Performance Improvement Plan 2025 - 2026 Quarter 2 Update Report page 3
Contents
Objective 2 - Place: We will help boost our local economy and town centres
Why this objective was chosen:
-
Our citizens would like to see more inward investment, support for businesses to start up and grow, and higher value jobs in the area.
- The Northern Ireland Executive plans to transform our economy by addressing challenges relating to productivity, good jobs, decarbonisation and regional balance.
We will establish a Mid and East Antrim Local Economic Partnership to support this, with funding to deliver on our agreed priorities.
- Our town centres face many challenges with high operating costs, businesses closing, vacant units, dereliction and cleanliness identified as key issues.
Our citizens support actions that will help to drive footfall and support our local businesses.
- We need to work in new ways to help citizens and visitors stay connected to what’s happening across our borough.
Progress update:
| Outcome |
Submission of Mid and East Antrim’s Local Economic Partnership Action Plan. |
|---|---|
| Measure |
Submit an agreed action plan in line with Regional Balance Fund Project Guidelines by 31/3/26. |
|
Status: On track |
Meetings continue with the Department for Economy, Invest NI and the Mid and East Antrim Local Economic Partnership to progress the submission of an agreed action plan by 31 March 2026. |
|
Outcome |
Town centre events to boost footfall and support our local businesses. |
|
Measure |
15 events or activities held within Ballymena, Carrickfergus and Larne town centres by 31/3/26. |
|
Status: On track |
A full programme of summer activities has been delivered across Ballymena, Carrickfergus and Larne, including Artisan Markets, Summer Carnivals and more. Autumn/Winter activity is also underway, with a sold-out Ballymena Fall Fashion show in September 2025, and a full line-up of Halloween activities and events delivered across the borough. A range of events will also take place in the lead up to Christmas. Our local traders were given the opportunity to enroll their staff in Health and Safety at Work and Food Safety accredited training, with over 50 people completing the training throughout Ballymena, Carrickfergus and Larne. |
|
Outcome |
Information notice boards to help citizens and visitors stay connected. |
|
Measure |
Installation of 3 information notice boards in Ballymena and Carrickfergus town centres by 30/6/25. (A notice board is already in place in Larne town centre). |
| Status: Achieved |
New traditional-style notice boards have been installed in Ballymena and Carrickfergus town centres and have been used to promote a wide range of events and activities. Our Town Centre team also circulate a bespoke newsletter to businesses within the borough’s 3 main towns each month, which includes information about business support programmes and training opportunities, events, road closures and more. |
|
Outcome |
Support for businesses to start-up and grow through Go Succeed and other tailored supports. |
|
Measure |
50 jobs promoted through business start-up interventions by 31/3/26. |
|
Status: Achieved |
56 jobs have been promoted on the ‘Engage’ pillar so far this year. (‘Engage’ clients are those not expected to register for VAT). |
|
Outcome |
An effective and efficient Planning Service. |
|
Measure |
A processing time for major planning applications within a median average of 30 weeks by 31/3/26. |
| Status: Not achieved |
This indicator is based on the median time taken to process a major planning application to a ‘decision’ or ‘withdrawal’. Latest verified data is for the period April to June 2025, when an average processing time of 115.8 weeks was recorded. During this period, zero applications were decided, and one application was withdrawn, leading to an irregular result. This particularly complex application was first submitted in 2022, and before withdrawal, was significantly delayed due to external factors. Data up to September 2025 represents a more accurate and positive picture of processing time performance. This result will be published in our next update, following verification. |
|
Measure |
A processing time for local planning applications within a median average of 15 weeks by 31/3/26. |
|
Status: On track |
Latest available data is for the period April to June 2025, when a median processing time of 7.0 weeks was recorded. During this time, 143 applications were decided and 9 were withdrawn. 80.3% of cases were processed within 15.0 weeks, against a Northern Ireland council average of 42.9%. Data up to September 2025 will be published in our next update, when verified. |
|
Measure |
At least 70% of planning enforcement cases concluded within 39 weeks by 31/3/26. |
|
Status: On track |
Latest available data is for the period April to June 2025, when 46 cases concluded. During this time, 71.7% concluded within 39 weeks, against a Northern Ireland Council average of 73.2%. Data up to September 2025 will be published in our next update, when verified. |