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Performance Improvement Plan

Performance Improvement Plan

In this Section

Performance Improvement Plan 2026/27

This Performance Improvement Plan has been developed in alignment with community needs and in line with our Corporate Plan and Community Plan. Together, these will help enhance our services and continue improving Mid and East Antrim as a place to live, work, and visit.

We would like to thank everyone who contributed to the development of this plan. Through collaboration and shared commitment, we can achieve meaningful progress for our borough.

Introduction

The Performance Improvement Plan 2026/27 sets out our Improvement Objectives for the year ahead.

The Improvement Objectives are:

People: Increase access to activities that support health, wellbeing and inclusion.

Place: Create safe, accessible and attractive places that enhance wellbeing and support town centres, local businesses and employment.

Planet: Create a cleaner, greener borough by improving recycling services and enhancing public spaces.

A wide range of information sources were considered in the development of these objectives, including a 12-week public consultation, which was carried out from January to April 2026.

Full document

You can read or download the full Performance Improvement Plan 2026/27 as a Word file on this link.

You can read or download the full Performance Improvement Plan 2026/27 as a PDF on this link.

Other formats: If you would like this plan in a different way, like large print or another language, please email: communications@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Our consultation findings

The key priorities identified during our draft Performance Improvement Objectives consultation under our Corporate Plan themes are:

People

  • Supporting children and young people
  • Improving health and wellbeing
  • Promoting accessibility and inclusion
  • Strengthening collaboration and communication

Place

  • Maintaining and enhancing parks and open spaces
  • Supporting vibrant town centres
  • Encouraging local businesses and employment

Planet

  • Improving recycling
  • Keeping the borough clean
  • Protecting and enhancing green spaces

Performance

  • Delivering value-for-money services
  • Ensuring meaningful engagement with citizens and stakeholders

Our Improvement Objectives do not cover all borough needs, which are also addressed through other plans.

Improvement objectives for 2026/27

Details on the agreed Improvement Objectives for 2026/27 are outlined below.

Improvement Objective 1

People: Increase access to activities that support health, wellbeing and inclusion.

We will:

  • Enhance health and wellbeing outcomes, particularly for children and young people, through targeted programmes and support for sports organisations.
  • Reduce barriers to participation and improve accessibility across council services and facilities.

How we will measure success:

  • Progress the Amateur & Grassroots Sporting Organisations Improvement Fund by 31 March 2027.
  • Deliver the Inclusive Summer Opportunities Grants Scheme by 30 September 2026.
  • Establish a Mid and East Antrim Disability Lived Experience Group by 31 December 2026.
  • Install 3 new Changing Places facilities across the borough by 31 March 2027.

Improvement Objective 2

Place: Create safe, accessible and attractive places that enhance wellbeing and support town centres, local businesses and employment.

We will:

  • Enhance and expand accessible, inclusive and high-quality play parks and outdoor recreational spaces.
  • Help revitalise town centres by improving the built environment and increasing vibrancy.
  • Support local business start-ups through targeted assistance.
  • Strengthen skills development and employment opportunities.
  • Promote sustainable growth through an effective and efficient Planning department.

How we will measure success:

  • Open a new play park and bike park at Carnfunnock Country Park by 30 June 2027.
  • Refurbish one play park within the borough by 30 June 2027.
  • Deliver a pop-up park in Larne town centre by 31 July 2026.
  • Progress the design development for 2 civic spaces within Ballymena town centre by 31 March 2027.
  • Deliver the Shopfront Improvement Scheme by 31 March 2027.
  • Achieve the statutory target for jobs promoted through business start-up interventions by 31 March 2027 (target to be confirmed by the Department for Economy).
  • Deliver skills and employment programmes, with 200 participants, 100 participants into employment, and 150 qualifications gained by 31 March 2027 (subject to funding).
  • Achieve an average (median) processing time of 30 weeks for major planning applications by 31 March 2027.
  • Achieve an average (median) processing time of 15 weeks for local planning applications by 31 March 2027.
  • Conclude at least 70% of planning enforcement cases within 39 weeks by 31 March 2027.

Improvement Objective 3

Planet: Create a cleaner, greener borough by improving recycling services and enhancing public spaces.

We will:

  • Enhance and protect green spaces through planting, biodiversity initiatives and sustainable land management.
  • Promote responsible environmental behaviour through targeted awareness and participation opportunities. 
  • Simplify recycling for citizens.
  • Achieve statutory recycling and environmental targets.

How we will measure success:

  • Launch the MEA Tree and Woodland Strategy by 31 March 2027. 
  • Deliver a civic pride campaign by 31 March 2027.
  • Roll out a new dry recycling collection service by 31 July 2027.
  • At least 50% of household waste collected is sent for recycling by 31 March 2027.
  • Limit biodegradable collected municipal waste to landfill to no more than 16,387 tonnes by 31 March 2027.
  • Less than 79,500 tonnes collected municipal waste arisings by 31 March 2027.

Links to other strategies and plans

Our Performance Improvement Objectives are linked to the following documents.  They can be accessed by clicking on the links.

Doing What Matters Most (Programme for Government 2024-2027)
Community Plan
Corporate Plan

Get involved

We all have a part to play in making Mid and East Antrim a great place to live, work and visit.

Here are some of the ways you can help:

  • Shop locally.
  • Be a responsible pet owner.
  • Bin your waste.
  • Reduce, reuse and recycle.
  • Donate unwanted items to charity.
  • Report problems, such as, fly-tipping, dog foul and anti-social behaviour.
  • Get involved in community and voluntary work.
  • Support our older people.
  • Support people who are vulnerable.
  • As business owners, offer apprenticeships or work placement opportunities.
  • Be safe on our roads.
  • Use public transport when you can.

Feedback

You can also tell us about something that you think needs to be improved at any time through the following methods:

Email: performance@midandeastantrim.gov.uk
Telephone: 0300 1245 000
Post: Policy, Performance & Partnership Team, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, 1-29 Bridge Street, Ballymena, BT43 5EJ.