Review of Planning Enforcement Strategy Rural Needs Impact Assessment

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Review of Planning Enforcement Strategy Rural Needs Impact Assessment

SECTION 1 - Defining the activity subject to Section 1(1) of the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016

1A. Name of Public Authority.
Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council


1B. Please provide a short title which describes the activity being undertaken by the Public Authority that is subject to Section 1(1) of the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016.
Review of Planning Enforcement Strategy


1C. Please indicate which category the activity specified in Section 1B above relates to.
Developing a Policy ☐ Strategy ☐ Plan ☐ Adopting a Policy ☐ Strategy ☐ Plan ☐ Implementing a Policy ☐ Strategy ☐ Plan ☐ Revising a Policy ☐ Strategy ☒ Plan ☐ Designing a Public Service ☐ Delivering a Public Service ☐


1D. Please provide the official title (if any) of the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service document or initiative relating to the category indicated in Section 1C above.
Review of the Planning Enforcement Strategy


1E. Please provide details of the aims and/or objectives of the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service.
The review of the Planning Enforcement Strategy sets out how council will undertake the role of enforcing planning control in addition to setting out the standards of service the public can expect. It explains how Council will manage planning enforcement complaints. The review sets out the service standards, prioritising of cases and the ability to take action where it is considered expedient to do so.


1F. What definition of ‘rural’ is the Public Authority using in respect of the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service?
Population Settlements of less than 5,000 (Default definition). ☒ Other Definition (Provide details and the rationale below). ☐ A definition of ‘rural’ is not applicable. ☐

Details of alternative definition of ‘rural’ used.
N/A

Rationale for using alternative definition of ‘rural’.
N/A

Reasons why a definition of ‘rural’ is not applicable.
N/A



SECTION 2 - Understanding the impact of the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service


2A. Is the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service likely to impact on people in rural areas?
Yes ☒ No ☐ If the response is NO GO TO Section 2E.


2B. Please explain how the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service is likely to impact on people in rural areas.
Those people living in rural areas who wish to participate in the enforcement process will be impacted by the procedures contained within this reviewed Strategy. This impact relates to whether submitting a complaint regarding alleged unauthorised development or providing information to defend their position regarding the allegation of unauthorised works. The strategy facilitates the inclusion of rural needs in that adjustments have been incorporated to support individuals. This includes the ability for those individuals who have difficulties travelling, as they can submit information electronically. Those with poor internet connectivity, can have someone else participate on their behalf Those with impairments can access the service easily and the Strategy provides clarity with regards to the process Service standards outline what they can expect from the service.


2C. If the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service is likely to impact on people in rural areas differently from people in urban areas, please explain how it is likely to impact on people in rural areas differently.
It is not considered that the revised Strategy will impact on people in rural areas differently from people in urban areas as it applies equally to all involved in the enforcement process.


2D. Please indicate which of the following rural policy areas the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service is likely to primarily impact on.
Rural Businesses	☒
Rural Tourism	☒
Rural Housing	☒
Jobs or Employment in Rural Areas	☒
Education or Training in Rural Areas	☒
Broadband or Mobile Communications in Rural Areas	☒
Transport Services or Infrastructure in Rural Areas	☒
Health or Social Care Services in Rural Areas	☒
Poverty in Rural Areas Deprivation in Rural Areas	☒
Rural Crime or Community Safety	☒
Rural Development	☒
Agri-Environment	☒
Other (Please state):
If the response to Section 2A was YES GO TO Section 3A.


2E. Please explain why the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service is NOT likely to impact on people in rural areas.
Applies to all citizens of the Borough and will have no greater impact on those that live in rural areas than existing measures. There is the provision for electronic communication and the opportunity for others to speak on their behalf. Service standards set out clearly what they can expect from the service.



SECTION 3 - Identifying the Social and Economic Needs of Persons in Rural Areas


3A. Has the Public Authority taken steps to identify the social and economic needs of people in rural areas that are relevant to the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service?
Yes ☐ No ☒ If the response is NO GO TO Section 3E.


3B. Please indicate which of the following methods or information sources were used by the Public Authority to identify the social and economic needs of people in rural areas.
Consultation with Rural Stakeholders ☐ Published Statistics ☒ Consultation with Other Organisations ☐ Research Papers ☐ Surveys or Questionnaires ☐ Other Publications ☐ Other Methods or Information Sources (include details in Question 3C below). ☐


3C. Please provide details of the methods and information sources used to identify the social and economic needs of people in rural areas including relevant dates, names of organisations, titles of publications, website references, details of surveys or consultations undertaken etc.
Information has been taken from the NISRA Census 2011.


3D. Please provide details of the social and economic needs of people in rural areas which have been identified by the Public Authority?

If the response to Section 3A was YES GO TO Section 4A.


3E. Please explain why no steps were taken by the Public Authority to identify the social and economic needs of people in rural areas?
This reviewed Strategy relates to the process for dealing with receipt of complaints and taking action against unauthorised development. It does not directly impact the social and economic needs of people in rural areas. The strategy incorporates adjustments to assist individuals accessing the service such as the ability for those individuals who have difficulties travelling, as they can submit information electronically. Those with poor internet connectivity, can have someone else participate on their behalf Those with impairments can access the service easily Service standards set out clearly what they can expect from the service.



SECTION 4 - Considering the Social and Economic Needs of Persons in Rural Areas


4A. Please provide details of the issues considered in relation to the social and economic needs of people in rural areas.
Enforcement cases in relation to social and economic needs of people in rural areas will be considered taking into account whether it is expedient to take formal action. The alleged offender will have the opportunity to provide any supporting information to demonstrate if their development is immune from enforcement action, benefits from planning permission, negotiate to resolve the planning issues identified etc. People from rural areas will be able to submit complaints/information electronically or have someone represent on their behalf.




SECTION 5 - Influencing the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service


5A. Has the development, adoption, implementation or revising of the Policy, Strategy or Plan, or the design or delivery of the Public Service, been influenced by the rural needs identified?
Yes ☐ No ☒ If the response is NO GO TO Section 5C.


5B. Please explain how the development, adoption, implementation or revising of the Policy, Strategy or Plan, or the design or delivery of the Public Service, has been influenced by the rural needs identified.
Ability to make complaints, submit information electronically without having to attend the Council offices; also can have someone represent on their behalf. Sets out clearly for all the level of service they can expect from the service.
If the response to Section 5A was YES GO TO Section 6A.


5C. Please explain why the development, adoption, implementation or revising of the Policy, Strategy or Plan, or the design or the delivery of the Public Service, has NOT been influenced by the rural needs identified.
This is a review of the Planning Enforcement Strategy. It does not directly impact the social and economic needs of people in rural areas. Those in rural areas can submit complaints, supporting information electronically or have someone represent on their behalf.


SECTION 6 - Documenting and Recording


6A. Please tick below to confirm that the RNIA Template will be retained by the Public Authority and relevant information on the Section 1 activity compiled in accordance with paragraph 6.7 of the guidance.
I confirm that the RNIA Template will be retained and relevant information compiled. ☒


Rural Needs Impact Assessment undertaken by:	Head of Planning
Division/Branch	Planning Department
Date	8 September 2021


Rural Needs Impact Assessment approved by:	Head of Policy and Community Planning
Division/Branch	Corporate Services
Date:	8 September 2021