Performance Improvement Plan 2025 - 2026 Quarter 3 Update Report p3
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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 March 2026. |
|
Status: On track |
Work continues to progress the submission of an agreed action plan. |
|
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 March 2026. |
| Status: On track |
A full programme of activities has been delivered across Ballymena, Carrickfergus and Larne, including Artisan Markets, Summer Carnivals, Halloween and Christmas themed events, with more activities lined up for delivery before the end of March 2026. |
|
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 June 2025. (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. We also send a bespoke newsletter to businesses within our 3 main towns every month, with 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 March 26. |
| Status: Achieved |
115 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 March 2026. |
| Status: On track |
Latest verified data is for April to September 2025, when an average (median) processing time of 26.6 weeks was recorded. The Northern Ireland council average was 34.0 weeks. During this period, 2 applications were decided and 1 was withdrawn. 66.7% of cases were processed within 30 weeks, against a Northern Ireland council average of 47.5%. Data up to December 2025 will be published in our next update, when verified. |
| Measure |
A processing time for local planning applications within a median average of 15 weeks by 31 March 2026. |
| Status: On track |
Latest available data is for the period April to September 2025, when an average (median) processing time of 7.4 weeks was recorded. During this time, 292 applications were decided and 21 were withdrawn. 81.5% of cases were processed within 15 weeks, against a Northern Ireland council average of 41.8%. Data up to December 2025 will be published in our next update, when verified. |
| Measure |
At least 70% of planning enforcement cases concluded within 39 weeks by 31 March 2026. |
| Status: On track |
Latest available data is for the period April to September 2025, when 83 cases concluded. During this time, 74.7% concluded within 39 weeks, against a Northern Ireland Council average of 75.1%. Data up to December 2025 will be published in our next update, when verified. |