Rural Needs Annual Monitoring Report 2022/23
Name of Public Authority: Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council
Reporting Period: April 2022 to March 2023
Description of the activity undertaken by the public authority which is subject to section 1(1) of the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016: Design of a Stained Glass Window to commemorate NI 100.
The rural policy area(s) which the activity relates to: Use of Council Buildings and access to services therein
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 rural needs have been identified.
Description of the activity undertaken by the public authority which is subject to section 1(1) of the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016: The development and introduction of a Council-wide Fleet Safety Policy.
The rural policy area(s) which the activity relates to: Transport Services or Infrastructure in Rural Areas Safe provision of services in 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:
At policy design stage the following factors were taken into account:
Bringing services to rural communities
Geographical dispersion
Fleet failures impact: service provision, service quality, greater economic cost for service users to avail of a comparable service.
Impacts on small businesses who rely on doorstep Refuse Collection.
Social interaction through the provision of services may reduce isolation determined via the Economic Development Strategy.
In rural areas reductions in harmful emissions will also have a positive impact on rural communities which often rely on farming for their livelihood.
As a result, operational routes are periodically reviewed to ensure optimum utilization.
Description of the activity undertaken by the public authority which is subject to section 1(1) of the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016: Implementation of the Covid Recovery Small Settlements Regeneration Programme (CRSSRP)
The rural policy area(s) which the activity relates to: Business, Tourism, Jobs or Employment, poverty and deprivation in 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:
Extensive consultation has been undertaken in the Settlements through the Rural Development Village Renewal Programme 2014-2020 which highlighted the lack of public transport, lack of activity programmes for young people and the elderly populations. Other issues such as lack of recreation facilities, walking paths, outdoor games and play areas particularly relating to children with disabilities were highlighted along with a sense of dereliction of street furniture and outdoor spaces.
The needs of rural dwellers has informed the direction of resources towards rural areas with regards to regeneration.
Description of the activity undertaken by the public authority which is subject to section 1(1) of the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016: A Better Future Together for Causeway Coast and Glens Community Plan and Delivery Plan.
The rural policy area(s) which the activity relates to: The Community Plan will set out the long-term vision, desired outcomes and indicators for the social, economic and environmental well-being of the area.
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:
Development of a baseline of the existing conditions and key issues in the area. Based on this statistical evidence and information gathered following a range of Thematic Working Group meetings, Public meetings and other engagement processes, the Community Plan contained three population outcomes, supported by twelve intermediate outcomes
Information was identified and collated on the social, economic, and environmental needs of the area in the context of regional, national and European policies and strategies, taking account of communities and issues that extend into neighbouring council areas and jurisdictions.
Issues such as access to public/sustainable transport networks, social isolation, access to services and facilities are more pronounced in rural areas. This informed the prioritisation of issues during the development of more specific strategic actions (Delivery Plan). Examples of which include but are not limited to: Local Housing Need, Local Transport, Age Friendly Strategy, Loneliness Network, Anti-Poverty, collaborative working for Children and Young People and protection of natural heritage, led by DAERA.
Specific issues rural citizens experience including:
Rural workers (91%) are also much more likely to use private transport to commute.
Broadband speed and availability, though improving, is still much lower in rural areas
Access to public transport in rural areas is much lower than that in towns and cities - journey times to key services by car are on average twice as long for rural dwellers
Rural pensioners are nearly twice as likely to experience relative or absolute poverty than their urban counterparts (Key Rural Issues 2020, DAERA)
Data was sourced Borough wide, and where available at DEA level to measure progress over the lifetime of the Community Plan.
Rural residents have been engaged through face-to-face meetings via our libraries, consultation drop-in sessions in rural and urban settings and public/ elected members questionnaire.
Individuals attending our libraries consultation drop-in sessions continue to highlight issues such as access to public/sustainable transport networks, social isolation, access to services and facilities and more so currently due to the current cost of living crisis.
Description of the activity undertaken by the public authority which is subject to section 1(1) of the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016: Citizens’ Newsletter Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council
The rural policy area(s) which the activity relates to: Communication Plan
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:
Distribution and online publication of the Citizens’ Newsletter directly to all households across the borough.
Description of the activity undertaken by the public authority which is subject to section 1(1) of the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016: Vehicle, Plant and Machinery Asset Policy
The rural policy area(s) which the activity relates to: Internal Policy
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 rural needs have been identified.