Rural Needs Annual Monitoring Report 2020/21

Name of Public Authority: Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council
Reporting Period: April 2020 to March 2021

 

Description of the activity undertaken by the public authority which is subject to section 1(1) of the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016:  A booking system has been introduced for householders wishing to deposit recyclables and other waste at household recycling centres (HRCs). Householders can book an appointment either online or via the telephone. 

 

The rural policy area(s) which the activity relates to:  

The number of household recycling centres in the Borough is unaffected by the introduction of a booking system.  Of the 11 HRCs, 4 are located in or near the four main council area urban centres, the remaining 7 are located in or near rural villages.

 

Describe how the public authority has had due regard to rural needs when developing, adopting, implementing or revising the policy, strategy or plan or when designing or delivering the public service:

No change to service provision in rural areas.

 

 

 

Description of the activity undertaken by the public authority which is subject to section 1(1) of the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016:  Car Parking Permit Scheme at Townhead Street and East Strand car parks.  The scheme has originated as a result of a Council motion to mitigate the move from free to pay and display charging in specific car parks within our borough.

 

The rural policy area(s) which the activity relates to:  Urban shopping for individuals from urban and rural areas.  

 

Describe how the public authority has had due regard to rural needs when developing, adopting, implementing or revising the policy, strategy or plan or when designing or delivering the public service:

An informal consultation process will commence July 2020 which will identify any social or economic needs relevant to the proposed changes.  In addition a pilot will commence at the end of June 2020 to allow the identification of issues or suggestions for improvements which will then be taken to Council within the year for consideration.

As the proposal is to introduce parking charges in urban town centre car parks there may be additional costs for those in rural areas who wish to park in specific car parks. 

Again this may impact on travel to work commuters who use the current free car parks during working hours.

Socially it may cost more for individuals from rural areas to socialize in town during operational hours at areas near to the pay and display car parks. 

However it is Councils intention to mitigate this by clearly educating our citizens on alternative free parking and consider any issues or suggestions for improvements raised.  Information will be included on the website relating to alternative free car parking locations and if requested a hard copy of this information can be issued to individuals in large print.  The translation tool will also support those who’s first language is not English to change the language to a more suitable one.  Alternatively a virtual map could be devised and uploaded to the website.

The issues to date considered were:

Travel and cost
Parking
Accessibility
Internet accessibility
Disability specific needs such as large print or virtual maps
Socially relevant factors

As a result of new parking charges there may be increased costs with regards to travel to the area, bus routes are reasonably good to most central shopping hubs, however their usage may result in longer waiting times than for those who can drive. 

There are other alternative free carparks in the local vicinity to support parking and reduce costs as well as on road parking which would reduce walking distances.  There is adequate accessible car parking at the other sites and these will be kept under review.  All current car parks meet accessibility requirements.

Any other factors raised will be considered following consultation.  Socially relevant factors not presently known will be taken into account as a result of the consultation and pilot feedback.

Any identified needs will be taken into consideration.  Any future needs identified via the informal consultation and or pilot will be taken into consideration.

 

 

 

Description of the activity undertaken by the public authority which is subject to section 1(1) of the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016:  Causeway Coast and Glens Grant Funding Policy is to outline the Council’s agreed approach to Grant Funding in relation to resourcing external bodies to assist in the delivery of Council’s strategic objectives and priorities.

 

The rural policy area(s) which the activity relates to:  The impacts are dependent on the grant usage/project funded and could cover or include in full or any part of; any of the above rural policy areas.

 

Describe how the public authority has had due regard to rural needs when developing, adopting, implementing or revising the policy, strategy or plan or when designing or delivering the public service:

The social and economic needs of the people within the Council area are highlighted through the elected representatives this is evident through the commission of 17 grant programmes delivered annually, supporting:
Community and Social Development,
Sports and Well Being,
Community Safety,
Good relations,
Cultural and Art focus development,
Community and Sports Capital infrastructure and Business Enterprise.

Oversubscription of the grant programmes is an annual occurrence and highlights the need for support through the whole Council area in the urban and rural settlements.

In addition the needs of the local rural areas is evident in Causeway Coast and Glens delivering a £9.6 million investment from the Rural Development Programme.  To date key projects have been delivered through various strands to help support and develop rural applicants through; Rural Business Investment Scheme, Village Renewal Scheme, Rural Broadband Scheme, Rural Basic Services Scheme and Local Action Group Co-operation.  These projects were developed as a result of identifying and targeting specific rural needs and inequalities.  To date these schemes have contributed towards enhancing rural life, tackling poverty in rural areas, increasing social interaction, improving education, networking, good relations and collaboration.  These are further improved by the on-going networking between Council and Local Action Groups including the opportunities for local groups to work together on projects with similar aims and objectives.

The level of funding that has been applied for and delivered within the rural areas clearly shows the social and economic need identified by the Causeway Coast and Glens Council. 

The grant funding policy outlines the process which Council will follow with regards to any funding award.  As such no set social and economic needs are specifically detailed in the policy.

The policy itself will not have a direct impact on individuals in rural areas; however all funding awards are ’based on established need’ which may relate to rural areas.  As detailed in the previous section grants can cover all the identified as Rural Policy areas and may relate solely to one or touch on a variety depending on the project proposed for funding.

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Description of the activity undertaken by the public authority which is subject to section 1(1) of the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016:  Development of a draft Community Development Strategy 2020-23

 

The rural policy area(s) which the activity relates to:  Education or Training; Health or Social Care Services; Poverty; Deprivation; Rural Development

 

Describe how the public authority has had due regard to rural needs when developing, adopting, implementing or revising the policy, strategy or plan or when designing or delivering the public service:

Through the consultation process for development of the draft Community Development Strategy the following are the social and economic needs that were specifically evident in rural areas:

Great levels of social isolation
Poor provision of facilities for leisure activities, sporting activities, training, health etc.
Longer distance to travel to access Council facilities
Longer distance to travel to access health and other facilities
Poor public transport links
Increased costs for groups as a result of transport hire costs
Poor broadband and in some cases mobile phone coverage
Most Council provided community centres are in urban areas (although this differs between legacy Council area) so many rural community groups provide their own community centres, the costs of which are becoming increasingly difficult to sustain.

Consideration was given to how best to deliver services, programmes and projects that were accessible to rural community groups, in terms of venues for and times of provision e.g. advice drop in  times provision, community group training etc. 

Consideration was also given as to how best to support rural community groups to address the needs identified in Section 3D using a community development approach- carrying out community engagement activities, identifying needs and solutions, connecting with Council and statutory bodies, lobbying, developing projects, securing funding etc.

An Action Plan has been identified to deliver the Community Development Strategy and identified within this are actions to develop a Community Centres Strategy that will review the current methods of provision/ support for community centres in Causeway Coast and Glens and identify a range of delivery models which will include support for community centre provision in rural areas.

The development of the draft Community Development Strategy has been influenced by the needs of communities across Causeway Coast and Glens whether they are defined by geography, identity or interest. Because of the significant rural nature of Causeway Coast and Glens the needs of rural communities are particularly to the fore. The needs identified specific to rural areas such as access to services, poor transport links, increased cost of delivering services and providing community facilities have influenced the development of the Strategy and design of the associated Action Plan.

 

 

 

Description of the activity undertaken by the public authority which is subject to section 1(1) of the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016:  The project is to determine opinions, location and design of a potential memorial which remembers those who lost their lives in the Bomb in 1973 at Railway Road, Coleraine and present same to Council for decision.

 

The rural policy area(s) which the activity relates to:  The memorial relates to an event which occurred in the town centre and therefore has no direct impact on people who live in rural areas.  However the viewpoints of individuals living in both rural and urban areas will be considered as part of the overall consultation process.  The only point whereby it may have a direct impact on individuals from rural areas is when visiting the final location or actual site of the memorial.  At that point rural needs will be covered by other policies such as parking.

 

Describe how the public authority has had due regard to rural needs when developing, adopting, implementing or revising the policy, strategy or plan or when designing or delivering the public service:

A formal consultation process will commence mid November 2020 which will identify any social or economic needs or impacts relevant to the memorial.

As the memorial will be based in Coleraine there may be issues with regards to travel to the area; however bus routes are reasonably good to Coleraine as it is a central shopping hub.  However impacts will be reviewed following the consultation process as the options for the memorial may change the current perceived impacts.  At present it is known that the area where the incident occurred is near to the train station and a Council pay and display car park.

If the memorial was placed near to the actual site, then the pay and display carpark in the local vicinity would support parking and reduce the walking distance to the site.

Information will be included on the website relating to the consultation process as will information relating to the options for council’s consideration.  If requested a hard copy of the detail can be issued to individuals in large print, alternatively this information can be downloaded from the website.

The issues to date considered were:

• Travel

• Parking

• Accessibility

• Internet accessibility

• Disability specific needs such as large print
   or virtual view of options

• Cost

• Socially relevant factors

 

The consultation will cover:

• individual’s views on any memorial,

• location of any memorial and

• proposed style and structure of any memorial. 

Once further information is available following the consultation this assessment will be reviewed to consider issues with regards to travel to the area, bus routes, impact on current services and access to the proposed location.

Socially relevant factors will be taken into account at the design phase through the formal consultation process – individuals will be able to comment and make suggestions as to potential design options.

Following the consultation the actual proposed designs for the memorial will be reviewed to meet accessibility requirements as appropriate.

It is anticipated that visits to the memorial will be free, thus causing no financial impact to those from rural or urban areas.

Any of the previously identified needs will be taken into consideration.  Any future needs identified via the formal consultation will be taken into consideration and updated at that time.
 

 

 

 

Description of the activity undertaken by the public authority which is subject to section 1(1) of the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016:  Provision of a new Economic Development Strategy for the Borough

 

The rural policy area(s) which the activity relates to:  Rural Businesses; Rural Tourism; Jobs or employment; Education or Training; Broadband or Mobile Communications

 

Describe how the public authority has had due regard to rural needs when developing, adopting, implementing or revising the policy, strategy or plan or when designing or delivering the public service:

The following is a summary of the overarching elements identified through the analysis of need for the Causeway Coast and Glens Strategy:

Economic Impacts:
Job creation is the priority;
Poverty reduction;
Economic prosperity;       
Opportunities for young people;

Business opportunities for women.      
 

Social Impacts:
Promoting social inclusion;
Village enhancement –vibrant villages.      

Also mentioned:
Basic service provision;
Good community infrastructure;
Empowering  local  people  to  get  more  involved  in  their  community  issues  and  also empowering business people to be better entrepreneurs.

Research highlighted that socially individuals in rural areas my feel more isolated, therefore projects surrounding the promotion of social inclusion were developed to tackle this issue.

In addition individuals who live in rural areas often have to travel long distances to work, so job creation and schemes supporting up-skilling have been made a priority.

It is anticipated that knock-on effects will relate to poverty reduction, economic prosperity and increased opportunities for young people and business women.  To achieve this good community infrastructure is required as this will empower local people to get involved in community issues.

Improved services in villages will lead to their enhancement and improve local service provision.

Many of the themes raised within the consultation for the economic development strategy are now covered within the wider document. 

This includes the need to ensure that programmes such as Alchemy and Business Start are accessible to and promoted in rural areas, or rather that enhanced promotion needs to take place.

Prosperity and Place undertakes regular roadshows to promote its services, and this always includes harder-to-reach areas in rural districts as well as Rathlin Island.

In addition improvements to the digital infrastructure of the Council area has and will continue to support increased business utilisation; therefore a central hub can be accessed via the web, by email or telephone to support entrepreneurs.    In addition information can be supplied in alternative formats or languages.

 

 

 

Description of the activity undertaken by the public authority which is subject to section 1(1) of the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016:  Digital Strategy

 

The rural policy area(s) which the activity relates to:  Rural Businesses; Rural Tourism; Rural Housing; Jobs or Employment; Education or Training; Broadband or Mobile Communications; Rural Development

 

Describe how the public authority has had due regard to rural needs when developing, adopting, implementing or revising the policy, strategy or plan or when designing or delivering the public service:

Economically:

The only costs incurred by this strategy are to Council.

Socially:

Population of the region currently stands at 144,838. 

Population by age – 18.4% are 0 to 14, 35.9% are 15-44, 27.3% are 45-64 and 18.4% are 65+.

Gender – 49.5% of population are male and 50.5% are female.

Dependents – 33% of population have at least one dependent.

Labour Market – 66% economically active, with 61% of people employed and 26% self-employed. 3% of people are claiming unemployment of this 22% are aged 18-24.

The median annual earnings for people living in the area is £19,900.

Education – 16% have no qualifications, 56% have achieved a qualification below NVQ Level 4 and 28% have achieved a qualification higher than NVQ Level 4.

Religious Beliefs – 40% are Catholic, 55% are Protestant, 1% have other religion and 5% have no religion.

Political Opinion – 49% are Unionist, 35% are Nationalist and 16% are Independent

Marital Status – 53% are married, 35% are single, 6% are divorced and 7% are widowed

Racial Group – 91% identify are being from NI, 5% from rest of UK and the remainder from outside UK

Sources: 2011 UK Census and Invest NI Council Area Briefing 2019

For this strategy, Council has considered the geographical make-up of the Borough and the needs of those in remote, rural areas who will require an upgrade to their digital connectivity and skillsets.  Indeed, there are some areas within the Borough that have no digital connectivity or digital skills at all, leading to an increased sense of isolation. 

As this strategy will not cost the residents of the Borough any money, the outcome of a coherent roll-out plan will only be beneficial to all the stakeholders.

Council has identified the need for improved broadband connections in rural areas, this strategy will enable Council to develop a coherent plan for the roll-out of FFNI and Project Stratum within these areas.  Council has also identified a need for up skilling to take place in relation to digital applications, enabling those in rural areas to remain connected.  Council had employed a consultancy firm to provide expertise and engagement with the community. 

Council will continually review the progress of the roll-out plan and if necessary, will engage with key stakeholders to ensure that all their needs are being fully catered for.

 

 

 

Description of the activity undertaken by the public authority which is subject to section 1(1) of the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016:  LiveSmart Community Environmental Grant Programme 2021-22 (pilot scheme).  A grant application scheme to engage local groups and organisations in raising environmental standards in places where people live, work, relax and live.

 

The rural policy area(s) which the activity relates to:  Groups and organisations in rural areas can apply on the same basis as those based in non-rural areas.

 

Describe how the public authority has had due regard to rural needs when developing, adopting, implementing or revising the policy, strategy or plan or when designing or delivering the public service:

No change to service provision in rural areas.

 

 

 

 

Description of the activity undertaken by the public authority which is subject to section 1(1) of the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016:  Planning Application Checklist – advice and guidance to applicants

 

The rural policy area(s) which the activity relates to:  All Areas

 

Describe how the public authority has had due regard to rural needs when developing, adopting, implementing or revising the policy, strategy or plan or when designing or delivering the public service:

The basic information required for a planning application for those in rural areas is set out in the Planning (General Development Procedures) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2016 and in planning policy statements.  The Checklist pulls all of this information together in one document to make it easily accessible to people in rural areas in terms of other supporting information that is likely to be required to be submitted for their planning application.

The basic information and other supporting information contained within the Checklist is already a requirement of planning legislation and planning policy statements. 

 

 

 

Description of the activity undertaken by the public authority which is subject to section 1(1) of the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016: A revision/update of the Council’s Statement of Community Involvement in Planning (SCI).

 

The rural policy area(s) which the activity relates to:  Rural Businesses; Rural Tourism; Rural Housing; Jobs or Employment; Education or Training; Broadband or Mobile Communications; Transport Services or Infrastructure; Health or Social Care Services; Poverty; Deprivation
Rural Crime or Community Safety; Rural Development; Agri-Environment
 

 

Describe how the public authority has had due regard to rural needs when developing, adopting, implementing or revising the policy, strategy or plan or when designing or delivering the public service:

Planning applications in relation to social and economic needs of people in rural areas may be determined at the Planning Committee meeting.

People in rural area may wish to participate in the Council’s Development Plan functions.

People from rural areas will be able to view information online, submit representations electronically or have someone attend Committee, or other meetings, on their behalf.

Virtual meetings/workshops can be accommodated where relevant.