Self-Assessment Report 2024-25 p4

Place

Our ambition:

By 2028, Mid and East Antrim will be widely recognised as an ideal place to live, visit, work and do business.
We will have vibrant, clean, and harmonious shared spaces, designed to showcase our natural and built heritage and assets.
Our tourism offering will be filled with diversity and richness of culture, history and heritage, attracting visitors on a global scale.
Businesses, new and existing, will have the required support to grow and prosper, leading to an economically innovative and sustainable borough, offering stable employment, inclusive growth and an ideal place to invest.

To achieve this, we will:

Support the development of a sustainable, dynamic and prosperous local economy that helps businesses to grow, and promote the borough as an ideal place to do business for new and existing companies.
Help drive sustainable economic growth by promoting the borough as a leading visitor and cultural destination, utilising our natural and built heritage and assets.
Support our towns and villages to help regenerate and stimulate economic activity, while protecting and conserving our natural and historic landscape.
Enhance and expand our amenities, parks, open spaces and built heritage, making sure they meet the needs of all, while encouraging their respectful and mindful use.
Conduct Council business in a way that encourages economic prosperity within the borough.

Under this pillar:

72% of indicators were achieved or on track (13 of 18),
17% were delayed but progressing (3 of 18), and
11% were not achieved (2 of 18).

What you see:

Measure	Progress the i4C Innovation and Cleantech Centre and the HyTech Centre by 31 March 2025.
Status: Achieved	We have made strong progress in both projects. A design team has been appointed for the i4C Innovation and Cleantech Centre and value engineering is underway to ensure cost-effective delivery. Elected Members have also approved the appointment of an operator. The final Outline Business Case For the HyTech Centre was submitted to Invest NI in February and is under appraisal. A funding decision is expected in October. As part of this project, we continue to lead 3 local hydrogen testbed trials in partnership with industry and local universities.

Measure

Progress the i4C Innovation and Cleantech Centre and the HyTech Centre by 31 March 2025.

Status:

Achieved

We have made strong progress in both projects.

A design team has been appointed for the i4C Innovation and Cleantech Centre and value engineering is underway to ensure cost-effective delivery.

Elected Members have also approved the appointment of an operator.

The final Outline Business Case For the HyTech Centre was submitted to Invest NI in February and is under appraisal.

A funding decision is expected in October.

As part of this project, we continue to lead 3 local hydrogen testbed trials in partnership with industry and local universities.

Measure	Deliver the Go Succeed programme.
Status: Achieved	Across the year, 325 participants were supported through Go Succeed.

Measure

Deliver the Go Succeed programme.

Status:

Achieved

Across the year, 325 participants were supported through Go Succeed.

Measure	Deliver 16 civic events by 31 March 2025.
Status: Achieved	A total of 34 events were delivered, including annual commemorations such as the Knockagh Somme, Merchant Navy Day, Princess Victoria Memorial and Emergency Services Day, alongside special events marking the Normandy anniversary and the unveiling of 3 UDR Greenfinch memorials. Initiatives such as Democracy Week engaged over 1,800 participants, particularly from schools, while both Irish Language Week and Ulster Scots Language Week saw increased attendance compared to previous years, with total participation estimated at over 6,000 people.

Measure

Deliver 16 civic events by 31 March 2025.

Status:

Achieved

A total of 34 events were delivered, including annual commemorations such as the Knockagh Somme, Merchant Navy Day, Princess Victoria Memorial and Emergency Services Day, alongside special events marking the Normandy anniversary and the unveiling of 3 UDR Greenfinch memorials.

Initiatives such as Democracy Week engaged over 1,800 participants, particularly from schools, while both Irish Language Week and Ulster Scots Language Week saw increased attendance compared to previous years, with total participation estimated at over 6,000 people.

Measure	Welcome at least 35,000 people to Council and partner events in person by 31 March 2025.
Status: Not Achieved	Following a review of the events programme, the original schedule was streamlined to focus on delivering the most impactful and high-quality experiences. As a result, some planned events did not proceed, which reduced overall attendance figures. A total of 27,250 attendees were recorded for the year. The events that were delivered were engaging, accessible, and aligned with community needs and Council’s strategic priorities.

Measure

Welcome at least 35,000 people to Council and partner events in person by 31 March 2025.

Status:

Not Achieved

Following a review of the events programme, the original schedule was streamlined to focus on delivering the most impactful and high-quality experiences.

As a result, some planned events did not proceed, which reduced overall attendance figures.

A total of 27,250 attendees were recorded for the year.

The events that were delivered were engaging, accessible, and aligned with community needs and Council’s strategic priorities.

Measure	Launch the Neighbourhood Tourism Scheme by 31 October 2024.
Status: Achieved	The Neighbourhood Tourism Scheme was successfully launched, enhancing visitor experiences in Gracehill, Cullybackey, Broughshane, Carnlough and Whitehead through branded visitor information stands, digital marketing materials and interactive iPads.

Measure

Launch the Neighbourhood Tourism Scheme by 31 October 2024.

Status:

Achieved

The Neighbourhood Tourism Scheme was successfully launched, enhancing visitor experiences in Gracehill, Cullybackey, Broughshane, Carnlough and Whitehead through branded visitor information stands, digital marketing materials and interactive iPads.

Measure	Welcome at least 90,000 visitors to our strategic tourist attractions (Carrickfergus Castle, The Gobbins, US Rangers Museum, Andrew Jackson Cottage and Arthur Cottage) by 31 March 2025.
Status: Achieved	We welcomed 97,310 visitors across the year.

Measure

Welcome at least 90,000 visitors to our strategic tourist attractions (Carrickfergus Castle, The Gobbins, US Rangers Museum, Andrew Jackson Cottage and Arthur Cottage) by 31 March 2025.

Status:

Achieved

We welcomed 97,310 visitors across the year.

Measure	Develop a regeneration strategy, in conjunction with the Larne Business Forum and the Larne Community Wealth Building Hub by 31 March 2025.
Status: On track	Due to increasing vacancy levels and pressing regeneration needs, Larne was selected as a pilot area in our 2024 borough-wide Dereliction Strategy. Strong progress has been made in shaping focused regeneration in collaboration with the Larne Business Forum and Larne Community Wealth Building Hub. A strategic regeneration report identified several key challenges, including economic underperformance, high levels of dereliction, low business confidence and wider community wellbeing concerns. We are in the final stages of designing a package of regeneration interventions that align with local priorities and support a shared vision of inclusive and sustainable renewal for Larne. While further feasibility work, funding identification and community consultation are still required, we are actively engaging with property owners to assess interest in a proposed grant scheme aimed at tackling dereliction and unlocking redevelopment opportunities.

Measure

Develop a regeneration strategy, in conjunction with the Larne Business Forum and the Larne Community Wealth Building Hub by 31 March 2025.

Status:

On track

Due to increasing vacancy levels and pressing regeneration needs, Larne was selected as a pilot area in our 2024 borough-wide Dereliction Strategy.

Strong progress has been made in shaping focused regeneration in collaboration with the Larne Business Forum and Larne Community Wealth Building Hub.

A strategic regeneration report identified several key challenges, including economic underperformance, high levels of dereliction, low business confidence and wider community wellbeing concerns.

We are in the final stages of designing a package of regeneration interventions that align with local priorities and support a shared vision of inclusive and sustainable renewal for Larne.

While further feasibility work, funding identification and community consultation are still required, we are actively engaging with property owners to assess interest in a proposed grant scheme aimed at tackling dereliction and unlocking redevelopment opportunities.

Measure	Deliver the Town Centre Revitalisation Scheme by 31 March 2025.
Status: Achieved	A range of projects have been implemented to enhance public spaces, support local businesses and encourage increased footfall. Activities include vibrant street art in Ballymena and Larne, new feature lighting and festive decorations, and over £700,000 in external funding to support revitalisation initiatives, including shop front grants, seasonal lighting and the development of a pop-up park in Larne.

Measure

Deliver the Town Centre Revitalisation Scheme by 31 March 2025.

Status:

Achieved

A range of projects have been implemented to enhance public spaces, support local businesses and encourage increased footfall.

Activities include vibrant street art in Ballymena and Larne, new feature lighting and festive decorations, and over £700,000 in external funding to support revitalisation initiatives, including shop front grants, seasonal lighting and the development of a pop-up park in Larne.

Measure	Maintain or exceed a score of 66% on the Street Cleansing Index as part of Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful (KNIB) by 31 March 2025.
Status: Achieved	This index assesses the effectiveness of street cleaning efforts by measuring various aspects of urban and rural environments such as the presence of litter, graffiti and general maintenance conditions. The aim is to ensure public spaces are kept clean and welcoming. Our index score is 70%.

Measure

Maintain or exceed a score of 66% on the Street Cleansing Index as part of Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful (KNIB) by 31 March 2025.

Status:

Achieved

This index assesses the effectiveness of street cleaning efforts by measuring various aspects of urban and rural environments such as the presence of litter, graffiti and general maintenance conditions.

The aim is to ensure public spaces are kept clean and welcoming.

Our index score is 70%.

Measure	Completion of phase 1 of the Cullybackey to Galgorm Greenway by 30 September 2025.
Status: Delayed but progressing	The design consultants were appointed in June 2024 and, following necessary revisions to the proposed route, the Board approved the outline designs in November. The planning application was submitted in June 2025, and while a phased approach to delivery has been agreed, completion dates are yet to be confirmed.

Measure

Completion of phase 1 of the Cullybackey to Galgorm Greenway by 30 September 2025.

Status:

Delayed but progressing

The design consultants were appointed in June 2024 and, following necessary revisions to the proposed route, the Board approved the outline designs in November.

The planning application was submitted in June 2025, and while a phased approach to delivery has been agreed, completion dates are yet to be confirmed.

Measure	Development of Carnfunnock Country Park for completion by 31 March 2026.
Status: Delayed but progressing	The public consultation is complete, and planning approval is secured. A budget shortfall identified during the procurement process necessitated a detailed review of the project. Following successful value engineering and budget re-profiling, procurement is now complete, with work commencing during the summer. This ambitious project will see the creation of a state-of-the-art visitor centre, a fully inclusive adventure play park, new amenity facilities for caravan park visitors and a bike park, among other improvements. The delivery timescale has extended to 31 March 2027.

Measure

Development of Carnfunnock Country Park for completion by 31 March 2026.

Status:

Delayed but progressing

The public consultation is complete, and planning approval is secured.

A budget shortfall identified during the procurement process necessitated a detailed review of the project.

Following successful value engineering and budget re-profiling, procurement is now complete, with work commencing during the summer.

This ambitious project will see the creation of a state-of-the-art visitor centre, a fully inclusive adventure play park, new amenity facilities for caravan park visitors and a bike park, among other improvements.

The delivery timescale has extended to 31 March 2027.

Measure	Begin the process of developing a Green Spaces Strategy for formal launch in 2026/27.
Status: Delayed but progressing	Despite initial planning and consultation activities having taken place, it has been agreed the Green Spaces Strategy will be included within a broader Parks and Open Spaces Strategy scheduled for completion by March 2026.

Measure

Begin the process of developing a Green Spaces Strategy for formal launch in 2026/27.

Status:

Delayed but progressing

Despite initial planning and consultation activities having taken place, it has been agreed the Green Spaces Strategy will be included within a broader Parks and Open Spaces Strategy scheduled for completion by March 2026.

Measure	Ensure at least 50% of suppliers or performers, for each Council ran event, are from the borough.
Status: Achieved	71% of performers at our events were from the local area.

Measure

Ensure at least 50% of suppliers or performers, for each Council ran event, are from the borough.

Status:

Achieved

71% of performers at our events were from the local area.

Measure	Ensure that a minimum of 60% of payments to suppliers are made within 10 working days.
Status: Achieved	76% of payments to suppliers were made within 10 working days. For more information and analysis, please see Benchmarking section of this report.

Measure

Ensure that a minimum of 60% of payments to suppliers are made within 10 working days.

Status:

Achieved

76% of payments to suppliers were made within 10 working days.

For more information and analysis, please see Benchmarking section of this report.

Measure	Ensure that a minimum of 80% of payments to suppliers are made within 30 calendar days.
Status: Achieved	94% of payments to suppliers were made within 30 calendar days. For more information and analysis, please see Benchmarking section of this report.

Measure

Ensure that a minimum of 80% of payments to suppliers are made within 30 calendar days.

Status:

Achieved

94% of payments to suppliers were made within 30 calendar days.

For more information and analysis, please see Benchmarking section of this report.

Measure	Major planning applications processed within an average of 30 weeks by 31 March 2025.
Status: Not Achieved	Between April 2024 and March 2025, the average (median) processing time was 45.2 weeks. For more information and analysis, please see Benchmarking section of this report.

Measure

Major planning applications processed within an average of 30 weeks by 31 March 2025.

Status:

Not Achieved

Between April 2024 and March 2025, the average (median) processing time was 45.2 weeks.

For more information and analysis, please see Benchmarking section of this report.

Measure	Local planning applications processed within an average of 15 weeks by 31 March 2025.
Status: Achieved	Between April 2024 and March 2025, the average (median) processing time was 5.8 weeks. For more information and analysis, please see Benchmarking section of this report.

Measure

Local planning applications processed within an average of 15 weeks by 31 March 2025.

Status:

Achieved

Between April 2024 and March 2025, the average (median) processing time was 5.8 weeks.

For more information and analysis, please see Benchmarking section of this report.

Measure	Ensure at least 70% of enforcement cases are concluded within 39 weeks by 31 March 2025.
Status: Achieved	Between April 2024 and March 2025, 81.3% of cases were concluded within 39 weeks. For more information and analysis, please see Benchmarking section of this report.

Measure

Ensure at least 70% of enforcement cases are concluded within 39 weeks by 31 March 2025.

Status:

Achieved

Between April 2024 and March 2025, 81.3% of cases were concluded within 39 weeks.

For more information and analysis, please see Benchmarking section of this report.

Self-Assessment Report 2024-25