Rural Needs Impact Assessment - Debt Management Policy
Section 1: Defining the activity subject to Section 1(1) of the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016
1A. - Please provide a short title which describes the activity being undertaken by MEABC that is subject to Section 1(1) of the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016.
Revising of the Debt Management Policy.
1B. - Please indicate which category the activity specified in Section 1A above relates to.
Revising a Policy.
The Performance Improvement Plan 2025/26 relates to revising a plan.
1C. - Please provide the official title (if any) of the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service document or initiative relating to the category indicated in Section 1B above.
Debt Management Policy
1D. - Please provide details of the aims and/or objectives of the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service.
The purpose of this policy is to set out the Council’s approach for effective management and recovery of debt, ensuring that all income owed is pursued in a timely, consistent, and fair manner.
It sets out the framework within which debt will be monitored and recovered, supporting the Council’s responsibility to safeguard public funds and maintain financial stability.
1E. - What definition of ‘rural’ applies in respect of the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service.
A definition of ‘rural’ is not applicable.
Reasons why a definition of ‘rural’ is not applicable.
The policy refers to Council’s internal management of debt and applies Borough wide with no distinction between rural and urban areas, so a rural definition is not applicable.
Section 2: Understanding the impact of the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service
2A. - Is the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service likely to impact on people in rural areas?
No.
2B. - Please explain how the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service is likely to impact on people in rural areas.
Not applicable.
2C. - If the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service is likely to impact people in rural areas more or less than people in urban areas, please explain how it is likely to impact on people in rural areas differently.
Not applicable.
2D. - Please indicate which of the following rural policy areas the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Services is likely to primarily impact on.
Not applicable.
2E. - Please explain why the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service is NOT likely to impact on people in rural areas.
This policy relates to Council’s internal management of debt and therefore does not impact rural communities.
Section 3: Identifying the Social and Economic Needs of Persons in Rural Areas.
3A. - Has MEABC taken steps to identify the social and economic needs of people in rural areas that are relevant to the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service.
No.
3C. - Please provide details of the methods and information sources MEABC used to identify the social and economic needs of people in rural areas including relevant dates, names or organisations, titles of publications, website references, details of surveys or consultations undertaken etc.
Not applicable.
3D. - Please provide details of the social and economic needs of people in rural areas which have been identified by MEABC?
Not applicable.
3E. - Please explain why no steps were taken by MEABC to identify the social and economic needs of people
This policy relates to Council’s internal management of debt and therefore does not impact rural communities.
Section 4: Considering the Social and Economic Needs of Persons in Rural Areas
4A. - Please provide details of the issues considered in relation to the social and economic needs of people in rural areas.
Not applicable.
Section 5: Influencing the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service
5A. - Has the development, adoption, implementation or revising of the Policy, Strategy or Plan, or the design or delivery of the Public Service, been influenced by the rural needs identified?
No.
5B. - Please explain how the development, adoption, implementation or revising of the Policy, Strategy or Plan, or design or delivery of the Public Service, has been influenced by the rural needs identified.
Not applicable.
5C. - Please explain why the development, adoption, implementation or revising of the Policy, Strategy or Plan, or the design or the delivery of the Public Service, has NOT been influenced by the rural needs identified.
This policy relates to Council’s internal management of debt and therefore does not impact rural communities.
Section 6: Documenting and Recording
6A. - Please tick below to confirm that the RNIA Template will be retained by MEABC and relevant information on the Section 1 activity compiled in accordance with paragraph 6.7 of the guidance.
I can confirm that the RNIA Template will be retained, and relevant information compiled.
| Rural Needs Impact Assessment undertaken by: | |
|---|---|
| Position/Grade: | Treasury Accountant/SO2 |
| Department | CSS - Finance |
| Date: | 2 March 2026 |
| Rural Needs Impact Assessment approved by: | |
|---|---|
| Position/Grade: | Assistant Director – Finance |
| Department: | CSS - Finance |
| Date: | 223 March 2026 |