Self-Assessment Report 2024-25 p3

Part 2: Performance Assessment

This section discusses our performance in meeting our Self-Imposed Performance Indicators, Improvement Objectives and Statutory Performance Indicators during 2024/25.

Self-Imposed Indicators and Standards

Our self-imposed indicators and standards are set out within our Corporate Plan and are included within our annual business plans.

Our Corporate Plan helps us achieve our vision through the 4 pillars of People, Place, Planet and Performance. Of 61 indicators used to track progress:
- 74% were achieved or on track (45 of 61)
- 15% were delayed but progressing (9 of 61)
- 11% were not achieved (7 of 61)

Key achievements include:
- £7million was invested in playparks, MUGAs, community centres and more.
- Over 4,700 people engaged in enterprise and employability activities.
- Almost 6,600 people took part in 144 outdoor recreation activities.
- Over 97,000 visitors were welcomed at our strategic visitor attractions.
- 50 town centre events and activities were held.
- 32,655 meals were collected through Community Fridges.
- 300 museum and heritage events and 80 community arts events were held.
- We received the NILGA “Local Government Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Award” for our Autism-Friendly Borough initiative.
- Year 2 of our Equality and Disability Action Plans were delivered.
- “Fields Good”, Northern Ireland’s first regenerative agriculture festival, was held.

Biodiversity Spotlight:
- We are proud to be championing biodiversity across the borough, restoring habitats, empowering communities and inspiring future generations.
  From town woodlands to family events, our efforts are helping ecosystems recover and flourish through practical conservation and local collaboration.
  Our communities are at the heart of our work.
- In Ballymena, the Friends of ECOS have long led the way in habitat management and citizen science.
  From creating a new hazel walk to restoring wildflower meadows, their work supports pollinators and other species.
  This year alone, the group have planted almost 6,000 trees to help address ecological imbalances, and their butterfly monitoring partnership with Butterfly Conservation NI is a model of local environmental action.
- In Carrickfergus, the Friends of Bashfordland Wood are restoring balance in woodland and meadow areas.
  Traditional techniques like tree thinning and glade creation are bringing light and life back into the woodlands, while the removal of invasive species, such as bamboo and salmonberry, is encouraging the return of native flora and fauna.
  To inspire and educate the next generation, our Biodiversity University continues to grow. Delivered in August each year across Larne, Carrickfergus and Ballymena, the programme reaches over 250 families.
  Through fun hands-on activities and wildlife experiences, children and parents are building lasting connections with nature and developing the skills to care for it.
- Our most recent initiative in Larne Town Park is beginning to take shape as the pilot site for our new Nature Recovery Plan.
  Here, we’re combining habitat restoration with community action.
  Volunteers and local schools have created a thriving community orchard and introduced new wildflower planting, while grassland areas are left uncut in summer for the benefit of pollinators and small wildlife.
  Woodland edges are being carefully restored by gradually removing invasive species and the planting of native trees will support long-term ecological health.
  Plans are underway to develop a looped nature trail, making the park even more accessible for people to experience nature up close.
  When the pilot is complete, the Nature Recovery Plan will go to public consultation, ensuring our long-term vision for biodiversity is shaped by those who use and care for these spaces most.

Further details on each of our Corporate Plan pillars is discussed on the following pages.

People

Our ambition:

By 2028, Mid and East Antrim will be a safe, inclusive and welcoming borough, where diversity and cultural differences are celebrated, and communities live in peace.
Our people will have equity of opportunity and support to achieve their full potential in a professional and personal capacity.
Individuals and communities will be empowered to be independent and self-sustaining, enabling us to concentrate our efforts on those who need it most.

To achieve this, we will:

Work in partnership, with employers and stakeholders, to support people seeking employment, provide upskilling support, improve access to the labour market for people with disabilities and promote skills pathways.
Promote the benefits of offering apprenticeships and work experience opportunities to enhance skills development and bridge the gap between education and employment.
Support and deliver opportunities for our citizens to improve their physical, mental and emotional health.
Explore ways to help vulnerable and marginalised individuals feel welcomed and supported in their local communities, removing feelings of isolation or exclusion.
Lead by example to improve equality, accessibility and inclusion across the borough by embedding it into everything we do.
Work alongside partners to encourage good relations, enhance community pride and reinforce a strong sense of belonging in our communities.
Strengthen community safety and boost public confidence by forging collaborative partnerships that focus on proactive and comprehensive crime prevention.

Under this pillar:

93% of indicators were achieved or on track (13 of 14), and
7% were not achieved (1 of 14).

What you see:

Measure	Deliver activities and programmes through the Mid and East Antrim Labour Market Partnership.
Status: Achieved	A total of 365 participants took part in a wide range of employment and skills academies, including programmes in Cleantech, Hydrogen, Welding, Childcare, Phlebotomy, Classroom Assistant, Administration and Enterprise, resulting in 377 qualifications. Despite a late start due to delayed funding, 83 participants gained employment by the end of March 2025 with a further 36 gaining employment from April to June 2025.

Measure

Deliver activities and programmes through the Mid and East Antrim Labour Market Partnership.

Status:

Achieved

A total of 365 participants took part in a wide range of employment and skills academies, including programmes in Cleantech, Hydrogen, Welding, Childcare, Phlebotomy, Classroom Assistant, Administration and Enterprise, resulting in 377 qualifications.

Despite a late start due to delayed funding, 83 participants gained employment by the end of March 2025 with a further 36 gaining employment from April to June 2025.

Measure	Deliver the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Intervention Programme by 31 March 2025.
Status: Achieved	The programme ran between April and September, and included a range of activities to raise awareness of STEM subjects and career opportunities. Offered free of charge, 8 schools participated, with 454 students attending in-school workshops and 326 participating in 2 full-day events. A Teacher Insight Day and a celebration event were also held.

Measure

Deliver the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Intervention Programme by 31 March 2025.

Status:

Achieved

The programme ran between April and September, and included a range of activities to raise awareness of STEM subjects and career opportunities.

Offered free of charge, 8 schools participated, with 454 students attending in-school workshops and 326 participating in 2 full-day events.

A Teacher Insight Day and a celebration event were also held.

Measure	Deliver activities to promote and secure apprenticeship and work placement opportunities across the borough by 31 March 2025.
Status: Achieved	A total of 1,035 individuals engaged in Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Week activities in February and the Apprenticeship E-Hub. Apprenticeship Week included 400 employer visits to schools, 40 school visits to employers and 80 creative industries school takeovers. It also featured 2 key events, the Northern Regional College’s Higher Level Apprenticeship event with 228 attendees and a construction sector takeover event with 66 participants. The Apprenticeship E-Hub continues to grow, with 199 applications submitted, 16 companies registered, and 6 apprenticeships commenced. In total, 215 individuals and businesses have actively engaged through the platform. Across all programmes, 41 apprenticeship and placement opportunities were secured, 19 through the Work Connections Programme and 6 via the E-Hub. The newly launched Placement Insights Programme also supported 16 participants in its first cohort, offering hands-on industry experience to boost employability and career readiness.

Measure

Deliver activities to promote and secure apprenticeship and work placement opportunities across the borough by 31 March 2025.

Status:

Achieved

A total of 1,035 individuals engaged in Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Week activities in February and the Apprenticeship E-Hub.

Apprenticeship Week included 400 employer visits to schools, 40 school visits to employers and 80 creative industries school takeovers.

It also featured 2 key events, the Northern Regional College’s Higher Level Apprenticeship event with 228 attendees and a construction sector takeover event with 66 participants.

The Apprenticeship E-Hub continues to grow, with 199 applications submitted, 16 companies registered, and 6 apprenticeships commenced.

In total, 215 individuals and businesses have actively engaged through the platform.

Across all programmes, 41 apprenticeship and placement opportunities were secured, 19 through the Work Connections Programme and 6 via the E-Hub.

The newly launched Placement Insights Programme also supported 16 participants in its first cohort, offering hands-on industry experience to boost employability and career readiness.

Measure	Deliver 15 internal work placement opportunities by 31 March 2025.
Status: Not Achieved	We provided 9 placements across our various departments, including Climate Change and Sustainability, Tourism, Arts and Culture, and Parks and Open Spaces. We are developing a Work Placement policy to focus on actively promoting placement opportunities and strengthen collaboration with educational institutions.

Measure

Deliver 15 internal work placement opportunities by 31 March 2025.

Status:

Not Achieved

We provided 9 placements across our various departments, including Climate Change and Sustainability, Tourism, Arts and Culture, and Parks and Open Spaces.

We are developing a Work Placement policy to focus on actively promoting placement opportunities and strengthen collaboration with educational institutions.

Measure	Deliver the MEActive programme.
Status: Achieved	Over 10,300 people participated across 1,400 MEActive sessions throughout the year. Over half were female and a third had a disability or lifelong illness. A range of activities were delivered, including AquaFit, Pilates, Danderball, Dodgeball, Men’s Over 50’s Circuits, Pickleball and Racket Club, catering to all ages and abilities.

Measure

Deliver the MEActive programme.

Status:

Achieved

Over 10,300 people participated across 1,400 MEActive sessions throughout the year.

Over half were female and a third had a disability or lifelong illness.

A range of activities were delivered, including AquaFit, Pilates, Danderball, Dodgeball, Men’s Over 50’s Circuits, Pickleball and Racket Club, catering to all ages and abilities.

Measure	Deliver the GP Referrals scheme.
Status: Achieved	The Physical Activity Referral Scheme received 282 GP referrals across the year. Of 110 people enrolled, 53 successfully completed the full 12-week programme and are now paying a reduced gym membership fee of £15 per month.

Measure

Deliver the GP Referrals scheme.

Status:

Achieved

The Physical Activity Referral Scheme received 282 GP referrals across the year.

Of 110 people enrolled, 53 successfully completed the full 12-week programme and are now paying a reduced gym membership fee of £15 per month.

Measure	Deliver the Veterans programme by 31 March 2025.
Status: Achieved	The Veterans Programme delivered a successful year of activity, with 5 key events focused on honouring and connecting local veterans. Highlights included visits to Stormont and the RUC GC Memorial Garden, a historical talk with live music in Ballymena, and group visits to the Royal Ulster Rifles Museum, the Museum of Orange Heritage and Drumalis House in Larne. Events were well attended, with strong engagement, positive feedback and growing interest, prompting additional activities to meet demand and encouraging new participants to join the programme.

Measure

Deliver the Veterans programme by 31 March 2025.

Status:

Achieved

The Veterans Programme delivered a successful year of activity, with 5 key events focused on honouring and connecting local veterans.

Highlights included visits to Stormont and the RUC GC Memorial Garden, a historical talk with live music in Ballymena, and group visits to the Royal Ulster Rifles Museum, the Museum of Orange Heritage and Drumalis House in Larne.

Events were well attended, with strong engagement, positive feedback and growing interest, prompting additional activities to meet demand and encouraging new participants to join the programme.

Measure	Deliver actions through the Poverty Action Group.
Status: Achieved	The Poverty Action Group has continued to support low-income families and individuals across the borough through financial advice, food distribution, essential resources and wellbeing programmes. With group support, we also provided vital assistance ahead of the new academic year through the borough-wide School Uniform Scheme. The group did not formally meet during the year, however, members remained active in addressing local needs. To impro ve coordination, the Council will take on facilitation and assign a dedicated staff resource to resume regular meetings, ensuring more effective partnership working and ongoing support for vulnerable citizens.

Measure

Deliver actions through the Poverty Action Group.

Status:

Achieved

The Poverty Action Group has continued to support low-income families and individuals across the borough through financial advice, food distribution, essential resources and wellbeing programmes.

With group support, we also provided vital assistance ahead of the new academic year through the borough-wide School Uniform Scheme.

The group did not formally meet during the year, however, members remained active in addressing local needs. To impro

ve coordination, the Council will take on facilitation and assign a dedicated staff resource to resume regular meetings, ensuring more effective partnership working and ongoing support for vulnerable citizens.

Measure	Deliver programmes through the Loneliness Network.
Status: Achieved	The Mid and East Antrim Loneliness Network is dedicated to combating loneliness and fostering community connections across the borough. A range of initiatives were delivered throughout the year, including Chatty Benches, Chatty Cafés, 17 Loneliness Champions, Kindness Post-Boxes, a Connected Walk and a Christmas Event.

Measure

Deliver programmes through the Loneliness Network.

Status:

Achieved

The Mid and East Antrim Loneliness Network is dedicated to combating loneliness and fostering community connections across the borough.

A range of initiatives were delivered throughout the year, including Chatty Benches, Chatty Cafés, 17 Loneliness Champions, Kindness Post-Boxes, a Connected Walk and a Christmas Event.

Measure	Deliver Age-Friendly actions across the borough.
Status: Achieved	The launch of the Age-Friendly Strategy and Action Plan (2024–2027) in September marked a key milestone in our commitment to supporting older people. A series of events and workshops highlighted available services, resulting in several onward referrals. Our new Age-Friendly information booklet also prompted a number of direct support requests. Agewell’s reflective tool ‘See Things from My Age’ was presented at a meeting of the Age-Friendly Alliance, alongside health and wellbeing initiatives on energy efficiency and home accident prevention. In partnership with Agewell and funded by the Arts Council NI, our Arts team also delivered the Rural Engagement Arts Programme and the Arts and Older People Programme, engaging over 500 older people through drama, storytelling and creative workshops.

Measure

Deliver Age-Friendly actions across the borough.

Status:

Achieved

The launch of the Age-Friendly Strategy and Action Plan (2024–2027) in September marked a key milestone in our commitment to supporting older people.

A series of events and workshops highlighted available services, resulting in several onward referrals.

Our new Age-Friendly information booklet also prompted a number of direct support requests.

Agewell’s reflective tool ‘See Things from My Age’ was presented at a meeting of the Age-Friendly Alliance, alongside health and wellbeing initiatives on energy efficiency and home accident prevention.

In partnership with Agewell and funded by the Arts Council NI, our Arts team also delivered the Rural Engagement Arts Programme and the Arts and Older People Programme, engaging over 500 older people through drama, storytelling and creative workshops.

Measure	Progress internal Autism-Friendly actions.
Status: Achieved	Over the year, we’ve made strong progress in making our services and spaces more accessible and welcoming for autistic people. Autism-Friendly Action Plans are being implemented across 4 key cultural venues, including The Braid Museum and Arts Centre, Larne Arts Centre, Carrickfergus Museum and Andrew Jackson Cottage. Sensory spaces, accessible signage and pre-visit guides are being introduced, with the aim of achieving the Autism NI Impact Award by the end of the year. To strengthen our support network, we trained and accredited 4 additional Autism Champions, bringing the total to 17 champions across our parks, leisure, arts and museum services. We also developed and launched an Autism-Awareness Communications Plan, which includes the promotion of Quiet Hours in our parks and new resources for Autism Acceptance Month, such as an Employability Guide and Training Model developed in partnership with the Northern Area Autism Forum. The Council received the Local Government Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Award at the 2025 Northern Ireland Local Government Association Awards, in recognition for this initiative.

Measure

Progress internal Autism-Friendly actions.

Status:

Achieved

Over the year, we’ve made strong progress in making our services and spaces more accessible and welcoming for autistic people.

Autism-Friendly Action Plans are being implemented across 4 key cultural venues, including The Braid Museum and Arts Centre, Larne Arts Centre, Carrickfergus Museum and Andrew Jackson Cottage.

Sensory spaces, accessible signage and pre-visit guides are being introduced, with the aim of achieving the Autism NI Impact Award by the end of the year.

To strengthen our support network, we trained and accredited 4 additional Autism Champions, bringing the total to 17 champions across our parks, leisure, arts and museum services.

We also developed and launched an Autism-Awareness Communications Plan, which includes the promotion of Quiet Hours in our parks and new resources for Autism Acceptance Month, such as an Employability Guide and Training Model developed in partnership with the Northern Area Autism Forum.

The Council received the Local Government Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Award at the 2025 Northern Ireland Local Government Association Awards, in recognition for this initiative.

Measure	Deliver actions under the Equality and Disability Action Plans.
Status: On track	Significant progress has been made in delivering our Equality and Disability Action Plans. Some key achievements include: Disability swimming lessons in each of our leisure centres. Inclusive activities during ‘Love Parks Week’. Engagement of pupils with special educational needs in tree planting activities. PAN Disability clubs in each of our leisure centres. Graduate Build programme in partnership with Disability Action. Rollout of our Autism-Friendly Borough initiative. Our internal Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Network plays a key role in this work, meeting quarterly to monitor progress, provide feedback and share best practices across departments. Newly established and dedicated roles, including an Inclusion and Equality Manager and a Consultation and Engagement Officer, will strengthen our capacity to deliver on these commitments.

Measure

Deliver actions under the Equality and Disability Action Plans.

Status:

On track

Significant progress has been made in delivering our Equality and Disability Action Plans.

Some key achievements include:

Disability swimming lessons in each of our leisure centres.
Inclusive activities during ‘Love Parks Week’.
Engagement of pupils with special educational needs in tree planting activities.
PAN Disability clubs in each of our leisure centres.
Graduate Build programme in partnership with Disability Action.
Rollout of our Autism-Friendly Borough initiative.

Our internal Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Network plays a key role in this work, meeting quarterly to monitor progress, provide feedback and share best practices across departments.

Newly established and dedicated roles, including an Inclusion and Equality Manager and a Consultation and Engagement Officer, will strengthen our capacity to deliver on these commitments.

Measure	Deliver programmes within the Good Relations Action Plan.
Status: Achieved	Due to reduced funding, the Good Relations Action Plan was streamlined to the following programmes: Celebrating Culture Safely: 9 cultural beacons were distributed across the borough, supporting safe and respectful celebration of local traditions. Integrate: Following a procurement process, the Inter-Ethnic Forum (Mid and East Antrim) was appointed to deliver this programme, promoting inclusion and engagement with diverse communities. Good Relations Audit and Strategy: A contract has been awarded to carry out a borough-wide consultation to inform a new strategy. We were pleased to participate in Good Relations Week in September 2024, joining local groups and organisations to celebrate the theme ‘OpportUNiTY’. The week featured workshops, theatre, talks, exhibitions and performances, showcasing the rich diversity and shared values within our community.

Measure

Deliver programmes within the Good Relations Action Plan.

Status:

Achieved

Due to reduced funding, the Good Relations Action Plan was streamlined to the following programmes:

Celebrating Culture Safely: 9 cultural beacons were distributed across the borough, supporting safe and respectful celebration of local traditions.
Integrate: Following a procurement process, the Inter-Ethnic Forum (Mid and East Antrim) was appointed to deliver this programme, promoting inclusion and engagement with diverse communities.
Good Relations Audit and Strategy: A contract has been awarded to carry out a borough-wide consultation to inform a new strategy.

We were pleased to participate in Good Relations Week in September 2024, joining local groups and organisations to celebrate the theme ‘OpportUNiTY’.

The week featured workshops, theatre, talks, exhibitions and performances, showcasing the rich diversity and shared values within our community.

Measure	Deliver actions under the Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) Action Plan.
Status: Achieved	The partnership has been reconstituted with new members, supported by induction and training, and 3 working groups have been established to focus on key priorities including anti-social behaviour, drugs and alcohol, and domestic and sexual violence. Formal meetings were held quarterly, and Community Safety Wardens played an active role in engaging with local communities. We continued to support the Inter-Ethnic Forum, funded bilingual services, and delivered successful initiatives such as the Four Tier Home Security scheme and Small Grant Funding for local safety projects.

Measure

Deliver actions under the Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) Action Plan.

Status:

Achieved

The partnership has been reconstituted with new members, supported by induction and training, and 3 working groups have been established to focus on key priorities including anti-social behaviour, drugs and alcohol, and domestic and sexual violence.

Formal meetings were held quarterly, and Community Safety Wardens played an active role in engaging with local communities.

We continued to support the Inter-Ethnic Forum, funded bilingual services, and delivered successful initiatives such as the Four Tier Home Security scheme and Small Grant Funding for local safety projects.

Self-Assessment Report 2024-25