Self-Assessment Report 2024-25 p7

Improvement Objectives

Our Improvement Objectives are set out within our Performance Improvement Plan and are included within our annual business plans.

Our Improvement Objectives for 2024/25 were:
- People: We will work with partners to improve the lives of citizens.
- Place: We will maintain and improve our local areas.
- Planet: We will reduce our environmental impact and improve sustainability.

Of 56 indicators used to track progress:
- 87% were achieved or on track (49 of 56)
- 9% were delayed but progressing (5 of 56)
- 4% were not achieved (2 of 56)

Further details on each of our objectives are discussed on the following pages.

Objective 1 - People: We will work with partners to improve the lives of citizens

By:

Fostering local enterprise and economic growth.
Supporting skills development and improving employment outcomes.
Helping citizens lead healthy and active lives.
Supporting people who are vulnerable or marginalised, and promoting an equal, diverse, inclusive and accessible borough.

Why did we do this:

Developing skills and job prospects and support to reduce poverty were two of citizens’ top priorities for making the borough a better place to live in.
Only 28% of citizens agreed the area was a good place for job opportunities (MEABC Citizens Survey 2022), and the number of financially insecure households had increased.
Almost 50% of citizens said they wanted to see more support services for children and families, and for people with disabilities (MEABC Citizens Survey 2022).
The issue of inclusion was highlighted during the review of the Community Plan (2022), particularly for people with disabilities and learning difficulties.
People from ethnic minority backgrounds, young people and older people were identified as being ‘at risk’.
This objective aligned with the Department for the Economy’s vision for Northern Ireland of creating jobs, increasing incomes, improving productivity and providing opportunities for all.
The actions provided opportunities for skills development and employment progression, offered health and wellbeing support, and helped improve equality of opportunity, accessibility and inclusivity.

Under this objective:

94% of indicators were achieved or on track (17 of 18), and
6% were delayed but progressing (1 of 18).

What you see:

Outcome: Opportunities to start your own business.
Measure	240 participants supported through start-up assistance via Go Succeed by 31 March 2025.
Status: Achieved	There were 325 participants supported through Go Succeed. (These figures are subject to quality assurance and may change).
Measure	107 jobs promoted through business start interventions by 31 March 2025.
Status: Achieved	There were 144 jobs promoted through business start interventions. These figures are subject to quality assurance and may change. For more information and analysis, please see Benchmarking section of this report.

Outcome: An active Mid and East Antrim Manufacturing Task Force.
Measure	At least 3 new Manufacturing Task Force members by 31 March 2025.
Status: Achieved	4 new organisations joined the Task Force during the year.
Measure	£40,000 of members’ in-kind time contributions by 31 March 2025.
Status: Achieved	Members’ collective in-kind time contributions were £43,560.

Outcome: Opportunities to take part in skills and employability programmes.
Measure	200 people participating in programmes by 31 March 2025.
Status: Achieved	There were 365 participants up to March 2025, and a further 90 up to June. Programmes included Transportation, Fibre Skills, Excel, Classroom Assistant, Childcare Upskilling, GP Administration, Phlebotomy, Cleantech Hydrogen, Welding and more. Future updates will be provided to the Council’s Environment and Economy Committee.
Measure	100 participants gaining employment via employment academies by 31 March 2025.
Status: Achieved	Despite a late start due to delayed funding, 83 participants had gained employment by the end of March 2025, with a further 36 gaining employment by June. Future updates will be provided to the Council’s Environment and Economy Committee.
Measure	150 participants securing qualifications by 31 March 2025.
Status: Achieved	There were 377 qualifications secured by the end of March 2025, and a further 130 by the end of June. These ranged from Excel and Mathematics to Pediatric First Aid, Safeguarding, Classroom Assistant, Customer Service, Food Hygiene, HGV, Telehandler and more. Future updates will be provided to the Council’s Environment and Economy Committee.

Outcome: Support to lead a healthy and active life.
Measure	MEAqua Strategy and Year 1 Action Plan (including the expansion of toddler and disability sessions) delivered by 31 March 2025.
Status: Achieved	Several improvements were made to the MEAqua programme during the year, including the expansion of swimming classes for parents and small children and the provision of Disability Swimming lessons in our 3 leisure centres. Our development plan for 2024-2027 will see further expansion for all age groups and abilities, from toddlers and learners to high-performance groups. Future updates will be provided to the Council's Neighbourhoods and Communities Committee.
Measure	12 outdoor events to involve a wide range of abilities by 31 March 2025.
Status: Achieved	There were 150 events delivered from festive trails, petting farms, crafting, bird box building and tree giveaways, to food and walking events, grandparent days, orienteering and more. Over 6,500 people attended these events.

Outcome: A borough that values, engages and supports everyone.
Measure	MEA Age-Friendly Strategy and Year 1 Action Plan launched by 30 June 2024.
Status: Achieved	The Age-Friendly Strategy and Action Plan (2024-2027) were both launched in September 2024.
Measure	Establish an Older Person’s Forum by 31 December 2024.
Status: Achieved	To ensure the voices of older people are heard across the borough the Agewell Lived Experience Group will act as the Older Person’s Forum and will attend meetings of the Age-Friendly Alliance.
Measure	MEA Age-Friendly Year 2 Action Plan confirmed by 28 February 2025.
Status: Achieved	The action plan was agreed in January 2025.
Measure	Autism-Friendly Action Plans implemented in 4 Council venues by 30 September 2024.
Status: Delayed but progressing	We have made strong progress in making our services and spaces more accessible and welcoming for autistic people. Our Arts and Museums centres are the latest of our services to act by introducing sensory spaces, and developing accessible signage and pre-visit guides. It is hoped these venues will complete their action plans and achieve the Autism NI Impact Award by the end of the year. Future updates will be provided to the Council’s Neighbourhoods and Communities Committee.
Measure	4 additional Autism Champions developed within Council by 30 September 2024.
Status Achieved	We trained and accredited 4 additional Autism Champions in September 2024, bringing the total number to 17. These individuals are dedicated to ensuring positive experiences for autistic people and their families when using our services.
Measure	An Autism-Awareness initiative Communications Plan developed by 30 September 2024.
Status: Achieved	Our Autism-Awareness Communications Plan has been developed and launched.
Measure	4 arts and culture events delivered to address loneliness and improve accessibility by 31 March 2025.
Status: Achieved	A range of events have been delivered, including a Rural Engagement Arts Programme and an Arts and Older People Programme, exhibitions, reminiscence sessions, a film screening, and an arts and nature-based workshop.
Measure	8 Council-managed community centres connected to full-fibre broadband by 31 March 2025.
Status: Achieved	All Council-managed community centres now have working internet and Wi-Fi.

Outcome: Collaboration with the Mid and East Antrim Poverty Action Group.
Measure	Attendance at Poverty Action Group meetings and support of initiatives.
Status: Achieved	This objective is partly achieved. Although the group did not formally meet during the year, members continued to actively support people across the borough. 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 residents.

Outcome: Collaboration with the Mid and East Antrim Poverty Action Group.

Measure

Attendance at Poverty Action Group meetings and support of initiatives.

Status:

Achieved

This objective is partly achieved. Although the group did not formally meet during the year, members continued to actively support people across the borough.

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 residents.

Self-Assessment Report 2024-25