Rural Needs Annual Monitoring Report 2019/20
Name of Public Authority: Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council
Reporting Period: April 2019 to March 2020
Description of the activity undertaken by the public authority which is subject to section 1(1) of the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016: 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; and 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 Community Development Strategy the following social and economic needs 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 pubic 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 eg 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 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: Good Relations Action Plan.
The rural policy area(s) which the activity relates to: Transport Services or Infrastructure.
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 Good Relations Audit identified that 17% of population in the council area live in rural settlements and 36% live in the wider rural area. It was therefore necessary to ensure that they too have access to the projects being delivered Borough wide and that one of the issues that could prevent participation is transport, particularly due to the perception by respondents that there is a lack of public transportation in rural areas.
Lack of transportation to participate in projects - the Good Relations team will consider delivery of each project and when appropriate will rotate venues for project delivery to try to facilitate access.
Transport will be provided to ensure that participation on projects accessible for everyone, particularly those living in rural communities.
Description of the activity undertaken by the public authority which is subject to section 1(1) of the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016: Review of Scheme of Delegation for Planning function.
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; and 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:
This revised Policy relates to what Planning applications will be delegated to authorised officers of the Council and those to be determined by the Council’s Planning Committee. The revisions do not change or negatively impact people in rural areas. It provides for faster decision making whilst retaining the decision-making by the Planning Committee on certain applications. It provides the opportunity to make amendments to applications where these amendments would result in an approved decision.
Applicants will have the opportunity to submit further information within specified deadlines and the public will have the opportunity to make representations both electronically or by post.
Description of the activity undertaken by the public authority which is subject to section 1(1) of the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016: Protocol for the Operation of the Planning Committee.
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; and 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 from rural areas will be able to submit representations electronically or have someone attend Committee meeting on their behalf.
There will be the ability to make representation electronically without having to attend the Committee meeting and applicants can also have someone attend to speak on their behalf.
Description of the activity undertaken by the public authority which is subject to section 1(1) of the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016: Atlantic Link Enterprise Campus.
The rural policy area(s) which the activity relates to: Rural Businesses, Jobs or Employment.
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:
Socially:
• Population of the region currently stands at 144,226.
• Population by age – 20% are 0 to 15, 29% are 16-39, 33% are 40-64 and 18% are 65+.
• Gender – 49% of population are male and 51% 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
The Atlantic Link Enterprise Campus was developed based on considerations relating to the potential to create more jobs in the region by attracting international investors to the area. The Enterprise Campus is located on the Portstewart Road and has provided the opportunity for redevelopment to occur.
The full significance of the Atlantic Link Enterprise Campus will not be realized until future tenants have been secured for the remainder of the premises. It is hoped that these tenants will bring prosperity to Coleraine and surrounding rural areas.
CCGBC has identified that Coleraine and the surrounding areas would greatly benefit from outside investment in the region, providing more employment opportunities. The Enterprise Campus includes many incentives that will hopefully encourage this substantial investment.
Council will continually review the progress of the Atlantic Link Enterprise Campus and if necessary, will engage with key stakeholders to ensure that all their needs are being fully addressed.
Description of the activity undertaken by the public authority which is subject to section 1(1) of the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016: 5G Communications.
The rural policy area(s) which the activity relates to: Rural Businesses, Rural Tourism, Rural Housing, Jobs or Employment, 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:
Socially:
• Population of the region currently stands at 144,226.
• Population by age – 20% are 0 to 15, 29% are 16-39, 33% are 40-64 and 18% are 65+.
• Gender – 49% of population are male and 51% 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 proposal, 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 internet connection the most. Indeed, there are some areas within the Borough that have no broadband connection at all, leading to an increased sense of isolation.
Those affected by the lack of broadband connection are the target audience for this 5G communication roll-out and they will benefit most from the process.
As this proposal 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 proposal will enable Council to develop a coherent plan for the roll-out of 5G communications within these areas. Council has 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: Girona Energy Project Update.
The rural policy area(s) which the activity relates to: Rural Businesses, Rural Housing, Poverty.
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:
Socially:
• Population of the region currently stands at 144,226.
• Population by age – 20% are 0 to 15, 29% are 16-39, 33% are 40-64 and 18% are 65+.
• Gender – 49% of population are male and 51% 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
The Girona Energy Project has considered the economic impact that a micro-grid would have on the region. The project would provide the opportunity to purchase electricity at off peak times and store this energy for use throughout the day, significantly reducing the cost of energy for everyone connected to the micro-grid.
Almost 60% of the businesses in the Borough are in the Engineering, Manufacturing and Agri-Food sectors, in general, these businesses are located in rural locations. The micro-grid will allow these businesses to reduce reliance on the National Grid, providing more freedom of choice in how they operate.
As funding has already been secured and future funding opportunities continually being explored, there is no risk to the residents of the Borough. The successful implementation of a micro-grid in Coleraine will only be beneficial to all the stakeholders involved.
Council has identified the need for access to alternative energy supplies in rural areas, CCGBC supporting this project will provide the following benefits to the rural community.
• To alleviate fuel poverty and decarbonise lifestyles;
• Improve network resilience / energy security;
• Support housing build programmes;
• Enable business expansion / economic growth;
• Provide evidence to support / inform decision making in relation to policies; regulations; and business investment;
• Showcase NI skills and expertise;
• Attract inward investment;
• Opportunity for skills building - higher value jobs; and
• Production of exportable products and services.
Council will continually review the progress of the Girona Energy Project and if necessary will engage with key stakeholders to ensure that all their needs are being fully addressed.