reducing crime and creating good relations between people and communities’ ‘Under the Spotlight’ Intergenerational Parliaments Intergenerational Parliaments were a series of three events hosted in February 2020 by Mid & East Antrim Agewell Partnership (MEAAP) thanks to funding from the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE)

The project aimed to bring Local Older People’s Groups and Primary School Children together to take part in sessions that would allow for conversations between generations.

The sessions had involvement from the Mid & East Antrim Community Planning partners such as the Police Service of NI, Public Health Agency, Northern Health & Social Care Trust and Mid & East Antrim Borough Council.

The aim of these sessions was to have open, honest, and fun conversations about the issues that affect us all. These conversations enabled both generations and Community Planning partners to listen and learn first-hand, not only the challenges, but indeed the strengths that exist in our communities.

The events gave those taking part opportunities to meet new people, become better informed of what problems each age group encounter.

We looked at the themes of what makes a good friend, how can we work together to protect our local environments and what similarities and differences do they generations have. It was a fun few days and our colleagues from local NI Housing Executive, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Linking Generations NI, and the PSNI joined us. Finished with a fun intergenerational quiz along with nerf guns on alert for the cheaters!

Both generations inspired and encouraged each other to fully embrace the opportunity to ensure that everyone was involved and included.

Feedback from Older People, Pupils & Teachers was that this was a very valuable project. Everyone involved from facilitators to participants all commented on how much fun they had during the sessions. Many of the teachers commented on how important projects like this are and how essential they are for our community.

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Community Safety & Cohesion Progress against Indicators Our Outcomes

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

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

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

The number of recorded crimes

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

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

The number of antisocial behaviour incidents

The number of young people involved with the Youth Justice Agency

Progress against Indicators Positive Change 2019/20 (latest update): 68% 2018/19 : 74% 2017/18 : 69% 2016/17 (baseline year): 70% Negative Change 2018-2020 (latest update): 88.7% 2017-2019 : 88.9% 2016-2018 : 88.7% 2015-2017 (baseline year): 89.2% Positive Change 2020/21 (latest update): 6,185 2019/20 : 7,109 2018/19 : 6,739 2017/18 : 6,044 2016/17 (baseline year): 5,725 Negative Change 2020/21 (latest update): 129 2019/20 : 122 2018/19 : 122 2017/18 : 156 2016/17 (baseline year): 160 Negative Change 2018-2020 (latest update): 56.7% 2017-2019 : 67.3% 2016-2018 : 70.0% 2015-2017 (baseline year): 73.1% No data available yet Data not yet available

Related Actions Safer Places Planning Paramilitary Activity

Safer Places Planning

Support Hub

Safer Places Planning Safer Places Planning Paramilitary Activity Safer Place s Planning Paramilitary Activity Volunteering (Progress in Education) Intergenerational

Negative Change 2020/21 (latest update): 5,006 2019/20 : 4,240 2018/19 : 3,745 2017/18 : 3,857 2016/17 (baseline year): 4,179 Negative Change 2019/20 (latest update): 76 2018/19 : 55 2017/18 : 58 2016/17 (baseline year): 59

Safer Places Planning

Support Hub Safer Places Planning Paramilitary Activity Support Hub

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

Community Safety & Cohesion Progress & Impact of Actions Support Hub - A dedicated multi agency group to focus on emerging issues of vulnerability and identification of those individuals most at risk. A cross-partner sharing of information and knowledge with a view to developing appropriate support.

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.

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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.

Action Support Hub

Progress Overview

Our Impact

The Support Hub continues to work successfully. It has now been functioning for over 4 years The cross-agency group focuses on vulnerable individuals across MEA district, with regular sharing of information between the partners in order to develop appropriate support. A confidentiality agreement is signed at the beginning of each meeting, and actions are agreed and addressed.

84 clients in total have been managed by the Hub, 58 no longer require support or may no longer consent to ongoing support because of their lifestyle choice. 4 have moved district and 1 is deceased.

The call-volume from the cohorts showed a reduction of 30% at year-end

Inter-agency Hub meetings are held monthly 11 Support Hub meetings since November 2019.

40 Cases/Participants since November 2019 27.5% of cases resolved There are currently 18 clients being actively managed by the Support Hub Safer Places Planning

Partner organisations on the forum include: • Police Service for Northern Ireland • Department of Justice • Youth Justice Agency • Young Men’s Christian Association • Education Authority • Northern Social Health and Care Trust • Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service 4 Anti-social Behaviour Forum meetings to date.

A review of the most vulnerable places within the borough was conducted in June 2021 to target Anti-Social Behaviour.

A number of projects are also currently in place, for example, Community Safety Wardens and the Detached Youth Project providing support on the ground within local communities to engage with local youth and those involved in Anti-Social Behaviour, working closely and effectively in partnership with PSNI. Officers have identified areas that may require CCTV security cameras, which are funded by Council.

The District Support Team remains deployed across the district to provide support to Local Support Teams and react to problem areas.

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The Support Hub Vulnerability Navigator has contacted 1165 callers to Police and referred 321 and signposted 348 to relevant support services (such as mental health support services, drugs and alcohol support services, MEAAP, food banks and other services bespoke to the individual requirements) and educated LPT officers on the services available.

The No Hate Here campaign has been implemented across the district, to identify safe places for people who may have been a victim of hate crime. Over 60 locations such as retailers, libraries, leisure centres, coffee shops, charity shops, churches, Women’s Aid, healthcare providers have all agreed to participate. Police continue to work with BAME communities to ensure safeguarding, with a multi-agency rapid reaction approach being successful.

Support those most at risk of offending

YDO adopt a partnership approach to supporting Young People who have been identified as being at risk of becoming involved in Criminality, Anti-social Behaviour or are involved in Risk taking activities.

Children’s Diversion Forum – (ASB / Low level offending / Early Intervention)

Youth Volunteer Academy – 2 full sessions completed.

This is a medium term action; it is currently too soon to see the impact these actions have had.

Some schemes are currently being piloted.

All officers in MEA are ACEs trained and conversations are ongoing with Ballymena Learning Together to have principals and pastoral care staff trained YMCA detached youth workers SPOCs in Children’s Homes in the Borough YDO’s can refer Young People (YP) directly to Youth Justice Agency (YJA) for Early Start Intervention.

Early Intervention Support (ESI) is offered at every opportunity by YJC & YJP whether it is during a CRN education session or at Youth Engagement Clinic (YEC) OR by referral of YDOs Sexting Referral Scheme - is being piloted in A, D & E district– for the offences of possession / distribution / making of indecent images where the suspect is under 18 years. If no further action is directed on the incident then a voluntary education session may be offered and if required additional support services. This scheme as with all others, parental consent will be necessary.

Paramilitary Activity (including Youth Stream Support Hub)

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

100% of partners effectively engaged

Implementation of DoJ Youth Stream Support Hub:

Currently, 16 cohorts identified, and involved, in Youth Hub projects with interventions explored.

The Mid and East Antrim Youth Support Hub was established in December 2020 following a request from the Department of Justice to establish a youth support wing of the main Hub. To date it has dealt with 16 cohorts who have presented with a variety of issues. The key objective of this scheme is to identify young people in our communities susceptible to paramilitary influence with the outcome of implementing support networks and interventions to divert away from paramilitary clutches.

Issues that were presented include drug dealing, domestic abuse both perpetrated by the cohort and against them, drug and substance abuse, selfharm, truanting, loneliness, anger management issues, stealing, engagement in anti-social

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7 currently on list with research being conducted in relation to other possible young people at risk (3/4 young people being revised at present time) with a view to coming on if they meet criteria.

Council is currently working with the Department of Justice to establish indicators regarding the programme.

10 young persons from Carrick took park in the Fresh Start through Sport programme led on by the IFA Foundation and including Ulster Rugby, Ulster GAA and Belfast Giants. The participants completed all 4

behaviour, Asperger’s diagnosis, stealing from their families, broken homes, families split up due to the young person, potential for beatings from paramilitaries due to the young people’s actions in their communities, parents at a loss to know how to help, cope etc.

sports, a multi sports cross community event and the course is accredited by Ulster University. 5 participants went on to complete a Level 1 IFA disability coaching award. .

The age ranges are from 11 to 19 years, with 10 from the Carrick area and 6 from the Larne area.

NPT Carrick and Larne continue to work closely with PCTF and NCA colleagues to target and reduce the grip of paramilitarism in the Greenisland area and to remove drugs from within the community. This work alongside collaborative community focused events strengthens and builds confidence in policing in the area and our focus is to maintain this legitimate role in policing the community.

Intergenerational

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

Intergenerational Parliaments where a series of three events hosted in February 2020 by Mid & East Antrim Agewell Partnership (MEAAP) thanks to funding from the Northern Ireland Housing Executive • • • • • • • •

Generations Together Project: (feedback included) “I thoroughly enjoyed the music sessions. I love music and it was great fun to sing along with the children.”

102 Participants 55 Older People 47 Younger People 14 Community Groups 11 Schools 3 Sessions Delivered 15 hours delivered £1,901.42 funded (NIHE)

“Seeing all the children on Zoom always brightens up my day.”

Mid & East Antrim Agewell Partnership (MEAAP) delivered the Generations Together project and MEAAP were able to host a range of intergenerational activities safely and remotely via Zoom.

• • •

Intergenerational Parliaments: Feedback from Older People, Pupils & Teachers was that this was a very valuable project.

Everyone involved from facilitators to participants all commented on how much fun they had during the sessions. Many of the teachers commented on how important projects like this are and how essential they are for our community.

375 Participants 7 Care Homes 7 Schools

A scoping exercise is being planned regarding intergenerational work involving LAC in NHSCT homes and local older people. This will involve PSNI NHSCT MEAAP and Linking Generations.

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“I found this experience amazing especially gardening and I feel it makes the residents day.”

“I have missed seeing my grandchildren who weren’t able to visit me during COVID-19, so it was lovely to see all the children from the school on the big screen each week.”

“I had lots of fun during the Galgorm zoom calls.

I especially enjoyed making things using clay and learning rollercoaster breathing. The activities were great fun and enjoyable. I loved meeting all of the new Older People. The intergenerational programme was so much fun and I would love to do it again. I would definitely recommend it to next year’s P7s.”

Our Environment ‘Increasing awareness, positive attitudes and action for a clean, safe, protected, vibrant environment’ ‘Under the Spotlight’ Eco Rangers Larne Eco Rangers was established in October 2020 and has now over 400 adult members and over 100 younger members. They are now a constituted group, with committee members. The initially started in Larne town, but spread out and now covers the entire MEA coastline from Carnlough right down to Greenisland. They also cover inland areas, the main towns of Larne and Carrickfergus, but also the smaller villages and hamlets including Raloo, Gleno, Beltoy, Eden, Islandmagee, north of Ballynure, Glenarm, Ballygally, and extend westward towards Ballymena along the Shane’s Hill Road, and other rural roads including the Mullaghsandall Road, Shillnavogy Road and all areas in between. The County Antrim Countryside Custodians mainly cover Ballymena town and the surrounding areas. The Eco Rangers litter pick every day and collect all the litter into the now widely recognised ‘blue bags’ which our Council staff then collect. They have a dedicated FB page, which is where members post photos of bags of litter they have collected. One Member keeps a tally of total bags collected, which she provides to Council.

Specific projects In early 2021, Eco Rangers set about removing a huge number of shopping trolleys from the Larne Lough. Their next big project has been cleaning the coastline from Milligan, and all the way down to Belfast Lough. One of their members has also been working with council on tackling littering issues at Carrickfergus Skate Park. They identify hot spot locations on occasion, and have a group effort approach to clearing litter e.g. Killyglen Burn (NW of Larne) or long stretches of the A8, southbound.

Securing funding They have moved from strength to strength and have been successful in securing funding from the National Lottery Community Fund and the Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful (KNIB) Live Here Love Here Small Grants Scheme. They have also received donations from many local businesses in the Larne area, including Brian A Todd, Glenarm Estate, and have received donations of personal protective equipment (PPE) from a local business. They have used their funding to purchase more litter pickers, hi-vis, road signage, road lights etc. to ensure their safety when working along the roads.

Recognition Eco Rangers have been recognised as a leading volunteer group in the country, with new groups forming in other Council areas, mirroring the work Abe and his team do e.g. along the north coast – the ‘North Coast World Earth’ group, the ‘Kells Angels’ in the west of our borough etc.

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They were shortlisted as finalists to tell their story in the Live Here Love Here ‘Tales of the Time’s’ event in March 2020. They will be put forward for a Live Here Love Here Community Award this autumn.

Eco Rangers have had many press releases / TV interviews / radio interviews / arranged meetings with various high level people including attending a Mayor’s reception (Cllr William McCaughey and Alderman Paul Reid) earlier in the summer, where they were gifted life jackets, and more recently meeting with Sir Jeffery Donaldson, who commended them for their efforts.

Eco Rangers recently held a BBQ/Family Day event in Carnfunnock, as a thank you to all the members for their continued efforts. Mid and East Antrim Mayor attended along with several Council officers. This was to mark their oneyear anniversary.

Looking forward?

Founder Abe would like to expand his Eco Ranger influence and move into biodiversity, mainly to enhance and protect the local habitats and species in and around Larne.

Council support the Eco Rangers through provision of litter picking equipment (litter pickers, gloves, bags) and also work closely with them to ensure blue bags of litter are collected in a timely manner (in the towns and in surrounding rural areas).

Our Environment Progress against Indicators Our Outcomes

Our Indicators*

Progress against Indicators Negative Change 2017-19 (latest update): 21% 2016-18 : 21% 2015-17 (baseline year): 24%

Percentage of all journeys which are made by walking/cycling/public transport The natural environment and built heritage of our borough is protected and sustainably managed.

Negative Change (most recent) 2020/21 (latest update): 5 2019/20 : 10 2018/19 :8 2016/17 (baseline year): 7

Number of parks and green spaces awarded Green Flag status

Positive Change 2021 (latest update): 8 2020 :7 2019 :7 2018 :6 2017 (baseline year): 5

Number of Local Nature Reserves

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

N/A

N/A

No data beyond baseline 2016 (latest update): 66.72

The energy efficiency of homes, mean SAP rating People enjoy easy access to our borough’s natural environment and built heritage.

The higher the score (max 100) the higher the efficiency

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

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

Positive Change 2019/20 (latest update):78% 2018/19 : 69% 2017/18 : 78% 2016/17 (baseline year): 77%

Percentage of households expressing concern for the Environment

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

Percentage of local authority collected waste prepared for reuse, dry recycling or composting

LEAMS Score** (This LEAMS score takes into account how clean or littered the 100 sample streets were that were surveyed. Scores closer to 100 indicate better performance. 66% is the point at which performance is considered acceptable)

Resource Efficiency Programme Cycle Infrastructure Greenways & Open Spaces (Good Health & Wellbeing)

Environmental Champions

Negative Change 2020/21 (latest update): 50.4% 2019/20 : 50.6% 2018/19 : 51.0% 2017/18 : 53.0% 2016/17 (baseline year): 45.6%

Environmental Champions

Positive Change 2021(latest update): 74% 2020 : 65% 2019 : 72% 2018 : 68% 2017 : 74%

Environmental Champions

Resource Efficiency Programme

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 Percentage of transects failed to meet acceptable standard for litter **New or amended indicators: Percentage of people spending leisure time outdoors at least once a week LEAMS Score

Our Environment Progress & Impact of Actions 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.

Action General Actions

Progress Overview

Our Impact

Council continue to be accredited to ISO 14001:2015 International Environmental Management Standard across all services. This ensures that Council reduces the impact of its services on the environment and improves its performance year on year.

Council’s April – June 2021 recycling rate is 53.2%, relatively on par compared to 55.4% between April-June 2020, despite the challenges introduced through COVID-19.

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Council delivered a ‘first-in-the-world’ Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) pilot ‘Reward4Waste’ in partnership with Bryson Recycling and Cryptocycle in Whitehead.

Council continue to deliver the CIRCUS Circular Economy Social Enterprise Programme in partnership with WorkWest, USEL and Ballymena Business Centre.

Council continue to support the Eco Schools Programme, to which all 77 MEA schools are registered. Eco Schools is about promoting sustainable living through whole-school action supported by learning resources, management tools and the internationally recognised Green Flag award scheme. Starting the new academic year in August 2021, 18 schools have a Green Flag status, 6 Silver certificates and 9 Bronze certificates. With the planned delivery of the new Big Wheelie Bin Challenge alongside the Eco School Programme this academic year, we aim to see even greater participation in this internationally recognised education programme.

Sullatober re-development Council secured £995,000 in funding from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) for the new Sullatober Household Recycling Centre, Carrickfergus. When completed, the site will be more than double the size of the existing facility to cater for some 40,000 residents. As well as increasing the amount of waste segregation by over 20%, the new facility will help Mid and East Antrim Borough Council to divert over 1,000 tonnes of waste from landfill each year.

Environmental Champions

Live Here Love Here (LHLH) is about creating pride and loving where people live by caring for their surroundings, feeling responsible for the landscape around you and creating a better environment for communities.

2020 saw 23 applications for funding submitted to Live Here Love Here with 16 of these being successful. Total finding awarded £10,140.

In 2021 there were twenty-eight funding applications submitted across the Mid and East Antrim area. Fourteen met the funding criteria and nine were awarded funding totalling £13,700, funded by Council (£3,700 rolled over from 2020/21).

A new group of litter-fighting enthusiasts became established in November 2020 in the Larne area, known as the ‘Eco Rangers Larne’.

The Larne group keep an accurate account of the number of bags lifted each week, which at present is averaging 200 bags a week.

Council have provided support in the following areas: • provision of litter pickers, gloves and bags as with all other volunteer litter pick groups in the Borough • two new litter bins and a further eight locations agreed for replacement or repositioning in areas where a need has been identified • Council is working with DfI to agree design and position of new anti-litter signage for vehicles exiting the Port of Larne • Council’s Education Officer met with the group and Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful to raise their profile, provide information on the Live Here Love Here ‘Adopt a Spot’

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Council awarded £10,140 to nine projects, Northern Ireland housing Executive awarded £1,400 to one project.

The majority of applications received in 2020 were from the Ballymena and Carrickfergus areas and a good mixture of urban and rural projects were awarded across Mid and East Antrim, these include: • Ahoghill in Bloom 2020 – Ahoghill Traders Association • BBG Project 1 – Ballygally and District Biodiversity Group • My Garden, My Area and I – Dunclug Youth Forum • Pondlife 3 - Friends of Bashfordland and Oakfield Local Nature Reserve • Jubilee Wood Community Orchard – Friends of Jubilee Wood • Love Carrick Love Roses – Love Carrick • Welcome to our BEE Bank – Roger Casement GAC • Royal George Love Our Place Project – Royal George Residents Group • Community Sensory Garden – Sensory Kids In 2021 the projects allocated funding have been equally spread across Ballymena, Larne and Carrickfergus areas and a good mixture of urban and rural projects were awarded across Mid and East Antrim, these include: • Operation Eco, Woodburn Primary School • Summer Garden Project, 1st Whitehead Scouts Group • Community Connection for health and wellbeing, Association of Parents and Friends of St. Paul PS (Ahoghill) APF • 'A dander through the allotment', Brookeville Enterprises, Ballymena

• •

programme, which provides litter-picking equipment, and also the ‘Small Grants Fund’ programme. the communication team has raised the profile of the group on Council’s social media the group has acknowledged the timely response of enforcement officers to reported fly tipping incidents.

• • • • •

3 Programmes developed and launched • 2 community groups signed up to Eco-Community Programme

•

5 Training/education/awareness sessions delivered

•

17 Environmental Champions within council.

• •

Shiels Volunteer Wellbeing Project, Charles Shiels Community County Antrim Countryside Custodian – group and project name Eco Ranger Larne – group and project name Love and enjoy our garden, Glenravel & District Community & Residents Association Environment Improvement, Glens Red Squirrel Group Moyle’s Better Days, Moyle Primary School One step closer - group and project name Portglenone Pollination Development, Portglenone Enterprise Group Seaview Primary School Community Garden, Seaview Primary School, Glenarm The Olive Tree Community Garden, Carrickfergus – group and project name

Tree planting with schools and community groups as part of MEA4Trees Programme at various locations borough-wide including Larne Town Park, Drum Wood and Bashfordsland Wood.

Forest Schools - 3 schools per annum receiving 6 x Forest School sessions in local greenspace.

Biodiversity University - 3 weeks of activities for families (free of charge) in August 2021 – Diamond Jubilee Wood, Carnfunnock, ECOS, Ballymena – 300+ attendees (attendees limited due to restrictions).

Cycle Infrastructure

Areas identified with existing gaps in cycle infrastructure include Cullybackey to Galgorm – included in new feasibility study linking Cullybackey to Ballymena/ECOS. Strategic review of potential infrastructure projects completed by Sustrans in May 2021.

Top 8 priority projects identified and costs reviewed. Priorities identified from cycle routes masterplan.

Consultation of key stakeholders undertaken as part of feasibility study for Cullybackey to ECOS Route.

Public were consulted on parts of the route as part of the Ballymena Regen consultation exercise.

Ongoing studies into feasibility of extending the Lower Bann Blueway into MEABC from Mid Ulster District Council and on to Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council.

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Green/blue way infrastructure is available through DfI Roads.

Application for 2 x detailed studies and £15,000 worth of active travel infrastructure submitted in August 2021 (includes cycle repair stations, cycle stands and shelters).

DfI Roads completed in the Borough – widening of Fry’s Road and Larne Road dual carriageway, Ballymena Routes mapped as part of Cycle Route Masterplan

Tourism Strategy

The Tourism and Hospitality sector has been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic with most businesses only recently reopening. Due to this, there has not been any progress on this action. In addition, Tourism NI are currently developing a Tourism Strategy for Northern Ireland and it has been agreed that Mid & East Antrim will await the publication of this strategy before embarking on its own Tourism Strategy to ensure that it is fully aligned with the national strategy. It is anticipated that both environmental and sustainable concerns will be included within the strategy.

Resource Efficiency Programme

6 Resource Efficiency Programmes delivered which supported local businesses.

• Household Energy Efficiency support and advice - Council employ Community Health and Well Being Advisers who provide a household energy efficiency and home safety support service with onward referrals as necessary for other support.

• Affordable Warmth Scheme - Council are partners in the delivery of the Affordable Warmth Scheme, which enables eligible households to avail of the installation of free energy efficiency measures such as insulation, heating and windows.

• Slow Energy Efficient - this programme was impacted by COVID-19 restrictions this year and only 1 online event with 25 participants was held.

• Sew Energy Efficient - This resource is provided free to local community based groups on a loan basis and groups are provided with up to 10 sewing machines and accompanying equipment along with material to make draught excluders. This programme was impacted by COVID-19 and to make use of the resources available ‘MEA Mask Makers’ was developed to lend resources to individual households for the purpose of making face coverings.

• Energy Detectives – This school-based programme provides practical learning around energy use in the home with the help of an energy monitor. Pupils become members of an Energy Detectives team, taking part in a week of fun activities that help them and their families identify potential ‘energy gobblers’ in their homes and discover just where energy is being wasted and are set 3 tasks by Energy Detectives HQ. • Heater lending scheme - This scheme was developed for households with no heating who are waiting on a replacement boiler via a grant scheme. This scheme has been operational since January 21 and provides eligible households with the loan of a number of energy efficient electric heaters as a temporary measure until their heating system is upgraded.

Council’s Waste team submitted an application to Business in the Community NI Arena Environmental Benchmarking Survey in both 2020 and 2021. Achieved gold status in 2020, awaiting results for 2021.

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Council received 290 requests for energy efficiency related support and advice, 114 one to one support and home visits have been carried out 58 onward referrals to other support services and 202 to energy efficiency grant support schemes.

663 enquiries have been received from November 2019, 234 visits have been made and 231 households surveyed following confirmation of eligibility ‘Cook Slow, Eat Well’, was developed in conjunction with NHLP in response to COVID-19 and 63 slow cooking kits comprising slow cooker, cookbook, store cupboard box, chopping board and fresh ingredients were provided to shielding households struggling to make hot meals. Through additional funding from DfC 200 additional slow cooker kits were made and these were distributed to vulnerable households via MEACAS. Nineteen households benefitted from the sew energy efficient service. Two staff events took place (following risk assessment and social distancing guidelines) which enabled staff to make their own face coverings.

Due to COVID-19 none of the 5 schools, which had signed up to participate in Energy Detectives during the 20/21 school year, were able to take part.

Five households in Q4 of 20/21 made use of the heater-lending scheme.

Trade waste continue to manage a waste/recycling service to 685 business customers.

Building Control received, administered and responded to 19 pre-application consultations between November 2019 and 23rd August 2021.

3 online zoom sessions held to promote energy efficiency

Next Steps The Community Planning Partnership are currently in the process of reviewing the community plan “Putting People First”.

Independent consultants are working with the partnership to undertake a robust review through widespread consultation with partners, community and residents.

The Partnership welcome the opportunity to “check in” on the plan, take account of the progress made to date and most importantly establish if the vision, themes, objectives, outcomes, indicators and actions are still relevant, appropriate and still requiring attention.

Most importantly, the Partnership wish to establish, through the review process, if there is anything that is missing. Are there new priorities for Mid and East Antrim that need to be included in the reviewed, revised “Putting People First”, especially post the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 has changed so much for our communities; some of the most vulnerable in our society were disproportionately affected by the pandemic, with many being driven into food and fuel poverty due to reduction in wages and job loss and the negative mental health impacts of loneliness, isolation and loss.

Through the response and recovery, partners have learned many lessons in relation to vulnerability and how to address need. Moving forward in recovery partners will prioritise the building of community resilience and addressing poverty, looking at longer-term solutions.

The Community Planning Partnership will continue to deliver the existing actions (where appropriate), monitoring progress and impact.

A reviewed community plan will be published in April 2022. The partnership will continue to monitor progress and impact and a further statement of progress will be published again in November 2023.

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