Rural Needs Assessment - Provision of a new Litter Strategy for the Borough.

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   ☐ 

Towards a LitterSmart Borough – Causeway Coast and Glens Litter Strategy 2021-2025*

* Title may be subject to change

With a rural population of around 52% of the total Borough population, the Strategy will have an impact on our rural dwellers. The action plan incorporated into the Strategy encourages participation in litter minimization activity from individuals, groups, businesses, schools etc. whether they are rural or urban based.

The Litter Strategy will benefit all members of society regardless of where they live.  

The viewpoints of individuals living in both rural and urban areas will be considered as part of the overall consultation process.  Community groups will be contacted to specifically encourage consultation in rural areas and provide an opportunity for discussion and review of the draft strategy.

The strategy may have a greater impact on people in rural areas; as littering not only adversely affects the environment in which they live, but also may adversely affect their livelihoods for example farming (by endangering farm animals) or a tourist based business (where the area becomes unsightly). 

Those in rural areas experience littering in the form of fly-tipping, private property dumping and littering from vehicles.  In some locations due to the isolation of the area there is greater opportunity to dump more with reduced risk of being seen.

This is why the strategy includes context specific communication initiatives to target relevant audiences, includes a dedicated number and email for timely reporting and also why we have partnered with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency to facilitate a joined-up approach.

SECTION 3 -
Identifying the Social and Economic Needs of Persons 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).      ☐ 

N/A

To date the strategy has considered the specific needs of people in rural areas and included elements to mitigate the adverse-effects of littering to this section of our community.  In addition the partnership with Northern Ireland Environment Agency will support a joined up approach to rural fly-tipping and the identification of specific relevant impacts.

However the formal consultation process will support a more in-depth understanding of needs and how they can align to improve the strategy and its overall impact.