Growth Deal Rural Needs 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.
Growth Deal
1C. Please indicate which category the activity specified in Section 1B above relates to.
Developing a plan, Designing and 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.
Growth Deal.
1E. Please provide details of the aims and/or objectives of the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service.
The objectives of the Growth Deal are to:
• Attract, support and grow more business, with a focus on export;
• Position Causeway Coast and Glens as the ‘go-to’ sub region for both business and pleasure;
• Regenerate some of our smaller settlements into thriving and sustainable rural economies;
• Improve key elements of the tourism transport network and tourism destinations;
• Work with education and employers to raise aspirations and improve employability and skills.
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).
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 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.
With a rural population of around 52% within the borough, the Growth Deal projects will have a positive impact on our rural dwellers. In particular, the regeneration projects identified will benefit two villages (Bushmills and Dungiven) that would not otherwise qualify for such interventions due to their size. The infrastructure projects will increase connectivity around the North Coast and the innovation projects aspire to bring high paid, highly skilled jobs to the region, creating improved employment options for our rural population.
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.
The Growth Deal will benefit all members of society regardless of how where they are located. Certain themes will provide more impact to those situated in rural areas. For example, the development of digital hubs will encourage more remote working and in turn improve the work/life balance of those living in rural locations. It is also hoped that the development of a Business Innovation and Incubation Hub will attract companies who can created higher paying jobs, reducing the levels of deprivation across the Borough. Within Tourism & Regeneration, a project to develop greenways is under consideration, this has potential to enhance connectivity and bring more tourism opportunities to rural areas.
2D. Please indicate which of the following rural policy areas the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service is likely to primarily impact on.
Rural Business,Tourism, Housing, Jobs or Employment , Education or training, Broadband or Mobile communications, transport services or infrastructure, deprivation and development in rural areas.
2E. Please explain why the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service is NOT likely to impact on people in rural areas.
N/A
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 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
Research Papers
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.
Council has actively engaged with project ‘champions’ to fully understand the potential impacts that each of the Growth Deal projects could have on the Borough.
Engagement has taken place with: Ulster University, North West Regional College, Northern Regional College, Bushmills Community Groups, Dungiven Community Groups, Girona Project, Grow the Glens, Rathlin Island’s East Lighthouse project, Garvagh Innovation Hub project, Mountsandel Development, private landowners, Ambition North Wales (Critical Friend), Invest NI, Department for Infrastructure, Department for Communities and Department for the Economy.
Consultations took place both in person and online in both urban and rural areas, this will continue through the different stages of project development (Outline Business Case and Full Business Case)
Latest statistics from Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency, borough-wide, rural and urban have been used to inform decisions.
3D. Please provide details of the social and economic needs of people in rural areas which have been identified by the Public Authority?
Economically:
• The only costs incurred by the Growth Deal project are to Council and other identified key stakeholders (project leads/sponsors).
Socially:
• Population of the region currently stands at 141,746.
• Population by age – 18% are 0 to 14, 29% are 15-39, 34% are 40-64 and 19% are 65+.
• Gender – 49.2% of population are male and 50.7% are female.
• Dependents – 28% of population have at least one dependent.
• Labour Market – 70% economically active, with 69% of people employed and 10% self-employed. 3% of people are claiming unemployment of this 17% are aged 18-24.
• The median annual earnings for people living in the area is £24,825.
• Education – 14% have no qualifications, 45% have achieved a qualification below NVQ Level 4 and 41% have achieved a qualification higher than NVQ Level 4.
• Religious Beliefs – 40% are Catholic, 51% are Protestant, 1% have other religion and 7% have no religion.
• Political Opinion – 25% support Unionist parties, 26% support Nationalist parties, 19% support Alliance, 5% support Green Party, 11% are Independent and 14% other.
• Marital Status – 48% are married, 36% are single, 6% are divorced and 7% are widowed
• Racial Group – 90% identify are being from NI, 7% from rest of UK and the remainder from outside UK
Sources: 2021 UK Census and Invest NI Council Area Briefing 2023
The following is a summary of the overarching elements identified through the above analysis of need:
Economic Impacts:
• Job creation is the priority;
• Poverty reduction;
• Economic prosperity – including empowerment of entrepreneurs;
• Opportunities for young people
Social Impacts:
• Promoting social inclusion; empowering locals to get involved with community issues.
• Village enhancement – vibrant villages, community infrastructure.
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?
N/A
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.
For the Growth Deal, Council has considered the geographical make-up of the Borough and the needs of those in remote, rural areas who will require:
Digital Connectivity - there are some areas within the borough that have no digital connectivity leading to an increased sense of isolation. The Growth Deal will support the development of digital hubs in Cushendall and Dungiven to help reduce the digital divide.
Employability & Skills - there are some areas within the borough that have few/no qualifications or job opportunities, the programmes developed in support of all Growth Deal projects will have a beneficial effect on these areas.
Energy – Growth Deal projects are being developed with Net Zero targets in mind.
Tourism & Regeneration - there are some areas within the borough that could be improved to encourage tourism in the area, through regeneration projects and/or greenway development. Projects considered under the innovation and infrastructure themes will also bring benefits to the wider rural areas.
As the Growth Deal will not cost the residents of the borough any money, the outcome following completion of all Growth Deal projects will only be beneficial to all the stakeholders.
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 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.
The Growth Deal has considered many of the themes/challenges associated with rural needs and embedded potential solutions into the various projects identified for funding.
This includes consideration of future employment opportunities that will be enhanced by the creation of digital hubs in rural areas and a Business Innovation & Incubation Hub that will provide our local entrepreneurs will all the support they will need to start or expand their business. As direct consequence of this is expected to be the ability for rural dwellers to obtain high skilled and paid jobs without having to relocate to a city.
The regeneration and infrastructure projects will enhance the two villages selected (Bushmills and Dungiven) – villages that would otherwise not be eligible for this kind of intervention due to their size. The proposed greenway project will improve connectivity and increase safety on our roads, by removing pedestrians from our rural roads. This will be particularly beneficial considering the UK’s Department for Transport notes that two-thirds of fatal road accidents in
the UK happen on rural roads.
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.
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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: Strategic Projects Officer
Division/Branch Prosperity & Place
Date: 8 January 2024
Rural Needs Impact Assessment approved by: Head of Prosperity & Place
Division/Branch Leisure & Development
Date: 18 January 2024