Mid & East Antrim Connections - Summer 2017

Mid and East Antrim Borough Residents’ Magazine

It’s Summer!

From classes to castles, our Summer events guide has it covered.

Inside: 08 Ecos evolution

10 Rates update

21 Local Development

Summer 2017

Useful Numbers To contact Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, telephone

0300 124 5000 Tourism

Leisure Centres

Get in touch

Arthur Cottage 028 2563 5010

Amphitheatre Carrickfergus 028 9335 8342

We are always looking at ways to make it easier for you to engage with us at Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.

Larne Leisure Centre 028 2826 2497

We welcome your queries, comments and suggestions.

You can contact us directly by telephone on 0300 124 5000

Carrickfergus Marina 028 9336 6666 Glenarm Marina 028 2884 1285 Newferry Tourism Facility 028 2563 5010 Portglenone Marina 028 2563 5010 The Gobbins Visitor Centre 028 9337 2318

Seven Towers Leisure Centre, Ballymena 028 2563 3382 Ballymena Showgrounds 028 2563 3290 Planning Area Planning Office 0300 200 7830

You can visit or write to us at any of the offices below: Ballymena (Headquarters) The Braid, 1-29 Bridge Street, Ballymena BT43 5EJ Ballymena Ardeevin, 80 Galgorm Road, Ballymena BT42 1AB Carrickfergus Civic Centre, 11 Antrim Street, Carrickfergus BT38 7DG Larne Smiley Buildings, Victoria Road, Larne BT40 1RU

Keep up-to-date Visitor Information Centres

Waste, Street Cleansing and Recycling

Ballymena Visitor Information Centre 028 2563 5077

Ballymena 028 2563 3385

Larne Visitor Information Centre 028 2826 2495

MEA Borough Council twitter.com/mea_bc instagram.com/meaboroughcouncil

Carrickfergus 028 9335 8267 Environmental Health

If you have any comments on the magazine, please contact:

Ballymena 028 2563 3213

Animal Welfare 028 2563 3134 (after 5pm or on weekends and holidays, call 07824 994490)

Carrickfergus 028 9335 8220

Communications Mid and East Antrim Borough Council Ardeevin 80 Galgorm Road Ballymena BT42 1AB

Grants

If you would like this publication in an alternative format, such as large print, please contact us on communications@midandeastantrim.gov.uk or call 0300 124 5000.

Cemetery Enquiries

Larne 028 2826 2384 Parks & Open Spaces Carnfunnock Country Park 028 2826 2471 The People’s Park 028 2563 3342

Community and volunteer grants – Ballymena 028 2563 3148 Community and volunteer grants – Carrickfergus and Larne 028 9335 8240

Bentra Golf Course 028 9337 8996 2

Mid and East Antrim Connections Summer 2017

This magazine is delivered to houses and businesses in the Borough. This includes BT43 7, BT43 6, BT38 7, BT38 9, BT38 8, BT43 5, BT42 4, BT42 3, BT42 2, BT42 1, BT40 3, BT40 2, BT40 1 as well as a large number of split postcode areas. If you live in the Borough and have not received a copy of this magazine in your post, please contact the Communications department.

Front Cover image: Mya and Rebekah enjoying themselves at the Teddy Bears’ Picnic, Carrickfergus, last summer.

CUT OUT AND KEEP

Carrickfergus Visitor Information Centre 028 9335 8222

Larne 028 2826 2428

You can keep up-to-date with us on social media. We use Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to share the latest news, events and information from Council.

In this edition Welcome to the Summer edition of Connections, the ratepayer magazine for Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.

With the school holidays fast approaching, we’ve pulled together a comprehensive guide to what is happening in the Borough, from classes to Castles and world-class sporting events to floral festivals – you won’t have to go far to keep boredom at bay (page 12).

Having a variety of things to do and places to visit locally is of course great, but we understand that there are many more things that are important to you as ratepayers and citizens.

In this issue, we are keen to demonstrate how we are taking action to deliver key Council strategies, from strengthening our economy (page 8) to village renewal (page 16) and supporting our community partners (page 18 and 19).

We are particularly excited about the opening of the Catalyst Inc Innovation Centre at Ecos (page 8). This iconic building is set to become the powerhouse of the knowledge economy in the area. It is an ambitious project and we hope that its impact will be wide and long-lasting as we work together to make Mid and East Antrim a great place to live and invest in.

12-13

08-09 15

Did you know?

Each issue of Connections costs just under 35p to produce per household. We want to keep you up-to-date with news, important changes to our services and facilities and with events and initiatives that are happening in our Borough. We welcome feedback and suggestions to help make this as informative and engaging as possible.

You can also download this and previous editions from www.midandeastantrim. gov.uk/connections

Events

A summer of sport

20

16

The evolution of Ecos

Renewing our village vitality

(Green) fingers at the ready!

This issue is approved by the Plain English campaign.

We have done our best to ensure all information is correct at the time of going to print.

3

In Brief

Be vigilant

Bank Holiday Arrangements

If anyone calls at your home claiming to be from Council, always request to see official identification.

We have received a report of a suspicious caller claiming to need access to an elderly person’s home in order to inspect his bins. Thankfully the gentleman denied him entry and contacted us. Please be vigilant

and if you fear you are being targeted as part of a scam or fraudulent activity, contact the PSNI on 101 (non-emergency) or 999 if you are feeling threatened and need immediate assistance.

Flash floods Most flooding actually occurs in the summer months from flash downpours.

If you live in a flood risk area, it is a good idea to have a flood plan prepared so you can take effective action.

Find out if you live in a flood risk area by checking the Strategic Flood maps at www.infrastructure-ni. gov.uk/topics/rivers-andflooding; and sign up for email weather alerts from the Met Office at www. metoffice.gov.uk/aboutus/guide-to-emails.

Think about protecting your home by stocking up on sandbags from your local DIY store and move treasured items such as photo albums upstairs if possible.

Our emergency planning staff work closely with all the response agencies, voluntary organisations 4

and ‘at risk’ householders to make sure we are best prepared to work together in the event of a flood.

If you would like more advice about how to prepare for a flood, or to get a copy of an example household flood plan, please contact our Environmental Health team on 028 2563 3119.

To report flooding of your property, please call the Flooding Incident Line on 0300 2000 100.

This is a 24hour nonemergency number that will alert the appropriate response agencies.

Mid and East Antrim Connections Summer 2017

Council offices will be closed on July 12 and 13 and August 28 for public holiday.

More details about facilities such as leisure centres, Visitor Information Centres

and parks can be found online at www. midandeastantrim. gov.uk. Bin collections during this period are on Page 7.

In Brief

Make a date

We’re listening

If you need to register a birth, death, marriage or civil partnership in Larne, you now need to make an appointment in advance. Appointments run from 9.30am to 3.30pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Public consultations are an opportunity for you to comment on specific issues within the Borough.

The office is closed on - Ardeevin, 80 Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Galgorm Road, To make an appointment, Ballymena call 0300 124 5000 and Mon–Thurs: select Option 2 (Larne).

9.30am–12.45pm and To speak to a registrar, 2pm–4.15pm. Fridays: call 028 2826 2385.

9.30am–12.30pm and 2pm–4pm.

For registry services For registrar queries, in Ballymena and call 028 2563 3179.

Carrickfergus, no - Carrickfergus Civic appointments are Centre necessary.

Mon–Thurs: 9.30am–12.30pm and Opening hours are as 2pm–4.15pm. Fridays: follows: 9.30am–12.30pm and 2pm–4pm.

For registrar queries, call 028 9335 8224.

Recent topics have included playpark provision, the Community Plan for Mid and East Antrim (page 17) and coming up will be consultations on local development (page 21) and broadband coverage (inside back cover).

We encourage you to get involved where possible, as your feedback really does count.

St Patrick’s Barracks update We recently closed a 14-week public consultation on the proposed development plans for St Patrick’s Barracks in Ballymena. The former military base is now the centre of a mixed-use regeneration scheme which will breathe new life into the area and bring economic, social and cultural benefits to the Borough.

Proposed uses with particularly high support were Event Space, Leisure and Recreation, Sports Pitch and Public Green Space - with over 78% of respondents either agreeing or strongly agreeing.

A number of concerns were raised by respondents, including the potential impact on residents’ parking, the loss of facilities at Ballymena Showgrounds and the potential adverse impact on town centre retail.

As a result of the consultation, adequate car parking has been provided and the proposed route of the northern access road has been realigned to avoid Slemish Hall and the grass playing fields. This means only one pitch will now be affected, which unfortunately cannot be avoided due to the Braid River floodplain.

Furthermore, the proposed commercial space will accommodate local retail provision only, negating any suggested threat to town centre retail units.

The respondents represented a good mix of interest groups, including local residents (33%), those working in the area (24%), former service personnel (15%) and those who were not familiar with the site (22%).

Local residents Ian and Maria Hunter with Dermot Mulholland from the Department for Communities.

Planning approval is now being sought. For more information, visit www. midandeastantrim.gov. uk/stpatricksbarracks.

5

Waste and Recycling

FEED ME! As of April 2017, all food waste must be put in your brown bins. No food waste is allowed in your black bins. We understand this is a big change for some people, so here are some frequently asked questions that we have received since the roll-out of the scheme, which you may find useful.

Why is food waste now banned from black bins?

A new law has been introduced in Northern Ireland which states that councils must collect food waste separately from other waste.

Will my rates bill rise due to the cost of recycling my food waste?

Recycling food waste costs half the amount of landfilling food waste because the government charges us an expensive landfill tax. Money saved by recycling food waste will: - help keep rates bills down.

- be invested in new and better community services.

What about odour and pests?

We collect food waste every two weeks, so food waste doesn’t stay any longer in these bins than it would if placed in a black bin. Food waste in brown bins doesn’t increase odours or pest problems compared to putting food 6

waste in your black bin.

Keep your lid tightly closed and you should not have any problems with pests.

What about the mess of recycling my food waste at home?

We provide a free kitchen food waste caddy and 150 compostable food waste caddy liners each year. Use these to store your food waste separately in your kitchen or utility room and dispose of this in a messfree way. When the bag is full, tie a knot in your caddy liner, take the bag out of the caddy and drop the bag in your brown bin.

What type of food waste must I recycle?

Put all food waste in your brown bin.

What happens if I run out of compostable liners for my caddy?

We will deliver three free rolls of liners to every household (each roll contains 50 bags) in April, July and October. If you run out, you can buy biodegradable caddy liners from most supermarkets, or from Council facilities at

Mid and East Antrim Connections Summer 2017

£1.30 per roll. You can also use newspaper to line caddies and this can be recycled along with the food.

Can I use plastic bags for food waste?

Plastic bags are not acceptable in caddies or food waste bins.

You can only use compostable bags.

What else can I put in the brown bin for recycling?

You can put other compostable material in the brown bin: - Green waste such as grass, weeds, plant and hedge clippings.

- Fire ashes (cold).

- Paper kitchen roll, paper towels and paper.

- Wet card and paper that can’t go into the blue bin or red/black kerbside boxes.

- Small amounts of shredded paper.

- Clean straw, hay or sawdust.

What happens if I put food waste in my black bin?

If refuse collectors find food waste in a black bin, they will place a yellow warning sticker on the bin to remind the householder to only place food waste in their brown bin. If they find it a second time, they will place an amber sticker on the bin, with the same reminder. On the third occasion, refuse collectors will flag that bin with a red sticker noting that the bin was not emptied and the householder will need to remove the food waste before that bin can be emptied as part of the next scheduled collection.

I live in an apartment.

Does this apply to me?

Yes, but we can assess individual needs if required, contact us directly on the details below.

To get advice or request a food caddy or brown bin, contact us on: - Email: recycling@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk - Telephone: 0300 124 5000 and select Option 0.

Environmental Health

Public Holiday Bin Collections Wednesday 12 July, 2017

Thursday 13 July, 2017

Carrickfergus area Black and brown household bins – no collections. Alternative collections will take place on Saturday 8 July.

Trade waste – no collections. Alternative collections will take place on Saturday 8 July.

Carrickfergus area Black and brown household bins – no collections. Alternative collections will take place on Saturday 15 July.

Trade waste – no collections. Alternative collections will take place on Saturday 15 July.

Ballymena area Black and brown household bins – no collections. Alternative collections will take place on Saturday 15 July.

Trade waste – no collections. Alternative collections will take place on Thursday 13 July.

Larne area Black, brown and blue household bins – no collections. Alternative

collections will take place on Saturday 15 July.

Trade waste – no collections. Alternative collections will take place on Thursday 13 July.

Red and black kerbside boxes (Ballymena and Carrickfergus only) – no collections. Alternative collections will take place on Saturday 15 July.

Household Recycling Centres: Waveney Road HRC – closed Sullatober HRC – closed Glenarm HRC – closed Larne South HRC – closed Redlands HRC – closed Public Toilets Normal opening hours.

Ballymena area Black and brown household bins – normal collections.

Trade waste – normal collections.

Larne area Black, brown and blue household bins – normal collections.

Trade waste – normal collections.

Red and black kerbside boxes (Ballymena and Carrickfergus only) normal collections.

All Household Recycling Centres and Public Toilets will be operating their normal opening hours.

Monday 28 August, 2017 Normal bin collections will take place. Household Recycling Centres and Public Toilets will operate their normal opening hours.

Animal Welfare Did you know that we look after Animal Welfare for the whole of the Northern Area, which also includes Antrim and Newtownabbey and Causeway Coast and Glens council areas.

In the last financial year, we received 1547 calls (533 in Mid and East Antrim), carried out 2293 visits (765 in MEA), issued 42 improvement notices (14 in MEA) and had 10 prosecutions (4 in MEA).

The vast majority of cases related to dogs, followed by horses then cats and ‘other’. Council is responsible for animal

welfare in domestic animals only. Farm animals are the responsibility of the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (call 0300 200 7852). To report a crime involving wild animals, contact the PSNI (Call 101).

If you need to contact our animal welfare officer, call 028 2563 3134.

7

Economy

The evolution of Ecos Our main corporate priority is to grow the economy in Mid and East Antrim. As part of this strategic plan, we are pleased to announce that the area’s first innovation centre, aimed specifically at growing our knowledge economy, is open for business.

Situated at Ecos in Ballymena, the Catalyst Inc. Innovation Centre is a collaboration between ourselves and Catalyst Inc., who have been at the forefront of digital enterprise and the knowledge economy in Northern Ireland with campuses already established in Titanic Belfast, DerryLondonderry, Omagh and Letterkenny.

It is the first time the notfor-profit organisation has worked in partnership with a local authority, and the iconic building has had a £1.7million refurbishment to offer nearly 18,000sq ft of lettable space.

Phase One of the Catalyst Inc. Innovation Centre will bring up to 125 jobs to the 8

area and offer amenities such as high-spec agile workspace, high-speed broadband via Project Kelvin cabling, conference rooms, café facilities, communal meeting areas and of course 150 acres of surrounding nature park.

Even more than that, tenants will benefit from the unique collaborative support and networking opportunities that will be available through Catalyst Inc.’s connections with knowledge-based entrepreneurs, investors and global corporations.

Other connections will focus on the education sector and existing local businesses, offering the perfect opportunity to upskill our workforce, attract talent, keep

Mid and East Antrim Connections Summer 2017

our graduates and to help position existing businesses at the cutting edge of innovation.

The Catalyst Inc. Innovation Centre offers a new lease of life for the 17-year-old building that was originally built as a Millenium Commission project to showcase environmental sustainability. At its height, the centre attracted 27,000 visitors a year. But many of its cutting-edge technologies – such as wind turbines, reed beds and a biomass boiler – have now become mainstream.

Significant investment would have been needed to reposition its technology once more at the vanguard of an

ever-changing sector, and instead the building has been repurposed to meet the growing economic needs of the Borough.

The Catalyst Inc. Innovation Centre at Ecos is the result of three years’ work and commitment to develop the knowledge economy in this area. Ballymena is ideally situated on the key transport corridor between Catalyst Inc. campuses with close proximity to major airports and seaports. With its idyllic surroundings perfect for inspiring creativity, Ecos is set to become a strategic centre for Northern Ireland’s knowledge economy.

Economy

M2

M2

Catalyst Inc Mid-East Antrim

Ballymena

M2

M2

Letterkenny

LYIT Co-Labs

Catalyst Inc North-West

Catalyst Inc Mid-East Antrim

M2

Catalyst Inc Belfast

Catalyst Inc Innovation Centre at Ecos will support our endeavours to nurture and advance science, digital and engineering innovation; from encouraging start-ups to propelling those with ideas and ambition onto the world stage as leading global companies. We’re excited by our expansion and we welcome the commitment from Mid and East Antrim Borough Council to put the area firmly on the map in terms of innovation and entrepreneurship.

Dr Norman Apsley OBE CEO of Catalyst Inc

What was the Ecos Centre?

If you would like to find out more, or enquire about space available to rent, please contact the Innovation Centre’s Business Manager on 028 9073 7926.

Visit the Catalyst Inc Innovation Centre at Ecos - Kernohans Lane, Broughshane Road, Ballymena BT43 7QA

The redevelopment of Ecos as a Catalyst Inc Innovation Centre will not only deliver our key corporate goal of growing the local economy but will attract significant jobs and investment into our Borough. We would like to thank Catalyst Inc. for their foresight in choosing Ecos and Mid and East Antrim for their next innovation centre.

Anne Donaghy Chief Executive of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council

- Ecos was an award-winning project led by the legacy Ballymena Borough Council and funded by the Millenium Commission to showcase environmental technologies and provide education opportunities.

- It remains a popular location for Parkruns, walkers and nature enthusiasts who make the most of its 8km network of trails.

- The park will remain open to the public, as well as the newly refurbished cafe and interpretation space.

- The Ecos building is shaped to create a thermal wheel effect, naturally distributing the heat available inside.

- The park’s prevalent birdlife includes lapwings, mallard ducks, swans, geese, terns, finches and even a Mediterranean hoopoe.

- A family of otters are often spotted in the park’s waterways.

9

Your rates

Your rates In April, a new financial year began in somewhat unusual circumstances for local councils. With no Executive sitting at Stormont, the normal method for collecting domestic and business rates has been interrupted.

Here, we outline what we do know and how we will allocate the district rate for Mid and East Antrim.

What is the district rate and how is it collected?

The Domestic District Rate in the Borough for 2017/18 is 0.4092. This year our budget includes a significant drive to boost the local economy and tourism resulting in an increase of 2.32% on the previous year. This is collected by Land and Property Services on our behalf.

What is the regional rate and how is it collected?

At the time of writing, the regional rate has not yet been set due to a failure to nominate an Executive at Stormont. This is also collected by Land and Property Services on behalf of the Executive.

10

Will this delay affect Council services?

The regional rate funds the Executive budget not local government budget.

At the time of writing, the Secretary of State plans to bring forward legislation in Westminster in order to set a regional rate. After this is set, LPS will collect both the district and the regional rate.

What type of services are funded by the district rate?

- Leisure and Recreational Services: Leisure centres, outdoor recreation, sport, tourist facilities, parks and open spaces, culture and heritage, marinas and community services.

- Environmental Services: Waste services, street cleansing,

Mid and East Antrim Connections Summer 2017

Total Expenditure* Leisure and Recreational Services £18,983,146

Corporate and Democratic Core £5,108,956

Environmental Services £21,011,835

Other services £1,306,592

Planning and Development Services £7,768,450

Capital Repayment £7,023,363

Highways and Transport Services £759,898

public conveniences, licensing, cemeteries, environmental health and animal welfare.

- Planning and Development Services: The planning service, economic development, tourism, town centres and building control.

- Highways and Transport Services: Car parks.

- Corporate and Democratic Core: Elected Members and committee support, corporate management, corporate development.

- Other Services – Registrar services, Police and Community Safety Partnership, community grants, emergency planning, markets and other traded services.

- Capital Repayment – loan repayment and interest and finance leases.

*figures adjusted for depreciation

What are our biggest capital projects across the Borough for 2017/18?

Our Capital Works budget for the year is £19.3million, the most significant expenditure of which will be on: - Coastal paths - Ballymena Showgrounds - The Greenisland Masterplan - The Glenarm Masterplan - Various play areas and playing fields - Fleet vehicles.

What is our total income?

Government grants: £4,863,426 Income: £11,652,729 District Rate: £45,446,086

Prince’s Trust

A cut above Since 2015, we have supported the Prince’s Trust to fund Development Awards to over 50 unemployed young people. We met up with Demi Laverty from Ballymena, who received a professional hair extension kit to enable her to complete her training.

How did you get involved with the Prince’s Trust?

A friend who had previously been supported by the Prince’s Trust told me about different things that they had to offer.

I then went onto their website, saw the different things they offered and rang to enquire.

Why did you want to get involved?

I didn’t have a lot of opportunities growing up.

I went through a rough time through my early teenage years and wasn’t very successful in school my last two years. After I got into hairdressing

What is the Prince’s Trust?

The Prince’s Trust helps over 7,000 disadvantaged young people aged 13-30 to realise their potential and transform their lives every year in Northern Ireland. The Prince’s Trust works exclusively with disadvantaged and marginalised young people who experience multiple barriers to moving into education, training or employment, including

when I left school, I was in and out of training due to mental illness until this year.

What did you do as part of your scheme?

I am doing a hair extension course at the end of June and I will be a fully qualified hair extensionist.

What did you gain from participating in the scheme?

Success. I will also be a certified extensionist.

The Development Award gave me the confidence to go back to college and complete my qualification in hairdressing.

young people who are: - Unemployed - In or leaving care - Underachieving in school or who are at risk of exclusion - Offenders and ex-offenders

What is a Development Award?

Development Awards are small cash grants which aim to remove financial barriers that young people, aged 16-30, from entering

What would you say to any other young person considering signing up for the Prince’s Trust scheme?

I would tell them to 110% to go for it. What do you have to lose? Absolutely nothing. For someone who finds themselves at a dead end, think again because with the Prince’s Trust’s help you could achieve a lot.

What are your plans for the future and how has the Prince’s Trust helped you move towards them?

education, employment or training. Examples funded by us include: Forklift licences, hair and beauty kits, interview suits and security industry training licences.

How can I find out more?

For further information, call 0800 842842, email outreachni@princestrust.org.uk or search on Facebook – Prince’s Trust Northern Ireland.

In the future I plan on having my own salon at home and working for myself. I have an interview for a placement and I have been accepted to enrol at the Northern Regional College. Without the help of the Prince’s Trust I don’t think I would have had the confidence or determination that I have today to make a good life for myself. I am currently looking for placement opportunities with hair salons to get more experience.

What an inspiration! Demi, we wish you all the best.

Star Fact 90% of the young people supported with a Development Award have progressed to further education, training or employment.

11

Events

In the summertime…

Keep it easy this summer and enjoy a packed programme of entertainment right on your doorstep.

SPECIAL LAUNCH EVENT

An audience with Alastair Seeley Wednesday 5 July, 7pm Carrickfergus Museum and Civic Centre

July Love Parks Week Friday 14– Sunday 23 July Love Parks Week is a platform for thousands of park lovers to join forces in the UK’s largest celebration of green spaces. To celebrate our fantastic parks and open spaces, we have an exciting ten-day programme packed with free events.

For more information contact 028 9335 8231 or parks@ midandeastantrim.gov. uk

Alastair Seeley - King of the NW200 Saturday 1 July –Thursday 31 August Carrickfergus Museum and Civic Centre An exhibition celebrating the remarkable career of this world-class local sporting hero. See bikes, trophies and other exciting racing treasures from the personal collection of the ‘Wee Wizard’.

12

Join us for an entertaining evening with the star of the NW200.

With special interviews, photos and signing opportunities, plus refreshments.

Apply for your free ticket by contacting tel: 028 9335 8241 or email: carrickfergusmuseums@ midandeastantim.gov. uk. Limited availability.

Film Makers: Contemporary makers inspired by archive film 27 July–19 August 2017 Mon-Fri: 10am–4pm, Sat: 10am–4pm Mid Antrim Museum, The Braid, Ballymena New contemporary pieces from six makers responding to heritage footage from Northern Ireland Screen’s Digital Film Archive.

Craft NI Launch Craft Month Craft NI has selected Mid-Antrim Museum to launch their annual August Craft Month programme. During this month, Craft NI promotes contemporary crafts and arts, and those who create them, in Northern Ireland.

Mid and East Antrim Connections Summer 2017

The launch takes place on 27 July and will coincide with the launch of the Film Makers exhibition OTHER EVENTS

Siege of Carrickfergus, Castle and Castle Green.

13 July

The Biodiversity Summer School is a free outdoor events programme across three sites. It gives families the opportunity to learn about the natural world through a variety of activities and games such as pond dipping, minibeast hunts and nest box building. There is no need to book - just turn up to take part whatever your age.

For more information

Shakespeare contact 028 9335 in the Park – 8231 or biodiversity@ midandeastantrim.

‘The Comedy gov.uk of Errors’, Shaftesbury Park, Playday Carrickfergus.

Wednesday 2 August 18 July

Dalriada Festival, Glenarm Castle.

15-16 July

Big Splash Triathlon and River Festival, Portglenone.

16-22 July

August Biodiversity Summer School

Playday is the national day for play in the UK. As well as being a celebration of children’s right to play, Playday highlights the importance of play in children’s lives. We will have fun events across the Borough at Carnfunnock Country Park; The People’s Park, Ballymena; and Shaftesbury Park, Carrickfergus.

For more information please contact 028 9335 8235 or email play@ midandeastantrim.gov. uk

31 July–4 August, 11am–1pm, Diamond Jubilee Wood, Whitehead

A Larne Jeweller’s Shopa local heritage exhibition

7–11 August, 11am–1pm, Ecos Nature Park, Ballymena

4–25 August 2017 Larne Museum and Arts Centre

14–18 August, 11am–1pm, Town Park, Larne.

This exhibition will be based around Brian

Events

Campbell’s jeweller’s shop, Upper Cross Street, Larne. It will look at Brian’s apprenticeship and the work he was involved in around the town including being responsible for maintaining Larne Town Hall clock.

drum circles to summer band fun, fairy door craft sessions to secret agent training camps.

For full details, visit www.midandeastantrim. gov.uk/carnfunnock OTHER EVENTS

27 August, Carrickfergus Part of Novosco Grand Prix Series.

Led by Seapark AC.

Painting Pictures in my Mind

Flower Show and Summer Fair

Teddy Bears Picnic

Saturday 19 August, Market Yard, Larne Open to the public from 1pm-4pm.

28 August, Shaftesbury Park, Carrickfergus

The Mid and East Antrim Flower Show is a great opportunity for gardeners, bakers and floral artists, whether seasoned or novice, to showcase the best of their flowers, fruit, vegetables and home-baked delights.

A wide range of classes, creative competitions and family entertainment will be on offer.

September

Escape to the Country!

Our award-winning Carnfunnock Country Park has lots of special activities on over the summer. From

Thursday 31 August– Thursday 28 September Carrickfergus Museum and Civic Centre This exhibition explores how this beautiful building became a focal point for so many local families, and see what the Kilwaughter Castle Trust has planned for its future.

Storming the Castle 10K and fun run

Flower Show schedules are available from Council buildings and can be downloaded online at www.midandeastantrim. gov.uk/flowershow.

For more information please contact: 028 9335 8270 or flowershow@ midandeastantrim.gov. uk

Kilwaughter Castle: From Plantation to Modern Day

European Heritage Open Days 9-10 September, various locations.

The theme for 2017 is ‘Heritage and Nature: A Landscape of Possibilities’ and we have a great line-up of FREE events running across the Borough on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 September.

These include events at Andrew Jackson Cottage and US Rangers Museum, Carrickfergus Museum and Civic Centre, Carrickfergus Town Hall, Carnfunnock Country Hall, Carnlough Town Hall and Heritage Centre and Ballymena Town Hall.

For more information, visit www.midandeastantrim. gov.uk/events.

September–November, Mid-Antrim Museum Open Monday–Saturday This exhibition brings together memories and stories of working life and the dancehall era in the Mid and East Antrim area against the backdrop of the changing music, fashions and technological developments of the 1950s and 60s.

Free admission

magazine, or online at www.midandeastantrim. gov.uk/summer

Marking the Centenary of the First World War: The Great War 1917 Messines and Passchendaele – Local Stories 1 June–30 November The Braid, Ballymena This exhibition tells the story of local soldiers caught up in the major British offensives in Flanders (Belgium) on the Western Front between June and November 1917.

The exhibition focuses on The Battle of Messines and The Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele) which are being marked nationally as key dates in the First World War. It was during these prominent battles that the 16th (Irish) and 36th (Ulster) Divisions fought and died together.

Free admission

OTHER EVENTS

Fly a Flag for Merchant Navy Day 1 September, Port of Larne

Battle of Britain Remembrance Service 10 September, Joymount Presbyterian Church, Carrickfergus

Gig’n The Bann 14–17 September, Portglenone

Sports Stars Check out our full programme of youth summer schemes on the back cover of this 13

Hi gh

tS tre e

t

Summer Special

O2-UK

e

lac

et P

rk Ma

9 41 AM

e

us

Ca

t

as

Co

y wa

y

wa

gh Hi

Gatekeeper

Congratulations! You won an award!

Kids and Castles

Ok!

Got a Horrible Histories fan to entertain this summer?

Why not try our FREE Kids ‘n’ Castles app!

We have joined forces with Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council to bring to life two of our most enjoyed historic sites for younger people: Carrickfergus Town Walls and Antrim Castle Gardens.

The app’s challenges and rewards are fun and family-friendly, curriculum-linked and aimed at those aged seven and over. Families are guided through the app by two special characters: Andy, a groomsboy at Antrim Castle Gardens estate and Cara, a lady’s maid for Lady Chichester in Carrickfergus.

Currently only available on iOS devices from the App Store.

Share your summer!

14

Did you know?

- Carrickfergus is named - Anglo-Norman Knight, Tower or Tholsel, or after King Fergus, a king John De Courcy made Mayorality Castle, of Scotland who Carrickfergus his base, because the Mayor drowned off the rocks and began building was elected there. where the castle now the castle in 1177AD. - Dog bones on display stands in 501AD. He was - Only two monuments at Carrickfergus seeking a cure for his from Anglo-Norman Museum show that leprosy from a healing Carrickfergus exist during times of siege well located on these today – the castle and and attack, people rocks. The well still St Nicholas’s Church. butchered dogs for exists today. their meat and skins.

- The original medieval - The earliest map of Carrickfergus Town anywhere in Ulster Hall stood at the is of the town of north-east end of High Carrickfergus.

Street. It was known by It is dated 1560AD. several different names Belfast’s earliest map is including the Wyrol dated 1660AD.

If you are out and about in Mid and East Antrim over the summer, be sure to give us a review on Tripadvisor. This online ratings and review platform is a useful way to promote what’s best in

Mid and East Antrim Connections Summer 2017

the Borough, and we will try our best to respond and improve anything that didn’t meet your expectations.

Visit www.tripadvisor. co.uk for more information.

Excellent

Summer Special

A summer of sport Three major sporting tournaments roll into the Borough this summer, don’t miss out on any of the world-class action!

SuperCup NI As one of the sponsors of this year’s SuperCupNI, we are pleased to welcome back the annual soccer youth tournament to the Borough this summer from 23-28 July.

Established in 1983 as the Milk Cup, it has a prestigious record with stars David Beckham,

Paul Scholes and Northern Ireland heroes such as Michael McGovern, Gareth McAuley, David Healy and Aaron Hughes all having ‘kicked-off’ international careers in the event.

In the Borough, games will be taking place at Ballymena Showgrounds, Clough and Broughshane.

UEFA European Women’s Under-19 The UEFA European Women’s Under-19 Championship comes to Northern Ireland from 8-20 August, with matches being played at several venues across the province. The international female football tournament will feature eight national teams and the opening ceremony will take place

Clough games: Free of charge Broughshane games: £3 adults and £2 for under 16s.

Ballymena games: £6 adults, £4 youth (under 16) with Finals Night priced at £10/£5.

A special Multi Match ticket will allow you access to all matches and venues, including Finals Night.

Adult £25, youth £10.

For information, visit www.supercupni.com

The NI Open at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park. On August 14, the Northern Ireland Women’s team will play at the Ballymena Showgrounds.

Tickets can be booked via the Council’s website www.midandeastantrim. gov.uk/uefawu19 or via Ticketmaster.

The Northern Ireland Open is a ‘must visit’ event for golf fans and non-golf fans alike, attracting Europe’s leading professionals and thousands of spectators to the course at Galgorm Castle. Taking place between 10–13 August, this year’s family-friendly festivities include a celebrity-studded ProAm, a Shootout Sunday

competition, the Open Food Festival with live music and bar, plus an interactive zone where you can avail of free lessons and even try out the new Pitch ‘n’ Putt course.

Tickets for the Northern Ireland Open are free but must be pre-booked online at www.niopen. golf/ni-open-tickets 15

Village Renewal

Renewing our village vitality We want to say a huge ‘thank you’ to all the volunteers, community activists and community groups who are participating in our Village Renewal project.

The project will see over £900,000 being awarded to villages in the Borough, with funding coming from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and Council. At least ten villages will receive up to £60,000 each in Grant Aid, with Council contributing up to £20,000 each.

To date, 18 villages have been working hard to create or amend their village plans, which is the first step in applying for

a portion of the funding.

These include Ahoghill, Ballycarry, Ballygally, Broughshane, Carnlough, Clough, Cullybackey, Glenarm, Gleno, Glenravel (including Martinstown, Cargan and Newtowncrommelin), Glynn, Gracehill, Grange, Kells and Connor, Islandmagee area, Millbrook, Portglenone and Whitehead.

Villages have also participated in a

consultation process to enable them to assess their local community’s needs needs and ensure their village plans are relevant and future-proof.

The final plans will also be a resource that each location can use when applying for funding and resources from a variety of channels.

It has required a lot of work to get to this stage, and community involvement has

The Gobbins set for summer We are getting ready to reopen The Gobbins in Islandmagee for the peak tourist season in the summer. With contracted work to stabilise the rock face at near completion, tickets will be available to book shortly.

16

For more information, visit www.thegobbinscliffpath. com or call 028 9337 2318.

A small section of the path will remain closed until work has been completed after the bird nesting season.

Mid and East Antrim Connections Summer 2017

enriched the process with energy, ideas and enthusiasm. The project is being led by Council’s Community Planning and Development departments and it embodies our key corporate priorities of ‘working together to create a better future for all’.

Community Planning

Community Plan What you told us

Our ‘Putting People First’ Community Plan opened for public consultation for eight weeks earlier in the year. During this time, we received over 700 responses.

The high-level of public engagement from a wide range of residents and communities was very reassuring. Thank you for taking the time to respond and share your views on the Community Plan, we appreciate all of your comments and these have been considered carefully.

You agreed with the vision that ‘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’ and with the five priority themes of Sustainable Jobs and Tourism, Good Health and Wellbeing, Progress in Education, Community Safety and Cohesion and Our Environment.

A number of additional issues were identified during the consultation, especially the promotion of positive mental health

and, in particular, suicide prevention. Other issues raised were ensuring the needs of citizens with disabilities are addressed, developing more workspace throughout the Borough and additional cycle infrastructure.

These suggestions as well as others which could be addressed through the Community Planning process have now been incorporated into the final Community Plan which was published on 31st March.

You can read it at www. midandeastantrim.gov. uk/communityplanning.

Once again thank you for your input and commitment to the Mid and East Antrim Community Planning process and we hope we can continue to have your support as we move into the implementation phase.

Success for first Civic Leadership Programme

The M id and ApMid EaAntrim ril 20and The st An Community Plan 17 East trim C April 2017 omm unity lan Plan unity P m m o C im r t st An and Ea The Mid 7 1 0 April 2

www .m comm idandeasta unityp nt lannin rim.gov.u k/ g www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/ communityplanning

.uk/ rim.gov astant idande www.m ityplanning commun

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is to be commended on its approach and positive incorporation of grass-roots community engagement from the commencement of the process. We felt the identification of themes and smaller workshops enabled those less likely to participate at a higher level to contribute and gain the views of the whole community.

- one of the comments received during the consultation.

Congratulations to all those who have just completed Mid and East Antrim’s first Civic Leadership Programme.

The aim of the programme was to equip people in the community and voluntary sectors with good relations and civic leadership skills to take back to their communities. Some of the themes covered

included Understanding Diversity, Local and Global Citizenship and Civic and Peer Leadership and Mentoring. All participants received an OCN Level II award. The project received financial support from The Executive Office through our Good Relations Programme. For more information, visit www.midandeastantrim. gov.uk/goodrelations

Congratulations to Ivan Hull, Robin Tweed, Andrea Jamieson, Gemma Larkham, Alex Morrow, David McGuckin, Jackie Pollock and Gerald McGarry.

17

Community Safety

Tackling anti-social behaviour: Quads and scramblers The Mid and East Antrim Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) is preparing to launch a campaign to tackle the illegal and anti-social misuse of scramblers, quads and other off-road vehicles.

The impact on local communities from the misuse of these vehicles is considerable, distressing and dangerous.

The PCSP will be delivering leaflets to badly affected areas to advise parents and young people of the consequences of misusing scramblers.

These efforts will dovetail with Council plans to erect signs across key locations to warn that no off-road vehicles are permitted; and with the PSNI’s campaign to seize motor vehicles that are being used in an illegal manner.

Superintendent Darrin Jones said: “We are acutely aware of the concerns coming from the community and we are being proactive in terms of seizing scramblers and reeducating riders but a lot of this comes down to parental responsibility.

There are strict rules around how scramblers and quads can be used and parents need to know this before purchasing such items for their children. We are committed to working with the PCSP and wider community on further initiatives to raise awareness around this issue.”

Ride Safe Here’s some information from the PCSP’s leaflet: Q What do I need to ride my scrambler, go-ped, buzz board, quad or mini-moto on the road?

A. You need a driving licence minimum category AM (must be 16 years of age to obtain one) or full category B for larger quads; third party insurance, number plates, tax, lights, reflectors (if used on public road) and crash helmet (recommended for quads).

Q. A re scramblers, go-peds, buzz boards, quads and mini-motos toys?

A. No, a machine powered with a 22.5cc stroke engine or more is deemed to be a motor vehicle.

Q. W here can I ride my scrambler, go-ped, buzz board, quad or mini-moto?

A. On private property where you have permission to ride - not on the road or public place.

For more information, call the PSNI on 101 and ask for your local Road Policing Education Officer.

Keep informed with Text Alert The PCSP and PSNI have developed a text alert system that allows them to communicate instantly with anyone who has signed up. It will be used to get short, immediate messages out quickly if there is an issue in the user’s particular area.

These messages will help the PCSP and PSNI to 18

reduce crime and help keep communities safer. It can also be used to inform people of dangerous road conditions, suspicious vehicles and ongoing crime issues.

For more information or to register, visit www. midandeastantrim.gov. uk/textalert

Mid and East Antrim Connections Summer 2017

Contact Us: pcsp@midandeastantrim. gov.uk www.facebook.com/ midandeastantrimpcsp

Health and Wellbeing

Ageing well in Mid and East Antrim A local charity has secured almost £1million to deliver a pilot community-led healthcare model aimed at improving quality of life for older people in the Borough. We talked to Mid and East Antrim Agewell Partnership (MEAAP) to find out more.

What is MEAAP? MEAAP is a local charity set up in 2011 by a group of older people, with the aim to support communities to actively age well together. Through various partnership-based projects, MEAAP has been improving the lives of older people in the Mid and East Antrim area.

What is the IMPACTAgewell project?

The IMPACTAgewell project is an innovative community-led healthcare model designed to put social needs on a par with medical needs, and deliver care in the community by the community. The vision is to improve the quality of life for 1,100 older people by providing them with the opportunity to develop

and implement their own personalised health and wellbeing action plan.

Where has the funding come from?

Following a competitive UK-wide bidding process, MEAAP secured almost £1million of investment from the Dunhill Medical Trust for a three-year pilot programme.

How will the model work?

It will support the development of six local health hubs partnering with six GP practices in Ballymena, Larne and Carrickfergus. Once a person is identified by a participating GP as meeting the criteria, they will be informed about the programme. If they agree to participate, the IMPACT

Project Officer will visit the person in their own home to discuss an Action Plan covering areas such as physical health, housing, food and friendship. With support and guidance, we hope the person will become more active in their community and be empowered to manage their own long-term health conditions. IMPACT will be investing £300,000 in local community groups to support the delivery of ‘social prescriptions’ which could include activities such as support groups, walking groups, luncheon clubs or benefits advice.

Who else is involved in the IMPACTAgewell Project?

This is a key strategic project which has received support from Community

Planning partners including Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, the Northern Health and Social Care Trust and the Health and Social Care Board including Integrated Care Partnerships. Other partners include the six GP Practices and PACT Community Pharmacists.

It will be independently chaired by the Community Development and Health Network.

If you are involved in a group or organisation that provides support to older people and would like to find out more about becoming a partner to deliver social prescriptions, please get in touch with MEAAP. Contact the Project Coordinator on 028 2565 8604 or email info@meaap.co.uk.

Suicide awareness in the salon Staff in the beauty industry encounter all sorts of people from various walks of life and, given the often relaxed atmosphere of a salon, can sometimes come into contact with people who may be having suicidal thoughts.

We have been working in partnership with the Public Health Agency

and specialist trainers to run a free short course to provide participants with skills to know what to say in these difficult situations and how to signpost clients to professionals who can help. Our most recent half-day course took place in Ballymena North in June.

If you would like to register interest in a future course, please contact ballymena.envhealth@ midandeastantrim.gov. uk.

19

Parks and Open Spaces

(Green) fingers at the ready!

We have established a reputation as an award-winning Borough thanks to our Mid and East Antrim In Bloom campaigns and this summer is set to be another floral success.

In the hotly contested Mid and East Antrim In Bloom competition, there are ten community categories with great prizes available for winners and runnersup. These are: Best Kept Front Garden, Best Kept Front Container Garden, Best Kept Allotment Garden, Best Community Planting Scheme, Best Kept Commercial Premises and the Gardening for Wildlife Award.

We also have four competitions specifically for our young horticulturalists too: Painting, Poetry, Best School Gardening Project and, of course, the Tallest Sunflower competition.

We have even delivered 5000 free packets of sunflower seeds to schools across the Borough to get pupils started!

To enter our community competitions or find out more about Mid & East Antrim in Bloom please visit: www. midandeastantrim.gov. uk/inbloom In July, the following locations will be judged in the Translink Ulster in Bloom competition: Carrickfergus, Ballymena, Larne, Greenisland, Whitehead, Cullybackey, Ahoghill, Eden, Gracehill, Glenarm, Glynn, Clough and Millbrook.

Have your say on Play!

Did you know that we are preparing a Play Development Strategy for Mid and East Antrim called Out To Play?

We have also made a pledge to young people to ensure our play spaces and activities are planned in a way that ensures every young person can take part, learn, find new 20

friends and have fun.

We have been working with children, parents, the local community and partner organisations and have also asked local schoolchildren to create artwork to showcase their thoughts on play.

All this will help shape the strategy, and we’ll keep you updated as work progresses.

Mid and East Antrim Connections Summer 2017

Keep an eye out for our Play Development Officer who will be out and about all summer chatting to park users.

For more information please contact 028 9335 8235 or email play@midandeastantrim. gov.uk

In August, Ballymena and Cullybackey will also be judged in the prestigious RHS Britain in Bloom competition. Good luck to you all!

Why? By actively supporting our ‘In Bloom’ campaign and competitions, residents not only brighten our Borough but often enable our towns and villages to go on to achieve success in Ulster in Bloom and Britain in Bloom awards.

We can all do our bit, whether it is planting a hanging basket or helping to keep our streets and gardens clean and tidy.

Local Development Plan

Planning for the future We are working on a Local Development Plan that will inform all planning decisions in Mid and East Antrim until 2030.

When published, this plan will identify the right amount of land to meet anticipated needs for housing, employment and services, all supported by the necessary infrastructure. It will also seek to deliver sustainable development, meaning that development will meet economic and social needs without compromising the quality of the environment.

Finally, it will also allow us to implement the regional direction set out by central government initiatives such as the Regional Development Strategy.

In June, we reached an important stage in the progress towards this plan when we published our Preferred Options Paper. This paper outlines the key planning issues in the Borough, and sets out what our preferred options are going forward.

Topics that are extensively covered are:

Spatial Growth Strategy Settlement hierarchy Housing allocation strategy Economic development strategy Retail strategy

Sustainable Economic Growth Economic development Retailing and town centres Tourism Minerals development

Building Sustainable Communities Houses Open spaces, sport and leisure Health, education and community facilities

Transportation, Infrastructure and Connectivity Transportation Renewable energy Flood risk and drainage Cemeteries Telecommunications Water and sewerage infrastructure Waste management

Stewardship of our Built Environment and Creating Places Archaeology and built heritage Place-making and urban design

Protecting and Assessing our Natural Environment The coast Lough Beg and Lower River Bann Sites of nature conservation Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty Sensitive landscapes Ecosystems services

Have your say Throughout the summer, we are running a public consultation on our Preferred Options Paper and welcome your feedback. Everyone brings a special knowledge to the table and you may wish to influence the Local Development Plan to address your own area of interest.

You can complete the survey online by visiting www. midandeastantrim.gov. uk/localdevelopmentplan

and clicking on Preferred Options Paper.

We are holding a series of events at which you are invited to come and discuss any issues around the Preferred Options Paper with the Planning team. These are: Public Events Thursday 22 June, 2pm and 7pm at The Braid, Ballymena.

Thursday 29 June, 2pm and 7pm at Carrickfergus Town Hall.

Tuesday 25 July, 2pm and 7pm at Larne Town Hall.

Drop-in sessions Wednesday 2 August, 7pm-9pm, The Gobbins Visitor Centre, Islandmagee.

Thursday 3 August, 7pm-9pm, Portglenone Community Centre.

Wednesday 9 August, 7pm-9pm, Glenlough Community Centre, Carnlough.

For more information, please contact Planning on 0300 200 7830 or email planning@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 21

Communications

Your Council Ballymena Cllr Donna Anderson UKIP cllr.anderson@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07541 830 589 Ald John Carson DUP ald.carson@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07891 338 220

Ald William McNeilly UUP ald.mcneilly@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07746 157 674 Ald Tommy Nicholl MBE DUP ald.tnicholl@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07970 012 520

Braid

Cllr Reuben Glover DUP cllr.glover@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07733 100 803

Cllr Beth Adger MBE DUP cllr.adger@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07976 533 483

Cllr James Henry Independent cllr.jhenry@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 028 2565 2456

Ald Robin Cherry MBE UUP ald.cherry@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07785 752 712

Cllr Stephen Nicholl UUP cllr.snicholl@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07967 621 603

Cllr Beth Clyde DUP cllr.clyde@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07724 906 855

Cllr Declan O’Loan SDLP cllr.oloan@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07764 220 533

Cllr Brian Collins TUV cllr.collins@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07745 220 564

Cllr Audrey Wales MBE DUP cllr.wales@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07899 985 110

Ald Sam Hanna DUP ald.hanna@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07710 402 693

Bannside

Cllr Paul Maguire Independent cllr.maguire@ midandeastantrim.org 07857 912 097

Cllr Timothy Gaston TUV cllr.gaston@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07514 213 186 Cllr Patrice Hardy Sinn Féin cllr.hardy@ midandeastantrim.org 07935 228 722

Cllr William McCaughey DUP cllr.mccaughey@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07739 875 626

Carrick Castle

Cllr Billy Henry DUP cllr.bhenry@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07599 400 857

Cllr Billy Ashe DUP cllr.ashe@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07773 095 133

Ald Stewart McDonald TUV ald.mcdonald@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07793 848 107

Cllr James Brown MBE Independent seejbrown@hotmail.com 07939 634 369

22

Cllr Cheryl Johnston

Mid and East Antrim Connections Summer 2017

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

DUP cllr.johnston@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07545 151 992 Cllr Noel Jordan UKIP cllr.jordan@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07775 633 391 Cllr Robin Stewart UUP cllr.rstewart@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07391 863 571

Coast Road Cllr James McKeown Sinn Féin cllr.mckeown@ midandeastantrim.org 07719 335 416 Ald Maureen Morrow UUP ald.morrow@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07765 146 013 Ald Gerardine Mulvenna Alliance ald.mulvenna@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07970 896 367 Cllr Ruth Wilson TUV cllr.rwilson@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07771 965 206 Cllr Angela Smyth DUP cllr.smyth@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk ​07896 657 723

Knockagh Ald May Beattie DUP ald.beattie@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07939 634 348 Cllr Lynn McClurg DUP cllr.mcclurg@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07794 602 517 Cllr Lindsay Millar UUP cllr.millar@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07540 399 685

Cllr Paul Sinclair Alliance cllr.sinclair@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07779 895 013 Cllr Andrew Wilson UUP cllr.awilson@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07414 478 808

Larne Lough Cllr Robert Logan Alliance cllr.logan@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07565 168 191 Ald Gregg McKeen DUP ald.mckeen@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07944 641 251 Cllr Dr Mark McKinty UUP cllr.mckinty@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07771 925 546 Cllr Paul Reid DUP cllr.reid@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07713 511 407 Cllr Andy P Wilson UUP cllr.apwilson@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk 07754 963 615 Find out more about your local councillors at www.midandeastantrim. gov.uk/councillors

Broadband survey We want to secure funding to help improve broadband connectivity in the Borough.

To help us understand what your broadband access and mobile coverage is like, please complete the survey below and return it to us at: Economic Development Unit, The Braid, 1-29 Bridge Street, Ballymena BT43 5EJ. Alternatively, you can complete the survey online at www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/broadbandsurvey.

For more information, please contact Economic Development on 028 2563 3190 or email economic.development@midandeastantrim.gov.uk. Survey closes on 1 September 2017.

Name:

Email Address:

1. Are you a household or business?

Household

Business

Both

If you have ticked ‘Both’, please complete this survey twice.

2. Do you have internet access at your location?

Yes

(If Yes, go to question 3)

No

(If No, go to question 4)

Post Code:

6. What is your current speed? For an accurate response, please check your speed at https://broadbandtest.which.co.uk Click to begin and record the results below: Download speed (Mbps)

7. Wireless mobile phone service is an indicator of ability to provide wireless broadband to your location.

On a scale of 0–5 rate your mobile service at your address on a typical day: No signal

3. What type of connection do you have?

DSL

Satellite

Cable Modem

Mobile broadband

Fibre

Other (please specify)

Time (am/pm – delete as appropriate)

Upload speed (Mbps)

0

Strong Signal

1

2

3

4

5

8. Who is your mobile phone provider?

9. Please provide any additional comments you wish to include concerning broadband and mobile coverage at your current location

Wireless

4. I f you do not have internet access, what is the reason?

Not needed

Too expensive

Internet access is not available

Lack of equipment e.g. computer, tablet

Bandwidth available is not sufficient

Lack of skills/ knowledge

Other (please specify)

5. Who is your broadband provider?

23

Get into summer!

Our popular summer schemes are back for another year, promising to provide a wide range of summer fun activities during the holidays.

Supervised activities include sport and physical activity, dance, arts and crafts, drama, team building, and with the odd day trip thrown in for good measure.

Carrickfergus – Carrickfergus Amphitheatre Monday 17 July to Friday 11 August 2017 (4 weeks) For more information contact 028 9335 8342

Schemes are open to children aged from 6-14* years old, and will run from 10am to 3pm each day, with a supervised lunch hour from 12-1pm.

The dates and venues for each scheme are:

Larne – Larne Leisure Centre Monday 24 July to Friday 4 August (2 weeks) For more information contact 028 2826 2497

Ballymena – Seven Towers Leisure Centre Monday 24 July to Friday 4 August (2 weeks) For more information contact 028 2563 3382 *please note that Larne Summer Scheme is open to children aged from 7-14 years of age.

Booklets advertising our summer schemes, along with other summer programmes on offer throughout the Borough, have been distributed to all local primary schools.

r mer Summe m u n u S n F Fu r Kidsfor Kids o f t 2017

July–Augus

17

st 20

gu –Au

July

mer

sum

.uk/ .gov

ntrim

asta

ande

mid

www.

You can also view these online at

www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/summer

mer

ov.uk/sum

stantrim.g

ndea www.mida