Elite Athlete / Gold Card Scheme - Rural Needs Assessment
Elite Athlete / Gold Card Scheme Rural Needs Impact Assessment
| SECTION 1 - Defining the activity subject to Section 1(1) of the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016 |
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| 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. | |
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Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s Elite Athlete / Gold Card Scheme is an incentive to help support local athletes who are competing at an elite level of excellence in their chosen sport. |
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| 1C. Please indicate which category the activity specified in Section 1B above relates to. | |
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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 ☐ |
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| 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. | |
| Elite Athlete / Gold Card Scheme | |
| 1E. Please provide details of the aims and/or objectives of the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service. | |
| To give recognition to all sports persons from Causeway Coast and Glens Borough area that have attained Provincial / International level / National Champions in their chosen sport. Such sports persons will (subject to meeting designated criteria), be admitted to the Scheme and will be permitted to use on an individual basis identified facilities owned and managed by Council on a complimentary basis. This is in recognition of the sportspersons achievements and to support their high level of physical preparation in their chosen sport. | |
| 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. ☐ |
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| 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 |
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| 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. | |
| The scheme will impact on sportspersons from both rural and urban areas who meet the minimum designated criteria and will be permitted to use on an individual basis identified facilities owned and managed by Council on a complimentary basis. Optional facilities are based in both rural and urban areas; however, in some circumstances rural dwellers may have further to travel to their chosen site. The impact of additional travel will be mitigated by the free use of the facility to train or prepare. This provision will encourage all sportspersons to continue in their chosen sport and encourage others as a role-model. | |
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| 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. | |
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It supports the opportunity for sportspersons regardless of age, income levels, social background, to train and prepare for participation in their chosen sport. Currently rural dwellers not only have to support their travel, but also the cost of using the facility. This scheme will support rural dwellers to reduce the costs of training and increase their social interaction with other athletes. The reduction in costs may in some cases provide additional encouragement for rural athletes to continue in their sport. |
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| 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. | |
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SECTION 3 - |
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| 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. | |
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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). ☒ |
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| 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. | |
| The social and economic needs of people in rural areas have been identified using published statistics from the Northern Ireland Census. However the planned consultation process will facilitate consultation with rural groups, sport clubs, the local equality forum and elected representatives. | |
| 3D. Please provide details of the social and economic needs of people in rural areas which have been identified by the Public Authority? | |
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Socially individuals from rural areas tend to have to travel longer distances to partake in sporting activities, incur increased costs associated with training due to their residing location and have reduced opportunities to socialize with other sportspeople. This may mean that an increased number of individuals give up their sporting dreams or their families have to spend an increased part of their wage to support their participation. Although the provision of public transport may alleviate this to some degree it may not always be available to suit all training schedules. All Leisure Centres in the borough have good parking availability. In addition the lack of interaction with other sportspeople may also be reduced. The provision of the scheme across the Borough means that individuals from various areas can avail of this provision and the associated health benefits regardless of the area they live in, their income, employment status, or family size. |
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| 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? | |
| SECTION 4 - Considering the Social and Economic Needs of Persons in Rural Areas |
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| 4A. Please provide details of the issues considered in relation to the social and economic needs of people in rural areas. | |
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Research by the economic development section highlighted that socially individuals in rural areas my feel more isolated, therefore the opportunity for increased social inclusion may improve this issue. In addition individuals who live in rural areas often have to travel longer distances to take part in sporting activities, so schemes encouraging free participation may again support the economic impact. It is anticipated that knock-on effects will relate to a reduction in costs and increased opportunities for athletes of all ages. |
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| SECTION 5 - Influencing the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service |
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| 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. | |
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Yes, the scheme will be consulted via the use of community groups and sport clubs across the borough. Once finalized the scheme will be both accessible to and promoted in rural areas. The increased use of technology to book training slots will support rural dwellers to pre-book fitness / swim sessions at a time which best suits their needs. |
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| 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. | |
| SECTION 6 - Documenting and Recording |
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| 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: | Sport & Wellbeing Development Unit Manager |
| Division/Branch | Leisure Services Department |
| Date: | 14 October 2021 |
| Rural Needs Impact Assessment approved by: | Director of Leisure Services Department |
| Division/Branch | Leisure & Development |
| Date: | 23 November 2021 |